Help selecting grapics card

[Chirag Borawake]

Chirag, a HD5450 is NOT a gaming card; it is suitable for a HTPC but not games. The weakest card the OP should consider is the HD6670. On a budget, with less than maxed settings, it would not be insufferable. Fwiw, my mostly older games (e.g. Guild Wars, UT2K4) can be maxed, including AA, at 1920x1080 using a HD6670. Newer games will definitely need something stronger to play maxed, but don't be convinced by people with more money than sense that you "need" a 200GBP GPU to enjoy games. Get what you can comfortably afford.

But his PSU cant handle HD6670, thats why I suggested him to change the PSU if possible. Of course, its his choice, we can suggest him anything, but he's finally gonna pay for that. nd he needs to be comfortable with that price though..!!

 

[pl3cky]

The page isn't loading properly for me, so I can't see the price; it may be a great deal. Otherwise, it is overkill. There's a PSU sizing calculator at http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp that will show you that you'd be hard pressed to need anywhere near 600W.
I found the specs on your system. There's no PCIE power cable on your PSU, so either replace it, or limit your GPU to a HD6670.

Okay mate, going to go down to PC world today and get a new PSU unit, something with a PCIE power cable on it, and around 450W+
Thanks for your help, once i'v purchased a new PSU, I'll then take a look at the gtx460 or the HD6850

 

[Chirag Borawake]

Okay mate, going to go down to PC world today and get a new PSU unit, something with a PCIE power cable on it, and around 450W+
Thanks for your help, once i'v purchased a new PSU, I'll then take a look at the gtx460 or the HD6850

A wise decision indeed..!!

 

[pl3cky]

ahhah, thanks for all the helps guys, been awesome!
anything above those cards, i wouldn't gain any performance because of the resolution my card kicks out, it would just be power i don't use so to speak?
(just making sure i understand the reasons im buying all this gear haha)
and the reason i need a new PSU is because my current one doesn't support the cards today and my pc needs a little more 'firepower' behind it?

 

[pl3cky]

*screen kicks out (not card)

 

[Onus]

His PSU can EASILY handle a HD6670. That card draws less than 60W running flat out, or about 5A.
Chart at http://forums.atomicmpc.com.au/index.php?showtopic=264

 

[Onus]

Ok, if you get a quality 450W PSU (Antec has a 430W Earthwatts that is often discounted over here), you can run a HD6850 or GTX460. If you choose the latter, make sure it isn't the "SE" version, which is cut-down from the standard card.
Note that the GTX460 uses two PCIE power cables, but it would be safe to use an adapter on one of them if necessary (although the 500W Antec Earthwatts has two PCIE power cables).

 

[pl3cky]

erm.. i went a bit over board and bought a 780W PSU =)

 

[Onus]

Hmmm, what brand and model? If it has a little voltage switch on it, it may be an obsolete, inefficient, overrated design.

 

[pl3cky]

it doesn't by the looks of it no, it's a G7 Power extreme, was in Maplins for 40quid, seemed cheap, and good for the money

 

[Onus]

I've never heard of that brand. Does it have any level of 80+ certification for efficiency? In a tub of water, would it sink like a rock or does it feel almost light enough to float?
Edit: Hmmm, found Maplin's page...passive rather than active PFC...
Well, you're not going to stress it. You'll likely be safe if you treat it like a 550W PSU, which is still more than you need.

 

[pl3cky]

if it does, where would it tell me on the PSU itself or on the box ha?
hahah, im not sure, it wasn't that heavy, but wasn't light? it's like it might float for a time, before slowly sinking to the bottom 😉
yeah so all is well :') now to get a graphics card!

 

[pl3cky]

what card am i looking at now with this kind of PSU, still a GTX460, or HD6850?
I'v seen a cheap GTX 550, are they any good?
Cheers