Windows 7 - Can I use this as a gaming system? what would be a good vid card?

Long Version: See the setup in my description? Well tomorrow I'll be getting a replacement case (a hec 7K09BB) that is significantly smaller and better suits my needs. i've been trying to sell it, but no takers. However, I realized that when Ivy Bridge comes out; if I get an i3-3100 and a H77 series MoBo, i'd have the old CPU/MOBO to try to sell also. I thought that instead, I'd just throw in some RAM, a HDD, ODD, and a decent graphics card, I could give it to my nephew, who loves gaming. Currently he uses a laptop for his gaming, but it's not upgradeable. I though he might like this as he can attach it to his dad's 56" 1080p tv. The problem is, I don't know if the pentium will be good enough for his gaming (he's into the Star Wars games and Spore and stuff, IDK but I can find out if needed), and I'm also wondering if there's a graphics card i can put in there that won't blow the PSU or my wallet?


Short version: With RAM+ODD+GC and the Case+MoBo+CPU from below, is this suitable for gaming and what kind of card/accessories do I need?

Case: Apevia X-Master BK/500
PSU: 500w, came with case
MoBo: Biostar H61MU3
CPU: Intel Pentium G620 (Sandy Bridge)

Sorry I'm really not much of a gamer. I'm just using my setup as a media playback device/computer hooked up to a big screen.

That should be alright for a game like Spore or Star Wars. But the GPU is really what matters when it comes to gaming. How much are you willing to spend?

I don't really know enough about graphics cards to know what are the critical price points, But over $100 and I'll just forget about it, and I'd like to stay at around $50 or so. I can show him how to upgrade components as time goes on.

i used this site Hardware Compare to compare the models that were in the $25-50 price range on Newegg.ca, and it gave this as the top card: ECS N9500GTC-512QZ-F GeForce 9500 GT 512MB
Do you agree? will it work?


So far the system would be the aforementioned case, Mobo, and CPU, alongside these components: Newegg.com - Once You Know, You Newegg

does it look ok?

It all depends if you want to limit him to just the games he plays, and not newer ones.
A 9500 was a low end card of the 9000 series, but a more recent card then spore is old. So it should play, but I'm unsure on the GPU requirements so can't comment on its over all performance, and or if its an improvement over his current laptop GPU.

If your trying to keep costs down, look at the second hand market, an older 8800gtx or such will go for peanuts, and play older games with ease, but will struggle massively with newer more recent games, unless settleing for low across the board on game settings.

I would actually go for something like this card. The thing is, if you really want to game, a $50 card just isn't going to cut it. In the end (apart from the GPU) the only other factor is what game he's going to play. Could you post exactly what games he likes playing?

One more thing is your PSU. Aprevia is a mostly lower-end Newegg brand and that 500W may be a great 350W in performance. I'm not trying to put you off, just making you aware, I've had experience.