Best video card under $45, to keep system under $400

[cpena76]

I wanted to get a card for under $45 about in order to keep the overall price of this sytem down below $400, including about $19 tax and shipping. I'm at about $349 total so far about. Since I got the rest of the stuff so cheap I figured a cheap card wouldn't hurt. MC's combo deals can't be beat. I just need a card for very light gaming, no games that really will tax the system in any way not very often. Medium settings would be more than enough.

I know it's not much to work with but whatever card that's the best for that money is what I'm looking for. I did some research and I have no idea still. There's so many cheap cards, I don't wanna get a 'cheap' cheap card. If you know what I mean. Something reliable at least.

Since this system is for my sister's family I have an extra case and a Patriot Wildfire SSD I will be gifting. They have all other periphals. I belive the monitor is at 720p.

Amazon would be my prefer site since I get free shipping on most stuff but I'm open to Newegg and TigerDirect, etc.

Approx. purchase date: Soon as possible.

Will not be overclocking or SLI.

i3 2100 - $99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0359809

MSI H61M-P23 - $30 being bought through Microcenter combo deal with i3 2100 but can't link from their site, in store only.
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-LGA1155-B3-Motherboard-H61M-P23/dp/B004RPNM86/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1331585591&sr=1-1

Corsair 430w Builder series PSU - $43
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004W2T2TM/ref=oh_o00_s00_i01_details

G.Skill Ripjaws 4gb DDR3 1333 PC310666 2gbx2 - $35
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BJ6U2E/ref=oh_o01_s00_i00_details

Windows 7 - $99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004Q0PT3I/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details

Asus 24x DVD RW Sata OEM - $21.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0033Z2BAQ/ref=oh_o00_s00_i02_details

Thanks!

 

[willard]

At that low a price point, I'd definitely suggest using one of AMD's APUs. This kind of thing is exactly what they're best at. Crazy cheap builds where you don't need a ton of GPU power.

 

[cpena76]

I'm saving $ 60 already, I figured the i3 2100, makes it so they have more headroom in the CPU area down the line. It's still at $350 with the I3. Or would an AMD still be better at 100? And since no combo deal, what kind would I be able to get for $130 including mobo/apu before tax and no shipping?

 

[DeadRam]

Try this one. SAPPHIRE 100323L Radeon HD 6570 1GB DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card. $49 after rebate. No tax for most and shipped free.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102934

 

[seumas_beathan]

What about this - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102952

 

[loneninja]

Have you bought any of this yet? Most anything you can find for $40 isn't going to be much faster than the HD3000 integrated graphics from Intel, you can get that in the I3 2125. I see no reason to get a really low end discrete card, just go integrated and save a little money or bump the budget another $30 or so.

 

[seumas_beathan]

6670 is quite a bit better than the hd 3000 is it not

 

[cpena76]

Well it would cost me an extra $60 for a I3 2125 and mobo, since no combo deal. I'd only be getting HD 3000 integrated graphics. With the current deal, I figured I could stay under $400 still and get 6450 or something which would be far better I believe, no?

 

[ChilledLJ]

Well it would cost me an extra $60 for a I3 2125 and mobo, since no combo deal. I'd only be getting HD 3000 integrated graphics. With the current deal, I figured I could stay under $400 still and get 6450 or something which would be far better I believe, no?

6570 would be worth getting but anything lower then it's not nworth it. If you want to use it for a lot of gaming then drop the CPU down to a a Pentium and buy a better graphics card

 

[Guest]

Well it would cost me an extra $60 for a I3 2125 and mobo, since no combo deal. I'd only be getting HD 3000 integrated graphics. With the current deal, I figured I could stay under $400 still and get 6450 or something which would be far better I believe, no?

anything over a Radeon HD 5450 would be better.

btw its $20 more for a 2125
Core i3 2125 LGA 1155 Boxed Processor $119.99
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0376494

 

[Onus]

Loneninja said what I might have suggested. If you can get an i3-2125, you may be able to play some games on lowered settings until you (or they) save money for a GPU upgrade.
Otherwise, if someone can give up Starbucks or McD's for a day or two, add that to the $49 and try and get the HD6670, or a GDDR5 version of the HD5670.

 

[cpena76]

Ok I see, btw yes the I3 2125 is $20 more, but the same mobo would then not qualify for the combo deal, instead of $30 it would be $65 so actually $55 more. Anywho, saving for a slightly higher card will be the likely choice, more for the money I think. Thanks all,I appreciate the info and advice.

 

[Guest]

Ok I see, btw yes the I3 2125 is $20 more, but the same mobo would then not qualify for the combo deal, instead of $30 it would be $65 so actually $55 more. Anywho, saving for a slightly higher card will be the likely choice, more for the money I think. Thanks all,I appreciate the info and advice.

i saw that deal and looks ok for the price. good move to save for a better card, maybe think about $175 budget and you won't go wrong.