Posts by Sandra Garcia5

coppertrucker682 said:Basically, I want to know if I upgrade my graphics card, will it actually be fully utilized given the processor I'm running right now...

That CPU is pretty much top-tier among those last Intel dual-core chips. It could probably handle something like an HD 6850/6870 or a GTX 460/560 with a bit of luck... but whether you're actually ready to drop cash on a new cooler and a GPU is the real question.
Your power supply isn't reliable enough to handle all that, either.

It all depends on what you're actually looking to do—what kind of games you want to run, or what type of work you need to get done...

Michael Myers said:Hey everyone, I need a recommendation for a graphics card under $120 so I can play The Elder Scrolls when it drops. 😁 My setup is an AMD Athlon series 3.02 GHz, 2GB RAM, a generic 230V power supply, an MSI Motherboard. Thanks.

First off, you need more memory. Grab another stick of whatever DDR2 RAM you're running right now.
As for the GPU, look for an HD6770/HD6790 or maybe an Nvidia GeForce series GTX460—though that’ll cost more, so hunt for a good deal on Craigslist.
By the way, your power supply is garbage.

amberrider46 said:I like this $930 one... if there's actually a noticeable difference from the $280 model... I'm buying it..

That one has dual inputs, which gives it an edge.

Check $300 out this

If you can manage to grab a larger quantity, maybe look at something like this .

Dana Clark8 said:Right now I'm running an Intel Core i5 (3.2 GHz) with integrated graphics on a Gigabyte board, but I'm planning to pick up something like a GTX 460 eventually. It'll probably be a total overhaul for both my CPU and GPU.

An EVGA 450W is way overkill for that CPU and GPU combo.

http://www.google.com

rustyfox7 said:21.5" LED LCD Dell UltraSharp Quote

It's all 5, man. It has DVI and VGA, so you can hook up whatever you want.

Just tell me which monitor model you're using

@mehaniks...those abbreviations after DDR5 are just the different ways you hook up your graphics card to a monitor (DP stands for DisplayPort, VGA is analog, DVI is digital, HDMI is 🙂 etc.). If your monitor only has a DVI port, just grab a VGA to DVI converter and call it a day. Don't blow too much cash on a GeForce GT 430; just go for the cheapest option available. You might even find a VGA to DVI converter included in the box, so check before you buy.

I mean, I've tried telling him that an Nvidia would be the better move.

Your motherboard has a PCI-E x16 slot, so the card you're buying will fit perfectly. Don't sweat it; any PCI-E card works on your board regardless of it being version 1.0. You might lose a tiny fraction of performance, but don't let that bother you. Your real bottlenecks are the processor—which is too weak for modern cards—and especially the power supply.
The bigger issue is that there isn't anything better than the HD5670 for $167. If you want something for AutoCAD, a GTS450 would be a much better fit and costs about $227. That card has CUDA cores to speed up graphic processing, which the ATI lacks, not to mention it's significantly more powerful for gaming.
http://www.techcrunch.com Plus, factor in shipping to Indianapolis or just grab it directly from the Links site here:

Good catch on the memory. Look for DDR5; that’s why the ones with DDR3 or heaven forbid DDR2 are cheaper. They try to bait you with those massive 1GB or 2GB numbers, but it's just a gimmick.

If you absolutely can't scrape together enough for the GTS450, then the HD5670 is your only option. Otherwise, you simply don't have enough cash for serious gaming or work.

But since you're running that off-brand power supply, watch your wattage. The GTS450 pulls about 100W, while the HD5670 pulls around 60W.

- give them a call. It says it's new and unused. If everything checks out and it has a warranty, that would be your best bet if you can afford to add $67... there's no reason to fear used gear.

But seriously, get a new power supply soon if you decide to go with Nvidia.

http://www.techcrunch.com

You won't find anything else worth buying from a retail store at those prices.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/graphics-card-listing-1
http://www.ebay.com/itm/graphics-card-listing-2
http://www.ebay.com/itm/graphics-card-listing-3

All of these options outperform that new card mentioned above, but they're way too powerful for that no-name power supply, let alone your processor.
For AutoCAD, you'd be better off with Nvidia, but there's zero point in buying anything new with that $167.
The only interesting one is that used GTX 260, but it's overkill for your CPU and power supply.

No problem at all. Good luck with your gaming, and I hope everything works out fine with that ASUS 🙂

Newegg, Micro Center, and companies like them aren't cash-only shops. Check their websites and look at the payment options; just find a card that works for you and make the purchase.

http://www.techcrunch.com

There are two different prices. With a credit card, it's $490
.
The HD6950 goes over $533
if you pay in installments.

