Best Graphics Card For My Spec

[Shezad02]

Hi,

I'm having difficulty in finding a good performance graphics card for my PC. This is mainly due to the weak power supply I have that came with my computer and I really don't want to end up replacing this. So I was hoping you guys could help me find a suitable card for my pc.

After some basic research, I've managed to narrow it down to 2 graphics card. These being:

1 - PNY NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 PCI-E Graphics Card - 1GB
2 - ATI Radeon™ HD 5670 Graphics Card

My PC:

HP G5210uk

Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X3 440 (3 CPUs) ~ 3.0ghz
Memory: 3072mb RAM
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Current Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE nForce 430

My main concern is the power supply. I opened up the tower and took a picture of the power supply.

[stroyal]

Basically the 5670 is twice as good, as the 430.

The 430 calls for a 300 watt power supply, which you have, however it needs one with 22 amps on the 12volt, and yours only has 19amps.

I don't know the quality of HP power supplies, for sure, but most large manufacturer, have good quality, with nothing extra.That is why the 12v amps are low.
It might work, but the numbers, suggest it will run hot, at the least.

That's you best chance though, the 5670 calls for a 400watt, or a very good brand name 350watt

All power supplies, of the same wattage, don't put out the same 12volt amps, and 12v is the most important voltage.

GT430 Passmark 595
HD 5670 Passmark 1231
PassMark Software - Video Card Benchmarks - High End Video Cards

Edit
Oh, welcome to TechIMO!

[Shezad02]

Okay, sounds like those 2 cards are not really the best options. Are there any other graphics cards out there you can recommend that may work well with the spec listed above.

My main reason for upgrading is so that I'm able to play games such as Test Drive Unlimited with a steering wheel I recently bought. So something that could run that or at most GTA IV...

[ShyguyXPC]

forget about GTA4 it runs like crap with top end systems, it'll run better than what you have now, but don't expect much.

TDU should run much better though.


but look at Radeon HD 6570, with GDDR3, supposedly those only need 44W of Power, where as the 5670 needs about 60W of power. Though the GT 430 uses about 50W, so it would be a decent choice.

Not much else to recommend, with out upgrading the PSU, which is, honestly to say, the best course of action, if its a standard ATX form factor PSU, replacing it with a decent $40-50 400-500W unit, would be your best bet, and able to run a decent Video card.

[stroyal]

I'm not a gamer, but AFAIK, about the best card you can get, for a 300watt power supply, is a 8400GS, and that won't play tiddly winks.

It is about 1/5 as good as the 430.
Gaming power relates to the power your power supply puts out. (no free ride)
You are looking for a 500 HP automobile that gets 50 mile to the gallon.

GTA uses a lot of CPU, but you need a much better video card.

$50 power supply, and a $75 card would just get you into the lower end, of gaming.

Your CPU isn't that bad for modern games, but GTA is a SIM, and SIMS use the CPU.

GRAND THEFT AUTO IV - Recommended PC Specifications for GTA 4 (News)

Test Drive Unlimited System Requirements for PC - VideoGamer.com

[stroyal]

Are you sure

I know AMD calls for a 400watt, with the 6570, but that for a crappy power supply.

I know you look at the cards watts, and judge on your own though.

The 430 is one of the few that I keep seeing 12v amp requirements, and that is 22amps, so I would think, the 6570 uses a little more.

Just being devils advocate.

[Shezad02]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

I think I'll go with the option of replacing the PSU with something a little more powerful. The problem I had with this was that it seemed to be a complicated process and finding a technician would be a hassle (not to forget costly).

I'll give it a go myself and hopefully, master the art :P

[ShyguyXPC]

I'm not a gamer, but AFAIK, about the best card you can get, for a 300watt power supply, is a 8400GS, and that won't play tiddly winks.

It is about 1/5 as good as the 430.
Gaming power relates to the power your power supply puts out. (no free ride)
You are looking for a 500 HP automobile that gets 50 mile to the gallon.

GTA uses a lot of CPU, but you need a much better video card.

$50 power supply, and a $75 card would just get you into the lower end, of gaming.

Your CPU isn't that bad for modern games, but GTA is a SIM, and SIMS use the CPU.

GRAND THEFT AUTO IV - Recommended PC Specifications for GTA 4 (News)

Test Drive Unlimited System Requirements for PC - VideoGamer.com

Are you sure

I know AMD calls for a 400watt, with the 6570, but that for a crappy power supply.

I know you look at the cards watts, and judge on your own though.

The 430 is one of the few that I keep seeing 12v amp requirements, and that is 22amps, so I would think, the 6570 uses a little more.

Just being devils advocate.

GTA isn't a sim, TDU is more of a sim that GTA is.

I've got the latter game, TDU, and it maxes out on my Core i7 system, when I had the GTX 285, it ran maxed out at 1920x1080 and on a fast drive setup (environment load times... when your barreling down the Highway in Hawaii at over 200MPH, you need to make sure the Video card and Hard drives can keep up with loading data to keep it smooth enough not to lag and crash LOL)



clip I uploaded last year.

