Which GPU for old PC

**jase888** · March 22nd, 2012, 10:51 AM

I am looking at putting a new graphics card into my old pc so that i can stream videos (youtube,etc) but its an old pc so just wondered on what gpu will go into it and run ok.

The PC is running Ubuntu 11 if that makes any difference??

Specs are:

AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3400+
1GB RAM (May upgrade to 2gb - would you recommend?)
160gb harddrive
unsure of motherboard but taken a pic (see below)

Would prefer if the gpu had a hdmi port and was under £30, can u tell from photos if it will have right cables for my pc?

thanks in advance

**ShyguyXPC** · March 22nd, 2012, 10:53 AM

no pic attached.

Do you know what slots you have to use? PCI, AGP, PCI Express?

**jase888** · March 22nd, 2012, 10:54 AM

**jase888** · March 22nd, 2012, 10:54 AM

lol sorry there it is

**jase888** · March 22nd, 2012, 10:55 AM

**jase888** · March 22nd, 2012, 10:55 AM

**jase888** · March 22nd, 2012, 10:56 AM

not sure can you tell from those photos ive uploaded or not?

**ShyguyXPC** · March 22nd, 2012, 10:57 AM

There's still nothing displayed.

there's 5 successive postings after my last reply, and no images in them.

**jase888** · March 22nd, 2012, 11:01 AM

hmm they are showing for me dunno why.

heres links hope this works:

https://5798936447672682437-a-180274...attredirects=0

https://5798936447672682437-a-180274...attredirects=0

https://5798936447672682437-a-180274...attredirects=0

**ShyguyXPC** · March 22nd, 2012, 11:55 AM

the 2nd picture clearly shows the motherboard model to look up

MS-6741 Ver.1 Its an MSI motherboard.

It looks like an AGP Slot for the video card.

Also you should REALLY dust out that case, all that dust, especially on the CPU heatsink, is going to cause that system to run much warmer than it should.

The power supply is a low end piece of junk as well, I'd recommend replacing that as well.

Unfortunately your budget just isn't enough.

AGP is a dead slot, any cards you find are going to be more expensive than their PCI Express Counter parts if there even is one.

add in you'll need a new PSU, since that ones Amp Rating on the +12V Rail is just too low for a newer card.

plus with the PSU's age, its less efficient and power output has probably degraded over the years.

AGP:

Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 3650 512MB GDDR2 | 11129-06-20G

Sapphire HD 3650 512MB DDR2 Dual DVI AGP Graphics Card | Ebuyer.com

Cheap Nvidia AGP Series from Gigabyte

PNY 6200 512MB with VGA and DVI outputs and TV-Out.. | Ebuyer.com

Inno3D FX 5500 256MB DDR DVI VGA TV Out AGP Graphics Card | Ebuyer.com

AGP just isn't going to be worthwhile.

You might be able to use a Standard PCI slot card, if you can find one at that low a price, but they also command a premium like AGP, since its a Dead slot for Video cards... and its been a dead slot for Video cards since AGP first came out, so its been 15+ years that its been useless for stuff like that.

Aside from really low end cards, and use for Drive controllers, Networking, etc, its a really low end slot.

You'll probably have to source out some local sites or stores that sell refurbished, used, or overstock/clearance products to find a decent card that will work.

**jase888** · March 22nd, 2012, 12:03 PM

Thank ShuGuy

I guess il just have to pass on it then. Thanks for help though, will probs look at saving up and getting a cheap machine to replace it.

If i decide to build my own to save money do you know of any sites which tell you which products work with one another? Or is it just by researching?

Thanks again

**stroyal** · March 22nd, 2012, 12:10 PM

This would be the main sight , for most of us.
Newegg.com - Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, HDTVs, Digital Cameras and More!

As for that upgrade, I upgrade till the bitter end, and I haven't upgraded a machine that old in a year and a half.

Even a year and a half ago, it wasn't cost efficient.

When you are ready to build, just post here with a budget, and the games/programs, you will run, and you will get suggestions.

Very good ones, if I say so myself.

**jase888** · March 22nd, 2012, 12:28 PM

haha ok thanks

**ShyguyXPC** · March 22nd, 2012, 06:45 PM

for not too much, if all you want to do is really basic stuff, a build won't cost much. but for gaming needs, your going to want at least a good $500 or more. $300-500 can be possible for a really budget build system with few options, but $500 is kind of the starting point for a GOOD long lived gaming PC.

Barebones for a budget build:

Novatech Aura Micro-ATX Case - No PSU | NOV-AURA

Corsair XMS3 4GB (1x4GB) Memory Module PC3-12800 1600MHz DDR3 DIMM | CMX4GX3M1A1600C9

AMD LIano A4-3400 2.7GHz (Socket FM1) APU Processor - Retail | AD3400OJHXBOX

ASRock A55M-HVS AMD A55 (Socket FM1) Motherboard | A55M-HVS

Then just add a Hard drive, DVD Drive, Power supply (good quality, 300W or so should be enough), and operating system and its ready to go, with an HDMI capable onboard GPU on the CPU, low end Radeon 6410 but its still capable of what you want.

as well as for some really low end gaming.

but for a real gaming rig you'll want one of AMD's regular desktop platforms and not their Fusion APU's (like above), or Intel's platforms.