Best card for $60 or less?

[vex390]

Hey everyone I'm expecting a used dell desktop in the mail soon and wanted to get a gfx card for it so that I don't bang my head against the wall because of the integrated gfx. My budget is around $60 or less. The board has a PCI-express x16 (it doesn't say 1.0 or 2.0 so I'm assuming it's 1.0). I'm under educated on gfx cards.

Also, I'm looking at these two cards:
EVGA 01G-P3-1302-LR GeForce 8400 GS 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130585

and
PNY Verto VCGG2101XPB GeForce 210 1GB 128-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133320

I understand that with the bus rate on the motherboard being slower on the gfx card, current benchmark ratings aren't going to be as dependable. So I guess my other question would be, in the situation of a pci-express 1.0 x16 board, what is most important on the gfx card? Least important?

 

[Pyree]

What is the current spec of the computer. You may not need the GPU "upgrade". What you picked are really slow card and modern IGP outperform them.

 

[vex390]

It's a dell 4gb ddr2 ram, 1.8 ghz core2duo with an intel media accelerator 3000. I'm also looking at this card which seems nice:

Galaxy 43GGS8HX3SPZ GeForce GT 430 (Fermi) 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162067

 

[Pyree]

What are you trying to achieve by using a dedicated graphics card? Also what is your PSU?

 

[vex390]

I am trying to be able to do normal graphics related things ie flash games, low end pc gaming, a little photo editing, video editing. I have a media accelerator in my laptop right now and I can't do any of those things. Oh and the power supply is a 300watt stock supply. I wouldn't mind upgrading that too if it would help my cause.

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

If you go for the 430 and your psu is up to it this would be a better deal imo ; http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500204 , only 20$ with rebate.

 

[jjb8675309]

yeah but dont expect to play many games other than minesweeper with that piece of scrap

OP: seriously if you want to play modern games save for a new build

 

[vex390]

I don't want to play modern games really, just a little diablo 2 here and there.

 

[jjb8675309]

yeah than a decent IGP should suffice imo a gt 430 would be a decent upgrade if you are sticking with your 300w psu but as long as your expectations are set right then youll be okay

 

[Pyree]

Do you know if the DELL is a low profile or full width?

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

You will be able to play older games.
My son had a P3 667mhz till last week and could play games like stronghold, the first editions of command and conqueror, diablo 1 and 2 etc.
Dell 300W is enough for the 430 btw.

 

[Pyree]

Since you are ok with not maxing out games and ok with going to a dead end upgrade path. The most important thing is to make sure that the PSU is powerful enough to handle the card, the case is of the correct width to fit the card and also, the mobo does have a pci-e slot for it (you don't want to buy a graphics card and only finds out that DELL puts a mobo without pci-e connection in it. The chipset can support pci-e but DELL decide to be cheap and tell the OEM mobo maker to not put a slot on it.)

 

[jjb8675309]

^ yeah Ive had older p4 systems that have run d2 just fine, if thats what the OP wants then they will be good... maybe an snes emulator?

 

[christoj]

Any thoughts on using a AMD 5570 card? They can be had for under $60. I believe they are a marginally more powerful card compared against the GTX430.

 

[jjb8675309]

yeah I was going to suggest that in fact they are marginally better than most highend igps

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

It could give trouble though with the 2.1 in a 1.0 slot. ( if it is 1.0 )

 

[Pyree]

This 5670 would be a nice buy but it is most likely require a new PSU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150535R

 

[g-unit1111]

I just bought one of these for use in an HTPC setup - it should work fine:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102933

 

[jyjjy]

What is the actual model number of the computer?

 

[spentshells]

4670 if you can find one would be great and would work without a PSU upgrade.
They should be found under 60 dollars

 

[Dyjon54]

5570 would be a great deal at that price.

 

[spentshells]

Low power PSU might be the issue here.

 

[vex390]

Best answer selected by vex390.