Need a New GFX Card for around $150

Ichigo1993

Ichigo1993

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I'm not sure what to get in terms of a new graphics card. I just recently bought a PC and plan to switch over my gaming from the 360 to my PC. I'm willing to pay between 100-150 for an upgrade.

Current Specs:
Intel i7 CPU 950 @ 3.07Ghz
16 GB Ram
Nvidia GT 220
PSU: 460W (Too Low?)

The one thing that has me worried is that my PSU is too low for a high-end graphics card. I have absolutely no idea; complete computer noob here.
 
If you will do all your gaming on the PC for now on, and play at high resolutions, I highly recommend putting down $180-$200 for the GTX 460 1GB. The performance to price ratio on that bad boy is outstanding.
If you do moderate gaming, look no further than the HD5770. The 5770 is very affordable and uses very little power. You wont have too many problems playing most games with it for a good while.
Your PSU will easily power the HD5770. It will power the GTX460 assuming you have a quality brand PSU, and also that your PC is not overloaded with a ton of hard drives and fans.
You should google eXtreme Power Supply Calculator and use that to get a good idea of what your PC can handle.
 
Your PSU is definitely too low for a "high end" graphics card, but you're not looking at high end if you're only spending $150.

A 5770 would suit you well, assuming you're not gaming at extreme resolutions.
 
[quote name='drbutchevil']Why exactly do you have 16GB of memory?[/QUOTE]

My next build will have either 16GB or 24GB because I'll be doing some very heavy virtualization. Though, yeah, the vast majority of people don't need more than 4GB. If one is worried about memory issues upgrade to 6GB, maybe even 8GB. Anymore is a waste of money outside of very specific and limited purposes.

That extra money could have been put towards a better graphics card. It was his decision though.
 
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I bought the PC with everything listed there. I never planned on getting that much ram, but I did.

Thanks for the advice everyone..much appreciated.
 
if you posted your actual psu it would be helpful. its hard to guess how many amps are on which rails with just the wattage listed. you can calc the total amps but not where they are.
 
Yeah no details on the PSU is hard, because there's more factors,

But a safe bet is as someone said earlier, 5770. It's one of if not the best gaming cards out there that isn't a high end power requirement x850 or higher card. I just put together a machine for my cousin with a 5770 in it and he's extremely pleased with it.

(you probably know this, but a 5770 + higher takes 2 slots in the back of the PC since the card itself is so big)
 
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