Shopping for video card

Coyee · 04-12-2012, 07:58 PM

Well my video card just recently went out. It was an nvidia geforce 9400 gt 1gb. So I am looking for a new one and don't really know much about them. I want one at least as good or better.

I am going to use directron.com would like to stay under $100.

Please help me out thanks

.

madpistol · 04-12-2012, 08:04 PM

What are your computer specs?

I'm going to assume it's not a custom built, and therefore you don't know how powerful your power supply is, correct?

If that's the case, could you give us the model of your computer? We could probably figure out what we're working with easier that way.

This is my initial recommendation:

http://www.directron.com/hd667xzhf3.html

Low power requirements, within budget, and it's a huge upgrade from the 9400 GT.

Coyee · 04-12-2012, 08:11 PM

It is actually a custom built one but not done by me. The power supply is only 300w it's a atx-300gu.

Edit: I'll probably have to buy another power supply seeing how small mine is.. What do you recommend?

madpistol · 04-12-2012, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coyee

It is actually a custom built one but not done by me. The power supply is only 300w it's a atx-300gu.

Edit: I'll probably have to buy another power supply seeing how small mine is.. What do you recommend?

What's your budget for the PSU? If money is no object, you can get a very nice PSU for around $100. I don't recommend going below $80, though.

If you don't mind LED's, this is a good one: http://www.directron.com/cmpsu600g.html

Coyee · 04-12-2012, 08:21 PM

i'll probably have to get a temporary psu till i can afford to put more money into it. Why wouldn't you want to drop below $80? I am horrible when it comes to hardware get me on the computer and im magic.

madpistol · 04-12-2012, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coyee

i'll probably have to get a temporary psu till i can afford to put more money into it. Why wouldn't you want to drop below $80? I am horrible when it comes to hardware get me on the computer and im magic.

You can go below $80, but when you start getting much lower, the numbers and quality of the units start getting exponentially worse. $80 is my "sweet spot" where quality meets value. You can go below that if you wish though.

Here's a good one from Antec that's a bit cheaper: http://www.directron.com/hcg520.html

Coyee · 04-12-2012, 08:26 PM

Alright man well thanks for all your help it's much appreciated. Will probably get that gpu you mentioned.

badsanta98 · 04-13-2012, 04:09 AM

Try a 6770, I had one until I upgraded to a GTX 570, 6770's are pretty good cards for the price, (I'm british so I'm not to good with dollars but I think it would be about $80-$100)

Coyee · 04-13-2012, 02:50 PM

That's what madpistol reccomended. Thanks for the extra vote

.

TheGreatGazoo · 04-13-2012, 03:03 PM

With a $100 GPU budget this PSU should be plenty; http://www.directron.com/cmpsu430cxv2.html

EDIT: If you add the $30 you save, compared to the suggested Antec PSU, to the GPU budget you could even go for a 6850. Though if not really intended for gaming just save some money

http://www.directron.com/ax68501gbd5dh.html

If the 6850 is too expensive check out the 550ti; http://www.directron.com/x550tidcdi1gd5.html

joemtnbike · 04-13-2012, 05:12 PM

My recommenation is the Radeon HD 7750
should work with your power supply as well. (No Pci-e power connectors)

HL2-4-Life · 04-13-2012, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coyee

That's what madpistol reccomended. Thanks for the extra vote

.

Nope, madpistol had recommended the HD6670, badsanta had recommended the HD6770 which is a more powerful card, but more power hungry as well. Madpistol is right in that you should not scrimp on the PSU, it is just about the most important component in a system. With a reasonably powerful PSU, say, 550W and above, your choice of vid cards has widen tremendously, even a high end card is doable. Without knowing anything about your system spec and resolution, it is kind of hard to say what card is best suited for your system.....a GTX550 Ti, HD6850, HD6770 woukd be good starting points.

madpistol · 04-13-2012, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HL2-4-Life

Nope, madpistol had recommended the HD6670, badsanta had recommended the HD6770 which is a more powerful card, but more power hungry as well. Madpistol is right in that you should not scrimp on the PSU, it is just about the most important component in a system. With a reasonably powerful PSU, say, 550W and above, your choice of vid cards has widen tremendously, even a high end card is doable. Without knowing anything about your system spec and resolution, it is kind of hard to say what card is best suited for your system.....a GTX550 Ti, HD6850, HD6770 woukd be good starting points.

