i3 GPU, 5570 or GT430?

[SunnyD]

I currently have a kidputer/HTPC running an i3-530 with integrated GPU. I've recently purchased a few games for the kids which are going to require some GPU, and I'm not sure the i3 is up to the task. The catch is that it's a low profile box, so I'm limited in what I can stick in there. My discrete card options are 5570 and GT430. Are these even worth the upgrade over the i3 GPU?

Monitor attached is 1680x1050. I'm shooting for the best setting possible, but obviously not "enthusiast" settings.

 

[Vette73]

How about a 5670 with DDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127523

That would work very well.


But between the 5570 and 430 the 5570 is a little better on average. Not a hugh amount but if the same price go 5570

 

[SunnyD]

How about a 5670 with DDR5
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127523

That would work very well.


But between the 5570 and 430 the 5570 is a little better on average. Not a hugh amount but if the same price go 5570

I was really hoping for something with 1gb of memory. The 5670 is tempting though, I've been considering it for a while now.

 

[happy medium]

@ Sunny,

There are plenty of cards that are low profile that are more powerfull then a 5570/gt430.
I3 530 graphics suck so just forget about that.

Is there any reason why you could not use a gts450 low profile?
Is there a space problem, is your psu weak?

I believe the fastest low profile card is the gts 450 but it does require a 6 pin power connector and is 7.5 inches long.
.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0low%20profile

Next up in performance would be the 5670 linked above, its slower then the gts450 but uses no power connector.

The 5570/gts430 are low end cards but still faster then the i3 530 if that is your only choice.

 

[happy medium]

I was really hoping for something with 1gb of memory

Dont worry about 1gb of memory @ 1600x1050, a 5670 will never be playable at setings that use more then 512mb of memory 99% of the time, its just too slow but worlds ahead of a gts430/5570 card even if they have 1gb of memory.

 

[SunnyD]

@ Sunny,

There are plenty of cards that are low profile that are more powerfull then a 5570/gt430.
I3 530 graphics suck so just forget about that.

Is there any reason why you could not use a gts450 low profile?
Is there a space problem, is your psu weak?

I believe the fastest low profile card is the gts 450 but it does require a 6 pin power connector and is 7.5 inches long.
.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0low%20profile

Next up in performance would be the 5670 linked above, its slower then the gts450 but uses no power connector.

The 5570/gts430 are low end cards but still faster then the i3 530 if that is your only choice.

I'm using a Moneual Moncaso... I think it's a 300w picopsu and I don't believe there are any PCIe connectors on it if I remember right.

 

[Spikesoldier]

@ Sunny,

There are plenty of cards that are low profile that are more powerfull then a 5570/gt430.
I3 530 graphics suck so just forget about that.

Is there any reason why you could not use a gts450 low profile?
Is there a space problem, is your psu weak?

I believe the fastest low profile card is the gts 450 but it does require a 6 pin power connector and is 7.5 inches long.
.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...0low%20profile

Next up in performance would be the 5670 linked above, its slower then the gts450 but uses no power connector.

The 5570/gts430 are low end cards but still faster then the i3 530 if that is your only choice.

great suggestion, a card completely out of his league.

OP: out of what you suggested, i would grab the 5570. 400 shaders is more than good enough for a kids computer, and you can get the 1gb framebuffer you wanted.

 

[happy medium]

@ sunny

With that case I would go with the 5670. It runs cooler and uses less power.
Please don't worry about the 512mb stuff. You will be playing @ 1600x1050 at med details, you will never use more then 512mb of ram, trust me.

Good luck.

 

[blanketyblank]

430 seems like a bad choice for htpc card until drivers are fixed.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/3973/nvidias-geforce-gt-430/18

On the other hand if and when they do you might be able to do 3d on it, but according to the review it's low on their list of priorities.

 

[-Slacker-]

Never get the 1 gb model for low end cards, you're wasting money on the extra 512mb.

 

[maniac5999]

Never get the 1 gb model for low end cards, you're wasting money on the extra 512mb.

Ditto, I've got a 4870 with twice the shaders, (and anecdotal evidence that my shaders are slightly more potent in DX9/10 games than 5XXX shaders) AND I play at 1080p, and I am rarely limited by my 512mb VRAM.