Updating Graphics Card! Please Comment:)

[mahin1islam]

Hey, im gonna buy a budget PC from Walmart, and im gonna update the graphics card for moderate gaming (BF3/Crysis 2 on medium or atleast console graphics). I just want to make sure that i CAN update the graphics card. last time i got a pc, there wasnt enough slots. also, it required too much power, and it woulnt work. Can someone please help me find out if the graphics cards below will work with the PC, that it can be upgraded, that there is enough slots, and the power supply will be efficient? The PC and Graphics cards are below:

PC (Gateway Black DX4860-UB21P Desktop PC (Refurbished) with Intel Core i3-2100 Processor, 6GB Memory, 1TB Hard Drive and Windows 7 Home Premium (Monitor Not Included))
Link: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Gateway-Black-DX4860-UB21P-Desktop-PC-Refurbished-with-Intel-Core-i3-2100-Processor-6GB-Memory-1TB-Hard-Drive-and-Windows-7-Home-Premium-Monitor/19498336

Here are the graphics cards that im gonna choose from (im budget limited):
Nvidia Geforce GT 240 ddr5
Nvidia Geforce GT 440 ddr5
Nvidia Geforce GT 520 ddr3
Nvidia Geforce GTS 450 ddr3
Nvidia Geforce GTX 550 Ti
Radeon HD 5670 ddr5
Radeon HD 6570 ddr3
Radeon HD 6670 ddr3

Which of these graphics cards will work on the PC?
Are there any others u guys can recomend to me?
For the ones that dont work, what is requires for me to buy in order to get them to work?
Is my i3 processor gonna hold any of these cards back?
What if i had an Athlon ii x2?
Would these cards meet my needs for moderate gaming?
Which cards are the best (from those that will work [obviously the 550 ti is the best, what else?])?
Which ones are worth it, and which one (in ur opinion) should i get?

Thanks a lot ahead of time for what ever suggestiond u can giv me http://img.tomshardware.com/forum/uk/icones/smilies/hello.gif

 

[mahin1islam]

also, rreal quick: Radeon HD 5670 ddr5 vs Radeon HD 6670 ddr3. which one is better, and how much of a difference is it really?

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

Hi.

For modern games you will need something like a GTX460 or HD6850, anything lower like the 6670 won't give high fps and only low/medium settings at best.

What psu do you have, can't find it.

 

[megamanx00]

The 5670 is faster simply due to the GDDR5 RAM and there is a noticeable difference.

As for that GPU list the best one is the 550Ti but it uses the most power. I think you should instead go for the 6770 since they use less power and are cheap at the moment. You could spend a little more for a Radeon 6850, 550Ti, 6790, or GTX 460, but you can't be sure the PSU will cope with it.

The i3 is good enough for gaming and it will be better than a computer with an Athlon X2. Seeing as that PC is $319 right now you aren't going to do any better for that price. Buy it, upgrade the video card, and be happy. Before you upgrade the video card though open it up and check out what kind of PSU it has.

 

[megamanx00]

Looks like it only has a 450W PSU judging by my quick google search. Yeah, I'd say the best thing to do is get a 6770 as a 550Ti may use a bit too much power for it. If you spend $70 or so on a Decent PSU you can step up to a much more powerful GPU.

 

[Onus]

You do need to check the PSU. Particularly if it was made by Bestec, you'll want to replace it. A good (Seasonic, Antec, Corsair) 400W-500W PSU will be able to power a GTX550Ti or HD6770.
If the PSU is only 300W, and has no PCIE power connector, it should still be enough for a HD5670 or HD6670. You should get either one with GDDR5, not DDR3. A HD6670 is relatively weak when your scale is focused on "Ultra" settings, but should play modern games quite well on medium to high settings; it will max older games.

 

[esrever]

the 6670 > 5670 even with the ddr3

the 550 ti probably won't work.

on your current psu you'd probably best off with the 6670.

 

[megamanx00]

the 6670 > 5670 even with the ddr3

the 550 ti probably won't work.

on your current psu you'd probably best off with the 6670.

No, the RAM speed makes a pretty big difference though it seems to depend on the game. Not too many reviews on DDR3 versions of the card though

http://tech2.in.com/reviews/graphics-cards/his-hd-6670-1gb-ddr3-graphics-card/231692

 

[esrever]

yes but the 6670 has higher clock rate and more stream processors than the 5670 which would make up for the memory considering these cards are low end and will be playing on lower resolutions.

 

[mahin1islam]

yes but the 6670 has higher clock rate and more stream processors than the 5670 which would make up for the memory considering these cards are low end and will be playing on lower resolutions.

so, lets say i was gonna play BF3 or crysis 2 1280x720 w/ the 6670 and i3 processor. what settings would i be able to play it in if i didnt care much for my framerate (i could let it dip to 20 - 25 and wouldnt care)?

 

[esrever]

you'd probably be able to get medium at least, maybe a few things on high.

 

[mahin1islam]

Out of all these cards, im probably gonna go with the HIS Radeon HD 6670 1GB (128bit) GDDR5. i think i got it for a pretty god price(link: http://www.amazon.com/HIS-Express-Profile-Graphics-H667FN1G/dp/B0062HIQLU/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1325200141&sr=1-4 ). Im gonna try to verify it that it will work with the PC before buying it tho. what are the chances? is the card dual slot or single slot? also, whats the power supply im gonna need?

 

[esrever]

its going to be a single slot and you'd need a 300 watt psu. It will have a very high chance of it working with your pc.

 

[BlackHawk91]

Couldn't find info on the PSU. Found the same PC model on newegg: Same model+different components = the magic of refurbished products (fair price though)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883113189

A review here http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2387922,00.asp

 

[mahin1islam]

its going to be a single slot and you'd need a 300 watt psu. It will have a very high chance of it working with your pc.

thanks. i gonna try to verify that just in case though. also, i want to make sure that the gateway pc has the requirements before i buy it.

 

[mahin1islam]

its going to be a single slot and you'd need a 300 watt psu. It will have a very high chance of it working with your pc.

http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6670/pages/amd-radeon-hd-6670-overview.aspx#3

in system requirements it says recomended 400 watt psu. is that a recommendation or requirement? i just want to verify what you said about it would work on a 300 watt psu. also about it only using up 1 slot. are you absolutely sure? i just want to make sure before i buy so i dont get screwd over. where did u get the info?

 

[esrever]

yes, thats a recommended. but you should be able to get away with a 300w, its definately single slot. but the fan might block the slot right next to it if its close depending on the model.

 

[mahin1islam]

yes, thats a recommended. but you should be able to get away with a 300w, its definately single slot. but the fan might block the slot right next to it if its close depending on the model.

aight, thanks