GPU Buying Guide - (Read first post)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/motherboards...example

http://www.ebay.com/itm/processors/amd...example

http://www.ebay.com/itm/graphics-cards...example

😉

stormywolf39 said:The main issue is that the CPU probably won't be able to feed that graphics card enough data to actually hit its full potential.

I guess the best move here would be to hunt down some used hardware—maybe a Core 2 Duo or an Athlon X2+ paired with a matching used motherboard—and then just grab something like a 4670, 5670, or 4770.

True, though he could potentially throw a Pentium D into his current board. I suspect he won't bother investing in a new motherboard right now, even a used one, since he'll likely jump to a completely new build in about two years anyway.
I'll pass along your point about the bottleneck and suggest he give that Sapphire 5670 a shot. 😉

http://www.phoenix-computers.com/index...361&kateg=0738

Look, there’s zero reason to shell out for 1GB of RAM here. Honestly, even 512MB GDDR5 is overkill for a rig like this. Buying more would just be throwing money down the drain.

stormywolf39 said:I mean, there’s really no point in getting 1GB of RAM. Even 512MB of GDDR5 is more than enough for a build like this; anything else is just throwing money down the drain.

And I guess you know what you're doing at Micro Center, they probably have their reasons. If you're so sure, why don't you just pick something out from Micro Center's inventory then? 🙂

wiredmarlin5 said:Look, there's way too many random posts about GPUs lately, so I'm making this thread to keep things organized and easy to search.

Follow these rules or don't bother following them:

• Need an AGP or PCI-E card?
• What’s your current or future setup and what PSU are you running?
• What resolution are you playing at?
• What's your budget?
• Which stores are you looking at?
• Got any other specific requirements? List them.

Any GPU topics started outside this thread will be closed and deleted.

1. IDK 2.: Intel Pentium 4, 3.0GHz, Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit SP1 3.: $133 4.: Phoenix, Best Buy

Joshua Garcia3 said:Look, if you're heading over to Phoenix, there’s probably a reason for it. Just pick something out from Phoenix's inventory while you're at it. 🙂

But seriously, at least $67 throw it 🤷 in the wind
.

stormywolf39 said:http://www.phoenix-computers.com/inde...362&kateg=0738 I mean, at least $67 it's worth 🤷
a shot.

Fine, I'll tell him that if he picks up a version with 512 MB of RAM somewhere else, he can probably get it for $67 cheaper. 👍

Hey... quick question...
I'm thinking about picking up this graphics card: Sapphire ATI Radeon HD5450 Graphics Card (PCI-e, 1GB GDDR3, HDMI, DVI, VGA, 1 GPU)
But I noticed this one uses GDDR3... while my rig is running on GDDR2... does that actually matter or am I good to go?😁

stormywolf39 said:I checked out the inventory over at Phoenix Computers, specifically looking through their hardware listings. It seems like they have a decent selection available right now. Well, at least that's what I'll say. $67 Into the wind. 🤷

Joshua Garcia3 said:I'll let him know. I guess if he finds one somewhere else with 512 MB of RAM, it might just cut it. Maybe. $67 Cheaper. 👍

That’s actually a pretty decent price difference. 😉

I found this listing online for a Sapphire ATI Radeon HD5450 Graphics Card. It’s got two DisplayPorts on it. Just thought I'd drop it here in case anyone was looking for something similar.

ruggedmarlin43 said:Hey there... quick question...
I'm thinking about picking up this card: Sapphire ATI Radeon HD5450 Graphics Card (PCI-e, 1GB GDDR3, HDMI, DVI, VGA, 1 GPU)
But I noticed this one uses GDDR3... while my PC uses GDDR2... does that matter at all? Is it compatible?😁

What else is in your build? What are you planning to use it for? And what kind of budget are we looking at?

crimsonstag84 said:What about the rest of the build? What are you actually using it for? And what's the budget?

