Graphics card for new PC?

J

Jijenji

My old computer died and I just bought a new PC.

Specs:

HP Pavilion p7xt customizable Desktop PC
Windows 7 Home Premium [64-bit] OS
Intel Core i3-2120 processor [3.3GHz, 3MB cache]
6GB DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM
1TB 7200 rpm SATA hard drive
DVD r/w drive
Wireless-N LAN card (1x1)
etc.
$469.99

It comes with integrated Intel HD 2000 graphics which are junk, I'm told,
so I'm going to buy a graphics card on NewEgg ... $30-40 sound about right?

I'm not looking for anything too special, just something that will get the job done.

I don't know too much about computers but did a lot of research,
and the i3 seemed pretty good compared to the quad cores except for the integrated graphics,
so that's why I decided to just buy the i3 and add the graphics card,

plus this whole setup is more in my budget range.

Finally, worried about power supply, hopefully the low end GPUs won't need more power!

Thanks!

Add:
oh and recommendations appreciated :)
 
Last edited:
Sort by date Sort by votes
My advice is always to buy the most updated tech you can afford.

At that price point, Id research the best cards from two years ago. The newegg site has lots of refurbished options. Stick to the better known brands. EVGA, ASUS etc.. Go with the NVIDIA chip set. Thems my recommendations.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
yea go with pretty much any nvidia card with cuda cores as it gets some perks when using cs5+ if thats what you use it for. I regret getting an ati 6850 :( for this reason but its still good. Also what wheatgrinder said is spot on, get what you can afford, dont bother going for the high end unless needed as all this tech goes out of date pretty fast.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
This is one I was looking at, what do you guys think?

NVIDEA / Gigabyte GeForce 210 ($39.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125392

Someone else was recommending to me:

ATI / PowerColor Radeon 5450 ($29.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131338

The one thing I'm really worried about is PSU, I don't want to increase my PSU otherwise I lose money big time installing the video card myself :(

Add:
oh yeah, I will be running everything on 1080p just to clarify
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
Well I was trying to save money on what HP was offering me,
and I don't want to get carried away beyond what the mobo and processor can handle.

HP offered upgrade to i3-2125 w/ HD 3000 integrated graphics for +$20.00

512 MB AMD Radeon HD 7350 +$50.00

1GB AMD Radeon HD 7450 +$70.00

1GB DDR3 NVIDEA GeForce GT520 +$70.00

So yeah, ideally I would like to save money, that's why I decided to buy and install myself,
but I guess if the cheaper cards are no better than onboard, what's the point?

If I can get something better for say +/- $50 I would do it,
otherwise what about the OEM options they offer?

They offer the 2GB's in same models but that's like +$150 I don't want to spend that much.

Thanks again! newb here when it comes to graphics

Add:
Also I've already got 300W PSU on the build, so I'd like a low power card where I don't have to increase the PSU.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply, I know this is a low-tech thing and not too interesting.

Right now I'm looking mostly at the GeForce 210, 520, and 8400GS.
I also spotted some good deals on the 430 and 440's for close to the same price with rebate,
but some manufacturer's list 400W minimum, others list 300W minimum, so it might need more power than I have (300W).

Which (if any) of these do you think would work best for me?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I'm pretty bummed now, HP says the PC warranty will be voided if I install the graphics card myself,
so I would lose the 1 year warranty for saving $20 or whatever vs. OEM :(

Now my option is to return to HP, have them build me a new PC with the graphics card,
then have them mail the new machine, meaning I wouldn't get it until early May.

All of this could have been avoided if they'd told me all this when I purchased the PC in the first place.

Why are companies so dumb?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
I wound up getting a good deal on the NVIDEA GeForce GT 520, installed by HP. Same price as I would have payed for buying and installing myself.
About the best card I can get on a 300W PSU, I think anyway.

Thanks again for the help!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top