CheckEmoji Community · the emoji forum
🏠 Home 🆕 What's new ❓ Unanswered 🔥 Popular 📡 RSS Members 👥 0 online
log in · register
Home › IT › Hardware › Desktops › GPU Buying Guide - (Read first post)

GPU Buying Guide - (Read first post)

Started by Eric Nguyen · · 👁 64 views · 1.5K replies

📡 Subscribe to replies

Participants Eric NguyenAlex Barnes93fadedorca66Jack Lewis36Joseph Young57Alexander Moore67Kyle Jones83Sarah Turner98Joshua Garcia3crimsonstag84Rebecca ParkerRobin Hernandez9Amy Vaughn12Jesse Brown90brightviper13Benjamin King2Larry Ortiz5Terry Scott65shadowjackal16Ryan Gonzalez4Robert Rodriguez2Jeffrey Petersonswiftowl5Megan Brown6 …
swiftfalcon89 swiftfalcon89 Active Member
85 messages
joined Aug 2013
#981 ·
rowdygull8 said:I'm looking for a GPU for $667 1080p gaming

I bought this power supply bundled with my case:

Motherboard specs:
Interface: PCI-Express
Link Width: x16
Max Link Width: x16
DMI Baseboard:
Vendor: ASRock
Model: 960GM-GS3 FX

Will my current PSU handle the card? If not, just recommend a new one along with the GPU.

You’re probably going to need a new PSU too. Give me the full breakdown of your build—CPU, exact motherboard model, what GPU you're running right now, etc.
rowdygull8 rowdygull8 Newcomer
6 messages
joined May 2010
#982 ·
swiftfalcon89 said:you’re probably gonna need to swap out the power supply too, and honestly, just lay it all out for me—what's the rest of the rig looking like? give me the CPU, the specific motherboard model, what GPU you're running right now, the whole nine yards.


so here's the motherboard

vendor ASRock
model 960GM-GS3 FX

processor Intel Core i3-2100

GPU is a Gainward GeForce GT 630

power supply
http://www.lelong.com.my/cooler-mast...-08-Sale-P.htm

i was thinking about grabbing some parts from that link here
Kimberly Gomez34 Kimberly Gomez34 Regular
686 messages
joined Jul 2009
#983 ·
That power supply isn't exactly top-tier—according to the official specs, it’s categorized for basic home or office use. It isn't anything special, but it isn't complete junk either.

Your CPU isn't exactly built for high-end graphics like $667. In fact, it actually performs slightly worse than an older Intel Core i5-2500K. To put it bluntly, you're looking at a maximum of a Radeon HD 7790, an NVIDIA GTX 660, or maybe an AMD Radeon HD 7850 (if you overclock the CPU). Even then, the motherboard isn't particularly great for overclocking. Honestly, those GPUs would probably run just fine on your current power supply.

By the way, I'm guessing this was bought as a pre-built desktop fairly recently.
swiftfalcon89 swiftfalcon89 Active Member
85 messages
joined Aug 2013
#984 ·
rowdygull8 said:Here’s my current motherboard

Vendor: ASRock
Model: 960GM-GS3 FX

CPU: Intel Core i3-2100

GPU: Gainward GeForce GT 630

PSU:
http://www.lelong.com.my/cooler-mast...-08-Sale-P.htm

I'm thinking about grabbing parts from Best Buy

Man, Best Buy? They're going to charge you a premium for that. Where are you located? Personally, I wouldn't go that route, especially since that power supply isn't great—you'll need to swap that out too. Here’s what I’d suggest instead:

BEST BUY:

GPU:

PSU:

It might even push you slightly over budget ($706)

But look how much better off you'd be here. For the same money, you get a significantly stronger card. At Best Buy, an AMD Radeon HD 7850 costs about as much as an HD 7870 would cost on this other site, check it out: http://www.hwcompare.com/12187/radeo...adeon-hd-7870/. Since they don't have the Corsair CX500 in stock, I put in a CX600

MICRO CENTER

GPU:

PSU:

