Looking for an entry level gaming card ~$50

[paradigmGT]

I am looking to upgrade my ~6 yr old Dell Inspirion 530 (intel core 2 quad Q6600 + 3gb DDR2 + 350watt PSU) so that I can run some decent games on it.

I am on a budget, and was hoping to spend only $50 on a GPU. Any advice? How about the HD 6750? Any other alternatives from Nvidia perhaps?

I ordered a Corsair CX 430w modular PSU today to help out. I am starting to think I may have wasted my money on it as it isn't much of a bump over the stock 350watt PSU.

 

[iiiankiii]

that psu is a HUGE improvement over the stock psu. You didn't waste your money. The stock psu is probably rated at 350w @peak levels; while the cx430w is rated at 430 of continuous power.

You should be able to run even the top level gpu (hd7970/ gtx 680) with that power supply.

$50 is not a lot for a gaming card. Your best bet is to look for a used gpu in the For Sale section of the forums. At the price range, you can grab an older gtx 260 or a hd4870. For $25-35 more, you can get a gtx 460 or a 6850 used.

 

[Fuelrod]

A friend of mine just used the $50 off $100 Best Buy coupon found in the "Hot Deals" forum and got a Nvidia 650 GTX for $65. This is probably the best you can do at that price point.

 

[Arachnotronic]

A friend of mine just used the $50 off $100 Best Buy coupon found in the "Hot Deals" forum and got a Nvidia 650 GTX for $65. This is probably the best you can do at that price point.

I'd do this (either the Nvidia or the AMD card at that level).

 

[Eureka]

I guess you can't stop the PSU now, but if it was newegg you can usually cajole them (by phone or by chat) into giving you a return label for an unopened product.

When you're on a budget, don't buy unnecessary things. The PSU, while it is a huge improvement, is unnecessary as that 350W should be able to drive any video card in your budget. Q6600 + 7770/650 will both stay under 350W peak. If you can get the 650 for $65, even better.

 

[Termie]

I am looking to upgrade my ~6 yr old Dell Inspirion 530 (intel core 2 quad Q6600 + 3gb DDR2 + 350watt PSU) so that I can run some decent games on it.

I am on a budget, and was hoping to spend only $50 on a GPU. Any advice? How about the HD 6750? Any other alternatives from Nvidia perhaps?

I ordered a Corsair CX 430w modular PSU today to help out. I am starting to think I may have wasted my money on it as it isn't much of a bump over the stock 350watt PSU.

You can't buy a 6750 for $50. In fact, there are very few GPUs actually available new for $50 or less. If your budget is fixed, then go for this HD6570 DDR3 for $40AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102994

If you can push the budget up a bit, then go for this HD6670 GDDR5 for $70AR/shipping: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161397

Nothing in between those two cards is worth buying. The next step up would be an HD7750 for about $90AR, but while it would certainly work well with your system, it's far beyond your budget: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102969

 

[paradigmGT]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The HD7750 can be had used locally for $70.

Anyone against buying used? Anything to look for?

 

[lopri]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The HD7750 can be had used locally for $70.

Anyone against buying used? Anything to look for?

Seller's reputation.

Other than that, buying used cards is a great way to save money when you don't need the cutting-edge. I am guessing a used HD 7750, HD 5770, or GTX 460, etc,. should be well below $100 and provide a very good performance for every day need. Do not buy those $50 cards (e.g. HD 5450) at their full price as they are simply terrible.

 

[FalseChristian]

I'm still rocking on 2 GTX 460 1GB for over 2 1/2 years now. I'm averaging 55.8 fps (SLI) at 1680x1050. I highly recommend you grab 1 or 2 GTX 460 1GB. You won't be disappointed.

 

[DooKey]

Buy a used 5770 or 6770. If you shop smart you'll get one close to $50.

 

[paradigmGT]

What do you guys think of the HD 5770 instead of the HD 7550? The only draw back I see is almost double power consumption! However the performance specs seem very similar...

 

[frozentundra123456]

What do you guys think of the HD 5770 instead of the HD 7550? The only draw back I see is almost double power consumption! However the performance specs seem very similar...

I dont know if you made a typo, but dont confuse the 7550 with the 7750. The 7550 in pretty low end. It is the 7750 that is pretty much equivalent to the 5770/6770, while still using less power.

 

[paradigmGT]

I dont know if you made a typo, but dont confuse the 7550 with the 7750. The 7550 in pretty low end. It is the 7750 that is pretty much equivalent to the 5770/6770, while still using less power.

Sorry I meant the 7750. It seems to have similar specs to the 5770 but it draws 1/2 the power at full tilt.

 

[MentalIlness]

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/538?vs=535

 

[2is]

Sorry I meant the 7750. It seems to have similar specs to the 5770 but it draws 1/2 the power at full tilt.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/538?vs=535

Looks like they trade blows. I'd go for which ever one you can get cheaper.

 

[Jimzz]

If you can get the 7750 for $70 I would go for that. It also overclocks well without running hot and has UVD3 for decoding (the 5770/6770 have the older UVD2 and use more power). Just make sure any 7750 card you get has DDR5. If it has DDR3 it will suck.

A used GTX460 can be had cheap. I am still running a GTX460 1gb and see no need to upgrade right now.

 

[paradigmGT]

What do you guys think of a 1gb HD5830 instead of the 7750? I know it draws a lot more power, but it seems to be quite a bit more powerful as well?

I was getting it with a BNIB 850w PSU for $80 which seems like a good deal (basically $40 for the card alone).

 

[Tweak155]

I have a friend trying to sell is 6750 if you're interested. I'm not sure how good the 5830 is myself, sounds like it's a good deal though.

 

[birthdaymonkey]

Just to reiterate, you don't need a new power supply.

Put that $40 toward your video card instead if you can return it. The 7750 doesn't even require a PCI-E power connector from the PSU.

And any BNIB 850-watt PSU you can buy that cheap is bound to be a POS that could easily pop and take your components with it.

 

[Arkaign]

What do you guys think of a 1gb HD5830 instead of the 7750? I know it draws a lot more power, but it seems to be quite a bit more powerful as well?

I was getting it with a BNIB 850w PSU for $80 which seems like a good deal (basically $40 for the card alone).

The 5830 is kind of an odd card. They never performed as well as they theoretically should have. No reason not to go with something like a 460 1GB non-SE, full 5850, 6850, etc, in my mind. 5830s were typically poorly-binned 5850/5870 that didn't make the cut. I'm sure there are some good ones out there, but the benches seemed sluggish for what it should have been.

 

[Arkaign]

I'd keep the new 430W PSU as well. It's a well-made unit, and a 6-year-old OEM 350W will be a bit worn out and probably not capable of efficient operation at it's rated levels. The Q6600s were pretty thirsty, I wouldn't trust a 350W even brand new to do that along with any decent GPU. Failed PSU can sometimes damage other components, it's just something I avoid at all costs. Additionally, the new 430 will give you breathing room should you come across a good deal on a used 580/6970/etc that strikes your fancy. You wouldn't have to sweat over either having a high-wattage but iffy brand unit, or an ancient and worn out 350.