GPU Buying Guide - (Read first post)

Something like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/graphics-card-listing-example-1

Or maybe more like this:
https://www.craigslist.org/listing/graphics-card-listing-example-2

Paul Hernandez49 said:Maybe he can keep that PC for his son, so once he grows up a bit, it'll be decent enough for some games.

How many years does it take to "grow up"?
That computer is already too weak for most games.

Yeah, honestly, it hit me right after I hit publish :-D

Paul Hernandez49 said:Yeah, I actually realized that right after I hit post :-D

Definitely THIS other custom version..

Ugh, do you think this would actually cut it for what I need?
It's pretty close to where I am, so I could probably go grab it easy.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/graphics-card-listing-example

Paul Hernandez49 said:Man, would this actually cut it for me?
Still too far away to go grab it.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/graphics-card-listing

yeah 👍

So, I picked up that card that was posted earlier, and now I'm running into some serious integration issues with my build. Basically, whenever I plug this AMD Radeon RX 460 into the PCI Express slot, the system just refuses to boot—I'm getting nothing but a black screen. It’s only after I hit CTRL+ALT+DELETE that I finally see this:

Take a look at image #1.
To make matters worse, when I try to jump into the BIOS using F2, absolutely nothing happens—and that goes for any of the other F keys, too, by the way.

Now, here's the kicker: when I swap back to my old Nvidia Quadro FX1700, I get what's shown in image #2.
Basically, Windows boots up in this pathetic resolution with massive pixels all over the place.

So, what's the deal? Is this some kind of compatibility nightmare with the new RX 460, or did something else just go completely sideways—maybe the motherboard or some other component?

Thanks in advance for any insight... much obliged

Did you plug it into a PCI Express 6-pin power connector (if the card actually has one)?

Compatibility shouldn't be an issue, but you can never tell for sure. Drivers might screw you over. Which Windows are you running?

edit: just saw you're on Windows 10, so that shouldn't be a problem.

What kind of cable are you using to connect them?

I plugged the card right into the first PCI Express slot on the motherboard—and obviously hooked up the 6-pin connector to the power supply. I used this specific cable shown here:

So, I’ve got this light blue LED glowing on my graphics card—which, according to the manufacturer's manual, means the power delivery is actually doing its job correctly. If things were going south, they said it would be showing a red light instead. Everything seems fine on that front, at least.

But if the issue is actually the drivers—how am I even supposed to install them if the system won't even boot into Windows? I can't even get into the BIOS.
Unless you actually think I'm getting screwed over by drivers from some ancient card???

If it won't even boot to BIOS, you can't blame Windows or some buggy driver. Something's definitely acting up with the hardware itself.

Yeah, looks like a hardware issue. Best bet would be to test that card in another PC to rule out the GPU itself, but if your old one is acting up too, you might be looking at a motherboard failure or something similar.

At least try resetting the BIOS by pulling the battery for a few minutes.

Basically, unplug the PC from the wall, hold down the power button while it's disconnected, and then pop the battery out.

Maybe take a closer look at the GPU slot? If your motherboard has a second slot, try swapping it over there and see if that fixes it.

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I actually tried plugging it into the second PCI-e slot on the motherboard, but honestly, it was the exact same result as the first one—no change at all.
I think I’m going to head over to a buddy's place to run some tests—see if my rig plays nice with his motherboard, or if this board works in his setup instead.
First things first, though, I'll try resetting the BIOS, just like George suggested.

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It’s way easier to just test the card in a buddy's PC first.

Maybe this might be useful for you: intel desktop board dx48bt2 Error 5a

Thanks a ton... really helpful info, I'm gonna give this a shot

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Hey, I could really use some help picking out a new graphics card. I'm specifically looking to play The Sims 4, and honestly, I've fallen head over heels for them, but right now the resolution looks like I'm playing The Sims 1 currently.
Right now I'm stuck with integrated graphics: GeForce 7025 / nForce 630a

According to their official website, it says
Minimum:
VIDEO: 128 MB of Video RAM and support for pixel shader 3.0. Supported video Cards: Nvidia GeForce 6600 or Better, ATI Radeon X1300 or Better, Intel GMA X4500 or Better a

But then I was Googling around and found this: Recommended: Nvidia GeForce GTX 650 or Better

Everything else seems fine, I've put over 300 hours into the game and the resolution is pretty much my only issue, so I'd love to fix that.

I'd prefer buying something new rather than used, and I'm willing to drop about $233 on it, though if I don't actually need to spend that much, even better. Or if I should be saving up for something more expensive...

You don't have much to choose from if you're looking for new cards in that budget.

The RX550 or the GT 1030. The first one is slightly stronger, but honestly, both are pretty weak. They'll definitely run The Sims 4, but the RX550 is roughly on par with the one recommended above, while the GT 1030 is a bit weaker.

Ideally, you should do what we suggested to that other guy earlier and grab a used RX460—it's similar to an RX 560 and stronger than those two new options—for maybe around $50.

With new cards, obviously, you get the advantage of a warranty, and if you buy online, you can just return it if something's wrong.

But for $100, you'll get better performance with something used for $60-$$233 compared to new, since these entry-level cards are overpriced.