[SOLVED] Advice on graphics card.

[Jay461]

I just bought a monitor, LG 27GL63T-B.AUS 27 Inch UltraGear paired with Optiplex 790 SFF. I will not be using it as a gaming, video editing or for any heavy graphic intense use. I have narrowed down to 2 cards;

1. ASUS GeForce GT 710 1GB GDDR5 (GT710-SL-1GD5-BRK) $38 (used)
2. Asus GeForce GT 710 2GB GDDR5 (GT710-SL-2GD5-CSM) $ 46 (used)

The main difference between are: 1 vs 2GB, memory interface- 32 vs 64 bit and PCIe X8 vs X16. Will the memory interface and PCIe difference have a noticeable performance impact?
I am open to suggestions but my budget is under $50, unless there is a compelling reason. TIA.

 

[jeremyj_83]

You aren't saving any money buying used. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01AZHOX5K?tag=pcpapi-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1 It also makes sense to go with the 2GB since it isn't a huge premium and you get double the RAM bandwidth.

 

[Jay461]

You aren't saving any money buying used. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01AZHOX5K?tag=pcpapi-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1 It also makes sense to go with the 2GB since it isn't a huge premium and you get double the RAM bandwidth.

Thanks. Can you explain why am I not saving money by buying used? Also, could you comment on the bus interface of x8 x16?

 

[jeremyj_83]

Thanks. Can you explain why am I not saving money by buying used? Also, could you comment on the bus interface of x8 x16?

These are old low end cards so they were never used for Bitcoin mining for example. Since there is such a small difference in price, buying used doesn't make sense then.

For the interface that won't make any difference with this card, assuming your PC has an x16 slot. The x8 and x16 are all about interface links for the PCIe connection. PCIe 3.0 x8 has 8 PCIe 3 lanes running to it for about 8GB/sec of bandwidth. PCIe 3.0 x16 has 16 lanes PCIe 3 lanes running to it for about 16GB/sec of bandwidth. The GPU you are looking at will not have any issues running on x8 as it doesn't need much bandwidth.

 

[Jay461]

These are old low end cards so they were never used for Bitcoin mining for example. Since there is such a small difference in price, buying used doesn't make sense then.

For the interface that won't make any difference with this card, assuming your PC has an x16 slot. The x8 and x16 are all about interface links for the PCIe connection. PCIe 3.0 x8 has 8 PCIe 3 lanes running to it for about 8GB/sec of bandwidth. PCIe 3.0 x16 has 16 lanes PCIe 3 lanes running to it for about 16GB/sec of bandwidth. The GPU you are looking at will not have any issues running on x8 as it doesn't need much bandwidth.

Appreciate the explanation. Can you recommend a low profile budget GPU ?

 

[jeremyj_83]

The one I linked up top is what I would use. Keeps the 2GB VRAM and is low profile.

 

[Jay461]

The one I linked up top is what I would use. Keeps the 2GB VRAM and is low profile.

Ok. Thanks again.

 

[jeremyj_83]

Ok. Thanks again.

You're welcome.

 

[Jay461]

These are old low end cards so they were never used for Bitcoin mining for example. Since there is such a small difference in price, buying used doesn't make sense then.

For the interface that won't make any difference with this card, assuming your PC has an x16 slot. The x8 and x16 are all about interface links for the PCIe connection. PCIe 3.0 x8 has 8 PCIe 3 lanes running to it for about 8GB/sec of bandwidth. PCIe 3.0 x16 has 16 lanes PCIe 3 lanes running to it for about 16GB/sec of bandwidth. The GPU you are looking at will not have any issues running on x8 as it doesn't need much bandwidth.

EDIT: For those wondering about GDDR3 vs GGDR5- it basically boils down to memory size. https://www.goldfries.com/computing...e-the-difference-with-the-amd-radeon-hd-7750/

 

[jeremyj_83]

EDIT: For those wondering about GDDR3 vs GGDR5- it basically boils down to memory size. https://www.goldfries.com/computing...e-the-difference-with-the-amd-radeon-hd-7750/

Wow I misread the RAM on the card I recommend. I could have sworn it said DDR5 not DDR3. Had the 2GB version been a 64bit bus and DDR5, then it would have ~double the RAM bandwidth. Instead the DDR3 version will have about 2/3 the RAM bandwidth.

 

[Jay461]

Wow I misread the RAM on the card I recommend. I could have sworn it said DDR5 not DDR3. Had the 2GB version been a 64bit bus and DDR5, then it would have ~double the RAM bandwidth. Instead the DDR3 version will have about 2/3 the RAM bandwidth.

No bother.