GPU Buying Guide - (Read first post)
Started by Olivia Gonzalez3 · · 👁 76 views · 1.7K replies
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#683 ·
I am looking for a graphics card for my PC setup. I have it hooked up to an HD LCD TV, and I mostly use it to run games like Wormsi, Heroes of Might and Magic V, Civilization IV, or Dragon Age from time to time.
My current NVIDIA GeForce 6200 just isn't cutting it anymore.
The specs are as follows: Intel Pentium 4 at 2.8 GHz, 2 GB of RAM, and a 500W power supply.
What would be the best budget-friendly option for this build?
Thanks in advance 🙂
My current NVIDIA GeForce 6200 just isn't cutting it anymore.
The specs are as follows: Intel Pentium 4 at 2.8 GHz, 2 GB of RAM, and a 500W power supply.
What would be the best budget-friendly option for this build?
Thanks in advance 🙂
#685 ·
Austin Rodriguez41 said:Wait, is that an AGP graphics card?
The NVIDIA GeForce 6200 uses an AGP interface, though that isn't really the main issue here. The motherboard is one of those highly versatile ASRock models that supports both AGP and PCI-e, and even handles different memory types like SDRAM and DDR.🙂
#686 ·
Great, does this work for DDR2 too?
Look, you might be able to run Wormsi, but I wouldn't count on Dragon Age... what motherboard are we actually talking about here?
Look, you might be able to run Wormsi, but I wouldn't count on Dragon Age... what motherboard are we actually talking about here?
#687 ·
Kyle Sanchez4 said:That sounds great, but does it support DDR2?
You should be able to run Wormsi without much trouble, though I wouldn't count on Dragon Age performing well. Which specific motherboard are you using?
Here are the specs. To clarify, it does have DDR2(800), specifically 2x1GB.
I am using an ASRock Motherboard CoreDual-SATA2 paired with an Intel Pentium 4 running at 2.8 GHz.
I actually plan on replacing this entire setup in about two years anyway...
So, which graphics card should I pick up that remains
relatively affordable, yet offers a noticeable upgrade over my current NVIDIA GeForce 6200?
#688 ·
James Morris4 said:Our Customs Department is just so clueless. There are like two hundred and sixty-five freaking articles on customs regulations—I could probably boil all that down to twenty simple points that even a toddler would get🤣
Honestly, I've lost count of how many times I've given them hell from every possible angle. 🤣
#689 ·
urbanhawk85 said:Here are the specs. It’s running DDR2(800) with 2x1GB sticks.
It's an ASRock Motherboard CoreDual-SATA2 paired with an Intel Pentium 4 at 2.8 GHz.
I'm planning on replacing this junk in a year or two anyway...
So, what GPU should I grab that's
relatively cheap, but still a massive step up from my current NVIDIA GeForce 6200?
The 4670 isn't worth the money anymore.
#690 ·
stormywolf39 said:The 4670 just isn't worth it anymore.
Thanks!🙂 I did a little digging online... for what I specifically need, this card seems like a perfectly solid choice.
Now, I have one more question:
Will there be a noticeable performance difference between the 512 MB and the 1GB version?
I mean, the price gap is $67.🙄
#691 ·
Not necessarily. I suspect you aren't even working at anything higher than 1080p resolution—and honestly, you’d need to be pushing much higher specs before you’d actually notice a meaningful difference in memory overhead between 512 MB and 1 GB.
And let’s not forget that on those budget-friendly cards, manufacturers often cut corners by using slower memory modules for the 1 GB models—think DDR2 instead of the faster GDDR3...
And let’s not forget that on those budget-friendly cards, manufacturers often cut corners by using slower memory modules for the 1 GB models—think DDR2 instead of the faster GDDR3...
#692 ·
Just wondering which GPU actually holds up better—specifically for gaming:
GeForce GTX 460 or the Radeon HD 5770? 🤷
GeForce GTX 460 or the Radeon HD 5770? 🤷
#693 ·
Mark Brooks72 said:I'm curious to know which graphics card is actually more powerful—which one performs better in games?
GeForce GTX 460 or Radeon HD 5770? 🤷
Can't you just use Google? I guess we figured out which one was better through reviews, obviously... 😉
The GeForce GTX 460 is better; it’s pretty much on par with the Radeon HD 5830.
#694 ·
crimsonstag84 said:The GeForce GTX 460 is superior, performing at the level of the Radeon HD 5830.
If the overclocking is handled properly, then it stands neck and neck with the 5850...😉
#695 ·
Mark Brooks72 said:I'm trying to figure out which GPU actually holds more weight—which one is better for gaming?
GeForce GTX 460 or Radeon HD 5770? 🤷
The 768MB model edges out the 5830—slightly better, really—while the 1GB version actually keeps pace with the 5850. Both are a significant step up from the 5770.
#696 ·
So, I'm looking at picking up a graphics card and I'm weighing a few options. What's the verdict on XFX?
Basically, I'm leaning towards this one:
PCI-E XFX AMD Radeon HD 5670, 512MB DDR5, HDMI, DP, DVI, HDTV
Product Code:
Basically, I'm leaning towards this one:
PCI-E XFX AMD Radeon HD 5670, 512MB DDR5, HDMI, DP, DVI, HDTV
Product Code:
#697 ·
Look, if you actually know which card you need, and you're certain about the performance you're getting, plus you've checked that your PSU can handle the load and your CPU won't bottleneck the thing, then there's nothing to worry about. XFX has been cranking out GPUs for a long time now—they definitely know what they're doing.
#698 ·
mellowfox;28693671 said:so I'm looking at graphics cards and I've got a few choices, like maybe an XFX one
basically, I'd grab
PCI-E XFX AMD Radeon HD 5670, 512MB DDR5, HDMI, DP, DVI, HDTV
You really can't go wrong with XFX
speaking of which—I actually dig Zotac cards... I have a feeling they might be better than Palit? 😕
#699 ·
Is there actually a meaningful difference when you have the same chipset (like an AMD Radeon) but it's from different manufacturers (such as Sapphire Technology, VTX3D, or ASUS)?😕
#700 ·
It definitely exists. Usually, the bundle itself differs—and you'll often find the cooling solutions aren't even the same. Sometimes they come factory overclocked, while other times they might be running on a completely different PCB layout...
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