Cheap but useable GPU?

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longbowman

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Apr 8, 2015
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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?
 
Solution
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.

longbowman

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Ahh stupid Newegg, I specifically typed "Canada", must have missed that. Thanks for the spot. That 270x looks decent. I do have a Fractal R5.

Canada loves to suck for buying things. 90 day warranty on the Newegg Canada site...hooray.
 
Yeah mate - that 90 day warranty is a bit lax IMO.
It's a good card though , apart from the toxic probably the best 270x model there is.
http://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/zardon/gigabyte-r9-270x-windforce-oc-review/22/

$19 to extend the warranty , worth it or not?
 

longbowman

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For the extra year I'd probably take it. "Aside from the toxic"???

Question though -- I know 750 TI's aren't ideal compared to 270x, but is a 270x worth $60 more at least? This one's on for $129 with the promo code:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487114

Appears to be a 40% jump in performance and a 28% increase in price, so clearly value there, but the same can be said for higher end cards like the 960.
 
as youve just said price relative to performance makes the 270x a better buy BUT if your needs can be supplied by the 750ti then that one you listed is clearly great value.

for general use & some light gaming theres absolutely nothing wrong with the 750ti at all - just dont expect the world from what is essentially yesteryears budget gaming gpu.
 

EAJuggalo

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Dec 19, 2014
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Most prebuilt computers have a cheap and weak PSU that doesn't have any extra cables for GPUs. It's the highest upgrade without having to change the PSU, and plenty of power for almost anybody not gaming.
 

longbowman

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Apr 8, 2015
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Good to know -- the benefits will become apparent with higher res or multiple screens I'm assuming?

Sorry, another questions -- how important is 3DMark11 (or whatever the name is DX 11 vs DX 9 scores)? There's a 370 for sale through Newegg for nearly the same price as the 270x (270x sold out as I tried to buy haha). The 270x was close to the 370 except with the DX 11 test, 370 was way ahead.
 

longbowman

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Excellent, thanks for the help. Comes with the manufacturer's warranty so I dodge having to buy that on top. Ordered, although I had to opt for the SC version with single fan as that one was taken.