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GPU Buying Guide - (Read first post)

Started by Olivia Gonzalez3 · · 👁 79 views · 1.7K replies

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Alex Harris32 Alex Harris32 Newcomer
1 message
joined Dec 2010
#1241 ·
James Castillo8 said:It’s hard to say for sure since it really depends on which specific $83 you're looking for to run a certain 🙂; I personally managed to pick one up for $150 if we're talking about a $200 budget.

I have no idea what you're even talking about.
Just because you made a questionable decision doesn't mean everyone else should follow suit and 👍

http://www.ebay.com/itm/graphics-card-listing-1591653
http://www.craigslist.org/offers/graphics-card-listing-2031711
http://www.facebook.com/marketplace/graphics-card-listing-1854159
redsailor15 redsailor15 Member
21 messages
joined Sep 2013
#1242 ·
If anyone could point me toward some budget-friendly PCIe cards that actually have an HDMI output
thanks
James Castillo8 James Castillo8 Member
12 messages
joined Dec 2013
#1243 ·
Alex Harris32, you’re such a noob—it’s not the same thing, a GTS isn't a GT... and it's definitely not worth $100 for an 8600 GTS. You could just throw in $33 more and get a way better 8800 GTS—not even mentioning that the 9800s are still going for $300-$167... so please, stop talking nonsense. 😛

http://www.craigslist.org/search/images?query=f...ch2&advanced=1
http://www.craigslist.org/vi/graphics-cards/2047192
Alex Harris32 Alex Harris32 Newcomer
1 message
joined Dec 2010
#1244 ·
James Castillo8 said:Alex Harris32, you’re such a noob, seriously. A GTS isn't the same thing as a GT, just like it isn't the same thing to pay $100 for an 8600 GTS when you could just add $33 and get a much better 8800 GTS—not to mention that 9800s are still going for around 300$167. So please, stop talking nonsense. 😛

http://www.craigslist.com/search/electronics?query=gpu
http://www.craigslist.com/search/electronics/item-listing-id-2047192

I'm the noob?
Listen, kid, maybe wait until you actually have some meaningful experience or a decent post count on this subforum before you try lecturing me. Now I've got this guy acting like he's an expert, trying to teach me the fundamental differences between a GT and a GTS...

Think for a second before you start blathering.
If a GTS is priced at 300, then logically you can pick up a GT for $83, regardless of whatever delusions you're holding onto.
Try learning how actual commerce works first.👍
James Castillo8 James Castillo8 Member
12 messages
joined Dec 2013
#1245 ·
Sure, some clueless guy might bite, but anyone with half a brain is going to shell out a few extra bucks for a GTS instead of a GT—for $33 the difference is massive, the 8800 blows the 8600 out of the water... honestly, most people would probably drop $33 if you're actually serious about moving stock. I know from experience—I've swapped out five different cards in my own rig just in the last three months, so I'm not exactly a novice here. Smart buyers are going to hunt for those 8600s at $67 and get them, and even the 8800s might go for 300, though they'll definitely hit 350.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/graphics-card-listing-example check the description down there, he might take $67
http://www.ebay.com/itm/graphics-card-listing-example URGENT!! if he's desperate, he'd probably settle for 200-$83
http://www.ebay.com/itm/graphics-card-listing-example he'd let it go for $133
http://www.ebay.com/itm/graphics-card-listing-example here's one for 350, maybe 300 if he's got a better offer. why let it sit in a closet gathering dust when the price could drop even more if someone needs it right now? he'd probably take $100 😉
darkowl72 darkowl72 Regular
311 messages
joined Oct 2015
#1246 ·
redsailor15 said:Can someone please recommend some cheap PCIe graphics cards that have an HDMI output?
thanks

Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that...

Look, just list your specs. CPU, power supply, and your monitor resolution—those are all vital. Might as well throw in your motherboard and how much RAM you're running... also, what part of the US are you in? Makes finding local shops easier.

And tell me your budget...

edit:

I can't exactly hand out physical gift cards here... 😬
Alex Harris32 Alex Harris32 Newcomer
1 message
joined Dec 2010
#1247 ·
James Castillo8 As Alex Harris32 once remarked:
Look, I suppose if some complete novice wanders into a shop, they might settle for a basic model, but anyone with even a modicum of technical literacy is going to shell out a few extra bucks to secure a GTS instead of a mere GT. It’s just common sense, really. $33 The performance gap between the 8800 and the 8600 is quite substantial; the former offers a level of power that makes the latter look like a relic from a different era. Honestly, I suspect most people would be willing to pay a premium just to experience that kind of headroom. $33 I’ve dropped the price. If you’re actually looking to make a serious purchase—and if you’re someone who treats sales with a bit of professional integrity—you’ll understand where I'm coming from. I speak from firsthand experience here; I haven't just bought or sold a single GPU in my time. In the last three months alone, I've cycled through five different cards because I'm constantly tinkering with my PC build. Given how much volatility there is, anyone looking at these 8600 models would be smart to consider... $67 If they actually managed to secure them, I suspect those 8800 series cards would fetch a decent premium—maybe around $300, though I wouldn't be surprised if they climbed closer to $350 quite easily.

