What is the ideal low-cost GPU for i3-10100 and 250W PSU?

[alieren3453]

Hello, I am a budget user. Recently I purchased a PC which has i3-10100 8GB RAM 250W PSU H510M-H Motherboard and 256 GB SSD for 300$. I am planning to play Valorant, HOI4 and maybe The Forest at low settings. Since 1 dollar is equivalent of 14 Turkish Liras small changes in prices can make big changes. For example GT 1030 GDDR5 version is 1800 Turkish Liras but 1050ti is 3700 liras. So I purchased this PC for 5200 TL(300USD) and as you can see I don't have much money or much expectations. What you can recommend me for this PC to handle these games. I'm running on single channel ram. So iGPU performance is low. Does it make more sense to use iGPU and double channel ram to boost iGPU performance? What you recommend?

 

[Zyll Goliat]

First of all welcome on TechPowerUp forum.......now first considering your IGPU question,YES it does make sense to have dual channel ram and also more ram because your IGPU will use certain amount of RAM but also do not expect miracles....now the GPU's atm are still expensive better then few months before but still not perfect if you are really short on money then maybe it's better to buy used GPU's maybe something in range of RX 470/570 or RX 480/580 4g version are cheaper and it will still do the job or if you prefer Nvidia you can maybe look for some used GTX 970 even cheaper GTX 960 is still Ok or a bit better but more expensive GTX 1060.......all those GPU's should be in range around 110-250 € but everyday they getting cheaper.......new GPU's are much more expensive and I can not suggest you to get for example GT 1030 because honestly it's not worth that money performance vise........Also I can't be sure of exact GPU's prices in Turkey but if you saying that GTX 1050 TI cost 3700 liras(230€) that still expensive and if you can buy any of GPU's that I mention above for that money or close to that it will be far better choice for you.......GL

P.S. IF your PSU is 250W then you can't use probably ANY of those cards I mention above...then yeah GT 1030 or some card that do not use more then 100W make sense or you can get some better PSU and get more powerful GPU....

 

[Kapone33]

The best low end card is actually the 6500XT. Much faster than a 16 series card or anything older from AMD.

ASUS DUAL AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT OC Edition 4GB GDDR6 Gaming Graphics Card (AMD RDNA™ 2, PCIe 4.0, 4GB GDDR6 memory, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4a, Axial-tech Fan Design, 0dB Technology) DUAL-RX6500XT-O4G

ASUS DUAL AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT OC Edition 4GB GDDR6 Gaming Graphics Card (AMD RDNA™ 2, PCIe 4.0, 4GB GDDR6 memory, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4a, Axial-tech Fan Design, 0dB Technology) DUAL-RX6500XT-O4G

www.canadacomputers.com

That is just over $250 US but if the price is right a 6600/3070 will be a much better choice.

 

[alieren3453]

First of all welcome on TechPowerUp forum.......now first considering your IGPU question,YES it does make sense to have dual channel ram and also more ram because your IGPU will use certain amount of RAM but also do not expect miracles....now the GPU's atm are still expensive better then few months before but still not perfect if you are really short on money then maybe it's better to buy used GPU's maybe something in range of RX 470/570 or RX 480/580 4g version are cheaper and it will still do the job or if you prefer Nvidia you can maybe look for some used GTX 970 even cheaper GTX 960 is still Ok or a bit better but more expensive GTX 1060.......all those GPU's should be in range around 110-250 € but everyday they getting cheaper.......new GPU's are much more expensive and I can not suggest you to get for example GT 1030 because honestly it's not worth that money performance vise........Also I can't be sure of exact GPU's prices in Turkey but if you saying that GTX 1050 TI cost 3700 liras 230€) that still expensive and if you can buy any of GPU's that I mention above for that money or close to that it will be far better choice for you.......GL

1050 TI costs 230€ because unfortunately taxes are too high bro

 

[Zyll Goliat]

The best low end card is actually the 6500XT. Much faster than a 16 series card or anything older from AMD.