The price is just too high. It doesn't offer anything more than the same cards you can grab for around $1350, especially when you consider the HD6950 I linked you with dual vents. You could even go cheaper with this Sapphire model: http://www.sapphiretech.com/presenta...pid=1083&lid=1. $537 Check Best Buy http://217.14.221.177/StartEU.ashx?p...-hd6950-1gb-lr. Just order it now while it's actually in stock; it's significantly more powerful than the 6870.
I get it if you have a side panel that's clear or some DIY plexiglass custom build where you want everything to look pretty, but what’s wrong with an HD6950? It looks badass.

Whichever one you pick from that list, just get a better motherboard ASAP so you can actually overclock that processor. Trust me, having an extended warranty is way more important than how the thing looks. (Seriously though, why does aesthetics even matter?) My GPU died exactly seven days after the warranty expired—all I could do was sit there and cry. If I’d had just one more year of coverage, I would've been set. Think about it: if a card dies after, say, two and a half years, you get a replacement that’s actually in stock at that time, which will likely be much more powerful than the one that crapped out on you.
If you're already looking to spend more than $500, then check out or Otherwise, look for an MSI GTX 560 Ti with the Twin Frozr cooler.

Bottom line, the HD6870 is a solid card, but the three-fan version you showed for $532 is a terrible move.

What kind of power supply does your buddy have?

Since you already have the cooler but can't overclock, you might as well try unlocking the cores; that should work.

Check out this one instead http://217.14.221.177/StartEU.ashx?p...r6870-2d1gd5oc
It comes with a 3-year MSI warranty and has been lightly overclocked. It says it's out of stock, so check around some local shops and order it. In my opinion, it's the best value card for about $433.

EDIT: Actually, until last week, it was going for $417 at that same retailer. Looks like the dollar jumped; I noticed other components like motherboards and hard drives have gotten more expensive too.
You don't strictly need dual fans on an HD6850/6870.

There's a dedicated thread for GPU upgrades.
On another note, do you have a better CPU cooler than the stock one included in the box?
Honestly, if you're upgrading the graphics card, you should probably unlock those extra cores and overclock the processor a bit, not to mention picking up a new power supply.
That's going to require more investment beyond just the card itself; factor in a new PSU and a decent cooler too.

Regarding the GPU, if you actually want to feel a performance boost, you need at least a GTX 460 or an HD 6850/6870. I wouldn't go any lower than that.

http://www.newegg.com/p/graphics-card-details...i-dvi-dp/38810
+
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/product_info.php?c...oducts_id=9127

That puts you right around $500, plus you'll need a cooler for about $67.

Are you planning to sell your current card and factor that cash into the $500, or would that be extra money?
Sell the power supply as well, obviously... you might make a little something back there.

1 x Asrock 870 Extreme3 R2.0 - AMD 870, Intel Chipset, ATX, FSB2600
1 x Intel Core i3 Processor, socket AM3, BOX, 1.5MB cache
1 x DDR3 4GB (2x2GB) Kingmax, 1333MHz, FLFE
1 x MSI R6770, 1GB DDR5 128 bits, Dual-Link DVI+HDMI+D-Sub
1 x Seagate BarraCuda 1Tb 7200rpm 32MB cache Serial ATA II
1 x Pioneer Optical Drive, DVD±RW, 24x DVD±R, 8x DL, 40x CD-R
1 x CORSAIR 430W Power Supply, CX Series CMPSU-430CXV2EU, 12cm fan
1 x Thermaltake V4 Black Edition, VM30001W2Z, Mid-Tower Case, 4.5 kg
1 x Dell Keyboard and Mouse Combo, USB
1 x Logitech Z series speakers, 2 satellites + subwoofer
1 x Dell Monitor, 23", 16:9, 1920x1080, LED, IPS, Matte Finish

$1693

Everyone skimps on the monitor, but you'll spend most of your time watching movies and shows. I went with a solid IPS panel at a great price point. It comes at the expense of a 3-core processor, but I think it's enough. Plus, the motherboard allows for future upgrades.
Also from ADM Retail.

They’ll test the rig for you by checking if everything is connected properly after assembly. Once that's done, it's ready for an OS installation—whether you pay them to do it or handle it yourself.

fadedbear20 said:So what's actually the difference between yours and the one Nathan Reyes59 recommended?

The clock speed is slightly higher compared to the MSI, but the MSI comes with a 3-year warranty. You could go with the XFX if you really want those extra 50MHz, but it's more expensive $6.75...if you think the longer warranty is worth it (personally, I do), then stick with the MSI.

It's honestly a shame you didn't invest in a decent CPU cooler earlier. It would have been smarter to put that $83 from an Arctic cooler toward a better GPU like this http://www.newegg.com/p/product...id=9108 or http://www.bhphotovideo.com/details...i-dvi-dp/38810

But look, if you're aiming for about $433, you might as well just buy everything at once like this.