GPU Buying Guide - (Read first post)

Hey everyone.

I'm looking for some advice. Which graphics card actually makes sense for this build? I don't want to waste money on an upgrade that won't offer any real benefit.

Intel Core 2 Duo (2500.0 MHz)
GA-M56S-S3
4 GB DDR2
Chieftec 500W

ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO 512MB (current setup)

Best, Visa

briskpanther82 said:Hey everyone!

I'm looking for some advice on which GPU makes sense to buy for the build listed below. I want something that actually feels like an upgrade.

Intel Core 2 Duo 4800+ (2500.0 MHz)
GA-M56S-S3
4 GB DDR2
Chieftec 500W

ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO 512MB (current setup)

Cheers, Sam

You're actually in luck—your motherboard supports several AM3 CPUs if you update to the UEFI BIOS... if you've got a little extra cash to spare:

1 x Intel Core i3, socket LGA 1366, BOX, 1.5MB cache
1 x MSI R6770, 1GB DDR5 128 bits, Dual-Link DVI+HDMI+D-Sub

$437(ADM-ZG)

Your current CPU would probably be a bit of a bottleneck for that card, but it'll still be miles ahead of the HD 2600.😉

crimsonstag84 said:You're in luck, your motherboard supports plenty of AM3 CPUs if you update to the UEFI BIOS... though if you have a bit more cash to burn:

1 x Intel Core i3, socket LGA 1366, BOX , 1.5MB cache
1 x MSI R6770, 1GB DDR5 128 bits, Dual-Link DVI+HDMI+D-Sub

$437(ADM-ZG)

Your current CPU would be a massive bottleneck for this card, but even then, it's miles ahead of the HD 2600.😉

Yeah, I figured the processor might cause some issues.
Anyway, thanks a lot for the answer. Even if I don't have the money for all of this right now, at least I know what I'm aiming for. 🙂

Best, Sam

It has been quite some time since I last visited an American PC forum. 😁
After deciding to embrace the console lifestyle about a year ago (🙂), I parted ways with my old gaming rig and replaced it with a machine intended strictly for web browsing and listening to music.

However, since there is one specific PC exclusive that has caught my eye—Diablo 3—and it has become increasingly obvious that the game is actually quite impressive, I find myself needing to return to the PC world, if only for a while.

I suspect that most of my current hardware will suffice for Diablo 3, with the exception of the GPU.

Intel Pentium @ 3.10GHz
2GB Kingmax DDR3
Corsair CX430 430W
24" Monitor 1920x1080
Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT

It is clear to me that the monitor might present some challenges, as I am looking for the most budget-friendly GPU capable of running Diablo (ideally at 1080p). Having been somewhat extravagant with my spending in other areas recently, I am prepared to go all out $167, whether I opt for something used or brand new.

ironwolf24 said:Intel Pentium @ 3.10GHz
2GB Kingmax DDR3
Corsair CX430 430W
24" Monitor 1920x1080
Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT

So, I realize my monitor might give me some trouble since I'm looking for the cheapest GPU possible just to run Diablo (ideally at 1080p). Since I've been a bit reckless spending money on other stuff lately, I'm probably willing to go up to the max $167, whether it's used or brand new.

If you buy new, you'll likely top out at an MSI HD 6670 with GDDR3 memory, which is honestly pretty weak... you'd definitely be better off going used for that kind of cash, like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/graphics-card-listing-example

do $167 .. Sapphire Radeon HD5670 512mb ..
that 5770 one from crimsonstag84 with the custom shroud looks pretty solid 🙂

Taylor Brown said:up to $167 .. Radeon HD 6750 ..
that 5770 from Smith you mentioned is quite a find 🙂

My thanks to you both. So, are you saying either of these will handle Diablo 3 decently? I'll keep repeating myself, but that is truly my only concern.

More than just polite, I guess.

Can anyone confirm if this is actually accurate?

MSI HD 6670 DDR3 < GT 630 GDDR5. / GT 440 GDDR5 < MSI HD 6670 GDDR5

It's all pretty subjective...

Try looking here if you want to find what you're after:

http://www.hwcompare.com/10844/gefor...-6670-oem-1gb/

GTX 460 768 mb OC still under warranty for $200

Not my listing, but this deal is killer if anyone's looking to pick up a new card

What on earth? $297- Is this just weaker than what other manufacturers are putting out?

Timothy Kim60 said:What's going on here? $297- Is this just a weaker version than what other brands are putting out, I guess?

It looks like there's a lower GPU clock that you could probably boost...

A friend of mine found a GPU that’s supposedly better than what I’m running right now, so I was wondering if it's actually worth picking up—basically, how good is it?
It's an Nvidia GeForce GTX 280. My current card is an ATI Radeon HD 4350, so I'm curious about the comparison (I'll admit I'm usually pretty lazy when it comes to upgrading my graphics, but I know my current setup is pretty weak).
I need something that can handle some newer titles, specifically Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Revelations, and the third one. Of course, there's also Battlefield 3 and a few others. The price they're asking is $125—is that way too much, or just about right?
My specs

Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5400 @ 2.70GHz, 2700 MHz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)
Memory - 4GB RAM DDR2, 500GB Hard Drive, 1TB external
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit

Honestly, this setup is better than yours, and it'll run the games you actually want just fine—but you’re gonna need a decent power supply, at least 400W, to pull it off. Also, $125 is way too steep... maybe $200 if we're talking about used gear, though I honestly have no clue where you'd even find a new one for that much.

I think I’ve already bugged you guys about this, but I want one final check before I pull the trigger just to be safe...

So, I'm looking at the Radeon HD 5670 512 MB DDR5 versus a slightly newer 6670, but that one is 1 GB DDR3.
I noticed the 5670 has a lower GPU clock at 775 MHz and less memory (512 MB), but does that DDR5 advantage make up for the fact that the 6670 is a newer model—and maybe slightly better—with 1 GB at 800 MHz, even if it is just DDR3?

I'm passing on getting the 4850 from Micro Center because of my old power supply, an LC Power Green 460W (max 400W, with 20A on the +12V rail).
A technician told me they used to pair 6850 cards with 400W units🙄 (probably cheap, off-brand power supplies).
I read online that the 4850 should run fine on 400W, but I don't want to push things too far since I need to budget for a stronger CPU as well. I really don't want to buy a whole new PSU for this old rig, especially since my budget is pretty tight. What do you guys think? Is there a real risk of everything frying if the PSU fails, or does just the PSU die?

Both of these GPUs have low power draw, so is it okay given my PSU to pick up a processor (supporting AM2 and LGA 1366 sockets) while trying to avoid a bottleneck? I'd probably go with a used Athlon 5000+, which I think draws about 89W, or maybe a new Athlon X3 which pulls around 95W—is 95W pushing it? For the X2 245 or 250 models that only pull 65W, I wouldn't worry about the power, but would they be a major bottleneck?

Just grab this MSI HD 6670.

As for the CPU—if you're looking for something that doesn't pull too much power but still performs well enough to push this GPU and maybe even a bit more, the Intel G530 is the way to go.

graniteharbor85 said:Just grab this MSI HD 6670 instead.

I was told the DDR5 version would perform significantly better. Is the jump to DDR5 actually that massive?

If we're talking about the 1GB version of the HD 5670, then sure—but since they're basically the same card, this MSI model actually wins out because it has a better cooler and a longer warranty.

That’s just not how you do it. You’re swapping out the CPU and basically everything else, yet you're leaving that trash power supply in place?

Get yourself a decent power supply first, then worry about upgrading the rest. This whole plan doesn't make much sense to me.