ASUS DUAL AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT OC Edition 4GB GDDR6 Gaming Graphics Card (AMD RDNA™ 2, PCIe 4.0, 4GB GDDR6 memory, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4a, Axial-tech Fan Design, 0dB Technology) DUAL-RX6500XT-O4G

ASUS DUAL AMD Radeon RX 6500 XT OC Edition 4GB GDDR6 Gaming Graphics Card (AMD RDNA™ 2, PCIe 4.0, 4GB GDDR6 memory, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4a, Axial-tech Fan Design, 0dB Technology) DUAL-RX6500XT-O4G

www.canadacomputers.com

That is just over $250 US but if the price is right a 6600/3070 will be a much better choice.

This going to cost more in Turkey.........also do not forget that 6500XT is PCIe Gen4 8x so he will be limited on PCIe Gen 3 8x which can cripple his performance in certain games......

 

[Deleted member 202104]

In your situation, I'd add another 8GB (not for the dual channel, but to achieve 16GB), and the go with the 1030 GDDR5. It fits your price, power supply limits, and should provide a good experience with the games you mentioned. Just don't expect benchmark breaking performance.

Oh, and also, welcome to TPU.

 

[Zyll Goliat]

1050 TI costs 230€ because unfortunately taxes are too high bro

Yeah I assume is difficult situation there...well ain't easy to get cheap GPU's anywhere anymore but hey at least finally it's getting better.......Also srry IF your PSU is 250W then you can't use probably ANY of those cards I mention above...then yeah GT 1030 or some card that do not use more then 100W make sense or you can get some better PSU and get more powerful GPU....

 

[skizzo]

User doesn't have the means to upgrade PSU, which would mean they cannot use any "decent" (subjective keyword there) dGPU in my opinion. absolutely needs to be a dGPU that requires no additional aux power so it never pulls more than 75W that it can get from PCIe slot

First of all welcome on TechPowerUp forum.......now first considering your IGPU question,YES it does make sense to have dual channel ram and also more ram because your IGPU will use certain amount of RAM but also do not expect miracles....now the GPU's atm are still expensive better then few months before but still not perfect if you are really short on money then maybe it's better to buy used GPU's maybe something in range of RX 470/570 or RX 480/580 4g version are cheaper and it will still do the job or if you prefer Nvidia you can maybe look for some used GTX 970 even cheaper GTX 960 is still Ok or a bit better but more expensive GTX 1060.......all those GPU's should be in range around 110-250 € but everyday they getting cheaper.......new GPU's are much more expensive and I can not suggest you to get for example GT 1030 because honestly it's not worth that money performance vise........Also I can't be sure of exact GPU's prices in Turkey but if you saying that GTX 1050 TI cost 3700 liras(230€) that still expensive and if you can buy any of GPU's that I mention above for that money or close to that it will be far better choice for you.......GL

The best low end card is actually the 6500XT. Much faster than a 16 series card or anything older from AMD.

you both recommended card(s) that requires more PSU power than what they have! OP should avoid these unless they upgrade PSU also!

In your situation, I'd add another 8GB (not for the dual channel, but to achieve 16GB), and the go with the 1030 GDDR5. It fits your price, power supply limits, and should provide a good experience with the games you mentioned. Just don't expect benchmark breaking performance.

Oh, and also, welcome to TPU.

recommended PSU, 200W, requires no aux power cables, this is a good suggestion! as far as it will work and nothing explodes.....performance wise though, "good" is subjective. I'd assume better than the iGPU at least which is what the OP is after.

actually, heres some proof it is better

Please click the green human to continue - UserBenchmark

 

[alieren3453]

I'm not aiming to play games like Apex Legends or Fortnite. Just CS:GO, Valorant and Rocket League is enough for me. (at 1080 60fps). Would it be senseful to use 1030 with no ram upgrade on a 240w psu? Currently Valorant performance sucks. I just want to improve it.

 

[Deleted member 202104]

recommended PSU, 200W, requires no aux power cables, this is a good suggestion! as far as it will work and nothing explodes.....performance wise though, "good" is subjective. I'd assume better than the iGPU at least which is what the OP is after.

actually, heres some proof it is better

Please click the green human to continue - UserBenchmark

Which is why I recommended it. With the constraints listed in the OP, this is about a much as you're going to get. As your link mentioned, you'll see about twice the performance from the 1030 over the iGPU.

