Graphics Card Upgrade Question

[Phant0m444]

I have an old 512MB Nvidia 8800 GTS that I've been using for over two years. Unfortunately, it seems to have died/failed recently.

Now I'm looking for a cheap replacement for my 8800 GTS. Ideally, I would like to spend less than $100 on a new GPU. I'm not really looking for a significant upgrade at this price range, but considering the 8800 GTS was over two years old... I'm hoping that even a cheaper GPU would be an improvement. In other words, I want the new GPU to be an improvement over my old 8800 GTS... even if its only a small improvement.

One concern I have is that my motherboard and PSU are also more than two years old. I'm not very up to date on the latest hardware, but I assume that most GPU's are still using the PCI Express 2.0 format? This format is what my old motherboard/GPU uses anyway. Hopefully, my PSU will still be sufficient for a cheaper(but newer) GPU... its an Antec Truepower 430W.

Because of my older PSU, I would prefer that the GPU require relatively low amounts of power. A quiet fan and good stock cooling would also be a plus. Performance is not as important... just so its at least a small improvement over the 8800 GTS. More important to me is stability and compatibility with my older system.

So my question is, based on what I've mentioned... what would be the best GPU to get for less than $100?

 

[Idontcare]

Welcome to the forums Phant0m444! :thumbsup:

 

[tyl998]

You sure you can't bump the budget up to say...$140? Then you'd get some REALLY decent mid-range stuff.

 

[happy medium]

8800gts 512mb is about 15% slower then a 5750, so your next upgrade should be a gtx460 768 (at least) or better. SO yes you will need to increase your budget a little.

Edit: nevermind you dont mind a small upgrade? Grab a gts450 for 122$ shipped. 20% faster.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-120-_-Product

 

[toyota]

he doesn't really want much of an upgrade but it is crazy not to spend a little more and get something better.

as usual I do wonder what the rest of the pc looks like.

 

[Phant0m444]

wow... fast replies on these forums. Thanks everyone.

I was kinda hoping that after 2 years... my 8800 would be a piece of junk compared to even the cheapest GPUs.

It sounds like everyone is suggesting that I spend a little more. I'm open to suggestions, but I really would like to keep the budget low. I consider this new GPU more of a replacement than an upgrade frankly.... although better performance is certainly preferable.

 

[hdfxst]

How about a 4850 or GTS250,they're both around 90 dollars on newegg

 

[Gloomy]

I'd go for DX11, preferably 6xxx series or Fermi.

 

[tyl998]

A GTX460 768 is really the best replacement for the buck right now. For exactly $140 dollars after rebate, it's a steal: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-173-_-Product

 

[happy medium]

wow... fast replies on these forums. Thanks everyone.

I was kinda hoping that after 2 years... my 8800 would be a piece of junk compared to even the cheapest GPUs.

It sounds like everyone is suggesting that I spend a little more. I'm open to suggestions, but I really would like to keep the budget low. I consider this new GPU more of a replacement than an upgrade frankly.... although better performance is certainly preferable.

Then get the 122$ gts450 I linked, thats a good gpu for the price and about a 20% upgrade. You allready have a Nvidia gpu and replacing it with another Nvidia gpu is much easier. No driver conflics.
Anything cheaper is slower unless you buy used.

 

[happy medium]

How about a 4850 or GTS250,they're both around 90 dollars on newegg

If thats true, you found your replacement.
I see 104$ for a gts250 and it a crappy low profile vrsion.

I'd just pay the extra 17$ and get a gts450 with directx 11 and highly overclockable.

 

[hdfxst]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814129163 90 dollars

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131365 80 after rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187099 90 dollars

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121381 80 after rebate

isn't your card of those you can fix by baking it?

 

[Phant0m444]

If thats true, you found your replacement.
I see 104$ for a gts250 and it a crappy low profile vrsion.

I'd just pay the extra 17$ and get a gts450 with directx 11 and highly overclockable.

That gts450 looks interesting, and $17 extra dollars isn't too bad. It's pricier than I would like, but it seems to be a decent card. There's a good chance I might choose that.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. I think I have enough suggestions to do some price checking and shopping now. :thumbsup:

 

[blastingcap]

Consider getting a used GTX 260 or HD4870 for cheap (~$70-90)