Looking for a good gpu for under $30 Canadian dollars

[belowzero95]

Hi, I've noticed my GPU is bottlenecking my CPU in terms of gaming performance. I'm trying to figure out a good graphics card which is below $30.I will be looking for the card on craigslist and Kijiji.I've been looking at HD 7770 1gddr5 card is that too much for my CPU.

Here are my Specs:
CPU: AMD Phenom ii x4 955 3.2 GHz
Motherboard: HP 3047H
RAM: 8gb ddr3
PSU:320W
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 2600 pro 256mb

 

[belowzero95]

MERGED QUESTION
Question from belowzero95 : "Looking for a good gpu for under $30 Canadian dollars"

I'm getting an AMD Phenom II x4 955 3.2 GHz CPU for really cheap from a friend I was wondering if it'll work with my current motherboard. I know it's the same socket and I also know my motherboard can only support up to 95w. I think the one he is giving me is a 95w version. I was wondering if they'll be any problems because I didn't see the 955 in the supported CPUs with my computer which is an HP Compaq 6005 pro Microtower version.I'll also be gaming and upgrading my GPU to a better one.

Here are my Specs:
CPU: AMD Athlon II x2 b26 3.2ghz
Motherboard: HP 3047H
RAM: 8gb ddr3
PSU:320W
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 2600 pro 256mb

 

[Wolfshadw]

Hi, I've noticed my GPU is bottlenecking my CPU in terms of gaming performance

No. It's not. If the CPU isn't being utilized, it's because it's not needed.

I'm trying to figure out a good graphics card which is below $30.

Under $30, isn't going to happen. You'd probably be hard pressed to find your current graphics card on second hand sites for around $30. You're going to need to up your budget to around $75 to $100 to find any sort of significant improvement over your current card.

I didn't see the 955 in the supported CPUs with my computer which is an HP Compaq 6005 pro Microtower version.

If the processor is not one the CPU Support List for your motherboard, then it's likely (though not definitely) not supported.

-Wolf sends

 

[cryoburner]

Under $30, isn't going to happen. You'd probably be hard pressed to find your current graphics card on second hand sites for around $30. You're going to need to up your budget to around $75 to $100 to find any sort of significant improvement over your current card.

I disagree. They currently have an HD 2600 Pro, which is a mid-range card that came out more than 10 years ago. : P It's absolutely what's limiting performance more than anything else, and I suspect you could find something a lot faster on the used market within that price range. While something like an HD 7770 might not be particularly fast by today's standards, it still should be about as powerful as a GT 1030, which could be good for some entry-level gaming. The CPU will likely hold back performance in many newer games, but such a graphics card upgrade should definitely allow for a big improvement in performance over what they have now.

 

[belowzero95]

Under $30, isn't going to happen. You'd probably be hard pressed to find your current graphics card on second hand sites for around $30. You're going to need to up your budget to around $75 to $100 to find any sort of significant improvement over your current card.

I disagree. They currently have an HD 2600 Pro, which is a mid-range card that came out more than 10 years ago. : P It's absolutely what's limiting performance more than anything else, and I suspect you could find something a lot faster on the used market within that price range. While something like an HD 7770 might not be particularly fast by today's standards, it still should be about as powerful as a GT 1030, which could be good for some entry-level gaming. The CPU will likely hold back performance in many newer games, but such a graphics card upgrade should definitely allow for a big improvement in performance over what they have now.

Thanks and I was also wondering about that CPU compatibility thing

 

[dontlistentome]

The 7770 is not too much GPU for your Phenom II X4. In fact, in many games which are more videocard dependent rather than CPU dependent, you could use more than a 7770.

However, that's a moot point since cost is an issue. A decent 1gb card's main limitation is that those are best for 720p or less gaming. There are cards which can handle 1080p gaming in terms of performance but can't do it due to insufficient vram for 1080p. Reduce resolution to 720p with those cards and the game is playable.

The other factor to consider is the power supply. You can get decent performing cards for cheap, but these tend to be older cards. The problem there is that older gaming cards tend to use a lot of power. It's VERY difficult to find a gaming card with good performance AND it's cheap AND it uses low amounts of power.

 

[belowzero95]

The 7770 is not too much GPU for your Phenom II X4. In fact, in many games which are more videocard dependent rather than CPU dependent, you could use more than a 7770.

However, that's a moot point since cost is an issue. A decent 1gb card's main limitation is that those are best for 720p or less gaming. There are cards which can handle 1080p gaming in terms of performance but can't do it due to insufficient vram for 1080p. Reduce resolution to 720p with those cards and the game is playable.

The other factor to consider is the power supply. You can get decent performing cards for cheap, but these tend to be older cards. The problem there is that older gaming cards tend to use a lot of power. It's VERY difficult to find a gaming card with good performance AND it's cheap AND it uses low amounts of power.

my monitor's maximum resolution is 1360 by 768 and the power supply won't be a major issue as I have a 480-watt power supply somewhere in the house

 

[cryoburner]

The other factor to consider is the power supply. You can get decent performing cards for cheap, but these tend to be older cards. The problem there is that older gaming cards tend to use a lot of power. It's VERY difficult to find a gaming card with good performance AND it's cheap AND it uses low amounts of power.

The HD 7770 isn't as efficient as current generation cards, but it isn't too bad in terms of power consumption, only having an 80 watt TDP. I believe it does require a 6-pin PCIe power cable to be connected though, so you may need to make sure your PSU has one of those.

As for the CPU, I'm not entirely sure. Judging by the information here...

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c01864941

...it looks like the highest processor that's officially supported is the Phenom II X4 B95, which appears to be nearly identical to the 955, only clocked slightly lower (more like a 945). Some 955s have a TDP of 95 watts, though others are 125 watts, which could be a problem.

Also, being an apparently OEM motherboard, it might just not support that processor. If you are getting it from a friend, perhaps they would let you test it first? I suspect an actual B95 might be more likely to work properly, but it's difficult to say for sure. It might also run hot and potentially overheat under load, depending on what kind of CPU cooler is installed.