Most bang for the buck

[Kekewy]

I'm upgrading my rig, but due to unforseen circumstances I can't get the graphics card I originally wanted just yet. I need to find another one that's inexpensive, but can still do what I want it to do. It needs to be PCIe x16 2.0 and play the few games I want on high to max settings. I'm not a high end gamer by any means. It really just needs to play Spore, Dragon Age: Origins and Sims 3. All the other games I have are older, and I'm sure any graphics card on the shelf will do just fine. There's so many different ones out there, I need a little help narrowing the field, so to speak. I'd prefer a Raedeon card, but I'll go with nVidia if need be.

The specs on my build are as follows:

ASUS EVO 790X mobo
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition
4 gig OCZ Platinum memory
550W Enermax PSU (I can't remember the model)

 

[CurseTheSky]

What's your budget?

 

[Kekewy]

I want to keep it around 100 bucks, no more than 150.

 

[lifeblood]

What resolution are you going to run it?

For the games you mentioned a 5670 or nVidia equivalent should suffice.

 

[Kekewy]

The computer I'm upgrading is currently in pieces, so I can't give you the exact resolution. It's 2400x800 I think. It's a 23 inch wide screen acer monitor and I have it set to max resolution.

Also do you know what the nVidia equivalent is to that card?

 

[betasub]

Sweet. 3:1 ultra-widescreen.

 

[CurseTheSky]

The resolution should be 1920x1080. Possibly 1680x1050.

An HD 5670 would be my minimum recommendation, though an HD 5750 or 5770 would be better. If you can find a used HD 4870 or 4890 for decently cheap, that would be your best bet.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

My 9800gt runs DAO fine, but I run really low resolution (13x7).

 

[happy medium]

hd5750 for about 135$

 

[v8envy]

In order of increasing performance, starting with a minimally acceptable card for DaO at your resolution for cards under $100:

4670 & GT240 DDR3 < GT240 DDR5 & GT9600 & 5670 < GT8800/GT9800 & 4770 < GTX9800+/GTS250 & 4850

Up to you to determine the current prices. The higher you go up the hierarchy the happier you will be. The cards grouped via '&' have roughly comprable performance, and the < denotes a rather big jump in capability. / means it's the same card, simply restickered.

 

[TheMeanestGuest]

For those games, I'd honestly recommend either an HD 4850 or a GTS 250, whichever you prefer. They can still be had for a bit over $100.

I wouldn't go much higher.

 

[nyker96]

get a used hd 4770 or 4850 on ebay for under 100.

 

[tweakboy]

Grab a 5750 ATI or a 260 GTX nVidia if your on a budget but want good performance.

Just FYI your system can handle a 5970 or gtx295 GTX 480 470 ... gl

 

[Rezist]

4850 1GB or 512mb. Or maybe 9800GTX+.

 

[Sylvanas]

+1 5750.

 

[blanketyblank]

I'd go for a 5770 over a 5750. It's about 20&#37; more performance for almost the same price. 5750s have a MSRP of like 125, but are selling for 140+. 5770 has a MSRP of 160, but are selling for like 150-165 occaisonally with $10 rebate. Thus you could potentially buy a 5770 for less than a 5750. I've seen a 512 MB model for $130 though I think the 1 GB model is worth the extra $10-20.

 

[happy medium]

I'd go for a 5770 over a 5750. It's about 20% more performance for almost the same price. 5750s have a MSRP of like 125, but are selling for 140+. 5770 has a MSRP of 160, but are selling for like 150-165 occaisonally with $10 rebate. Thus you could potentially buy a 5770 for less than a 5750. I've seen a 512 MB model for $130 though I think the 1 GB model is worth the extra $10-20.

You are right!

Cheapest 5750 on Newegg is 147$ shipped .

They have a 5770 1gb on special for 143$ shipped.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161317

No rebates ..straight up.

 

[cbn]

They have a 5770 1gb on special for 143$ shipped.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161317

No rebates ..straight up.

Yep, I think that would be a better value than a HD5670. (Double the GPU power for only 65% more money)

 

[Kekewy]

Thanks for the advice. I did some looking and torn between two. I found a Gigabyte 5670 with one gig of ram for about 110 and a Powercolor 4850 with one gig of ram for about 115. I'm unfamiliar with both these brands, but I'm leaning towards the 5670 because it looks like the higher end of the two cards and is less money. Any suggestions?

 

[happy medium]

The 4850 is faster , much faster then a 5670. 115$ is a good price. They were just on sale last week for 99$ shipped and a 10 dollar rebate =98$ shipped.

Wait the 4850 is 115$ + 7$ shipping. Thats 122$ shipped
The 5770 at 143$ shipped is the better deal.
I say spend the extra 20$.

 

[Kekewy]

If I was buying it tonight, I would, but that special is only for 24 hours. I won't be able to buy it until next week when it get my tax refund back. The regular price of that 5770 is about 160. I'm on a kinda tight budget at the moment, so I'm trying to keep the cost as close to 100 dollars as possible. Otherwise I'd be getting the 5870 I'd originally planned on getting.

 

[happy medium]

Keep a look out for cheap 5770's, if not buy the 48501gb

 

[klocwerk]

Keep a look out for cheap 5770's, if not buy the 48501gb

If you're not in a rush, definitely hold out for a deal on a 5770.

 

[INGlewood78]

Used 4870

 

[thinkwhy]

OP, I have a similar setup (Phenom II 2.8ghz, 4GB ram, 1920x1080 monitor), and I have a 8800GT. Dragon Age runs smooth at 1080p, all of your other older games should run even better. I suggest finding a used 8800GT in the FS forums, they go for around $60. You can't get more bang for the buck than that.