Upgarding hd5400, £80 budget

[dr johnson]

looking to buy a graphics card this week. i opted for a hd 5400 when i got my machine, with the intention of changing it when i got spare cash. the time has come.

mainly used for strategic gaming, hoi3 is fave at the moment. i don't really play any of the graphic intense action games...maybe the odd game of fifa.

so, my current card is ati hd5400, 1gb.
system: amd phemon II X4 945 processor, 3000mhz (quad core). 4gb ram.
monitor max res 1360 x 768

i have no preference of make/model etc., as long as it can kick my current cards bum.

so far i have looked at these ones: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card-radeon-hd-6990-geforce-gtx-590,2912-2.html

also, what does a dvi cable do? would it increase resolution, or is that limited by the monitor?

 

[rolli59]

This is the best card you can get under 80 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/259592
This card would be good for your resolution http://www.ebuyer.com/product/190139
DVI cable by itself does not do any thing but if you have DVI connectors both ends you get a digital signal (usually clearer/sharper) instead of analog through VGA connection.

 

[yummerzzz]

^
That is not the best card for under £80.

You could get a Sapphire HD 5830 Xtreme, though it depends on your PSU :
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/9563916/art/sapphire-technology/radeon-hd-5830-xtreme-1-g.html

Sapphire HD 5770 :
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/9069641/art/sapphire-technology/radeon-hd-5770-1-gb-gddr5.html

Sapphire Ultimate HD 5670 :
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/6889642/art/sapphire-technology/radeon-hd-5670-ultimate-1.html

 

[dr johnson]

thanks guys. i think i might go for the 5670...no seperate power supply needed.

what does a hdmi cable do then? i'm sure i read in my monitor book that it increases resolution, but i can't find where it said it now.

 

[yummerzzz]

Yes it does, HDMI can handle HD resolutions.

 

[rolli59]

HDMI cable needs HDMI devices both end just like a DVI cable needs DVI both ends. It is a digital connection that carries sound with the video.
(DVI can carry HD video signal as well)

 

[dr johnson]

the monitor has a dvi connection. i'll borrow a cable to see what happens.