What is the best GPU for my current PC?

[AYBABTUS]

I'm a very light PC gamer but definitely want to get back in for Diablo III. Haven't had a card in my PC forever (Previous one died) and am not sure whether I can get away with just throwing a card in this or if I should just start from scratch.

CPUual Core Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, 3000 MHz (9 x 333)
MoBo:Asus P5KPL-CM (2 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16, 2 DDR2 DIMM, Audio, Video, Gigabit LAN)
RAM:1 GB DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM (5-5-5-15 @ 333 MHz) (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz) (3-3-3-9 @ 200 MHz) x2

With a new GPU will this work fine for D3? If so what one would you suggest?

 

[rolli59]

What is the make and model of your PSU?

 

[AYBABTUS]

Was actually just looking for that figuring that would be first question. Looks like Speed 600ATX. (600W)

 

[rolli59]

Sounds like something I do not know! Probably will run a GTX550Ti which your CPU can easily keep up with.

 

[geotek]

Any card in the 100-150 dollar price range is as good as the recommended card by blizzard would match that cpu fine for d3("recommended as opposed to minimum requirements means that it should be able to run the game on most things on medium-high). Also, really important, with that processor be sure to set physics detail to LOW, dual cores cannot handle physics set to high in large fights, rest should be ok.

 

[FunSurfer]

To OP - if you will add one more GB of RAM your gaming experience will be much better.

 

[FunSurfer]

sorry didn't see the x2

 

[monsta]

You could probably get away with a GTX560 if you you upgrade your ram to a 8gb kit and overclock your cpu....it will need all the juice it can get.

 

[Guest]

5850/70 if you can find one

 

[Gman450]

Radeon HD 6770 or a HD 6790 seems like the highest you can go without an OC on the CPU.
And you need to add more RAM. 1 gig isn't going to enough, especially if you're running Win7.

 

[geotek]

You could probably get away with a GTX560 if you you upgrade your ram to a 8gb kit and overclock your cpu....it will need all the juice it can get.

Monsta wont need a gtx 560 or OC his cpu for d3, its no bf3. And it scales quite well. I agree about the ram though. 1gb is too low.

 

[dudewitbow]

battle.net site recommends using at least a 4870* for diablo 3. its probably better if you push the card into the 67xx+ depending on your budget

 

[Guest]

I think you all are underestimating the e8400 id bet a 6970 wouldnt be much problem even

 

[Kamen_BG]

I remember when the 550Be came out.It bottlenecked everything above a Radeon HD4890 which is equivilent to the HD6790.

 

[hellfire24]

hd 6790!

 

[Guest]

gtx 460 is faster then a 6790 and cheaper to i think

 

[hellfire24]

and outdated too!

 

[Guest]

and outdated too!

gtx 460 outdated?its direct x11 compatible and faster then a 6790.who cares about whats older its about performance

 

[AYBABTUS]

Thanks for all the replys!

I do have 2 GB of RAM in it. mobo will only support 4GB and am considering grabbing 2x2GB sticks to replace what I have as well as the video card. Just wasn't sure if it was going to be worth it given my system is already 3-4 years old.

These are the 3 cards I'm looking at now

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125412

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121434

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150564

Am I pretty much good with anything in this range? Does the manufacturer matter? Newb questions I'm sure.

Also the RAM for good measure in case I'm missing something.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220279

 

[monsta]

Monsta wont need a gtx 560 or OC his cpu for d3, its no bf3. And it scales quite well. I agree about the ram though. 1gb is too low.

Yeah true Geotek .....I get a little too excited sometimes...but def gotta raise that ram

 

[Gman450]

These are the 3 cards I'm looking at now

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125412

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121434

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150564

Am I pretty much good with anything in this range? Does the manufacturer matter? Newb questions I'm sure.

Also the RAM for good measure in case I'm missing something.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220279

A GTX 460 would cause a little bottleneck. However, I see that it's the 192 bit version, so the bottleneck would be just slight.
Leave the GTX550Ti.
Also, is this your PSU?
http://www.btecanada.com/products/index.php/default/computers-hardware/computer-components/pwr-index/speed-600w-atx-power-supply-20-24-ide-sata-2xfan.html
If it is, it isn't too good for a 600W one.
And it seems as if there aren't any PCIe power connectors, of course, assuming it is your PSU.

All those cards require at least 1X6 pin PCIe power connector.

Best GPU I can suggest that doesn't need a PCIe power connector would be a HD 7750
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102969
Costs around $115 after rebate.

 

[Plasmid]

A GTX 460 would cause a little bottleneck. However, I see that it's the 192 bit version, so the bottleneck would be just slight.
Leave the GTX550Ti.
Also, is this your PSU?
http://www.btecanada.com/products/index.php/default/computers-hardware/computer-components/pwr-index/speed-600w-atx-power-supply-20-24-ide-sata-2xfan.html
If it is, it isn't too good for a 600W one.
And it seems as if there aren't any PCIe power connectors, of course, assuming it is your PSU.

All those cards require at least 1X6 pin PCIe power connector.

Best GPU I can suggest that doesn't need a PCIe power connector would be a HD 7750
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102969
Costs around $115 after rebate.

GTX 460 v2 is faster than a gtx 460 1 gb 256 bit at stock settings and it's also faster than a hd 6850. Reason is the v2 has a higher core clock. The gtx 460 v2 is a defective gtx 560 so yeah ....clearing stock.

Agree with you on the hd 7750, but I think this MSI brand one is alot better, because it has a better cooler and components.

 

[Gman450]

Thanks for telling me that. I had no idea there even was a GTX 460 V2, despite the stripped down bit interface. I couldn't find any reviews either.
Sapphire is really good too.

 

[rolli59]

Unless there is a BIOS update for the motherboard that came out after the HD5xxx series get a Nvidia card, there have been no video issues with PCIe ver 2.1 cards (newer AMD) in older ver 1.x slots.

 

[Wisecracker]

I remember when the 550Be came out.It bottlenecked everything above a Radeon HD4890 which is equivilent to the HD6790.

This is complete and utter BS. As are comments that the e8400 is some type of major bottleneck. In the great majority of games, especially at higher resolutions, the e8400 and the PhII duals/quads are tremendous gaming CPUs.

Has anyone even bothered to ask at which resolution the OP is gaming, his future plans or overall budget?

Consideration and input is needed here, Mr OP.

I personally wouldn't mess around. I look at as a decision that covers at least 2 or 3 years. If the OP is planning a new system in that time frame, it makes no sense to condition his purchase on Internet blather about an e8400 being a bottleneck in a system that won't see 2014.

The OP should get on the Canada E-Blast & 'Quick Draw' mailing lists from the Egg and keep his eye out for specials he likes. Something in the range of $250 seems to be a real sweet spot at the Egg-Canada. You should not shy away from a HD7850 or HD6950 if gaming beyond Diablo III might interest you. New video cards, especially nice ones, tend to do that :lol:

HD6870s are starting to hit around the $150 price point in the US - HD6850s $20 less. Unleash your gaming beast!