Price: $723

Or

MICRO CENTER ALTERNATIVE

GPU:

PSU:

Price: $701
rowdygull8 rowdygull8 Newcomer
6 messages
joined May 2010
#985 ·
Man, you guys really went all out with the research, I appreciate it. I’m gonna sit with this for a bit, chew on all these options, and once I've had enough coffee to actually think straight, I'll let you know which way I'm leaning.
Kimberly Gomez34 Kimberly Gomez34 Regular
686 messages
joined Jul 2009
#986 ·
If you absolutely have to go with AMD Radeon HD 7850, and assuming you're upgrading the PSU too:

LC 460 gp3 - don't let that "460W" label fool you into thinking it's just a tiny step up from what you have now. In reality, that rating is an absolute joke; it’s basically overkill and could probably handle 99% of standard gaming rigs out there.

the dual XFX 7990 - cooling on this one is top-tier, and honestly, it would be a massive upgrade over your current card.
Alternatively, NVIDIA GTX 660 - Gainward isn't exactly known for their thermal management, but it might be a hair more powerful than the XFX model above. It should be fine if you grab the version with two fans like in the photo, though I can't say for sure how loud it gets.

I didn't include the 7850 from that specific retailer because it's actually decent for once $587 lol—just stay far away from those single-fan XFX Core Edition models.
rowdygull8 rowdygull8 Newcomer
6 messages
joined May 2010
#987 ·
Oh, I totally blanked on mentioning that Adobe and Visa are also on my radar since they have offices out in Slough

Anyway, what’s the verdict on

plus

?
Kimberly Gomez34 Kimberly Gomez34 Regular
686 messages
joined Jul 2009
#988 ·
Prices are still a bit steep, but maybe check these out:

Power supply:

Also, though you don't strictly need them:

Specifically, you won't need to swap the power supply if you decide to go with a 7790.

If this is just some random online store, you're better off ordering from Best Buy or something similar.
Kimberly Gomez34 Kimberly Gomez34 Regular
686 messages
joined Jul 2009
#989 ·
rowdygull8 said:I forgot to mention that Adobe and Visa are also options since they have offices in Slavonia... wait, let me say, they have branches in the Midwest.

What are your thoughts on

and

?

It’s doable (especially with an EVGA card), but I suspect your CPU won't be able to keep up. You might actually see better performance by just grabbing that $1,100-$1,200 GPU instead, rather than dropping $2,200 on this setup.

EDIT—an Intel Core i3-2100 is basically on par with a Phenom II 945; absolutely no way.
goldenpanther goldenpanther Member
20 messages
joined May 2009
#990 ·
Hi there,

My NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT finally gave up the ghost after about four or five years of solid service. I’m looking for something to step into its shoes—maybe something just a hair better than what I had. To be honest, I haven't really kept up with hardware specs lately, so I'm a bit out of the loop. What would be a decent, modern replacement? I'm based in Washington, D.C., have the cash ready, and am happy to shop at any local retailer. Thanks.
swiftfalcon89 swiftfalcon89 Active Member
85 messages
joined Aug 2013
#991 ·
goldenpanther said:Hey there,

My old NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT just kicked the bucket after about 4 or 5 years of solid service. I’m looking for something roughly in that ballpark, maybe a tiny bit better if the price is right. Honestly, I haven't kept up with hardware specs at all lately—what would be a decent upgrade? I'm based in Washington, D.C., have cash on hand, and I'm happy to hit up any local shop. Thanks.

First off, what kind of budget are we working with here? Also, let me know the rest of your PC specs and the exact model of your power supply.
goldenpanther goldenpanther Member
20 messages
joined May 2009
#992 ·
image

I’m looking for something that hits these same performance benchmarks, ideally at the most budget-friendly price point possible.

(Powered by frubar.net)
swiftfalcon89 swiftfalcon89 Active Member
85 messages
joined Aug 2013
#993 ·
goldenpanther said:image

Just look for something with similar specs, ideally at a bargain price.

