Need Help Choosing a Graphics Card to Buy

[Danielzxzx]

I'm planning on upgrading my graphics card to somewhere in the ATI Radeon HD 7000 series. however, this seems to be a more difficult job choosing what graphics card to get since there seems to more to a graphics card.

My current system specs are listed to the left
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The max I can pay for it $200.

Can someone help in choosing a good graphics card somewhere in the ATI Radeon HD 7000 series that is less $200 or less and will work with my system specs?

 

[Erick Aguilar]

Your generic PSU description means nothing.
Brand?
Certified?

If you can spend a little extra, go with the 7850

 

[Danielzxzx]

Is it compatible with my system specs? I had an issue before where I was only able to upgrade to 5700 but now that everything has been upgraded, I need to know if my new specs can run it.

 

[Erick Aguilar]

Is it compatible with my system specs? I had an issue before where I was only able to upgrade to 5700 but now that everything has been upgraded, I need to know if my new specs can run it.

Again. The psu information you provided means nothing. If it's a crappy brand, not certified at least as bronze, you will be limited to very few cards you can use from the 7000 series, and if you try to without knowing your PSU's power you could kill it, and take the whole system down with it.

So what are your PSU'S specs?

 

[Danielzxzx]

Last time the reason i could only go up to 5700 was because of the motherboard and not the PSU. I don't know any more information about the PSU unless I open the computer up but I'm pretty sure the PSU is fine. It cost over $50.

Is the graphics card compatible with my motherboard?

 

[Erick Aguilar]

Last time the reason i could only go up to 5700 was because of the motherboard and not the PSU. I don't know any more information about the PSU unless I open the computer up but I'm pretty sure the PSU is fine. It cost over $50.

Is the graphics card compatible with my motherboard?

Yes, but it doesn't matter if you have a cheap PSU.

If you have to open up your computer it means you've never seen your PSU, which means you don't know the brand, this leads us to believe that you have a low powered psu that will most likely prevent the card from firing up. Does it even have the pci express power connectors?

 

[Danielzxzx]

I have opened the computer because I had to upgrade the psu before when upgrading the Processor. My dad was the one who bought the PSU that was recommened by a store when we told them about the plans we were having for future upgrades such as upgrading to the 7000 series. My Dad knows for sure the PSU is fine. It is not a cheap PSU. I just need to know if the graphics card is compatible with the motherboard.

 

[Erick Aguilar]

I have opened the computer because I had to upgrade the psu before when upgrading the Processor. My dad was the one who bought the PSU that was recommened by a store when we told them about the plans we were having for future upgrades such as upgrading to the 7000 series. My Dad knows for sure the PSU is fine. It is not a cheap PSU. I just need to know if the graphics card is compatible with the motherboard.

Fine, risk it if you will. Yes, the motherboard is compatible, you can also do a simple check on google, and type the name of your motherboard plus the name of the card you are interested in installing.

Goodluck with the PSU.

 

[bobkn]

I'm planning on upgrading my graphics card to somewhere in the ATI Radeon HD 7000 series. however, this seems to be a more difficult job choosing what graphics card to get since there seems to more to a graphics card.

My current system specs are listed to the left
<---

The max I can pay for it $200.

Can someone help in choosing a good graphics card somewhere in the ATI Radeon HD 7000 series that is less $200 or less and will work with my system specs?

Your motherboard has a PCI-E X16 3.0 slot, so it should support any PCI-E X16 graphics card.

The main issues would be whether your power supply has the right PCI-E auxiliary power connectors (can be worked around with adapters, but that's not preferred), whether it has enough current capacity, and whether the card will physically fit in you case. (Some cards are too long for some cases.)

At a hard limit of $200CD, it looks like the highest end card would be a Radeon HD 7850:

Newegg.ca - Computer Hardware, Video Cards & Video Devices, Desktop Graphics Cards, $100 - $200, AMD

There are some 2GB models on the list. Here's one:

SAPPHIRE HD 7850 2GB GDDR5#

Sapphire requires a 500W PSU with two 6 pin PCI-E power connectors. The card is 207 mm (8.15") long, so it's not a long one.

The nearest nVidia based competitor looks like the 660 card (not 660ti), but it'd be a little more expensive.

 

[Danielzxzx]

Your motherboard has a PCI-E X16 3.0 slot, so it should support any PCI-E X16 graphics card.

The main issues would be whether your power supply has the right PCI-E auxiliary power connectors (can be worked around with adapters, but that's not preferred), whether it has enough current capacity, and whether the card will physically fit in you case. (Some cards are too long for some cases.)

At a hard limit of $200CD, it looks like the highest end card would be a Radeon HD 7850:

Newegg.ca - Computer Hardware, Video Cards & Video Devices, Desktop Graphics Cards, $100 - $200, AMD

There are some 2GB models on the list. Here's one:

SAPPHIRE HD 7850 2GB GDDR5#

Sapphire requires a 500W PSU with two 6 pin PCI-E power connectors. The card is 207 mm (8.15") long, so it's not a long one.

The nearest nVidia based competitor looks like the 660 card (not 660ti), but it'd be a little more expensive.

Ok thanks for the help. I'll go with the graphics card that you suggested in the last link. I'm pretty sure the PSU will be fine but just in case later on before I install the graphics card, I'll take a picture of the details.