THE BUILD:
Motherboard:
Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Model: M2N68-AM Plus
CPU:
AMD Athlon II X2 250 3,01 GHz
Memory:
Type: DDR2
Size: 2048MB
Not gonna lie, my power supply is pretty cheap stuff...
I'm looking to grab one of these two GPUs... just wondering if they'll actually work with this setup
-Sapphire ATI Radeon HD5450 Graphics Card (PCI-e, 1GB DDR3 Memory, HDMI, DVI, VGA, 1 GPU)
-Sapphire Radeon HD6450 Graphics Card (ATI Radeon HD 6450, PCI-E, 1GB, DDR3 Memory)

And what, you're actually running on integrated graphics or something?

I've just got integrated graphics right now...!!! Is one of those two cards actually going to fit my current setup??

ruggedmarlin43 said:SPECS:
Motherboard:
Manufacturer: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
Model: M2N68-AM Plus
Processor:
AMD Athlon II X2 250 3,01 GHz
Memory:
Type: DDR2
Size: 2048MB
I'm not really sure about my power supply... it probably isn't anything high-end.
I'd pick one of these two GPUs... just wondering if they'll work with this setup.
-Sapphire ATI Radeon HD5450 Graphics Card (PCI-e, 1GB DDR3 Memory, HDMI, DVI, VGA, 1 GPU)
-Sapphire Radeon HD6450 Graphics Card (ATI Radeon hd 6450, PCI-E, 1GB, DDR3 Memory)

Honestly, neither of those cards is any better than integrated graphics. You're basically throwing money away...

Joshua Garcia3 said:A buddy of mine is upgrading his rig; he wants to pick up a new graphics card now.

- motherboard: Asus P5VDC-TVM
- processor: P4 3 GHz
- memory: DDR2 2 GB
- power supply: Cooler Master Elita Power Plus 500W

The PC would be used for standard tasks, but also for gaming within its hardware limits.
Budget is roughly around $267.

What graphics card would be the most logical (maximum) choice for this existing setup? 🙂

Edit: it has a PCI-E slot, and he's looking at Phoenix.

stormywolf39 said:Like I said, there's no point getting 1GB of VRAM; even 512MB DDR5 is more than enough for a build like this. Otherwise, you're just throwing money away.

stormywolf39 said: Seriously, at least $67 don't throw 🤷 it
out the window.

Just an update: my friend actually listened and ended up buying the graphics card from IQ-Zagria. He didn't go with the Cooler Master Elita Power Plus 500W after all, but picked up an OCZ SteealthXStream 2, 500W instead.

Joshua Garcia3 said:Just wanted to give an update. It looks like our buddy actually listened to advice and went to IQ-Zagria to pick up a graphics card. He skipped the COOLER master elita Power plus 500 w and opted for the OCZ SteealthXStream 2, 500W instead.

Finally, they actually fixed their website. About time, right? 👍

Let us know when that gear you ordered shows up. We need to know if this webshop is actually legit or just a waste of time.

James Fisher11 said:Finally, they actually fixed the website. About time. 👍

Let us know when that stuff you ordered shows up so we can figure out if this webshop is actually legit.

So, this guy just walked right into their store over in the Zitnjak area (the old Prvomajski location), swiped his card at Diners, grabbed all the components, and just walked out with them in a bag. 😉

So, I just had to let go of my GTX 580 Twin Frozr II. Needed the cash fast, unfortunately! Now I'm looking to pick up a new card, maybe even a pair, and these caught my eye:
an AMD Radeon HD6870 Hawk in a CrossFire setup or a GTX 570 Twin Frozr III OC?

Or maybe someone else has a better idea?

Anyway, I'm running a 1920x1200 monitor!

Thanks 🙂

The dual AMD Radeon HD6870 setup packs more punch, but you’ve got to decide if you actually want the headache of CrossFire. Between the massive power draw, the heat, and those annoying driver glitches that pop up out of nowhere, it might not be worth the trouble.

stormywolf39 said:Two 6870s would be more powerful, but I guess the real question is if you even want to deal with CrossFire? It pulls way more power, runs hotter, and honestly, CrossFire can be such a headache sometimes depending on the setup.

Yeah, that’s why I’m asking. I don't really have any experience with CrossFire or anything like that, I guess.

They don't necessarily have to be those specific models. Like, maybe I go with CrossFire or whatever using different cards, or maybe I just grab one really solid card instead.🙂