Graphic Card Under $50 for AutoCad / 3dMax?

himagarwal

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Apr 2, 2014
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Hello!

I have been using Nvidia GF 9600 GT graphic card 1.5GB without any problem from last 5 years. However, now the red color has gone from the graphic card and I tried getting it fixed but was not able too.

I am an architect and have to use AutoCad and sometimes 3dMax software. I am not into gaming at all but sometimes I watch videos/movies on this which is rare. I have to now purchase a graphic card but my budget is under $50. Which graphic card is best for my budget and requirement?

I came to know Sapphire graphic cards are also good, haven't heard this name 5 years back.

Thank you in advance!
 
Solution

if the old card was still getting the job done (apart from the missing red output) then there is no reason why he wouldn't like a GT610...Unless he does really advanced renderings and modelisation in 3ds max all day long then this card will be fine...i myself work on autocad 2014 at work all day long i'm a geomatician and i know autocad does not need a lot of graphics power and he won't play games...he should be fine with that card, the only concern i have is with 3ds max, what kind of job you are doing in that soft? simple renderings or advanced 3d modeling?
Stuff like that...
Processors: Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.66 GHz
RAM: 4.00 GB
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Monitor: 21 inch ViewSonic VA1912w monitor
Graphic Card: GeForce 9600 GT (as labeled on sticker pasted on the graphic card)

I think the current graphic card is duplicate one (Chinese) as GeFore 9 Series latest driver (335.23) is not able to detect the hardware. It says: This graphics driver could not find compatible graphics hardware.

However, when auto-scan through Nvidia website it says "GeForce 9650M GS". So, it is confusing.

I also bought a DVI to VGA cable and it works (i.e. I am able to get all the colors -RBG- through DVI port ) but now the new problem is that graphic quality is poor and screen size is small (cannot fix it through resolution settings of Nvidia or Windows 7 Ultimate core resolution settings). I tried downloading the latest and oldest driver from Nvidia for GeForce 9600 GT and latest driver for Nvidia for GeForce 9650M GS to solve the poor image quality and small screen size generated by DVI to VGA cable but none of the driver was able to detect the hardware.

However, I do have CD files backed up in my PC. I installed driver that comes in CD (which was for Windows Vista) but cannot solve the missing red color problem on VGA cable nor the poor graphic quality from DVI to VGA cable and small screen size (not taking about resolution, the monitor graphic size gets small). Also, screen just shows the wallpaper and nothing else when connected with DVI to VGA cable.

I showed it to local technician and he said that VGA connector has to be changed but he does not have a second VGA connector for it to replace with.

Is there any solution with DVI to VGA cable to sort this out.


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UPDATES:

I have removed all the NIVIDA drivers. Computer detects the graphic card as "PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0408&SUBSYS_043910DE"? So, which graphic card is this "9600 GT" or "9650M GS"?

Since, Nvidia was unable to detect the hardware, I followed the guidelines mentioned at https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/481870/geforce-mobile-gpus/nvidia-geforce-gtx-460m-driver-update-why-can-39-t-i-install-the-driver-update-/post/3456160/#3456160 and it detected the hardware and latest version of GeForce 9 series for windows 7 32-bit is currently installing while I am typing this.

Finger's crossed and lets see what happens!
 
Well the DVI to VGA will not work like you will hope to because VGA is a analog connector and on the other hand your's is damaged so it will certainly not perform well. It seems to me that whole graphic card is gong faulty, like your VGA slot has gone bad and different card detection. I suggest sell this and buy the same one but from a well known provider.
 
the red color that are gone dear OP are not from a graphics card problem but most likely from a monitor that has faded out over time...just saying.
If you're happy with the performance of your system you should look into buying a new display, not a new graphics card.
 

oh my bad i did not read that part, i'm sorry...
Now that i've read it i see the op is using old drivers from an old CD, i would recommand trying to find the latest drivers that supports this graphics card and see if that solves the issue...

 


Happens to me quite alot of time 😉
 

well... i selected some best answers from threads i didn't started because the OP was not allowed to pick a best answer (i think you must have a certain amount of post/best answer to then be able to be allowed to pick them) and a moderator (Mousemonkey) came to me in PM and told me never again to pick a best answer on a thread where im not the OP or he will close my account... 🙁
 
No, I am not gone. The graphic driver installation did't worked. Yesterday, the whole day, I have to sit at the computer repair shop with nothing.....so unable to reply.

It is sad that no one replied to my original question or title..... Best Graphic card under $50 for following configurations:

Processors: Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.66 GHz
RAM: 4.00 GB
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Monitor: 21 inch ViewSonic VA1912w monitor

My monitor is working fine. I have few computers here so I can check with multiple monitors, graphic cards and I came to the conclusion as said in my second post that it is actually the red color missing from the VGA connector. Now, I am looking to buy new one.

Is this any good - http://www.flipkart.com/zotac-nvidia-geforce-gt-610-synergy-2-gb-ddr3-graphics-card/p/itmdbm6pdgc9qjez

So, guys please help me.
 

Yes for cad applications and light gaming, this card is meant for that...personaly i would look for a better brand like ASUS for more longevity specialy if the computer is used a lot for work : http://www.flipkart.com/asus-nvidia-gt610-sl-2gd3-l-2-gb-ddr3-graphics-card/p/itmdetpdhnm5ug8h?pid=GRCDETPDHNM5UG8H&otracker=from-search&srno=t_6&query=GT610&ref=430d0db9-5c7b-4bf1-813c-20b6150f2a67
I know this one cost a little more but has no fan (passively cooled) wich is a great bonus as the card will be totaly silent, ASUS is also a lot more reliable then zotac...also i checked on the website you posted and all the other they have are not as good as this one..then tend to carry cheap untrusted brands on that site. I would go for the Asus one if you can, the Zotac one if budget is an issue...avoid all the others.

 

He's an architect that use autocad and 3ds mostly from what i read and this card with 2gb of VRAM is perfect for that...will output any resolution and i honestly think unless it would be for gaming then it's plenty enough..
 

if the old card was still getting the job done (apart from the missing red output) then there is no reason why he wouldn't like a GT610...Unless he does really advanced renderings and modelisation in 3ds max all day long then this card will be fine...i myself work on autocad 2014 at work all day long i'm a geomatician and i know autocad does not need a lot of graphics power and he won't play games...he should be fine with that card, the only concern i have is with 3ds max, what kind of job you are doing in that soft? simple renderings or advanced 3d modeling?
Stuff like that? http://www.cgarchitect.com/content/portfolioitems/2012/09/61221/Dita_CG_large.jpg
 
Solution