 

[kbrady1979]

Can you just look at the power supply? Take off the side panel and tell us what it says. It will more than likely have a name and model number on it. That will give us the ability to confirm 100% if it is up to the task or not.

 

[Danielzxzx]

Graphics card is not in available right now. Will this card work with my system specs?
Buy the MSI Radeon HD 7850 Twin Frozr 2GB GDDR5 PCIe 3.0 at TigerDirect.ca

 

[bobkn]

Graphics card is not in available right now. Will this card work with my system specs?
Buy the MSI Radeon HD 7850 Twin Frozr 2GB GDDR5 PCIe 3.0 at TigerDirect.ca

Whether the funky cooler improves performance over the reference design, I have no idea, but it will have no effect on compatibility.

 

[Danielzxzx]

Whether the funky cooler improves performance over the reference design, I have no idea, but it will have no effect on compatibility.

Ok thanks for the help.

 

[Danielzxzx]

Ok once I install this new graphic card I am plannong on giving my old one to a friend of mine as a Christmas present. So the old card will be: ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series (Sapphire/PCPartner)

His system specs are:
CPU: Intel Core i7 860 @ 2.80GHz
RAM: 8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 664MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard: Acer Aspire M5910 (CPU 1)
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5570 (Sapphire/PCPartner)

He doesn't kow his power supply as of right now but from the information provided, will my old card work on his computer?

 

[Erick Aguilar]

Ok once I install this new graphic card I am plannong on giving my old one to a friend of mine as a Christmas present. So the old card will be: ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series (Sapphire/PCPartner)

His system specs are:
CPU: Intel Core i7 860 @ 2.80GHz
RAM: 8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 664MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard: Acer Aspire M5910 (CPU 1)
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5570 (Sapphire/PCPartner)

He doesn't kow his power supply as of right now but from the information provided, will my old card work on his computer?

He doesn't need to worry about the power supply like you need to worry. The card is not demanding at all when it comes to power.

 

[bobkn]

Ok once I install this new graphic card I am plannong on giving my old one to a friend of mine as a Christmas present. So the old card will be: ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series (Sapphire/PCPartner)

His system specs are:
CPU: Intel Core i7 860 @ 2.80GHz
RAM: 8.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 664MHz (9-9-9-24)
Motherboard: Acer Aspire M5910 (CPU 1)
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5570 (Sapphire/PCPartner)

He doesn't kow his power supply as of right now but from the information provided, will my old card work on his computer?

Hijacking your own thread?

A 5750 or 5770 requires a single 6 pin PCI-E power connector. (If your friend's PSU doesn't have one, do you have the adapter that takes two Molex connectors to a 6 pin PCI-E?) Sapphire wants a 450W PSU for a 5750, 500W for a 5770. The 5570 uses no auxiliary PCI-E power, and Sapphire wants 400W for a 5570.

So: it's not a sure thing. It'll be a worthwhile upgrade if your friend can use it. It looks like the Acer Aspire M5910 was available with a 5750, so it ought to be OK. (Its PSU is rated at 500W.)

Acer Support: Specifications

 

[neo101]

Current Nvidia chips do not support 11.1 properly!
They support only 4 of the 10 core things that = 11.1 support.

AMD chips currently fully support all core items+ needed for 11.1 software (for future)

Could be the clincher!

Meanwhile I max out my A10 5700 with Crysis 2 @ dx 11 + texture and HD service packs - runs great - amazingly!

 

[Solarstarshines]

Current Nvidia chips do not support 11.1 properly!
They support only 4 of the 10 core things that = 11.1 support.

AMD chips currently fully support all core items+ needed for 11.1 software (for future)

Could be the clincher!

Meanwhile I max out my A10 5700 with Crysis 2 @ dx 11 + texture and HD service packs - runs great - amazingly!

sounds pretty effective what are the FPS running say a 5770 + A10 apu might be worth looking into for my nephew

@Danielzxzx The guys here trying to help you understand what it takes to run a system correctly
Your PSU is the heart of your machine ,Would you want to choose a half decent Heart for your Heart transplant ? I don't think so you should treat your unit as if it had a life because you can certainly kill it or Murder it if you skimp on the most important piece

You might think it wasn't cheap because your Dad bought it and you might of been reccomended by a noob worker on a crap supply

Anyone can make a 600 -700-800 watt PSU but doesn't mean it will do it
Do yourself a favor and take a picture of your PSU and post it let the guys advise you on what would be quality if you already willing to drop $ 200.00 on a card wouldn't it make sense everything is quality so when it comes down to the whole thing /replacement parts etc wouldn't be such a headache poor quality parts don't offer good warrenties

 

[Danielzxzx]

Well I have the graphics card installed and forgot the take a picture of the power supply but everything seems to be working fine with no issues. Games are running faster and I don't seem to be having any issues with the power supply so I'm pretty sure the power supply is fine.

I do have a question:
I got this graphics card:
Buy the MSI Radeon HD 7850 Twin Frozr 2GB GDDR5 PCIe 3.0 at TigerDirect.ca

It came with this msi driver cd thing which I guess I'm suppose to install but I'm currently using Catalyst Control Center. So am I suppose to have both these installed or just one of them? If only one which one would be better? The msi cd that came with the graphics card or what I'm currently using (Catalyst Control Center)?