Cheap but useable GPU?

[longbowman]

Hi folks,

Basically need a discrete GPU to potentially deal with some driver issues between my intel HD4600 and software audio plugins (going to test this with buying a random card from Best Buy or the like to make sure it's the problem).

Looking for something for a decent cost/performance ratio, nothing major but needing to keep it cheap as graphics processing isn't a priority purchase (but want to make sure it's not a throwaway either).

Assuming it needs to be PCIe? Running a Haswell CPU (4790k).

Does something like a 730 fit the bill or should I go with a Radeon 7770 instead?

 

[itmoba]

The Nvidia GT 730 is a pile of Ishtar. Performance-wise, the AMD Radeon 7770 offers about twice the power of an Nvidia GT 730.

Answer: AMD Radeon 7770, hands-down.

 

[IInuyasha74]

Before you buy a new GPU, what audio issue are you experiencing? Want to be sure that this will fix your problem before you go and purchase a new graphics card. You may even consider a sound card instead, unless you are using HDMI audio.

If it comes down to it, you probably just want to buy about the cheapest card on the market. If you aren't playing games, it isn't going to be a major issue. You might consider video decoding performance between the cheaper cards, but that isn't really going to be a major factor, just something to help decide between multiple cards with similar prices.

 

[longbowman]

Before you buy a new GPU, what audio issue are you experiencing? Want to be sure that this will fix your problem before you go and purchase a new graphics card. You may even consider a sound card instead, unless you are using HDMI audio.

If it comes down to it, you probably just want to buy about the cheapest card on the market. If you aren't playing games, it isn't going to be a major issue. You might consider video decoding performance between the cheaper cards, but that isn't really going to be a major factor, just something to help decide between multiple cards with similar prices.

It's set up as a studio PC so there's no sound card, running everything through a Focusrite audio interface. The problem I'm experiencing is severe, pulsating CPU spiking with EastWest's PLAY instrument. I've been in touch with the DAW manufacturer (Presonus), Focusrite and EastWest and the issue seems to be unrelated to the audio interface and most likely the DAW. Both Presonus and EastWest think it's a GPU driver glitch (which has happened before specifically with Haswell onboard GPU's for whatever reason), as there are various buzzy sounds that come from scrolling through pages or changing windows as well. The CPU is more than capable of handling the instrument, and using the same interface, DAW and instrument through a 3 year old laptop didn't result in any of the aforementioned issues.

In any case, I think I'm going to try buying one from Best Buy and seeing if it works as they do allow for returns.

That's a good point -- I do have a game or two on the PC, so it would be nice to get a GPU that's useable if I'm going to pay for one. What I'm noticing though, is that here in Canada for whatever reason, the price between a 7790 and a 730 is something like $25-30. Even a 960 is about $70 more. There seems to be a weird base-price of ~$130, so I figure I may as well opt for something that will actually give me some performance benefits if I can't find anything overly cheap (i.e. if the cheapest card is $90 and a decent card is $130 I'll pay the extra). I'd be happy for recommendations on more efficient items. 750ti is an option too I suppose.


Thanks for the help in advance!

 

[madmatt30]

The 7790 is essentially the same card as the more recent 260x/360 so its far far better than a gt730 - I wouldn't by any stretch call it a gaming GPU but it is capable at lower settings.

 

[cst1992]

a 960 for $130 is a pretty good deal. Very good, in fact.

I am a little confused though. Could you make a list of all cards that match your budget? It'll help select the best one.

 

[longbowman]

I guess I'm wondering about a price/performance comparison. I apologize for the confusion -- GTX 960's can be had for about $260CAD.

My point though is that it's weird that a GT 730 2GB is about $100 and a Gigabyte 260x is only $148.
I've been considering the:
HD 7770 ($170 for some reason)
7790/260x ($148 for a Powercolor/Gigabyte)
GTX 750ti ($168)
250x ($130)

I'm not sure if others cheaper than this are worth getting.

Others in various comparison videos don't seem to do much in terms of performance/dollar. There seems to be a weird "base point", where you'll pay $100 for a crap card and $130 for an ok card. Even a 960 is about $260 here -- decent price jump but the performance increases over a $130 card are massive.

I'm happy with any other considerations, I'd happily take something cheaper. ~$100 ish is more than I'd like to spend already which is why I'm happy for cheaper suggestions. PCIe is I think a must.

