Choosing a suitable graphics card for my system for mid-level gaming
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
Hey everyone, I need some assistance in choosing a good graphics card for my situation.
Ok so I have some friends on Steam and I realize that most of the interesting games there have graphics card requirements which is obvious to say the least. Now I have done some research as to the cards that would suit me well but I do like the NVIDIA PhysX feature so i'd prefer a GeForce card. I don't think I can spend more than $150 US on a card right now and would prefer to keep it as close to $100 if possible.
Here are my specs:
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E7200@ 2.53 GHz which I slightly clocked at 2.66GHz since I don't have a proper cooling case yet.
Motherboard: ASRock G31M-S (I may upgrade later since I want DDR3 memory)
HDD: 1 500 GB Seagate SATA HDD and another 120GB drive which was previously in there but is now failing.
PSU: 500W was what I saw when I last looked inside...
Preferred Websites: www.newegg.com, tigerdirect.com, amazon.com
I would like to be able to add a second card in Crossfire/SLI in the future, perhaps in the summer so take that into consideration.
The monitor I have is a CRT![:(]( ":(")
16" and I usually run the resolution on 1152 * 864
Note that the graphics are Intel G31/33 Chipset and only have 64MB of Video Memory. This computer has done well with video playback as it has handled 1080p with relative ease and occasionally a lil stuttering but it runs fine.
I want to be able to play games such as Hitman: Absolution (I won this game in a giveaway and badly wanna play it!), Team Fortress 2, DOTA 2, League of Legends, Magicka among others, and I need a good graphics card to play those games on low to mid settings.
Please recommend any cards you think will do the job. I don't need a NVIDIA card specifically but I do like the PhysX feature as I said...Thanks!
Oh and I was looking at this card as well... ASUS GTX 550 Ti (Fermi)
Ok so I have some friends on Steam and I realize that most of the interesting games there have graphics card requirements which is obvious to say the least. Now I have done some research as to the cards that would suit me well but I do like the NVIDIA PhysX feature so i'd prefer a GeForce card. I don't think I can spend more than $150 US on a card right now and would prefer to keep it as close to $100 if possible.
Here are my specs:
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E7200@ 2.53 GHz which I slightly clocked at 2.66GHz since I don't have a proper cooling case yet.
Motherboard: ASRock G31M-S (I may upgrade later since I want DDR3 memory)
HDD: 1 500 GB Seagate SATA HDD and another 120GB drive which was previously in there but is now failing.
PSU: 500W was what I saw when I last looked inside...
Preferred Websites: www.newegg.com, tigerdirect.com, amazon.com
I would like to be able to add a second card in Crossfire/SLI in the future, perhaps in the summer so take that into consideration.
The monitor I have is a CRT
16" and I usually run the resolution on 1152 * 864Note that the graphics are Intel G31/33 Chipset and only have 64MB of Video Memory. This computer has done well with video playback as it has handled 1080p with relative ease and occasionally a lil stuttering but it runs fine.
I want to be able to play games such as Hitman: Absolution (I won this game in a giveaway and badly wanna play it!), Team Fortress 2, DOTA 2, League of Legends, Magicka among others, and I need a good graphics card to play those games on low to mid settings.
Please recommend any cards you think will do the job. I don't need a NVIDIA card specifically but I do like the PhysX feature as I said...Thanks!
Oh and I was looking at this card as well... ASUS GTX 550 Ti (Fermi)
Best solution
On a modest budget, wanting only low-mid settings, a $110 GTX650 would do, but a $140 GTX650Ti would give you much better performance.
If your budget is super-tight, a $60-$70 GT440/GT640 can probably play these on low settings.
Make sure your PSU is up to the task. If you've got a cheap generic that came with your case, if it has a PCIe power connector you can probably run a GTX650 on it; if it doesn't, get a HD7750. You'll lose PhysX, but actually get comparable or slightly better performance. If your budget allows, $40 will buy an Antec VP-450, which can run any of these (or some stronger) cards.
If your budget is super-tight, a $60-$70 GT440/GT640 can probably play these on low settings.
Make sure your PSU is up to the task. If you've got a cheap generic that came with your case, if it has a PCIe power connector you can probably run a GTX650 on it; if it doesn't, get a HD7750. You'll lose PhysX, but actually get comparable or slightly better performance. If your budget allows, $40 will buy an Antec VP-450, which can run any of these (or some stronger) cards.
Hmmm, missed your edits...
Crossfire is for AMD cards; SLI for nVidia. Running a pair of weaker cards pretty much never makes sense compared to running a single stronger card.
At your resolution, get a GTX650. Most of them require a PCIe power connector, but Asus has one that does not. Get that one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... for $115; $105 if you play the rebate game and win.
Crossfire is for AMD cards; SLI for nVidia. Running a pair of weaker cards pretty much never makes sense compared to running a single stronger card.
At your resolution, get a GTX650. Most of them require a PCIe power connector, but Asus has one that does not. Get that one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... for $115; $105 if you play the rebate game and win.
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Lucky for you your cpu is a lower power model.
I am with Onus on checking the power supply. See if you can get an image of the sticker or at least the specs. The +12volt rail is the important one. If you have more then one, you will want to look for a combined rating. It may look something like this.
![]()
OR
This. wattage / voltage = amps so 288/12 = 24 amps
![]()
All in all, you can NEVER have to much video power. Get the best your can afford and power.
I am with Onus on checking the power supply. See if you can get an image of the sticker or at least the specs. The +12volt rail is the important one. If you have more then one, you will want to look for a combined rating. It may look something like this.
OR
This. wattage / voltage = amps so 288/12 = 24 amps
All in all, you can NEVER have to much video power. Get the best your can afford and power.
nukemaster said:
Lucky for you your cpu is a lower power model.I am with Onus on checking the power supply. See if you can get an image of the sticker or at least the specs. The +12volt rail is the important one. If you have more then one, you will want to look for a combined rating. It may look something like this.
http://imageshack.us/a/img829/7152/psur.jpg
OR
This. wattage / voltage = amps so 288/12 = 24 amps
http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/4529/multirail.jpg
All in all, you can NEVER have to much video power. Get the best your can afford and power.
Ok I just looked at my PSU, yes I believe it is a generic one that came with the case. My father was the one who firstly set it up. It actually says ATX-400 and underneath that the +12V rail is 18A. I can't get a picture just yet, perhaps by tomorrow. Does this mean my PSU is actually 400W not 500?
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