Upgrade for Dell Inspiron 560, budget $80

[springhalo]

This is for a friend of mine, and I'm not sure what he can run with a simple 300w PSU.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the month, price is <$80

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (minecraft, OSU!, guild wars 2 when it comes out), Video watching (It'd be nice to use DXVA)

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: N/A (integrated intel GMA x4500), PSU is a dell 300w with a 7A output current

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: It's a dell inspiron 560 with an intel G43 chipset and a core2duo e7500 processor [see speccy screenshots]

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: ATI cards seem to have the best value at this price point, looking at the 5670

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe, probably not htough

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Talking to dell support gave me no help, as they redirected me to this webpage (completely useless overpriced garbage)

He's looking for something that will run games better than an integrated graphics card (pretty much anything). But would like to get the most powerful card that his power supply can handle. The games he plays right now aren't very demanding, but you always have to look into the future.

 

[dragonic2020]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Within the month, price is <$80
...
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: (e.g.: Need to have better than stock cooling; Want a card with a lifetime warranty; Must run Crysis with full AA on a three-display setup, etc.)

Graphics card to play Crysis on full AA with three monitors for $80?
Impossible.

Radeon HD 5670 is the best you're gonna get for $80.

 

[springhalo]

Graphics card to play Crysis on full AA with three monitors for $80?
Impossible.

Radeon HD 5670 is the best you're gonna get for $80.

Crap. Forgot to remove that from the copy/paste. Disregard the things in the parentheses after ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

I'm more concerned with his PSU supporting the 5670.

 

[ko888]

Even better is the Radeon HD 6670.

XFX HD-667X-ZHF3 Radeon HD 6670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card for $83.99 at Newegg.com ($73.99 after mail-in rebate)

The OEM power supply in the Dell Inspiron 560 should have a +12 Volt current rating of 18 Amps.

A Radeon HD 6670 has a maximum load board power of 66 Watts. This means that the graphics card itself may draw up to 5.5 Amps from the +12 Volt rail. The Dell Inspiron 560's power supply unit should be able to handle this with no problem.

A Radeon HD 5670 has a maximum load board power of 64 Watts. This means that the graphics card itself may draw up to 5.3 Amps from the +12 Volt rail. The existing power supply should be able to run this card just fine.

 

[springhalo]

Even better is the Radeon HD 6670.

XFX HD-667X-ZHF3 Radeon HD 6670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card for $83.99 at Newegg.com ($73.99 after mail-in rebate)

The OEM power supply in the Dell Inspiron 560 should have a +12 Volt current rating of 18 Amps.

A Radeon HD 6670 has a maximum load board power of 66 Watts. This means that the graphics card itself may draw up to 5.5 Amps from the +12 Volt rail. The Dell Inspiron 560's power supply unit should be able to handle this with no problem.

A Radeon HD 5670 has a maximum load board power of 64 Watts. This means that the graphics card itself may draw up to 5.3 Amps from the +12 Volt rail. The existing power supply should be able to run this card just fine.

I'm also looking to get one with the best value and am looking at the older 5670s due to their lower price. Is there a real difference between the 512mb and the 1gb cards? Or is there practically no need to get the higher one with a 1280x1024 screen?

looking at this: Sapphire 5670 512mb

EDIT: Isn't the 6670 just a rebranded 5670?

 

[ko888]

TechPowerUp's comparison :

 

[springhalo]

Best answer selected by SpringHalo.

 

[springhalo]

TechPowerUp's comparison :

http://tpucdn.com/reviews/Axle/Radeon_HD_5670/images/perfrel_1280.gif http://tpucdn.com/reviews/Axle/Radeon_HD_5670/images/perfdollar.gif

Thanks a bunch!