Need Budget GPU

[slay3r]

I am trying to find a cheap gpu (arround 50$) that is better than integrated GMA 3100 for my cousin's Dell desktop. He is using a 1980x1020 LCD. He doesnt need high end graphic quality. Just enough to be able to "open" game at lowest setting! He can actually play the sims 3 at lowest quality its slow but the game open and he play like that

New game that he want to play and doesnt even open with the current integrated gpu;

GTAIX (need shader model 3.0)
Need for Speed Shift
Unreal Tournament 3

What would you recommand?

[Raserei408]

Depending on exactly what pricing you can find, you're probably looking at a 9400 GT, a 9500 GT, or an HD 4650. However if he wants to do any kind of real gaming, he should save up around $100 and get a good budget gaming GPU (8800 GT at least).

[Bond007]

^^^agreed. There has also been some 9600GSO really cheap after mail in rebates at places such as NCIX. Thing is, as mentioned above, you get a lot more bang for your buck as you move up towards the $100 mark...a good sale on a hd 4770 will be significantly better performance for not alot more cost. If not atleast try to push to a hd 4670.

As a side note (not sure how old the computer is your upgrading) make sure its not an agp slot motherboard.

All that being said...any of these will be significantly faster than the onboard graphics.

[belgolas]

agreed try to save to 80-100 as that will be the sweet spot for budget gaming. If not then there are some cheapies that will be better.

This is pretty much the best under $50.... Newegg.ca - Open Box: SPARKLE SFPX95GT512U2L GeForce 9500 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card

And then there is this for not a lot more. Only a few coffees. Newegg.ca - SAPPHIRE 100295HDMI Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards and is a MASSIVE improvement.

And if he can scrap a $150 then this is probably the best bang for your buck and is DX11.... Newegg.ca - SAPPHIRE 100284L Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

But I guess this is out of the option so the first 2 will serve him well.

[slay3r]

My cousin bought his computer last year. Its a core 2 duo E7500 (2,93ghz) from dell. I am pretty sure it has pci express 2.0.
Here what i've found with your suggestions at arround 50$;

Gigabyte GeForce GT210 650MHZ 512MB 800MHZ DDR2 VGA DVI HDMI PCI-E Video Card = Pm'd 42$
ASUS Radeon HD 4350 Silent 600MHZ 512MB DDR2 800MHZ PCI-E DVI VGA HDMI Low Profile Video Card = Pm'd 38
ASUS EAH4650/DI/512MD2/A(LP) Radeon HD 4650 512MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile ... - Retail = 58 - 20mir = 38$
SAPPHIRE 100253HDMI Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Video ... - Retail = 54$
ASUS Radeon HD 4670 512MB DDR3 PCI-E DVI HDMI VGA Video Card = Pm'd 78$ - 30mir = 48$

The ati radeon 4670 is surely the best deal out there but i would like to avoid rebate since it takes forever to process.
Any noticiable difference between HD4650 and HD4670?
I havent found any good deal at the moment on the GF9600+
I am more a nvidia fan but since its not for me and he need the best bang for money, i guess ATI is the way to go.

I see that almost every new video card has more than shader model 3.0. I guess even with the cheapest card the new game would run at lowest possible detail at max resolution? What do you think?

[Maplicito]

The 4670 is great... it'll play pretty much anything currently out there - maybe not maxed out, but it sounds like your cousin doesn't need max settings anyway. I game at 1920x1200, and my 4670 does just fine.

[Arinoth]

I am surprised no one has asked this yet, what is the power supply that the Dell is sporting. I know a lot of pre-built systems that dont come with a graphics card typically have a 300 or 350W power supply and before you drop 80-100$ you will want to make sure the power supply he has, has enough amperage on the 12V rail to power it otherwise you'll be needing to upgrade the power supply after buying the graphics card if you want to use it.

[Bond007]

1. Pretty much any power supply will handle the 4650/4670.

2. From what I have read there is a noticeable difference in performance between the 4650 and 4670.

3. The first two video cards you listed (GT210 and hd 4350) are in no way, shape, or form a gaming card.

4. If you have to keep price to a minimum then the hd 4650 is pretty much what you will end up with (though as I said before, the 4670 should be considered).

[Soultribunal]

I'd say 4670 or so would be the best route.
Avoid anything that requires 6pin PCI-e if you can help it. Although the Dell OEM for their PSU's is generally okay, I would not count on them to power anything more than a 75W card (which is the max output of a PCI-e Lane).

ST

[kendallcschm]

go for a 250GTS.... with 1GB of ram.. lol.. i got one.. they are cheap... as cheap as $120