Help me choose a graphics card for under 80
So in an attempt to improve FPS and general performance when playing PC Games, I decided I want to buy a graphics card, but I don't have much knowledge about the matter, so I'm not quite sure what to get. My current graphics card is an ATI Radeon HD 4200, and while it runs games such as League of Legends comfortably enough with adjusted settings, it doesn't run anything else at a level that I'd prefer it to.
I don't plan to play hardcore or with HD settings, otherwise I'd just get a gaming comp. I'm looking to play other games such as Guild Wars 2, Tribes: Ascend, and Tera, and I want to be able to run those at at least 30 FPS on moderate/normal settings (Though if I could run it at high, that would be awesome), and I wanna be able to run League on at least 50 FPS. though I'm not even sure if 80 dollars is enough for that (I'm new to this).
Regarding other info, my processor is an AMD Athlon II X4 630 processor 2.80 GHz, and I have 4 GB of RAM. I'm currently looking at an Nvidia gt 630, would that be suitable for what I described? Thank you for your help guys.
11 Comments • Newest first
[quote=Novagnome24]Okay, cool. I just looked it up just in case and it turns out that I can actually upgrade my power supply to 400W if needed for about 20 bucks, which I guess won't be too much of a problem, and looking at the Radeon HD 7750 I guess I can just wait a bit until I have more money for it, if the difference really is noticeable. Remember, I only want at least 30 FPS for GW2. What about Tera and Tribes: Ascend?[/quote]
I have a 6770 card getting a good ~120FPS on league, and about 60FPS on GW2 with high settings. Haven't played GW2 since the month it came out, so I don't know what it's like now.
I would recommend spending an extra $30 or so on a better and reliable power supply at around 450 ~ 550 watts. The newer Radeon Cards (7000 series) have I believe a better power consumption efficiency, so it's always better to buy the more recent models.
Okay, I guess I'll get the Radeon HD 6670. I'm just cautious in case there are other factors I have to consider before I get it. My RAM type is DDR3.
[quote=Novagnome24]Though I'm not sure, according to my friend the 6670 should run fine at 250W.[/quote]
it might plus you always want to have some head room. Maybe you want to upgrade top a better one later. Plus, the psu is inexpensive to how it performs against others.
Though I'm not sure, according to my friend the 6670 should run fine at 250W.
[quote=Novagnome24]Okay, cool. I just looked it up just in case and it turns out that I can actually upgrade my power supply to 400W if needed for about 20 bucks, which I guess won't be too much of a problem, and looking at the Radeon HD 7750 I guess I can just wait a bit until I have more money for it, if the difference really is noticeable. Remember, I only want at least 30 FPS for GW2. What about Tera and Tribes: Ascend?[/quote]
Unless you are getting something with a rebate that will essentially lowered it to $20 like the Corsair CX430v3 or the Corsair CX400 that sometimes goes on sale at NCIX, in most cases any 400w unit at $20 will more than likely be some PoS that can't delivered its labeled wattage safely. If you are going to buy a new PSU, at least buy a decent one. The Seasonic SS-300ES/ET/350ET, Antec Earthwatt 380w, Antec Neo Eco 400w, Corsair CX430v3 etc. are a few units that will power your system. Since you could get it off of Newegg for $20 after using the promo and doing the MIR, the CX430v3 is a good deal that gintama linked to.
[quote=Novagnome24]As far as I'm concerned, it's an HP Pavilion p6510y. When I looked up supply it said 250W.
Edit: Damn, it looks like Radeon HD 6670 requires at least 400W. Okay, so my needs changed.[/quote]
If you want an inexpensive and solid power supply i recommend the corsair cx430 v2. I bought it last year when i bought myself a gpu and it has worked without a hitch and its super silent. I bought it at newegg because that psu always has rebate. Its $25 after a $20 rebate, which is the same deal i bought last year. Higly recommended.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026
[quote=Burning]You should be able to use the GeForce GT 630, Radeon HD 6670, and the Radeon HD 7750.
The GDDR3 and GDDR5 counterparts of the GT 630 and the HD 6670 usually cost the same, but the HD 6670 is the stronger GPU. The Radeon HD 7750 is more expensive, but it's your best bet for running the decently demanding GW2 at Medium settings.
...and even though 400 W is the recommended wattage, all three cards draw less than 70 watts of power. AMD and Nvidia overstate the requirement on purpose.
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine[/quote]
Okay, cool. I just looked it up just in case and it turns out that I can actually upgrade my power supply to 400W if needed for about 20 bucks, which I guess won't be too much of a problem, and looking at the Radeon HD 7750 I guess I can just wait a bit until I have more money for it, if the difference really is noticeable. Remember, I only want at least 30 FPS for GW2. What about Tera and Tribes: Ascend?
You should be able to use the GeForce GT 630, Radeon HD 6670, and the Radeon HD 7750.
The GDDR3 and GDDR5 counterparts of the GT 630 and the HD 6670 usually cost the same, but the HD 6670 is the stronger GPU. The Radeon HD 7750 is more expensive, but it's your best bet for running the decently demanding GW2 at Medium settings.
...and even though 400 W is the recommended wattage, all three cards draw less than 70 watts of power. AMD and Nvidia overstate the requirement on purpose.
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine
[quote=Burning]Just to check the compatibility of your computer, do you know your power supply's wattage rating? If you don't know, I can look it up if you post your computer's brand and model.
I'm not entirely confident that the GT 630 is right for you for two reasons: it costs the same, but is weaker than the Radeon HD 6670 and it plays GW2 on the Low settings.[/quote]
As far as I'm concerned, it's an HP Pavilion p6510y. When I looked up supply it said 250W.
Edit: Damn, it looks like Radeon HD 6670 requires at least 400W. Okay, so my needs changed.
first you have to see if your power supply can handle a more powerful gpu.
Just to check the compatibility of your computer, do you know your power supply's wattage rating? If you don't know, I can look it up if you post your computer's brand and model.
I'm not entirely confident that the GT 630 is right for you for two reasons: it costs the same, but is weaker than the Radeon HD 6670 and it plays GW2 on the Low settings.