Best gpu for a compaq SR2170NV

[matt-8125]

i want to upgrade my gpu until i can get a new pc this summer but i want to know what is the best one i can get for it. im buying the gpu used since im only using it for a bit. ill only be playing games at 1024x720 since that's the max res on my monitor.
my specs are:
intel pentium 4 3.0 ghz
2 gb ddr2 ram
300 watt psu
running windows xp 32 bit

i found these ones witch would be the best
-gt 220 1gb
http://manitoba.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-computer-accessories-nvida-gt-220-1gb-video-card-W0QQAdIdZ350658421

-sapphire hd 2600xt 512mb
http://manitoba.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-computer-accessories-video-card-W0QQAdIdZ338802471

-ATI RADEON HD 3650
http://manitoba.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-computer-accessories-ATI-RADEON-HD-3650-512-MB-VIDEO-CARD-W0QQAdIdZ342329898

-Geforce Gt 430
http://manitoba.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-computer-accessories-Geforce-Gt-430-Graphic-Card-W0QQAdIdZ344735922

 

[deadlockedworld]

You need to check your motherboard to see what kind of slot you have. Its very likely that you have an older AGP slot and not a PCIe x16. If so, it will limit your card selection to older models (that will be harder to find).

 

[bliq]

I'd choose the GT430 out of that group for sure. but $65 seems expensive.

Tom's says the best $75 card is a radeon 5670 and that would be a new card price (and US $ is slightly less than CA $ now I think).

shop around.

 

[Supernova1138]

i want to upgrade my gpu until i can get a new pc this summer but i want to know what is the best one i can get for it. im buying the gpu used since im only using it for a bit. ill only be playing games at 1024x720 since that's the max res on my monitor.
my specs are:
intel pentium 4 3.0 ghz
2 gb ddr2 ram
300 watt psu
running windows xp 32 bit

i found these ones witch would be the best
-gt 220 1gb
http://manitoba.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-computer-accessories-nvida-gt-220-1gb-video-card-W0QQAdIdZ350658421

-sapphire hd 2600xt 512mb
http://manitoba.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-computer-accessories-video-card-W0QQAdIdZ338802471

-ATI RADEON HD 3650
http://manitoba.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-computer-accessories-ATI-RADEON-HD-3650-512-MB-VIDEO-CARD-W0QQAdIdZ342329898

-Geforce Gt 430
http://manitoba.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-computer-accessories-Geforce-Gt-430-Graphic-Card-W0QQAdIdZ344735922

The GT 430 is the best out of that list, though that is not saying much. Admittedly you probably can't do a whole lot better without the Pentium 4 holding you back. Assuming your CPU doesn't prevent you from playing modern titles, which it will in most cases, you can do low or maybe medium settings with the 430. A Radeon HD 5670 would be better, but probably more expensive, and your CPU might hold it back.

 

[bliq]

You need to check your motherboard to see what kind of slot you have. Its very likely that you have an older AGP slot and not a PCIe x16. If so, it will limit your card selection to older models (that will be harder to find).

Oh yeah good point...

 

[matt-8125]

it has one pcie x16 slot
if i got a 5670 would my cpu bottleneck the card?

 

[Supernova1138]

The OP does have DDR2 RAM, so it is more likely to be an LGA775 P4, which would have PCI-E. Still, it doesn't hurt to check. If the OP is restricted to AGP, the best card he can get would be the Radeon HD 4670, and it is pricy for it's performance, generally selling for $100 or so.

Edit: You would probably get most of the 5670's performance out of the P4, but not necessarily all of it. If the price on the 5670 isn't too bad, I would say go for it, you should see better performance than the GT 430.

 

[Vettedude]

Get the 5670. Your CPU will bottleneck it a little, but it will stretch your performance the best on non-CPU intensive games.

 

[refillable]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102952

Make sure you update your bios before upgrading OK? The CPU will bottleneck very little.

 

[matt-8125]

thanks for the help guys i found a 5670 for $70.
but would 300 watt psu be good enough

 

[Vettedude]

It should. IDK the TDP of a Pentium 4 though, its been 4 years since I've had 1. I'm used to my 95w TDP Core 2 Quad lol.

 

[refillable]

300Watts should be enough.

 

[deadlockedworld]

I would be inclined to go the AMD route - either a 5570 or 5670 or equivalent. If you are searching used - also keep an eye out for 4670. Not as good, but enough to keep you going.

Feel free to post what you find here -- this search will be constrained much more by what you find used than by what we say here.

Tom's Graphics Hierarchy chart will be helpful: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html