Video Card Recommendation

[andyhavron]

I've decided to build myself a computer, with my dads help. Neither of us have worked with a PC in nearly 15 years. I've been looking at components and am abit overwhelmed. I'm not a gamer really, but I do want to put together a nice machine. I definitely don't need to spend for more than I need. I'm getting an
ASRock Fatal1ty X470 Gaming K4 AM4 AMD Promontory X470 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.1 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard and already have a Ryzen 7 2700X processor. I'm also planning on doing 32gb ram (recommendations too?) and a Blu ray drive in a Phanteks full size case with the fans and dust filters etc... What's a good video card in the $150 range that will perform well for non-gaming tasks yet won't leave me under powered? Thanks

 

[Innokentij]

AMD RX570 or RX580 whatever fire sale is going to try and compete with Nvidia?

 

[VirtualLarry]

I can second that, the RX 570 is a great card for non-gaming tasks, especially driving a 4K UHD display over HDMI2.0. Plus, it's (relatively) cheap. That being said, for purely 2D work, an RX 560, or dare I suggest it, an RX 550 might do as well. But given the small price difference between the three, the RX 570 is the best value, IMHO, if buying new.

 

[andyhavron]

Thanks. One other question. The processor has a sticker on it that states "Discrete graphics card required". What exactly does that mean? The motherboard shows it has HDMIonboard. Will a video card cause conflict or is that standard to have integrated HDMI? Will there be any compatibility issues? Thanks again

 

[tamz_msc]

Thanks. One other question. The processor has a sticker on it that states "Discrete graphics card required". What exactly does that mean? The motherboard shows it has HDMIonboard. Will a video card cause conflict or is that standard to have integrated HDMI? Will there be any compatibility issues? Thanks again

It means that the CPU doesn't have integrated graphics and a discrete GPU is needed to drive the display. The motherboard has HDMI and other display outputs for use if you have a CPU with integrated graphics; in the case of AMD it's their APUs which have integrated graphics.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yes, most motherboards for AM4 do include at least an HDMI video output. That is for the AMD AM4 APUs, Bristol Ridge, Raven Ridge, and Athlon 200GE and friends. Not for the CPUs, the 1st-gen 1000-series, and the 2nd-gen 2000-series of AMD AM4 Ryzen CPUs.

The reason is, the graphics are in the APU, they just need the HDMI port on the motherboard to pipe the output to your monitor. The graphics are not in the chipset, like they are in certain AM3+ motherboards based on 760G chipsets, like the 78LMT-USB3 from Gigabyte, and will output onboard video with an FX-series CPU, even though that CPU doesn't have any video output capability. (Contrasting here - AM4 chipsets are NOT like that. They require "processor graphics".)

So, if you bought a Ryzen CPU, rather than an APU (they have more cores, more performance), then you'll also need to purchase a separate graphics card to drop in. RX 570 / RX 580 / RX 590 are mostly fine, as are the GTX 1660 / 1660ti, and RTX series.

 

[andyhavron]

Yes, most motherboards for AM4 do include at least an HDMI video output. That is for the AMD AM4 APUs, Bristol Ridge, Raven Ridge, and Athlon 200GE and friends. Not for the CPUs, the 1st-gen 1000-series, and the 2nd-gen 2000-series of AMD AM4 Ryzen CPUs.

The reason is, the graphics are in the APU, they just need the HDMI port on the motherboard to pipe the output to your monitor. The graphics are not in the chipset, like they are in certain AM3+ motherboards based on 760G chipsets, like the 78LMT-USB3 from Gigabyte, and will output onboard video with an FX-series CPU, even though that CPU doesn't have any video output capability. (Contrasting here - AM4 chipsets are NOT like that. They require "processor graphics".)

So, if you bought a Ryzen CPU, rather than an APU (they have more cores, more performance), then you'll also need to purchase a separate graphics card to drop in. RX 570 / RX 580 / RX 590 are mostly fine, as are the GTX 1660 / 1660ti, and RTX series.

Thank you so much. That's super helpful.

 

[Shmee]

If you would consider 2nd hand cards, I would recommend the Fury Nitro, which should be in your price range.

 

[happy medium]

the gtx1650 will be as fast as a gtx1060 for under $180 in about 3 week's.
I'd wait for those reviews first.
At the very least it will push other cards in that price range down even further. Its a win win situation.

Edit: non gaming?
You should have just bought a cheap Intel system with integrated graphics.
You could just add a graphics card later if you wanted.

Or a Ryzen 2400g.

 

[grimham]

For what you're describing I'd just buy a used 1050 or 1050TI.

 

[ozzy702]

I'd probably just run a 570 given the parameters you've listed, but it's way way way overkill for non-gaming.

 

[AtenRa]

newegg has a nice Asrock RX 570 4GB + 2 free games at just $130 (sale ends in two days)

 

[DooKey]

newegg has a nice Asrock RX 570 4GB + 2 free games at just $130 (sale ends in two days)

I picked up a PowerColor RX 570 over the weekend from Newegg for $130 and two free games. Should be a nice little upgrade for my old Ivy Bridge system.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I'm personally waiting for the RX 570 (probably PowerColor, but you never know, maybe ASRock or Gigabyte) to drop the price of the RX 570 4GB to $99.99. Then I'll buy a few more. ^_^

(Yes, I'm aware that they are available used for that price, no, I don't want to buy used.)

 

[mikeymikec]

@andyhavron

What are your needs for this computer?

 

[andyhavron]

I'll mainly use it for school and surfing. But I do enjoy playing some games. I just don't need to go over the top.

 

[mikeford]

The only reason I am doing any upgrade to my ancient PC is to play some pesky demanding newer 3D games. Surfing the web and running as a media PC with movies etc works fine with the onboard Radeon 4250.