Help to setup 720p gaming with HTPC on a budget!

[Charith Arachchi]

I've got the PC in question posted as the GFPC/HTPC, but here it is as it sits right now:

Intel i3-2100 | Biostar H61MGC | Nvidia 8800 GTS 320MB | CoolerMaster Hyper 212 Plus | EarthWatts 380D Green 380W | 500 GB Western Digital HDD | Antec NSK 4482 | Acer 20" LED LCD at 1600 x 900 and Samsung Plasma SP-S4223 42" TV at 1280 x 720 |

Basically I'm trying to figure out what's the best bang for the buck replacement to get this machine playing modern titles well. To clarify, this computer is largely used by my girlfriend to play The Sims 3, Civ V, TF2, and other games that aren't known for being particularly taxing on PCs.

Since she's perfectly happy playing on the 42" 720p TV, we won't be needing an overly powerful card. We usually run games at 1280 x 720, but The Sims 3 doesn't seem to allow it so it defaults to 1024 x 768 and even at that resolution it's playable for her. So as I said before, this machine won't ever be running higher resolutions and a card that will play games well at these resolutions without spending too much would be ideal.

To recap:

720p gaming with 30 - 60 FPS in games like The Sims 3 and Civ V while on medium/high IQ settings

I'm hoping to keep the price at around 40 to 50 bucks and am totally happy to go used. Some cards I've come across are the GTS 450, GTS 250, HD 5750, HD 5770, HD 4870, HD 4850. Any other suggestions would be welcome as well.

And I know there's the temptation to go bigger and better, but since my girlfriend is fairly happy with how the PC runs with the 8800GTS, I don't need to go way overboard on the upgrade. Heck, she was gaming on a laptop before...

 

[clutchc]

If you've come across an HD 5770 for cheap as you suggest, that will be more than enough to game at 720p with max/near max settings in modern titles. You're not going to do better than that new. The lowest priced card I would suggest for 720p at max settings with modern titles would be closer to $100: HD 6670
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600083901%204027%20600144219%20600007779%20600007797&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&Order=RATING&PageSize=20

 

[Charith Arachchi]

If you've come across an HD 5770 for cheap as you suggest, that will be more than enough to game at 720p with max/near max settings in modern titles. You're not going to do better than that new. The lowest priced card I would suggest for 720p at max settings with modern titles would be closer to $100: HD 6670
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20600083901%204027%20600144219%20600007779%20600007797&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&Order=RATING&PageSize=20

The HD 5770 was on the high end of the budget, at least from what I've seen so far. What are your thoughts on the GTS 450/250 or HD 4870/4850? I would imagine that the performance of these cards is quite a bit lower, but how much lower? I've seen HD 5750s at some good prices, but is it a big step down from the HD 5770?

I guess I'm trying to find that balancing point between price and performance where there's a solid upgrade happening, while also not being overkill for the situation.

Thanks for your response!

 

[clutchc]

I wouldn't think $60 for an HD 5770 would be asking too much if that is the price we are talking. That would be your best $olution. The fast and dirty way to evaluate the cards against one another is with Tom's Graphics Card Hierarchy Chart: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html
The AMD cards you mention are fine for 720p, but they were from a hot running generation of cards. The 2 Nvidia cards would be cooler running for that small case.
Btw, I have one of those 8800GTS 320GB cards I keep on my shelf for testing boards with. It is still a good card. But the lack of sufficient VRAM hurts it.

 

[Charith Arachchi]

I wouldn't think $60 for an HD 5770 would be asking too much if that is the price we are talking. That would be your best $olution. The fast and dirty way to evaluate the cards against one another is with Tom's Graphics Card Hierarchy Chart: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html
The AMD cards you mention are fine for 720p, but they were from a hot running generation of cards. The 2 Nvidia cards would be cooler running for that small case.
Btw, I have one of those 8800GTS 320GB cards I keep on my shelf for testing boards with. It is still a good card. But the lack of sufficient VRAM hurts it.

This is really good information, thanks! The $60 for an HD 5770 isn't bad, but I've seen HD 5750s go for 30 to 40 bucks. The 4000 series cards I mentioned seem to be going even cheaper sometimes. Also I totally agree about the 8800GTS! I noticed while my gf was playing The Sims 3, that VRAM usage was pegged at about 310ish MB. The 320 bit bus really does wonder though!

I've been referencing the GPU hierarchy a lot, but it's tough trying to figure out what's the best choice when prices fluctuate, or especially when some GPUs are set at the same level in the hierarchy, or just one step away.

What are your thoughts on the HD 5750? Is it a big step down to the HD 5770? If overclocking can help make any of these options more competitive, I'm open to that as well!

Thanks again for the prompt responses!

 

[clutchc]

You'll gain about 15% -25% with the HD 5770 over the HD 5750 depending on the game. It would still be suitable for 720p at high-ish settings.
http://www.hwcompare.com/1147/radeon-hd-5750-1gb-vs-radeon-hd-5770/