[Deven]

 Hey guys,

 

I have an AMD Phenom II X4 945 processor 3.0ghz with 8gb RAM running Windows 7 64bit. I built this computer over 5 years ago and I haven't upgraded anything. I'm looking to get a better graphics card with HDMI output (to TV) and DVI output (to monitor) so I can do dual screen and be able to play games/movie etc on the TV..  also I'm looking for a card that can play newer games on high settings. I currently have a nvidia geforce gts 250 and it has been a beast.

 

What would you recommend? 

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Welcome back Deven.

Plwase give us a little more info.

Brand/model of the PSU?

Your max budget?

your zip CODE?   TO SEE IF YOU ARE CLOSE TO STORES THAT DO CHEAPER PICKUP HARDWARE.

[iammykyl]

Welcome back Deven.

Plwase give us a little more info.

Brand/model of the PSU?

Your max budget?

your zip CODE?   TO SEE IF YOU ARE CLOSE TO STORES THAT DO CHEAPER PICKUP HARDWARE.

[Deven]

hello mykyl,

This is my psu

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817182032

~$80-100max is my range right now

zip is 75007

thank you!

Edited by Deven, 19 June 2014 - 02:47 AM.

[iammykyl]

Gday.

Your PSU will be OK for the GPU upgrade.

I often use the below guide to get a rough idea of whether an upgrade of a GPU at a given price is worth doing, or not.

> http://www.tomshardw...iew,3107-7.html

Your present card comes in tier 13, with your budget, not worth upgrading below the $100 mark.   I have researched cards from tier 10, tier 9 to expensive.

The contenders. >http://www.newegg.co...ctcompare.aspx?

A card with 2GB of vRAM would be most suitable for you. 

R260X reference card vs GTX 650ti benchmarks, > http://www.kitguru.n...-260x-review/5/

Sapphire  R260X Review, > http://techgage.com/...-card-review/2/

I recommend the Sapphire. Web site, > http://www.sapphiret...?pid=2040&lid=1

 

Your are not near a store for pick up parts at a cheaper price. 

 

Your welcome/

[Deven]

Gday.

Your PSU will be OK for the GPU upgrade.

I often use the below guide to get a rough idea of whether an upgrade of a GPU at a given price is worth doing, or not.

> http://www.tomshardw...iew,3107-7.html

Your present card comes in tier 13, with your budget, not worth upgrading below the $100 mark.   I have researched cards from tier 10, tier 9 to expensive.

The contenders. >http://www.newegg.co...ctcompare.aspx?

A card with 2GB of vRAM would be most suitable for you. 

R260X reference card vs GTX 650ti benchmarks, > http://www.kitguru.n...-260x-review/5/

Sapphire  R260X Review, > http://techgage.com/...-card-review/2/

I recommend the Sapphire. Web site, > http://www.sapphiret...?pid=2040&lid=1

 

Your are not near a store for pick up parts at a cheaper price. 

 

Your welcome/

 

Thanks for helping me out with this.

 

my current gfx card is a pci express 2.0 x16 - i noticed the Sapphire one you recommended is pci express 3.0.. will this still work on my computer? http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814202081

 

My motherboard: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128392

Edited by Deven, 31 August 2014 - 04:39 PM.

[iammykyl]

Your welcome, 

A video card with PCI Express ver. 3.0 is backwards compatible with ver. 2.0, so will work on your MB.

[Deven]

Hi,

 

I decided to hold off and save a little bit more and I am looking at this gfx card:

 

http://www.ebay.com/...=item27eff7b8db

 

With my proc (phenom x4 945 3.0ghz) and 8gb RAM and my power supply, will I see any limitations if I use this gfx card?

 

I will want to play Call of Duty Advanced Warfare on max settings - would it run fine?

 

EDIT: I went to system requirements lab and checked and it suggests I upgrade my processor and graphics card... the processor was shown in 70% percentile while gfx card was 50%.. if I replace the gfx card would I be able to play on high settings?

Edited by Deven, 12 November 2014 - 02:55 PM.

[iammykyl]

I would be reluctant to buy a second hand GPU or CPU, you just don't know what you are getting, and that one I think expensive.   Consider Newegg refurnished or open box, 1 year Iron Clad Warranty, > http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814487021

 

 

With my proc (phenom x4 945 3.0ghz) and 8gb RAM and my power supply, will I see any limitations if I use this gfx card?

No, will be OK but, depending on the screen resolution, you may not be able to play some high end games on maxed out setting.   Aim for 30+ fps.

I don't know what test was done.   50% GPU usage in a game and 70% , increase the GPU setting until you reach 90% CPU usage, keeping fps over 30.   In general, over 60_ fps is wasteful as the average monitor just dumps them.

I don't think you need to upgrade your other parts and personally,  not invest more money in the older Tech.