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Started by OrganicIntelligence | | 10 answers
I've recently mounted a flat-screen television above my desk and want to be able to switch between my LCD monitor and LED TV at will. The TV includes HDMI and VGA inputs while my on-board graphics card includes VGA and DVI (but not HDMI) outputs. I'm also a gamer and would love a graphics upgrade with ability to play on a badass wall-mounted LED TV.
After some lengthy research, it appears my options are:
It seems that VGA/D-sub has become gradually phased out in new graphics card outputs. I have also become aware that adapters can be used (i.e. DVI to VGA) with graphics card outputs.
My PC is the HP Pavilion p6230y. Here is a link to the specs.
My motherboard is the H-RS880-uATX (Aloe). Here is a link to the specs.
It appears my computer provides for a graphics card upgrade via a PCI Express x16 (Gen 2.0) expansion slot. I'm just going to upgrade my PSU, as well, since most decent graphics cards require around 500+watts. My price range is under $100 for the PSU and $100-200 for the card.
After combing through dozens of tabs of guides, forums, shopping comparisons, specs, etc. I'm weary but think I've settled on my final choices. Here's where you can help me decide, and I thank you pre-emptively for doing so! My upgrade choices for the HP Pavilion p6230y are...
Think this will work for me?
Should I keep my top graphics card pick or opt for one of the alternatives instead?
Did I miss a more awesome PSU/Graphics card that would fit my compatibility/price requirements?
Thanks again!
After some lengthy research, it appears my options are:
1) Buy a VGA splitter and use both screens at once. However, there seems to be a downgrade in graphics/clarity unless I use a clunky splitter box. There also may be difficulties in switching between different displays/VGA cords seamlessly and w/out error. This is a quick/cheap fix, but ultimately undesirable.
2) Purchase a new graphics card (w/ new compatible PSU) that supports both HDMI and VGA
It seems that VGA/D-sub has become gradually phased out in new graphics card outputs. I have also become aware that adapters can be used (i.e. DVI to VGA) with graphics card outputs.
My PC is the HP Pavilion p6230y. Here is a link to the specs.
My motherboard is the H-RS880-uATX (Aloe). Here is a link to the specs.
It appears my computer provides for a graphics card upgrade via a PCI Express x16 (Gen 2.0) expansion slot. I'm just going to upgrade my PSU, as well, since most decent graphics cards require around 500+watts. My price range is under $100 for the PSU and $100-200 for the card.
After combing through dozens of tabs of guides, forums, shopping comparisons, specs, etc. I'm weary but think I've settled on my final choices. Here's where you can help me decide, and I thank you pre-emptively for doing so! My upgrade choices for the HP Pavilion p6230y are...
POWER SUPPLY:
CORSAIR CX500
GRAPHICS CARD:
Top Pick
Gigabyte R9 270X
Possible alternatives
EVGA GeForce GTX 660
or
MSI AMD Radeon R7 265
or
EVGA GeForce GTX 750Ti
or
EVGA GeForce GTX 760
Think this will work for me?
Should I keep my top graphics card pick or opt for one of the alternatives instead?
Did I miss a more awesome PSU/Graphics card that would fit my compatibility/price requirements?
Thanks again!
Edited: Includes a couple new options and updated "Top Pick"
OrganicIntelligence
October 2, 2014 11:34:51 PM
menetlaus said:
for similar GPU$/newegg I would look at:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Chose this as the answer because I ended up choosing the R9 280 over all else. It seems to out-perform everything while staying reasonably close to my price-range (at least with rebates and when they don't jack up the prices/remove deals) as well as fitting my case (ideally) in width and length (not butting up against the hard-drive cage).
Upon examining my case, however, I'm not so sure the R9 280 will fit properly as my memory sticks look like they're in the way (about an inch or two from my PCI-E slot/towards the front of the case). If they are, then I'll need a card that's around 7" or less... in which case I'm stuck with the "750 Ti". If that's the case (no pun intended) then I'll save the bigger GFX guns for a custom rig sometime in the future. I'll be starting a separate thread on measuring my case...
Thanks everyone!
OrganicIntelligence
October 1, 2014 12:04:27 PM
markwp said:
As with any component, every brand will have the occasional lemon. MSI has a great reputation, Sapphire is also well respected, and HIS has been improving, so it's really a crap shoot. You will pay more for the "name brand" items typically, but the others often provide just as good results at a lower price. Personally, I have generally stuck with brands as I find their return/RMA policies to be more consumer friendly.As far as rebates go, I never count one in my pricing. If a rebate is available, and BIG IF the seller actually honors it, I consider that gravy. Rebates are notorious for "loopholes", and counting on that money as a system price reduction can cause dissapointment. Buy what you can afford, and any rebates you actually receive can be used for other purposes like a good steak and brew.
