Decent PCI Express card to upgrade my PC for $80 and under?

[tyard]

Hi.
I'm sorry if this is the wrong forum, but it seemed right (you can tell I'm new), anyway, I'm looking for a decent graphics card to upgrade my Compaq Presario SR5333WM desktop to enable gaming at decent graphical settings (not everything set to very low/off), and I'm looking for under $80 bucks if thats possible. I mainly play RTS games (Command and Conquer) and some shooter-type games (Fallout 3) if that helps. I've seen the GeForce 9500 and 8400 models, which might work (9500 for $30 at Microcenter), but I don't know. Anyway, thanks in advance, and good night.

 

[alyarb]

how about a Radeon 4830? http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...09646&prodlist=froogle don't forget to overclock.

 

[theAnimal]

How many amps does your PSU have on the 12V rail(s)? What resolution are you using?

 

[kmmatney]

The fastest card you can get is probably the HD4830:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102822

I have this card. It is fast at stock speed, but let the ATI driver overclock it automatically, and it will have great performance for $80. Even if you don't normally overlock your computer, it's too easy not to do it - you just move 2 sliders in the driver, or just hit the auto-overlock button and your done, and you've got a card that will be about as fast as an HD4850.

If you want to spend less, then the 9600GSO isn't bad, but it's not as fast a the HD4830, and falls behind rapidly when you take overlocking into account.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130437


The HD4830 owns the $80 price point, IMO. At stock speed, it's about as fast as a 9800GT (a more expensive card), and can easily go past it with overlocking.

The 8400 or 9500 aren't going to cut it for Fallout 3.

 

[happy medium]

I think this is his sytem here. Scroll down a bit.

http://www.ciao.com/Compaq_Pre...2_GHz_19_TFT__15470723

1400x900 with integrated graphics. Yuck!
power supply 250 watt 14 amp rail. Double Yuck!!!

The best you can do with that power supply is the 4650 here. Don't worry it will be 10 times faster then what you have for 50$ bucks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814161262

 

[cbn]

Originally posted by: happy medium
I think this is his sytem here. Scroll down a bit.

http://www.ciao.com/Compaq_Pre...2_GHz_19_TFT__15470723

1400x900 with integrated graphics. Yuck!
power supply 250 watt 14 amp rail. Double Yuck!!!

The best you can do with that power supply is the 4650 here. Don't worry it will be 10 times faster then what you have for 50$ bucks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814161262

Is there a reason the OP can't he use 4670?

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: Just learning

Originally posted by: happy medium
I think this is his sytem here. Scroll down a bit.

http://www.ciao.com/Compaq_Pre...2_GHz_19_TFT__15470723

1400x900 with integrated graphics. Yuck!
power supply 250 watt 14 amp rail. Double Yuck!!!

The best you can do with that power supply is the 4650 here. Don't worry it will be 10 times faster then what you have for 50$ bucks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814161262

Is there a reason the OP can't he use 4670?

I was just trying to be safe is all. If his psu will allow he could overclock the 4650 to 4670 levels, it has the same 320 shaders as the 4670.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

But the 4650 is hampered by slow DDR2 memory, which is the difference maker as far as performance goes since the 4670 uses GDDR3. I think he would be safe with the 4670, but anything that requires an external power connector should be avoided unless he wants to upgrade the PSU too.

 

[tyard]

Well, first off, thanks a lot for all the help.
Next off, if it makes any difference, I bought the PC refurbished a year ago (It works fine, haven't had 1 problem), without a monitor, and hooked it up to my 26" HDTV, which runs at 1360x768 Resolution.
Anyway, thanks again, and I'll be looking into the afore-mentioned cards some more.

 

[tyard]

Ok, so I'm thinking it's down to the Radeon 4830, 4650 (maybe 4670, but I think I checked and it looked more than I really want to spend/could spend), and GeForce 9600 GSO, although according to recent posts, the Radeon 4830 won't run due to my PC's crappy power supply or something, which could also probably apply to the GeForce 9600, so I guess the 4600 series may be the best bet.

 

[tyard]

Sorry for 3 posts in a row.
Anyway, I'm loking at the GeForce 9600GSO, for $50 (w/ rebate), and the Radeon 4830 (from zipzoomfly.com for $20 rebate) now. So I ask my final (hopefully) question (If I knew more about this type of thing I'd answer it myself, but sadly I don't, sorry): Will at least one of those two cards work on my PSU and other system specefications for my current computer? Something is making me worried about the 4830 due to the above posts, so I feel it's good to get the advice of someone who knows the topic. Thanks yet again!

 

[TemjinGold]

Being a 250w junk unit, does your PSU even have a plug for the card?

 

[tyard]

What?

 

[theAnimal]

A 6 pin PCIe connector. But don't worry about it, the HD46X0 series do not require one.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Definitely go with the HD4600 series with HDMI-out and use it if your TV has it. The 9500 would work but will be much slower than the HD4600 cards.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

9500GT -> HD4650 -> 9600GSO -> HD4760. That is the pecking order as far as performance goes. But how can the HD4670 be out of your price range and the HD4830 isn't?

HD 4830 $85 - $20 MIR = $65: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...9646&prodlist=celebros (Will probably be too much for your PSU)
HD 4670 $65 - $15 MIR = $50: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814140095 (I've never seen an HD4830 as low as $50)
9600 GSO $70 - $20 MIR = $50: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130437 (Needs a 6-pin PEG power connector)
HD 4650 $55 - $10 MIR = $45:http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814161262
9500 GT $50 - $15 MIR = $35: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814162019

 

[tyard]

1. I still have no clue what that 6 pin thing is, but I don't think the PSU has anything on the back aside from the power plug.
2. That's... Uhmm... Heheh laziness-I only checked Bestbuy-I know-pretty stupid. I'll be sure to check that, especially if the 9600 needs the new PSU.
Thanks

 

[cusideabelincoln]

The 6-pin PEG is an internal power connector that comes from the power supply. It has the same function as the 4-pin molex connector that you use for optical and hard drives, except the PEG connector is deisgned and used only for video cards.

 

[tyard]

Ok
So, really I'm down to a 4600? Alright, I'll probably opt for a 4670 when I'm back home. And I guess that's better than the 9600 from a few posts ago.

 

[chuckm]

The power plug for the video card will be inside your computer, one of the wires coming from the PSU. Just go for the 4650 or 4670 and make sure you put it in the X16 slot.

 

[Corporate Thug]

pay the extra $10 and get this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102824

Coupon code VGA851

 

[Rifter]

buy a new PSU and then a 4830, then at least you will have a new PSU for your next build. Any quality 400W PSU will do for a 4830.

 

[tyard]

Ok, I'll be buying one tommorow. Thanks for the help, and if I have a problem I'll return.