Question GPU upgrade for Acer Desktop PC ?

Jan 28, 2024
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Currently keeping an old machine going (don't ask; suggested a new one but that led to a war with many casualties! 😵 ), with the use for it being to play games online (not sure if anyone is familiar with Bluemaxima Flashpoint or any of the formerly flash/ now html5 escape games). Not looking for a high end rig here, but the current card needs replacement. I looked in the guide for GPU's here, but didn't find the answer I needed.

Acer Aspire M1100 Desktop PC

Motherboard: RS690M03 ,
CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 6000+
RAM: 4GB
Current GPU: EVGA NVidia GeForce GT610
PSU: Thermaltake SMART 700W ATX 80 Plus
SSD: SandDisk 220GB

Two suggested cards by friends of mine were: EVGA NVIDIA 9500 GT (1GB), and Gigabyte NVIDIA GeForce 1030 (2GB). Read that the 1030 may not support "legacy" BIOS; at the same time, not sure the 9500 would be able to keep up wth today's gaming sites.

Appreciate the help folks. Note: with all due respect, please don't suggest "get a new machine". I know the situation, but there's nothing I can do about it; it's not worth the war at home.

Thanks,

-pbz-313
 
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Currently keeping an old machine going (don't ask; suggested a new one but that led to a war with many casualties! 😵 ), with the use for it being to play games online (not sure if anyone is familiar with Bluemaxima Flashpoint or any of the formerly flash/ now html5 escape games). Not looking for a high end rig here, but the current card needs replacement. I looked in the guide for GPU's here, but didn't find the answer I needed.

Acer Aspire M1100 Desktop PC

Motherboard: RS690M03 ,
CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 6000+
RAM: 4GB
Current GPU: EVGA NVidia GeForce GT610
PSU: Thermaltake SMART 700W ATX 80 Plus
SSD: SandDisk 220GB

Two suggested cards by friends of mine were: EVGA NVIDIA 9500 GT (1GB), and Gigabyte NVIDIA GeForce 1030 (2GB). Read that the 1030 may not support "legacy" BIOS; at the same time, not sure the 9500 would be able to keep up wth today's gaming sites.

Appreciate the help folks. Note: with all due respect, please don't suggest "get a new machine". I know the situation, but there's nothing I can do about it; it's not worth the war at home.

Thanks,

-pbz-313
You might be able to use an RX 550, It would be heavily bottlenecked by your CPU though. Same with the 1030 as well.
 
Trouble is that old equipment that is compatible with this machine tends to be more expensive because supply has dried up. It is throwing money away.

Also, GPUs can go through revisions or different brands can vary a little bit over the years. This makes it harder to buy compatible components. I know because i had trouble buying a GT 710 for an older machine. Turned out olny some versions of that card were compatible with the old motherboard.

I'm sorry, i don't know what to suggest. Seems like a bad idea to spend more than $50, and even $50 is wasted. Plus i fear compatibility issues or the old PC crapping out.

Would buying a used PC be too risky? Some CPUs have on board graphics that are more than up to the task. Buying a used machine with no problems could be a more cost effective "upgrade". CPUs rarely die and they don't need so much PSU power.
Maybe worth considering, unless any new machine provokes a war.

What is the budget anyway?
 
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Trouble is that old equipment that is compatible with this machine tends to be more expensive because supply has dried up. It is throwing money away.

Also, GPUs can go through revisions or different brands can vary a little bit over the years. This makes it harder to buy compatible components. I know because i had trouble buying a GT 710 for an older machine. Turned out olny some versions of that card were compatible with the old motherboard.

I'm sorry, i don't know what to suggest. Seems like a bad idea to spend more than $50, and even $50 is wasted. Plus i fear compatibility issues or the old PC crapping out.

Would buying a used PC be too risky? Some CPUs have on board graphics that are more than up to the task. Buying a used machine with no problems could be a more cost effective "upgrade". CPUs rarely die and they don't need so much PSU power.
Maybe worth considering, unless any new machine provokes a war.

What is the budget anyway?
Any new machine would spark a war at this point; family dynamics are not great (to say the least).

As it is, I got a recommendation for a Geforce GT-9500 card so I pulled the trigger on that online. At least it has a return policy so if it doesn't work I can just return it (seller pays for shipping). If that flops, maybe try a 1030.

And perhaps some migraine medication...
 
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