Is it worth getting R7 250 2GB DDR5?

[vrboys97]

So my graphics card is no longer up to date (hasn't been ever since 2010 actually), and I've been looking at cheap GPU solutions that could let me play games. One local store sells a 1GB version of R7 250 real cheap and I've been looking into that, but there's also a 2GB version of that card, as well as AMD's refresh R7 350.

I know that card is not very powerful and it can only do so much for you, especially when it comes to newer games, but it makes me wonder: does the chip even benefit from having an extra gig of VRAM and is it worth the money? I don't mind playing with low graphics settings, and my monitor is an old SXGA one (720p is the highest resolution it can squeeze out). The way the games are being made now, having 2GB graphics card is almost a must.

And yes, I know that one of the best cheap GPUs around is GTX 750 Ti, and I'd probably be better off saving up for that, but money's real tight right now.

 

[timeconsumer]

Have you considered buying a used GPU? You can very likely get a 750 Ti used for the same price as that R7 250.

 

[elbert]

You could get a R7 250x for $55 as it comes with a $15 rebate card.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 250X 2GB Core Edition Video Card ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $69.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-08 16:24 EST-0500

 

[vrboys97]

You could get a R7 250x for $55 as it comes with a $15 rebate card.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 250X 2GB Core Edition Video Card ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $69.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-12-08 16:24 EST-0500

Unfortunately, I can't find a new R7 250X anywhere in my country. Even if I did, I'd have to upgrade my PSU to something decent, and that's extra money.

 

[vrboys97]

Have you considered buying a used GPU? You can very likely get a 750 Ti used for the same price as that R7 250.

I thought about that and actually looked into other used GPUs, probably even more powerful than 750 Ti, but the lack of warranty kind of stops me from going out there and getting a used graphics card off someone's hands.

 

[Geekwad]

The R7 350 would be the best of what you mentioned that are available locally:

http://wccftech.com/amd-radeon-r7-350-graphics-card-launched/

So would go with that if you can get it in your budget. The 2Gb of vRAM on that (along with other improvements) vs the 1Gb on the R7 250 would be worth it. At 720p, you should be able to find a playable setting in many, if not all games.

This may help too, in considering the 250 option:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-r7-240-and-250,3717.html