Graphics card. Could use help finding what to get.

[AnagraRiver]

Hi all. Im looking to upgrade to a non intergrated graphics card on my Desktop. Intel I5 2.8ghz, 6gb ram, currently has intel graphics family. I dont have much experience when it comes to a computer upgrades. I can currently do a, somewhat dual monitor setup via HDMI on a HDTV, so I would like to still be able to do that too, or even dual monitor with a monitor, but not neccessary.I also edit videos, so theres that too. I dont need cutting edge, but I would like something that will play current games easily. I have a Gateway DX4850, if that makes it easier. I can seem to figure out if I have PCI or PCI express. I tried a program called CPU-Z, but the graphic interface is all grayed out. I also think I have a 300v power supply.

 

[tweakboy]

With a i5 you can couple that with a 460 1GB ... 100 to 120 dollars. gl

 

[tweakboy]

I dont think your PSU can handle the 460 1GB on your rig...prove me wrong...

 

[philipma1957]

Hi all. Im looking to upgrade to a non intergrated graphics card on my Desktop. Intel I5 2.8ghz, 6gb ram, currently has intel graphics family. I dont have much experience when it comes to a computer upgrades. I can currently do a, somewhat dual monitor setup via HDMI on a HDTV, so I would like to still be able to do that too, or even dual monitor with a monitor, but not neccessary.I also edit videos, so theres that too. I dont need cutting edge, but I would like something that will play current games easily. I have a Gateway DX4850, if that makes it easier. I can seem to figure out if I have PCI or PCI express. I tried a program called CPU-Z, but the graphic interface is all grayed out. I also think I have a 300v power supply.

I will google a bit for you.

I read a lot of newegg reviews.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...scrollFullInfo


you can add a gpu card like this one


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127726


anything that pulls more power then this 80 watts you need a better power supply.

A lot of people may be selling hd7790 cards on ebay due to BITCOIN mining ending for gpus.

you may find a card for 80 or 90 dollars.

 

[dragantoe]

A lot of people may be selling hd7790 cards on ebay due to BITCOIN mining ending for gpus.

what is this about?

 

[KingFatty]

I found the following site regarding your computer. Although it says "Add-in card slots: One PCI Express® x 16 slot," it also has a footnote that says specifications may vary in this series: http://support.gateway.com/s/desktop/2011/gateway/dx4850/DX4850sp5.shtml

But if you do actually have that slot available, you should be able to buy whatever video card you want.

Now, how to decide? Typically you can spend the most money you can afford, but then that side-steps the issue of what is the best value. To find the best value, you could analyze cost/performance ratios, but should consider how you find a video card valuable?

If you know nothing about video cards to the point where you aren't yet ready to appreciate the benefits of the very expensive cards, it might make sense to start with something more affordable and mainstream, because you could buy it cheap and re-sell it for close to what you paid. Perhaps buy a used card off craigslist?

Anyway, there are usually sweet spots of different price points, where a particular card might be the best value at that price point. As an example, I think Nvidia just released a new card recently at the $250 price point that seems to beat it's previous cards on price/performance, making it a good buy. But can you handle all that performance, or appreciate it? Maybe a $150 card would be just as appreciated by you, and keep you very happy for years, such as a used AMD 7850 card (or even new, sometimes they have rebate specials that drop their new prices near that low).