(Powered by frubar.net)
swiftfalcon89 swiftfalcon89 Active Member
85 messages
joined Aug 2013
#994 ·
Actually, if you can swing it, I’d suggest stretching your budget a bit for this one. It’s worth the extra cash for the better performance and the longer warranty coverage.

Here is how they stack up:

NVIDIA GTX 750 vs 7750

http://www.hwcompare.com/11880/radeo...adeon-hd-7770/

NVIDIA GTX 750 vs NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT

http://www.hwcompare.com/11970/radeo...adeon-hd-7770/

7750 vs NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT

http://www.hwcompare.com/11817/radeo...adeon-hd-7750/
crimsonstag84 crimsonstag84 Regular
518 messages
joined Jun 2010
#995 ·
swiftfalcon89 said:http://www.hwcompare.com/11880/radeo...adeon-hd-7770/

http://www.hwcompare.com/11970/radeo...adeon-hd-7770/

http://www.hwcompare.com/11817/radeo...adeon-hd-7750/

Honestly, these comparisons don't really mean much. I guess an NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT is more in line with an HD 6670 GDDR5, whereas the HD 7750 is already way faster.

http://www.amazon.com/product_info.php?c...ducts_id=12071

I'd probably go with EVGA just because of the heatsink.
swiftfalcon89 swiftfalcon89 Active Member
85 messages
joined Aug 2013
#996 ·
crimsonstag84 said:Those comparisons don't really mean much... an NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT is more in line with an HD 6670 GDDR5, and the HD 7750 is way faster than that.

http://www.bestbuy.com/product_info.php?products_id=12071

I'd go with the EVGA model just because the heatsink looks better.

Look, I know those aren't perfect comparisons; I was just throwing out examples to give you a general idea of the gap... And honestly, if they're already dropping over $100, they might as well toss on a few extra $20 and grab the NVIDIA GTX 750 from ASUS with that 3-year warranty...
Kimberly Gomez34 Kimberly Gomez34 Regular
686 messages
joined Jul 2009
#997 ·
@goldenpanther:

It feels noticeably more powerful than the 4850 DDR3 version.

On eDigital, almost everything is in stock 🙂, and they even offer free shipping on everything through $333.
Robert Rodriguez2 Robert Rodriguez2 Regular
353 messages
joined Jul 2015
#998 ·
Timothy Kim60 said:@goldenpanther:

http://www.bestbuy.com/video-cards...example.html

noticeably better than a 4850 DDR3

on eDigital, 99% of stuff is in stock🙂, plus they offer free shipping on everything$333 over
.

That "99% in stock" thing is total BS.
A buddy from work waited two months for RAM until he finally lost his mind and threatened to call the Better Business Bureau... then suddenly, they had it delivered in two days.
goldenpanther goldenpanther Member
20 messages
joined May 2009
#999 ·
In the end, we actually stumbled upon a solution that didn't occur to me right away: I pulled the HD 6670 out of my own rig and handed it off to my brother (his 4850HD finally kicked the bucket). It’s working just fine for me now using this integrated 🙂. Regardless, thanks for all the advice.
Larry Ortiz5 Larry Ortiz5 Regular
710 messages
joined May 2020
#1000 ·
Hey guys, I could use some advice here. A friend of mine is looking at a used PC, and the one thing that’s really making me nervous is the graphics card—it's a Palit burning GT 440 DDR3 1GB. I know it's just a low-profile card, but after doing a bit of digging online, I see people actually running Battlefield 3 and GTA 4 on it. Of course, they aren't doing that at high resolutions or maxed-out settings, obviously. What do you all think? Is that seller trying to pull a fast one? He's using an old CRT monitor, so the resolution is probably stuck at 800x600, and he specifically wants to play GTA 4. With that setup, he’d need to hit at least 30-40 FPS to actually enjoy it, right? It's paired with an Intel dual-core and 2GB of RAM... it should be fine, shouldn't it? I just don't want him to drop his money and then end up coming to me to complain 😬

You must log in or register to reply here.

Log in Register

🔗 Similar threads