I suppose I find myself in agreement with you on this particular point.
The harsh reality remains that many consumers simply lack the necessary insight when they make a purchase, often bleeding extra cash on products that aren't actually worth the premium. I remember back in my early days working in retail, seeing people walk out with overpriced hardware thinking they were getting a steal, only to realize later they’d been overcharged for mediocre specs. It happens far too often.

To illustrate my point, I’m thinking back to an ATI Radeon HD4870 I had in my possession; it was only about a year old at the time, yet I managed to offload it just two months ago for... $283...whereas back when there were actually quite a few of them. $200.
Furthermore, if you take a look over at the hardware marketplace subforum, I noticed someone already moved an 8800GTS for... $167 It happened just a few days ago.

If you possess the instinct for commerce, the money will inevitably follow. If you lack that intuition—or if you simply couldn't care less about the margins—you won't see a dime. That is the cold, hard reality of mastering the art of flipping items on platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
It is perfectly clear to me that the card isn't worth that much in a vacuum, but that isn't really the point here. We aren't discussing its objective market value; we are discussing what someone is actually willing to pay for it right now. I would bet my last dollar that you can find a buyer at that price. $83 I suppose one might be able to secure an 8600GT with 512MB of VRAM—assuming, of course, that he actually specified the capacity, which I suspect he did not. 😉

I suggest we bring this discussion to a close before we start packing up our things; after all, this isn't really a matter of speculation, but rather something else entirely. 👍

darkowl72 As Alex Harris32 noted:
I suppose I am permitted to share my collection of cards here... 😬

Have mercy on me, colleague; I simply have to bring this debate to a close. 😁

Delete those posts later if they end up being an eyesore. 😉
James Castillo8 James Castillo8 Member
12 messages
joined Dec 2013
#1248 ·
Judge can only issue a warning 😁 I'm out—dealing with an injury here... lol
redsailor15 redsailor15 Member
21 messages
joined Sep 2013
#1249 ·
darkowl72 said:unfortunately, it doesn't work quite like that...

just list your specs—CPU, power supply, and monitor resolution are key... might as well throw in the motherboard and RAM too... also tell me where you're located so I can check local shops.

and what's your budget...

edit:

I can hand out business cards here if you need them... 😬

300W PSU, intel pentium 64-bit, 17" monitor at 1024x768 (though I really just need HDMI for my TV), WinFast NF4UK8AA motherboard, 2GB RAM, based in Columbus... as for price, just looking for something cheap since I'm not gaming on this, just need an HDMI port.
Alex Harris32 Alex Harris32 Newcomer
1 message
joined Dec 2010
#1250 ·
redsailor15 said:I have a 300W power supply, an Intel Pentium III 64-bit, a 17" monitor at 1024x756—though I really need HDMI since I'm hooking this up to a TV—a WinFast NF4UK8AA motherboard, and 2 GB of RAM. I'm based in Chicago... hmm, how much cash should I set aside? I'm looking for the cheapest option possible because I don't actually plan on gaming; I just need that HDMI output.

Is there anything out there with a more reliable power supply than a basic 300W unit, perhaps from a reputable manufacturer instead of those generic brands you see at local big-box stores?

If your goal isn't actual gaming, but simply getting a picture onto a screen, you could look at the NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS over at Best Buy, or maybe check out something like an AMD Radeon HD 4350 or an AMD Radeon HD 5450 at a place like Walmart (where they carry brands like Volkswagen).
Out of that bunch, if you ask me, the 5450 is the most sensible choice since it was released last and is technically the newest architecture.

Honestly, I doubt you’ll find any reason to bother with anything more powerful than that; given you're running an Intel Pentium III, you won't be doing any heavy lifting anyway, so there's really no point in wasting money on a high-end graphics card. 😉
redsailor15 redsailor15 Member
21 messages
joined Sep 2013
#1251 ·
Alex Harris32 said:Is there anything better than a 300W unit, maybe from a brand that isn't just some generic junk?

If you aren't actually gaming and just need something to "output a picture," you could grab an NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS from Micro Center or maybe an AMD Radeon HD 4350 or an AMD Radeon HD 5450 from Best Buy...
Out of those, the 5450 seems like the best value since it's technically the newest one on the list...

I don't think you'd need anything beefier than that, considering you won't be able to run any decent games on an Intel Pentium III anyway, so there's really no point in buying a high-end card right now😉

It looks like a standard generic power supply based on the label...
Alex Harris32 Alex Harris32 Newcomer
1 message
joined Dec 2010
#1252 ·
redsailor15 said:Based on the label, it looks like a Dacor power supply.

Honestly, it doesn't really matter all that much; these cards have such negligible power draw that you shouldn't run into any issues. 😉

Of the bunch, the NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS pulls the most power, though it’s arguably the worst value you can find despite being the cheapest option.

I would suggest making the AMD Radeon HD 5450 your primary choice, and if that isn't available, an older model like the 4350 will suffice. 👍
redsailor15 redsailor15 Member
21 messages
joined Sep 2013
#1253 ·
Alex Harris32 said:Honestly, it’s probably not even worth stressing about... these cards barely pull any power, so you shouldn't run into any issues. 😉

The biggest power draw comes from the NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS, which is pretty much the worst value on the list anyway, despite being the cheapest.