I probably could of had the game maxed out on my old Core 2 Quad Q6600, with the same video card.

I think when that clip was made, I was using the GTX 470 I have now.

the game is installed on my RAID 0 drive array for load times.

of course I was using a trainer to turn off cops in game, I only play single player on this game, but doesn't detract much from game play, the cops after you is a real pain when in races, especially when the driving physics change during races, as its less forgiving.



As to the video card, keep in mind those Wattage ratings on the PSU's are for entire system wattage, not just the video card.

as you mentioned not all PSU's are made equal, but his system certainly wouldn't be pulling anywhere near 400W with that CPU, hardware and video card.

Using this link: eXtreme Power Supply Calculator

with their CPU, a Radeon 6570, 2 Sticks DDR3, 1 Regular SATA Drive, 1 DVD, 2x 120mm Case fans (estimated), and Regular Desktop Motherboard.

it comes to 251W of system power being used or recommended to have minimum is 201W.

With a GOOD 400W PSU in the system, they wouldn't have any problem running something like a Radeon 6670 or even if they could find a 6750 dirt cheap, it'd be an option as well.

or Open Box or Recertified/Refurbished, cards with higher prices at lower prices. I have seen GTS 450's for around $75 before, and even GTX 460's for around $100 or just under that, on occasion.

[ShyguyXPC]

replacing the PSU is pretty easy, unless they use some sort of Proprietary plugs, its pretty easy and straight forward compared to most upgrades in the PC (though replacing video card and RAM is much easier, but its not that hard to unplug all power connections, clip any zip ties holding them in place if at all, and remove the PSU, install the new one, and reconnect wires to appropriate plugs.)


When you find a unit you would like, make sure to ask us first before you end up buying a high wattage low end crap brand unit, as there are more crap brands out there than quality.


Check out OCUK Computer hardware, components & gaming PC retailer Overclockers UK

& Novatech as a couple sites in the UK to find a PSU with PC Components, Desktop PCs, Laptops, LCD TVs & Computer Hardware

a few other sites are Ebuyer, Aria and Scan all 3 are also UK based sites/retailers.

[stroyal]

Yep, I know you figure them yourself, and in a pinch, I'd try it, but I hate using minimum.

I still have that 400watt Allied that has a 17amp 12vrail.
If we need another example of all power supplies are not the same.

One hot July night, 10 seconds after I shut it off, it set off the smoke detector, and I could smell it. Still works though.

Electrical devices like motors and power supplies cooled by fans, actually get hotter, for a few minutes, after you shut them off, because the cooling stops, but the heat is still deep inside.

to the OP

A good 400watt will be less than $50, and it looks like the most complicated job in the computer, but is about the easiest.

The plugs are different, and cant be plugged in backwards, unless you are good at putting round pegs, in square holes.


If my advise conflicts, with Shyguys, you would be wise to go with Shyguy's advice.

[ShyguyXPC]

I was just factoring the cards in based on use with a new replacement PSU, though with that stock 300W PSU, the GT 430 and GDDR3 6570 would be the best choices. I think a Radeon 5570 or 5550, if you can find one, would be options as well, anything less than that wouldn't be worth it for gaming IMO.

[Shezad02]

Hi guys, so I used the website given earlier to find myself a PSU and managed to find this:

Novatech PowerStation Gaming 500W Silent ATX2 Modular Power Supply | NOV-PSG500

The reviews seem to say that its a pretty solid power supply. However, I thought I'd get your opinions before I go through with the purchase.

Also, it is a 500w PSU, so would I be needing any additional cooling system to avoid it overheating or does it come with an integrated fan?

[stroyal]

Nothing ever has to done with cooling a power supply, they are all self contained.
The are effected by case temp, but that is case cooling.

I am not familiar with Novatech, and wouldn't trust customer reviews on power supplies.
99% of people, will say they are good, if it just works.
Power supply testing is much more complicated than that.

That being said, without knowing who made it, it has the full 18 amps on both 12volt rails, and that is the first sign of a good power supply

[ShyguyXPC]

I think Novatech uses good brands, just rebadged with their name, just like Overclocker's UK uses.

but for the money,

Coolermaster GX Lite Series - 500 Watt Power Supply | CM-RS500-ASABL3-UK

Corsair CX 430W V2 ATX2.2 80 PLUS® Power Supply | CMPSU-430CXV2UK

Both of those are known good brands and better quality, still plenty of power, and cheaper than the Novatech 500W.

or for a bit more you can get a good OCZ Modular Cable PSU as well: OCZ ModXStream Pro 500w Silent SLI Ready ATX2 Modular Power Supply | OCZ500MXSP-UK


the PC will only use as much Power as needed, so if your parts only draw 300W total, the PSU will only pull 300W from the wall.

It doesn't pull 500W or whatever its rated for, unless it NEEDS to.

so forget about any ideas of additional cooling needed, as it won't me.