 

[itmoba]

If you're willing to spend a little more ($12 CAD; taxing/shipping non-inclusive), then you can get a refurbished AMD Radeon R9 270X for $160 CAD. See here: http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125692

 

[cst1992]

If you have to get the 7770, the 250x is the same card. So the 7770 is out of the question.
Likewise, a 260x is the same as a 10% overclocked 7790.
The 750Ti consumes the least power out of the three, and is 15% faster than the 260x.

Performance wise:
730 < 7770 = 250x < 7790 < 260x < 750Ti

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_750_Ti/25.html

 

[longbowman]

Thanks all.

Thanks for the find re:270x refurbished. That's very reasonable given the GPU.

What I am concerned about, I should mention, is power consumption and noise. I have a 550W Rosewill Capstone PSU and it is a studio computer, so I'd like it to be quiet enough to record with. I'm also running a Scythe Kotetsu which isn't a hugely powerful fan, so I want to make sure it's all compatible (obviously), but also is quiet while not running graphics-heavy software (i.e. audio software).

Thanks cst1992 for the list there. Is the 270x far above the 750ti?

 

[longbowman]

PS -- I tested out the audio problem by disabling the HD4600 in device manager via control panel, and the CPU spiking problem went away. Good indication it's the problem? Comes back if I re-enable.

 

[itmoba]

The AMD Radeon 270X delivers roughly 20% to 25% more performance than the Nvidia GTX 750 Ti. See here: http://gpuboss.com/gpus/Radeon-R9-270X-vs-GeForce-GTX-750-Ti

 

[longbowman]

Thanks, good to know. That's fairly significant considering the price being the same for a 270x refurbished or a new 750ti. My main concern now is power consumption and noise while not running graphics-heavy games

 

[madmatt30]

Power consumption & noise are not going to be an issue with that 270x when it's only running on 2d clocks mate at all

 

[cst1992]

Thanks cst1992 for the list there. Is the 270x far above the 750ti?

Fairly. You can expect 40% difference, on average.

 

[cst1992]

The AMD Radeon 270X delivers roughly 20% to 25% more performance than the Nvidia GTX 750 Ti. See here: http://gpuboss.com/gpus/Radeon-R9-270X-vs-GeForce-GTX-750-Ti

PassMark isn't a good indicator. On their own site, the 680 is slower than the 960, and the Titan Z is slower than the 780Ti.

 

[longbowman]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the help. Didn't realize Passmark isn't the best source.

Are any of the others, such as the HD 7970 series, etc, cheaper or better value? Or do they get considerably more expensive?

And if it will be a quiet unit when not running GPU intensive programs, will power consumption or heat on a 550w be a problem for GPU intensive programs?

 

[itmoba]

The AMD Radeon 270X delivers roughly 20% to 25% more performance than the Nvidia GTX 750 Ti. See here: http://gpuboss.com/gpus/Radeon-R9-270X-vs-GeForce-GTX-750-Ti

PassMark isn't a good indicator. On their own site, the 680 is slower than the 960, and the Titan Z is slower than the 780Ti.

It's one metric -- not all metrics are equal or reliable and should consequently always be taken with a pinch of salt, period. Notwithstanding related aforementioned, your point is still valid; however, I do not have the time to provide a better analysis because "time equals money."

 

[cst1992]

Use techPowerUp then. They provide a summary (what I've shown above) on basis of their own benchmarks. And they're one of the top reviewers.

 

[longbowman]

Any comments on my last?

 

[madmatt30]

270x is near top of the mid tier of cards - its a 1080p medium-high card .

Don't think you'll do better at that price.
At idle loads as quiet as anything else out there.
170w absolute max power draw so your PSU is fine.

 

[cst1992]

As madmatt30 said, 270x is itself at the top of what you'd get.
At the price you're willing to pay, ideally, even the 270x would be out of range.
It's a good card.
And no, I don't think you'll find a 7970-class card for ~$100-$150.

 

[longbowman]

Sorry, I'm referring to the questions about power draw and noise at 2d or low usage, but madmatt covered it.

Thanks guys. Only problem is the Newegg GPU is sold out apparently -- was it like that before? I'll kick myself if it was.

Any suggestions for a good GPU source somewhere in Canada would be great, refurbished or otherwise.

 

[longbowman]

Thoughts? Says a 1 year warranty beyond the 30 day return. New GTX 960 in Canada looks to be about $260 at the cheapest, looking at PC Part Picker.

Any reason a refurb would be a bad idea? Are 960's often used for bitcoin mining or is that not really a concern?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487152

 

[madmatt30]

Good gpu but isn't that around $250 cad ,??

How bout this ??
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125691

If it'll fit in your case.