If I were you, I'd aim for the AMD Radeon HD 5450 first, and if that's out of reach, the 4350 will do just fine. 👍

alright, thanks for the help
shadowsurfer8 shadowsurfer8 Newcomer
2 messages
joined Nov 2010
#1254 ·
Greetings,

I'm looking for some advice—what’s the absolute fastest GPU I can actually "feed" with my current setup? I've got an e6750 overclocked to 3.2GHz...
NVIDIA GTX 460? Or is there something even better out there that won't just choke on that CPU? What would you guys recommend?
Naturally, I'm going to need a new power supply because my current 400W unit is pathetic—way too weak for anything decent. Maybe an EVGA 550 W? Or should I look at something else entirely?

PS. For reasons I'd rather not get into, I'll be buying everything through Links.
PPS. Regarding the rest of my components—I can list them if necessary, but honestly, I don't think they matter much when we're talking about picking a new graphics card...

Thanks,
Sarah Turner98 Sarah Turner98 Member
15 messages
joined Jul 2010
#1255 ·
I think you can do better than a 4850, maybe a GTS 450 or an HD5770, but honestly, why bother?
If you have the chance to snag an NVIDIA GTX 460... just go for it. 🙂

The only thing is, I feel like it might be a bit overkill for now...
But hey, at least you'll be set for the future.

What kind of 400W power supply are you running? Some cheap generic brand?

P.S. That EVGA 550 W is actually a solid choice. 👍
Olivia Collins5 Olivia Collins5 Member
17 messages
joined Oct 2014
#1256 ·
crimsonstag84 said:Aha, that sound... it's identical to what happened with my old 8600GT. I upgraded to a new CPU, motherboard, and RAM, but kept the same GPU for a bit... within two days, everything started breaking. I was getting the Blue Screen of Death with "nVidia driver stopped responding." Maybe you're seeing a Blue Screen of Death saying "ATI display driver stopped working"?

I honestly think it's just what happens when you mix brand-new parts with older ones—something just clashes. I couldn't find a real explanation because I tried everything, so I eventually just switched over to AMD(ATI). 😁

Honestly, just sell yours and grab this GTX 275. It's an absolute beast and a killer deal for the price. 😉

http://www.forum.com/showthread.php?t=604276


Yeah, I've dealt with all of it too—from using VPU Recover to dealing with those grayed-out screens saying "stopped responding." And lately? Just the famous Blue Screen of Death stuck in an infinite loop. Everything! I actually took it in for repair, and at first, they told me it was a faulty motherboard with a factory defect that was crashing my Windows.
So I reinstalled everything from scratch, fresh OS and all the drivers, but the problem just won't go away. It's still happening.
Plus, I've been reading through various sites and forums, and apparently, this whole series of cards—specifically their drivers—just wreaks havoc on every version of Windows. That’s why I’d personally make the jump to nVidia.

Check this out:
There's no support on the ATI pages anymore; they've stopped patching drivers for the X1K series...
Some US site claims the issue is specifically with this series of graphics cards when running on Windows XP. So, there you have it.

That's what some guy on a forum wrote who's dealing with the exact same thing.
That's exactly what I was thinking.
And if I'm lucky, I get this error message, but most of the time, it's just that constant "trrrrrrrrrrrr" sound.

The ATI display driver has stopped working normally. Save your work and reboot the system to restore full display functionality. The next time you reboot the machine, a dialog will be displayed giving you a chance to upload data about this failure to Microsoft.
And sometimes it's "CCC drivers stopped responding."
amberlynx0 amberlynx0 Newcomer
6 messages
joined Jun 2009
#1257 ·
This isn't about buying a new card, but it definitely concerns my current one.
I've got a Radeon X1950 Pro running, but for some reason, I just can't get a reading on the temperature. I've already tried using Aido and HW monitor, yet nothing seems to work. Is it possible this thing doesn't even have a sensor?🤷
quiethound10 quiethound10 Newcomer
4 messages
joined Apr 2010
#1258 ·
Buying a new PC is out of the question—this thing is basically an antique (and I’m being dead serious, not sarcastic). Just let me know how much cash we need to pool together so we can actually make something happen.
James Castillo8 James Castillo8 Member
12 messages
joined Dec 2013
#1259 ·
amberlynx0 said:It’s not about buying a new card—it’s just about this specific card.
I've got a Radeon X1950 Pro, but I can't get any temperature readings... tried using Aido and HW monitor, but nothing works. Maybe there isn't even a sensor? 🤷

Have you tried installing the latest ATI drivers? You'd need to go into CCC and look under Overdrive...
Jerry Flores4 Jerry Flores4 Newcomer
2 messages
joined Dec 2010
#1260 ·
Hey everyone,

Can someone tell me if I can run this GPU (http://www.trgovina-racunala.com/gra...ficke-kartice/) on this motherboard (http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?inv...BP-R&cat=MBB)? My power supply is only 300W.

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