Whats a good gaming graphics card for an old computer?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Anth0ny21

Honorable
Jan 28, 2013
10
0
10,510
Hello,
im looking to replace my geforce PNY 9400 GT DDR2 1GB PCI-E. I have an old computer its an IBM not sure what model it was windows vista, now im on win 7 home premium. its has Intel pentium 4. RAM 2.25 GB. 32-bit and a 300 watt psu. IM a hardcore gamer and im looking for something of equal or greater performance. thx all and im looking forward for your imput.
 
Solution
I'd say go for HD7750 or HD7770 or GTX 640 as you haven't specified the exact model of the processor, it is better you get a low end card. Since your processor is very old and slow it will bottleneck the high end cards.

Xttony

Distinguished
I'd say go for HD7750 or HD7770 or GTX 640 as you haven't specified the exact model of the processor, it is better you get a low end card. Since your processor is very old and slow it will bottleneck the high end cards.
 
Solution

CoCIDLC

Honorable
Jan 27, 2013
3
0
10,510

If your motherboard's processor socket is 775, then I suggest you buy atleast an Intel Core 2 Duo or Quad if you have more money. If you have a good GPU but a bad CPU then your graphics will be bottleneck'd. You should also upgrade your PSU to atleast a 650watts, 80 plus certified.
 

protogenic

Honorable
Nov 6, 2012
36
0
10,540



NAHHHHHH 500Watts even 400 would work fine for a rig like that.. Don't make him buy anything that isn't necessary.
 

Xttony

Distinguished

It can outposts your 9400 easily. It is mainly due to advanced architecture that will let you place more transistors, cores, etc. this has enabled to have better performance at the cost of even lower power.
 


agree with everything you suggest - except 650w PSU, absolutely no need
for the xtra cost that would entail. A 7750 requires only a 350w unit and that's
with headroom, if he wants to go with a 7770 then it's 430w with headroom.
 

Anth0ny21

Honorable
Jan 28, 2013
10
0
10,510
okay guys so the power color amd 7750 1 gb gddr 3 requires a psu of 400 watts i can only do 300 watts. i can only spend less then a hundred would the 7750 still work in my pc?
 

abbadon_34

Distinguished
In reality the 7750 requires the least amount of power of any card on the market. The power requirements are a high estimate to be safe and account for poor quality PSU's. I would bet the 7750 takes less power than your current card.
 


Hi - assuming your 300w(you didn't specify make/model of psu) actually delivers 300w,
then you can run the 7750. realhardtech suggests 350w & usually those
figures allow for headroom (50w or so)

Tom
 

Xttony

Distinguished

some people reported that they even used the card with a 220watts PSU
 

Anth0ny21

Honorable
Jan 28, 2013
10
0
10,510
okay so the powercolor AMD 7750 HD 1gb gddr 3 would be okay even if i only have a 300 watt power supply?
i just want to make sure cause im about to buy it.

btw thank u all for your imput it definently is helping i was in the dark till now so thx all! :D
 

Xttony

Distinguished

Yes your PSU can handle the graphics card.
 

abbadon_34

Distinguished
Normally I'd advise against using any card with that PSU, but since you've been using the 9400 for awhile, and HD7750 takes about 1-2 watts LESS power, you should be ok.

As a "hardcore gamer" I'm sure you will be looking to replace your entire system soon. Just say when.
 

mohit9206

Distinguished
am pretty sure your pentium 4 will heavily bottleneck games and the graphic card as well. at the very least upgrade your cpu to a core 2 duo which would be much better than a pentium 4.
i seriousy see no incentive for you to get a new card as long as you have a single core cpu . get a new cpu and a 7750 and if possible a new psu as well, more ram and 64 bit OS.
in short entire system upgrade is recommended if you are a hardcore gamer
 

Anth0ny21

Honorable
Jan 28, 2013
10
0
10,510
well thats the weird thing i played border lands 2 on high setting never even had a problem and a high resolution. the reason i need a new graphics card is because my old one died. now id go with the same card but no one has one any more. so im going to buy PowerColor AMD Radeon HD 7750 1GB GDDR3 HDMI PCI-E Video Card AX7750 1GBK3-H.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.