Help needed - cheapest GFX card for good performance @ 1024x768? :)

[LifeOnMars]

Because of financial crap I'm going to be slumming it for the next few months on a crappy system. I'm selling my 1080p monitor and I have already sold my HD 7850.

I'm therefore currently reduced to an old 1024x768 monitor and my system is -

Phenom II X4 @ 3.5Ghz
4GB DDR2 800
400W Corsair CX

I play a range of games including -Deus EX HR,Mafia II,BF 3,FIFA 12,GTA IV and various others.
I want your help and opinions on the cheapest GFX card I can use for this resolution to get 30+fps in most games. To summarise -


Has to be at least DX10
Must work OK with my psu - 1 x 6 Pin PCie
30+fps in games
Cheap (Under £50)

Look forward to your suggestions guys

[Crap Daddy]

Second hand maybe? HD5770 or GTS450 or even HD5750. Don't know what prices you have there but under 50 for a new card I don't think there's any GPU that can play reasonably those games.

[natr0n]

I think maybe you can find a 5770 for that.

[LifeOnMars]

Looking at prices I'm finding that new 5750's and 5770s are still above my meagre budget lol, I think you may be right crap daddy, 2nd hand may be my only choice. Any DX10 cards that are still worthwhile at this lowly res that may be a bit cheaper?

[1nf3rn0x]

Originally Posted by LifeOnMars

Looking at prices I'm finding that new 5750's and 5770s are still above my meagre budget lol, I think you may be right crap daddy, 2nd hand may be my only choice. Any DX10 cards that are still worthwhile at this lowly res that may be a bit cheaper?

a GTS 250. You will be able to play most games at max. BF3 Medium/High.

[Crap Daddy]

Originally Posted by LifeOnMars

Looking at prices I'm finding that new 5750's and 5770s are still above my meagre budget lol, I think you may be right crap daddy, 2nd hand may be my only choice. Any DX10 cards that are still worthwhile at this lowly res that may be a bit cheaper?

The lowest is the GTS250 then 4850, these are around 15 and 10% slower than a 5750 or 4870/GTX260 which are slightly better than the 5750 at your resolution.

[Bo$$]

5750 is a cracking card!

[1nf3rn0x]

Originally Posted by Crap Daddy

The lowest is the GTS250 then 4850, these are around 15 and 10% slower than a 5750 or 4870/GTX260 which are slightly better than the 5750 at your resolution.

The 250 will be pretty cheap, and take it from me who has three, even one is enough to play most games at max to atleast 1440x900/1680x1050 dependent on the game. If he can get a better deal on the 5770/5750 then go for it. I was just naming some really cheap cards he could game on.

[LifeOnMars]

Ok excellent, food for thought. I'll update the thread with my choice and how it goes. Thanks for the input guys

[Crap Daddy]

here's one new 6750 for £60 which is basically the same as the 5750

http://www.amazon.co.uk/XFX-6750-700...9282222&sr=1-4

You might want to check other stores also.

[RevOne]

I know we're talking about different currencies/locales here, but you should be able to find an HD4850 for around that much easily. Bought one for my Dad's PC off ebay here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=130698475936

It's a 1GB model, DX 10.1, and his monitor only does up to 1280 x 1024. Plays BF3 (Mixed Medium/High settings, No AA), Deus Ex: HR (can't recall settings used atm), Batman: Arkham City (High), even Crysis (High)... and maintains above a 30 FPS minimum in every one. He's got a Phenom II X4 910 and 4 GB of G. Skill DDR2 800 on Windows 7 x64 and it keeps him plenty happy (for now... just breaking him into PC gaming )

I would've got him something with more oomph, but I was limited by his PSU (OCZ ModXSteam 500W) and I wasn't having any luck finding any other 450W GPU's like the 5770 or even GTX460 for anywhere near 50 bucks shipped.

Should be able to find one (the HD 4850) in your location for that price (or maybe even lower) fairly easily. Good Luck!

Geeks.com has the 512MB single slot models for around the same price. Cheapest I was able to find it here in the U.S. other than the 1GB dual slot one I eventually got for him off ebay:
http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?Inv...50-PCIE-512-BO

[JrRacinFan]

I'm thinking HD 3870. Should be able to find one stinking cheap. I wonder how much you can get a GT240 for .....

[RevOne]

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

I'm thinking HD 3870. Should be able to find one stinking cheap. I wonder how much you can get a GT240 for .....

Might actually do the trick. The HD 3870 is the bare minimum recommended requirement for ATI cards to run BF3, though: http://bf3blog.com/battlefield-3-system-requirements/ . Still, at 1024 x 768, it may work just fine

RacinFan might be on to something, OP. Check YouTube for gameplay vids with this card and see what other people are experiencing.

Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpdRKbPJuaI

Though, that video only shows performance for single player. Multiplayer is a different ballgame (might have to turn that resolution or some settings down on a Conquest Large 64 player session on Caspian Border )

I don't know if 38xx series graphics cards are supported, but I saw significant gains in the new Catalyst 12.4 drivers over previous versions in this game with my good ol' HD 4890.
Edit: Looks like 38xx cards are supported in 12.4 drivers: http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles...easeNotes.aspx

[JrRacinFan]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sapphire-R...ht_1542wt_1139

Here you are LoM. Too bad can't find a cheap 5770......

Here may be another option
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nvida-Gefo...ht_2043wt_1396

[eidairaman1]

im assuming you have a 15" monitor

[fullinfusion]

Originally Posted by LifeOnMars

Because of financial crap I'm going to be slumming it for the next few months on a crappy system. I'm selling my 1080p monitor and I have already sold my HD 7850.

I'm therefore currently reduced to an old 1024x768 monitor and my system is -

Phenom II X4 @ 3.5Ghz
4GB DDR2 800
400W Corsair CX

I play a range of games including -Deus EX HR,Mafia II,BF 3,FIFA 12,GTA IV and various others.
I want your help and opinions on the cheapest GFX card I can use for this resolution to get 30+fps in most games. To summarise -


Has to be at least DX10
Must work OK with my psu - 1 x 6 Pin PCie
30+fps in games
Cheap (Under £50)

Look forward to your suggestions guys

Sense your between a rock and a hard place and admit your broke is something most ppl wouldn't admit, and I respect that... I think it be nice if someone would WISH you a gpu... even a 4850, or 4870 would be cool and im sure there just sitting there gathering dust in ppl's homes that they dont even use....

Id give ya mine, but just last week I gifted my 4890 locally to a kid that loves PC gaming! The parents work hard but cant afford such a toy for there son..

You'd be surprised if you just suck it up and put a Wanted post out there! Mabey someone could pass on the play it forward...Heck I've done it here on TPU and others have payed back the good fortune to me. Karma

[RevOne]

If you don't mind the secondhand market too much:

Decent BIN (Buy It Now) HD4850 for about £50 including shipping: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VGA-Graphi...item2ebe15e644

Could probably get one even cheaper if you join the bidding wars on the auction front


If you could possibly manage to somehow squeeze another £10 out of your budget and make this person an offer they accept, here's an HD5770: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sapphire-R...item2ebf1b281a

[Corduroy_Jr]

Originally Posted by LifeOnMars

Because of financial crap I'm going to be slumming it for the next few months on a crappy system. I'm selling my 1080p monitor and I have already sold my HD 7850.

I'm therefore currently reduced to an old 1024x768 monitor and my system is -

Phenom II X4 @ 3.5Ghz
4GB DDR2 800
400W Corsair CX

I play a range of games including -Deus EX HR,Mafia II,BF 3,FIFA 12,GTA IV and various others.
I want your help and opinions on the cheapest GFX card I can use for this resolution to get 30+fps in most games. To summarise -


Has to be at least DX10
Must work OK with my psu - 1 x 6 Pin PCie
30+fps in games
Cheap (Under £50)

Look forward to your suggestions guys

make up your mind man you change pc parts so many times like you change you're underwear

[eidairaman1]

Originally Posted by Corduroy_Jr

make up your mind man you change pc parts so many times like you change you're underwear

who wants to know how much someone changes their underwear or lack of thats just gross

[Frick]

Originally Posted by eidairaman1

who wants to know how much someone changes their underwear or lack of thats just gross

I have two pairs, I change for christmas and midsummer. About halfway I turn them inside out.

True story.

[james888]

A 9800gt can do those ok. I used to play using mine, the xfx green edition, on a lot of games at 1400X900. Those can be found from $25-$50. I actually use it as a physx card now.

[LifeOnMars]

Wow, alot of replies since I last looked yesterday. You guys crack me up

@Jr - Forgot about those cards, very cheap as well....I may take a look.

@ Corduroy Jr - Yes my hardware has been all over the place in recent times, that's what lack of money and being a gamer can do to you. You want to free up resources but still be in the game so to speak, I miss my 2500k though

@ fullinfusion - Thanks for the kind words man, that's probably the most sincere post I have seen you make Mr.Bravado TBH, it's my own fault I am in this situation and there are far more deserving people like the family you helped out. I will get there eventually and have a kick ass system up and running again but I need to do it the right way and there's nothing better than getting it yourself.

@ Frick - Your comic excellence is, as always... spot on

@ RevOne - Thank you for the time you have spent looking at stuff, some really good input there and it's appreciated .

To all, watch this space

[alucard13mmfmj]

Originally Posted by eidairaman1

who wants to know how much someone changes their underwear or lack of thats just gross

soo ;p wheres ur anime avatar from?!

[eidairaman1]

Originally Posted by alucard13mmfmj

soo ;p wheres ur anime avatar from?!

i dont recall where i got it from its been so long since i picked it up

[MN12BIRD]

3870's are pretty slow compared to a 4870 with GDDR5! I bet you can find a 4870 dirt cheap and they're just as fast as a 5770/6770 when it comes to raw power (they don't have as many newer features though)