Try using the pcpartpicker.com site when pricing - it will give you several sources as well as showing you the "best" price. Newegg is a great vendor, but there are often other deals available from lesser known sources. Just be sure to read some reviews on those vendors return/RMA actions.
Mark
Quite a thorough response! Thanks for the advice.
As with any component, every brand will have the occasional lemon. MSI has a great reputation, Sapphire is also well respected, and HIS has been improving, so it's really a crap shoot. You will pay more for the "name brand" items typically, but the others often provide just as good results at a lower price. Personally, I have generally stuck with brands as I find their return/RMA policies to be more consumer friendly.
As far as rebates go, I never count one in my pricing. If a rebate is available, and BIG IF the seller actually honors it, I consider that gravy. Rebates are notorious for "loopholes", and counting on that money as a system price reduction can cause dissapointment. Buy what you can afford, and any rebates you actually receive can be used for other purposes like a good steak and brew.
Try using the pcpartpicker.com site when pricing - it will give you several sources as well as showing you the "best" price. Newegg is a great vendor, but there are often other deals available from lesser known sources. Just be sure to read some reviews on those vendors return/RMA actions.
Mark
As far as rebates go, I never count one in my pricing. If a rebate is available, and BIG IF the seller actually honors it, I consider that gravy. Rebates are notorious for "loopholes", and counting on that money as a system price reduction can cause dissapointment. Buy what you can afford, and any rebates you actually receive can be used for other purposes like a good steak and brew.
Try using the pcpartpicker.com site when pricing - it will give you several sources as well as showing you the "best" price. Newegg is a great vendor, but there are often other deals available from lesser known sources. Just be sure to read some reviews on those vendors return/RMA actions.
Mark
OrganicIntelligence
October 1, 2014 1:34:34 AM
menetlaus said:
for similar GPU$/newegg I would look at:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Thanks for the recommendations. Any thoughts on manufacturer brand names? Most of what I've read has supported brand name manufacturers as more trustworthy/better built/better performing than off-brands.
So what do you think of MSI vs. Sapphire vs. HIS?
Looks like I'm S-O-L on those rebates too (they expired yesterday), unless they update/extend them (or... hopefully, give better ones) soon.
OrganicIntelligence
September 30, 2014 10:51:55 PM
menetlaus said:
What inputs on the monitor?You might be able to use VGA to the TV and DVI to the monitor (may need a $5 DVI to VGA adapter if monitor is VGA only). Though some older systems could only output to one type at a time (I didn't look up your parts).
As for your replacement parts - the PSU looks good for $50 though maybe a little weak for an older phenom X4 and GPU, but I would recommend a different GPU (660GTX for $200 is way overpriced as newegg has an MSI one for $145 after rebate).
Take a look at the hierarchy chart here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-car... and go for the highest ranked card you can afford (and will fit in your case)
My monitor is only VGA.
Thanks for the tip on that first point... not sure why I didn't think of that first! Guess I was tempted by the prospect of a new graphics card and got lost in the details, hah.
Thanks for the hierarchy link, as well. I've been using this site to compare benchmarks, too:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/
OrganicIntelligence said:
What do you think of the 270X compared to the GTX 760?Depends on the game. These two cards are close enough that the individual games you want to play will make one better than the other.
Alternatively look at a couple reviews and see how loud/hot they are compared to each other, or if one is using a better than stock heatsink/fans for similar $.
OrganicIntelligence
September 30, 2014 2:21:05 PM
Best solution chosen by OrganicIntelligence
What inputs on the monitor?
You might be able to use VGA to the TV and DVI to the monitor (may need a $5 DVI to VGA adapter if monitor is VGA only). Though some older systems could only output to one type at a time (I didn't look up your parts).
As for your replacement parts - the PSU looks good for $50 though maybe a little weak for an older phenom X4 and GPU, but I would recommend a different GPU (660GTX for $200 is way overpriced as newegg has an MSI one for $145 after rebate).
Take a look at the hierarchy chart here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-car... and go for the highest ranked card you can afford (and will fit in your case)
You might be able to use VGA to the TV and DVI to the monitor (may need a $5 DVI to VGA adapter if monitor is VGA only). Though some older systems could only output to one type at a time (I didn't look up your parts).
As for your replacement parts - the PSU looks good for $50 though maybe a little weak for an older phenom X4 and GPU, but I would recommend a different GPU (660GTX for $200 is way overpriced as newegg has an MSI one for $145 after rebate).
Take a look at the hierarchy chart here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-car... and go for the highest ranked card you can afford (and will fit in your case)
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