Curse

frodoofpool · Feb 07, 2010, 04:28 PM // 16:28

Hi all looking for a little advise.

I have put together a budget build PC for my son but also for me to play GW.

I have Intel Duel Core 2.9mhz
2 GB DDR2 800 RAM
AS Rock motherboard 1600fsb

my issue is with the graphics card. At the mo it's an onboard GMA3100, which isn't up to much at all.

I have a monitor that will run 1680x1050 the motherboard has PCIe slots.

I have looked round but am lost with the choice it seems endless. I only have £30-£40 to spend so any hints would be very welcome.

Edit something like this ????
ASUS GEFORCE 8400 GS 512MB PCI-E DVI VGA LP RETAIL

Also is 2GB ram enough? Would another 2gb make alot of differance.

Cheers

Quaker · Feb 07, 2010, 05:54 PM // 17:54

You should be able to get an HD4650 (ATI chipset) within your price range. It would greatly outperform an 8400 GS, but it recommends a 400watt (or greater) power supply.
The wattage of the power supply is a factor in choosing a video card.

Here's a link(s) that may help you in choosing a video card:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...70,2491-7.html
Note hoe far down the list the 8400GS is.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...card,2521.html

2gig is enough RAM. Another 2gig would help a little, but putting the money into a video card and power supply would have a greater overall effect.

frodoofpool · Feb 07, 2010, 06:28 PM // 18:28

Thanks Quaker

I hadnt apprieciated the power supply issue. I have taken a look at my PSU and it doesnt say what the Wattage is, is there another way of finding out?

Edit : Doesnt matter found a tiny sticker on the side 250W that doesnt look good either lol

Frodo

Nerull · Feb 08, 2010, 04:46 PM // 16:46

Quaker makes some good points.

The GeForce 8400 GS is rated 447th, with a score of 141
The Radeon HD 4650 is rated 162nd, with a score of 459

Some other options:
GeForce 8600 GSO is rated 126th, with a score of 596
Radeon HD 4670 is rated 73rd, with a score of 780

I checked Ebay for you and the HD4670 is out of your price range.

For your price range I found a Radeon HD 4550... ranked 203, score = 358
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=R...4650&_osacat=0

BTW, I use this site for research puposes:
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/

Then I compare the cards I'm interested in here:
http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php

Nerull · Feb 08, 2010, 05:09 PM // 17:09

Hey... I did find a HD 4650, stats above, that's in your price range.

Snag one while you can.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/XFX-HD-4650-1G...item45ee40cca2

For this video card a 400 Watt or greater power supply is recommended.
But to be honest it doesn't need to be that high, it all depends on the system your running.

The video card itself will only require 12W-42W depending on load.
http://archive.atomicmpc.com.au/foru...c=7&t=9354&p=0

Abedeus · Feb 08, 2010, 05:18 PM // 17:18

Buy that ATI card. 8400 sucks hard, like 7300 GT. If you are spending money, buy the best card you can afford. If you are buying a GeForce, get 8600, 8800, 9500, 9600, 9800 or better.

frodoofpool · Feb 08, 2010, 06:42 PM // 18:42

Dam you lot are good :-)

Another thing that's confusing me the ATI website suggests that only certain PSUs will work with there products. Is the power connection just the standard 4pin one, powered by the mboard or something else???

Ta

Nerull · Feb 08, 2010, 06:58 PM // 18:58

I looked at a picture of the video card and I didn't see any external power connector, it runs off the power provided by the slot itself

If anyone reads this post, I've found a pretty cool PSU calculator site.

http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

frodoofpool · Feb 08, 2010, 08:01 PM // 20:01

That's a great calculator my system only needs 150w even with the HD4570 whoot

Quaker · Feb 08, 2010, 08:53 PM // 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by frodoofpool

found a tiny sticker on the side 250W

That is rather small by today's standards. However, as you can see from the power calculators, it may be enough - just make sure you include everything in the calculation and leave a bit of headroom.

frodoofpool · Feb 08, 2010, 09:13 PM // 21:13

It was an old ATX case I stripped from work, it will do for now I will still get a new PSU in time though even if it's just for non planned future mods.

Elder III · Feb 08, 2010, 10:30 PM // 22:30

don't try to run a 4650 with a 250 watt psu...... just..... don't..... get a new psu, since you will likely need one in the future anyways.

with that said you will be able to max gw out with a 4650 and have headroom to spare @ that rez

Nerull · Feb 08, 2010, 11:49 PM // 23:49

For what your running, I would recommend something like this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139008

I bought one for my wife, for $40.00 you can't go wrong with it.

frodoofpool · Feb 09, 2010, 03:57 PM // 15:57

Get this !!!!! Mate of mine is offering me a 8800 ultra new PSU here I come :-D