GPU Buying Guide - (Read first post)

I'm looking for a GPU to hook up to my 32-inch TV (1920x1080) just so I can run some League of Legends whenever the mood strikes. My budget is roughly $167
.

What else is in the build?

http://www.newegg.com/p/details/product...128-bit-2.aspx

Robert Rodriguez2 said:That GPU is basically just a paperweight for displaying images on a screen. You can't actually do anything useful with it.

Is this card any better, and will it even work in my rig?http://www.amazon.com/Graphics-Card...-L-265902.aspx

It’s not better. If you actually thought it was, wouldn't someone have suggested it already? 🙂

fadedorca66 said:It isn't better. If you honestly think it’s an upgrade, why hasn't anyone suggested it to you yet? 🙂

My previous card was an HD 3870 with 1GB of GDDR4, and I managed to get quite a bit of gaming done with it.

Man, those cards are way weaker than what you used to have before.

Check out Futura IT or Adrenaline PC.

Here you go:

A slightly better option:

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 is already quite a bit stronger than the HD 3870, and I guess the HD 7750 would just eat it for breakfast...

Angela Hall89 said:My old card was an HD 3870 with 1GB of GDDR4, and I could actually play quite a bit with it.

You're making a mistake by equating memory capacity with actual performance. They don't always go hand in hand! Isn't 1GB of GDDR5 way better than 2GB or 4GB of slow GDDR2 or GDDR3?

Just listen to what people are telling you. No one here is trying to screw you over.🙂

I see there are several versions of the 7750 out there from different brands. Does anyone actually know what the real difference is? 😬

Cooling, warranty, looks 😁, noise, capacity, and memory speed...

So... I'm looking at an NVIDIA GeForce GT 730 or maybe an EVGA Radeon HD7770. Which manufacturer should I go with if I want something actually reliable?

I’d probably steer clear of those NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or EVGA single-fan models if I were you; maybe just stick to the absolute cheapest option available...

Alright, I’m looking to beef up my old rig with a new GPU. Here’s what I’m running right now, so tell me what the best possible upgrade would be.
Also, let me know what else I should swap out if I want this thing to keep running games for a few more years.

Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8400 @ 2.66GHz
PSU: 420W ATX Power Supply
RAM: 4GB DDR2
GPU: GeForce 9600 GT

You could probably aim for a GPU in the neighborhood of $333 +/- NVIDIA GeForce GT 730, maybe a GTX 650 Ti Boost, or even an HD 7850...

- But what I really need to know is which power supply you're running (the specific model). - If you've got something low-end like a Verizon unit, a basic office-grade Spire, or some generic budget brand—which I suspect is the case—it’s honestly not a great idea to push it. You should look into upgrading that to something reliable, likely in the $300-$$133 range. You'll need to pop the side panel off your case to check the label on the unit itself.

I opened it up, but I can't figure out which model this actually is...
It says:
Thermal Master
ATX Power Supply
Product no.: TM-420-PMSR

Is it worth grabbing something like a 7770 or a 7790? Would that even be enough to run these newer games?

It would honestly be better to just upgrade the power supply too. It’s basically on the same level as those cheap Verizon or LC Power units you see everywhere. Even though it says Cooler Master on the outside, my digging suggests it's just some generic Chinese shit once you look inside 😁.

hiddenpilot4 said:I opened it up, but I can't figure out which model this actually is...
It says:
Thermal master
ATX Power Supply
Product no.: TM-420-PMSR

Do you think if I grab something like a 7770 or 7790, I could still run all these newer games?

Look,

if money is tight, at least upgrade that power supply first.
http://www.newegg.com/p/product_info.php?c...55b2ddc7c98db5
this would be a much better move.

http://www.newegg.com/p/product_info.php?c...55b2ddc7c98db5

http://www.newegg.com/p/product_info.php?c...55b2ddc7c98db5

And for the GPU,
http://www.newegg.com/amd-ati-gpu/61...video-card.html

Greetings everyone

I am currently running an EVGA Radeon HD7770, but I have to admit I am not particularly thrilled with its performance lately... I enjoy playing some of the more demanding titles like Call of Duty and BioShock at 1920x1080 resolution, but I am running into quite a bit of lag, so I am considering parting with my old card to pick up something newer, though the options are making me a little confused, which leads me to a few questions

1.) Would the GTX 970 be a better choice than the EVGA GTX 760?
The GTX 970 is $567 whereas the EVGA GTX 760 is $667

2.) Is it actually worth spending $167 a bit extra to go with either an EVGA GTX 770 or a GTX 980?
The GTX 980 is $867 while the EVGA GTX 770 is sitting around $2550?

I am fully aware that there are much cheaper models out there, but I have my heart set on one of these specific cards, so if you could just let me know which path makes the most sense...

Thank you

It really depends on the specific game you're playing; the differences are pretty minor, almost negligible. If you don't have to upgrade your ATX Power Supply, then I'd definitely go with the GTX 770. That said, my first piece of advice would be to try selling your current card first...

If you don't mind shelling out $167 a bit more for either the R9 280 x TOXIC or the GTX 770, then honestly, go that route—you'll have much more peace of mind in the long run. As for picking between them, it really just comes down to your personal preference—do you lean more toward AMD or NVIDIA? They’re both solid cards, so you can't really go wrong with either one. Just keep in mind that you’re going to need a high-quality power supply; compared to an Asus HD7770, both the GTX 770 and the R9 280 x TOXIC pull about three times as much power. Plus, you'll need a decent CPU to actually keep up with a card that powerful.

So, to get started, why don't you list out your full PC specs? Make sure to include your power supply too—if you aren't sure what it is, just pop the case open and check the model number printed right on the unit itself.