He has a 300-watt OEM PSU. I wouldn't trust even a GTX 550 Ti for that system. That might put too much stress on the PSU.

Other than that, you're right.

spartan0078 · 04-14-2012, 08:19 AM

I'd get a new PSU first dude. Your not going to find many half decent cards that will run on 300W power supply. PSU's are cheap though, you can easily buy a 500-600 watt for around 30-50 bucks and a decent brand. And make sure to get one that's at LEAST 80 plus bronze certified, it says right on the box if it is.

Teufel9000 · 04-14-2012, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joemtnbike

My recommenation is the Radeon HD 7750
should work with your power supply as well. (No Pci-e power connectors)

this its got basically same power (~5% slowerdifference in benchmarks ) of a 5770/6770 with no need of additional power needs!

would be perfect for OP

04-12-2012, 07:58 PM	#1
Coyee Join Date: Sep 2011 Reputation: 44 Posts: 31	Shopping for video card Well my video card just recently went out. It was an nvidia geforce 9400 gt 1gb. So I am looking for a new one and don't really know much about them. I want one at least as good or better. I am going to use directron.com would like to stay under $100. Please help me out thanks .

04-12-2012, 08:11 PM	#3
Coyee Join Date: Sep 2011 Reputation: 44 Posts: 31	It is actually a custom built one but not done by me. The power supply is only 300w it's a atx-300gu. Edit: I'll probably have to buy another power supply seeing how small mine is.. What do you recommend? Last edited by Coyee: 04-12-2012 at 08:15 PM.

04-13-2012, 03:03 PM	#10
TheGreatGazoo Join Date: Feb 2012 Reputation: 37 Posts: 327	With a $100 GPU budget this PSU should be plenty; http://www.directron.com/cmpsu430cxv2.html EDIT: If you add the $30 you save, compared to the suggested Antec PSU, to the GPU budget you could even go for a 6850. Though if not really intended for gaming just save some money http://www.directron.com/ax68501gbd5dh.html If the 6850 is too expensive check out the 550ti; http://www.directron.com/x550tidcdi1gd5.html Last edited by TheGreatGazoo: 04-13-2012 at 03:29 PM.

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04-12-2012, 08:04 PM	#2
madpistol Join Date: Jun 2006 Reputation: 923 Posts: 4,123	What are your computer specs? I'm going to assume it's not a custom built, and therefore you don't know how powerful your power supply is, correct? If that's the case, could you give us the model of your computer? We could probably figure out what we're working with easier that way. This is my initial recommendation: http://www.directron.com/hd667xzhf3.html Low power requirements, within budget, and it's a huge upgrade from the 9400 GT.

04-12-2012, 08:21 PM	#5
Coyee Join Date: Sep 2011 Reputation: 44 Posts: 31	i'll probably have to get a temporary psu till i can afford to put more money into it. Why wouldn't you want to drop below $80? I am horrible when it comes to hardware get me on the computer and im magic.

04-12-2012, 08:26 PM	#7
Coyee Join Date: Sep 2011 Reputation: 44 Posts: 31	Alright man well thanks for all your help it's much appreciated. Will probably get that gpu you mentioned.

04-13-2012, 04:09 AM	#8
badsanta98 Join Date: Feb 2011 Reputation: 0 Posts: 19	Try a 6770, I had one until I upgraded to a GTX 570, 6770's are pretty good cards for the price, (I'm british so I'm not to good with dollars but I think it would be about $80-$100)

04-13-2012, 02:50 PM	#9
Coyee Join Date: Sep 2011 Reputation: 44 Posts: 31	That's what madpistol reccomended. Thanks for the extra vote .

04-13-2012, 05:12 PM	#11
joemtnbike Join Date: Apr 2009 Reputation: 1059 Posts: 2,410	My recommenation is the Radeon HD 7750 should work with your power supply as well. (No Pci-e power connectors)

04-14-2012, 08:19 AM	#14
spartan0078 Join Date: Jan 2011 Reputation: 1596 Posts: 2,816	I'd get a new PSU first dude. Your not going to find many half decent cards that will run on 300W power supply. PSU's are cheap though, you can easily buy a 500-600 watt for around 30-50 bucks and a decent brand. And make sure to get one that's at LEAST 80 plus bronze certified, it says right on the box if it is.