Best GPU to use with my new build

[morkman100]

Finally upgrading my computer after 3-4 years (Athlon64 3000+ & GF6600).

New build is a intel E8400, Gigabyte ga-g31m-es2l, 500GB HDD, & single DVD-RW. Current PSU is a Antec Earthwatts 430W. What is the best GPU I could go with without upgrading my PSU too?

Gaming is a secondary purpose of this machine... probably want to spend up to $125 on the GPU.

Any ideas?

 

[AzN]

4850 gts250

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Originally posted by: Azn
4850 gts250

Exactly. Maybe even go lower to a 4830 if you want to be safe. Going below that will net you much less performance for your $$.

 

[angry hampster]

What resolution?

 

[Schmide]

Asus 4870 $135

 

[SlowSpyder]

Originally posted by: Schmide
Asus 4870 $135

Wow... that is an incredible deal for an 815MHz factory oc card.

OP, I ran an overclocked/overvolted Phenom as well as a very power-hungry Radeon 2900 Pro (512 bit version) @ 800MHz/1600MHz with all the usual stuff (couple hard drives, fans, fan controller, some lights, optical drive) on a good quality 500 watt power supply (Antec NeoPower)for quite a while without any problems. I'm not sure how good of quality your 430 watt supply is, but I'm pretty sure the Earthwatts are fairly stout from what I've seen people post here. I don't believe the E8400 is a big power hog (I think it's quite efficient until you start overclocking, then who knows) so I'd venture a guess that you'd be able to run that 4870 on your power supply.

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3501&p=9

AT is running a 4870 1GB there with a i7 965 (quad core, I would imagine a higher power using chip than the E8400) and at load manage to stay under 300 watts. The factory overclocked Asus linked above will probably use a bit more power as it has the 65MHz overclock, but as I said, I think you'd be ok.

I know a lot of people like to stay at about 50% of their power supply's usage for piece of mind, but I think you'd be ok.

*edit - Just saw that you mentioned $125 budget, the 4870 for only $10 more is really a great deal, but if that is a hard budget with no wiggle room, then I'd go with the previous suggestions of the GTS250 or 4850... which ever you can find the better deal on.

 

[Schmide]

You have 2 17a rails you'll be fine.

 

[s44]

Originally posted by: Schmide
You have 2 17a rails you'll be fine.

This is the sort of foolish half-informed advice that hurts the questioner.

The Earthwatts 430 has a maximum +12V output of 360W. That's 30A. If he's been using it for 3-4 years, the thing will have lost a nontrivial amount of its max capacity.

Don't get the 4870.

 

[theAnimal]

The Earthwatts was released less than 3 years ago, so no need to worry about aging. The EA430 can easily handle a dual core and HD4870, but you will need to use a molex to PCIe adapter since the PSU only has one connector.

 

[morkman100]

My initial thoughts were either a GTS250 or a 4850, with a slight edge to the 250 because of the lower power usage. But I wasn't sure if power would really be an issue so that why I posted here.

The Antec EW430 is only about 18-24 months old.

Resolution is currently 1280x1024, but I'd like to leave the option open for a larger monitor (maybe a 22" ws).

 

[Schmide]

Originally posted by: s44

Originally posted by: Schmide
You have 2 17a rails you'll be fine.

This is the sort of foolish half-informed advice that hurts the questioner.

The Earthwatts 430 has a maximum +12V output of 360W. That's 30A. If he's been using it for 3-4 years, the thing will have lost a nontrivial amount of its max capacity.

Don't get the 4870.

???

Load

E8400 = 30w
G31 = 20w
Ram = 6w
HD = 7w
DVD, Fans, Etc = 25w

total 88w

So you're saying he doesn't have room for a 160w card?

160w/12v = 13.3a (video)

88w/12v = 7.3a (rest)

248w/12v = 20a (Total system)

He would be barely running at 57% of maximum?

There is certainly a way he can split 20a on two 17a rails!!!

 

[Schmide]

Originally posted by: theAnimal
The Earthwatts was released less than 3 years ago, so no need to worry about aging. The EA430 can easily handle a dual core and HD4870, but you will need to use a molex to PCIe adapter since the PSU only has one connector.

The card comes with one adapter. Done...

 

[MrK6]

A vote for the HD4850; just fantastic bang-for-your-buck. I wouldn't get the HD4870 for the sake of giving your PSU some breathing room.

 

[morkman100]

Thanks everyone for their help.

With the upcoming release of the 4890, would a month from now be a better time to buy? I am in no particular rush (and I don't upgrade that often, so what's another month?)

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: morkman100
Thanks everyone for their help.

With the upcoming release of the 4890, would a month from now be a better time to buy? I am in no particular rush (and I don't upgrade that often, so what's another month?)

That Asus card won't go lower than $135AR for quite some time. Is waiting 1-2 months for a $15 price drop (maybe) worth it?

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: angry hampster

Originally posted by: morkman100
Thanks everyone for their help.

With the upcoming release of the 4890, would a month from now be a better time to buy? I am in no particular rush (and I don't upgrade that often, so what's another month?)

That Asus card won't go lower than $135AR for quite some time. Is waiting 1-2 months for a $15 price drop (maybe) worth it?

Not to mention every other 512MB 4870 is like $50 more than the Asus despite AMD supposedly cutting prices. Prices on the 4870 512MB have actually gone up significantly in the past month and the Asus is the only good deal.

OTOH you could pick up a Sapphire 4870 1GB for $190, which is what I did. I managed to snag a weekend free shipping deal. Also you can probably get a free game or something with it if you look at combo deals (mine shipped with STALKER: Clear Sky).