I'm not aiming to play games like Apex Legends or Fortnite. Just CS:GO, Valorant and Rocket League is enough for me. (at 1080 60fps). Would it be senseful to use 1030 with no ram upgrade on a 240w psu? Currently Valorant performance sucks. I just want to improve it.

Yes, if you can only do one of the upgrades, the GPU first.

I don't play Valorant, but here's something to look at. It says 'up to 151 fps at 1080p Ultra'

Low vs Ultra on Valorant with GeForce GT 1030 1080p,1440p,4K

Low versus ultra GeForce GT 1030 graphics setting FPS comparison for Valorant on 1080p, 1440p & 4K resolutions

www.game-debate.com

 

[alieren3453]

Which is why I recommended it. With the constraints listed in the OP, this is about a much as you're going to get. As your link mentioned, you'll see about twice the performance from the 1030 over the iGPU.



Yes, if you can only do one of the upgrades, the GPU first.

I don't play Valorant, but here's something to look at. It says 'up to 151 fps at 1080p Ultra'

Low vs Ultra on Valorant with GeForce GT 1030 1080p,1440p,4K

Low versus ultra GeForce GT 1030 graphics setting FPS comparison for Valorant on 1080p, 1440p & 4K resolutions

www.game-debate.com

Ok I think I will buy GT 1030 GDDR5, I heard that DDR4 version sucks. Thanks to all you guys for your help! I'm so grateful. Thx a lot.

 

[80-watt Hamster]

Other cards to consider, listed in ascending performance:

RX 550
GTX 750 (driver support discontinued)
RX 460
RX 560
GTX 950 LP (if you can find one)

All are 75W or less, and will roundly thrash a GT 1030.

 

[ModEl4]

In 1 month or so, we are supposedly going to have the launch of Radeon RX 6400 (4GB, 53W) it should be at least 10% faster than a 1050ti in your PCI-express 3 setup and the rumoured SRP is $129 (i wouldn't hold my breath, probably $159) but since 6500XT is selling at SRP or +10% more, this will probably range between 1.800-2.900 T.L. depending the scenario (probably 2.900 T.L...)

AMD's 53W entry-level Radeon RX 6400 card quietly goes on sale, slightly cheaper than GTX 1050 Ti and RX 6500 XT - VideoCardz.com

Custom AMD Radeon RX 6400 cards are now on sale It seems that the supposed launch of RX 6400 graphics card for the DIY market is a bit sooner than expected. A known leaker@momomo_us discovered that multiple RX 6400 cards are already on sale in China and other regions. It appears that all of...

videocardz.com

 

[Shrek]

Ok I think I will buy GT 1030 GDDR5

There are fan-less versions; one less thing to worry about.

 

[eidairaman1]

Ok I think I will buy GT 1030 GDDR5, I heard that DDR4 version sucks. Thanks to all you guys for your help! I'm so grateful. Thx a lot.

You are shooting yourself in the foot with that card, you have a better chance with a 5000 or 6000 series RX of not being a fake like a GTX 1000 series today.

 

[looniam]

You are shooting yourself in the foot with that card, you have a better chance with a 5000 or 6000 series RX of not being a fake like a GTX 1000 series today.

idk, looks legit - flipkart still big in turkey? (EDIT) nevermind, wrong country fc is india

ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 2 GB DDR5 Graphics Card - ZOTAC : Flipkart.com

Buy ZOTAC NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 2 GB DDR5 Graphics Card only for Rs. 12580 from Flipkart.com. Only Genuine Products. 30 Day Replacement Guarantee. Free Shipping. Cash On Delivery!

www.flipkart.com

just stay off fleabay.

 

[eidairaman1]

eBay has a 15-30 day return policy. I challenged a person for misrepresenting a Ry7 5800 as a 5800X and instead of paying $362 I paid $262 after I had tested it and verified it is working (got $100 back)