Budget PCI-Express x 16 v1.0 Graphics card

[PiratePete247]

Hello,

I have been going round in circles trying to find a cheap upgrade for my system. I mostly play World of Warcraft, Total War and Rift, but the 7300 struggles with the new stuff. Have posted some basic details below, but any advice on the following would be superb:

1) Best compatible card for £30-£40 (out of work so very little cash unfortunately).

2) A simple explanation of the different PCI-E x 16 versions and whether v2.0 or v3.0 based cards would be compatible with my MB

PC Info
MB: Intel DP965LT
Processor Model:Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6700 @ 2.66GHz
Total Memory: 4GB DIMM DDR2
Video Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT
MB Expansion Slots (8 PS3.0, 4 VS3.0401MHz, 512MB 796MHz 128-bit, PCIe 1.00 x16
PSU - 450w

Thanks in advance.

 

[fantastik250]

I would suggest using a PCI-E 2.0 graphics card on a PCI-E 1.0 slot. You can look at the GT 440 or the HD 6670.

 

[Rustyy117]

Hi

I know this is £10 over your budget, but anything slower really isn't worth having

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-263-SP&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1984

Its also backwards compatible with your motherboards PCI-E v1.0 slot.

 

[PiratePete247]

Hi, Thanks for the fast reply there. The 440 and 6670 are coming in at just above my price range at £55 (being skint is soo much fun) so I was wondering if you could recommend a card one down from these two? I was checking the Tom's Hardware Charts and wondered whether the Sapphire HD 5450 1GB DDR3 HDMI DVI VGA Out PCI-E Low Profile Graphics Card was any good?

Thanks.

 

[fantastik250]

No worries. The 5450 should be good for your needs. Just don't expect to play high settings.

 

[Rustyy117]

Hi, Thanks for the fast reply there. The 440 and 6670 are coming in at just above my price range at £55 (being skint is soo much fun) so I was wondering if you could recommend a card one down from these two? I was checking the Tom's Hardware Charts and wondered whether the Sapphire HD 5450 1GB DDR3 HDMI DVI VGA Out PCI-E Low Profile Graphics Card was any good?

Thanks.

The HD5450 is NOT a gaming card, I'm using one now whilst I wait for an RMA replacement GTX570 and its awful at anything but watching movies/blu-rays.

Have a look for yourself: http://www.techspot.com/review/244-ati-radeon-hd-5450/

A HD6570 is really the cheapest card I'd recommend for gaming (or a GT440 if you can find one cheaper).

 

[PiratePete247]

Thanks both. Looking at this, I think that I'll try for either the 6570 or 6670 which you've recommended. Sounds like you get a much better return for just a little extra cash.