PCI-E 2.0x16 graphics card under $100-ish for Skyrim & Sketchup

[jenneratty]

Hi folks, I need a new graphics card for my old build. I want to run Skyrim and Google/Trimble Sketchup, as well as Elder Scrolls Online when that comes out. My current card meets minimum specs on paper but just can't run Skyrim in practice, even with graphics set to minimum. Here's my system at a glance:

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-870A-UD3
CPU: Athlon II X3 450
Power supply: Corsair CMPSU-430CX (430 watt PSU)
Current graphics card: GIGABYTE GV-NX84S512HP
RAM: 12 gigs total - 2x2gb = 4gb Wintec Industries 3AXH1333C9WS4GK as well as 2x4gb = 8gb Corsair CMX4GX3M1A1333C9
Case: spacious old monster that I pulled out of a dumpster.
Display: ViewSonic VX2235wm in 1680x1050 resolution
OS: Windows 7 Professional x64

The Windows Experience Index has long pointed fingers at my graphics card as the weakest link. I want a card under $100 but can cheat up a little if there is compelling evidence to do so. Cheaper is always better because computer upgrades come out of my coffee budget.

Searching for cards on New Egg that fit my motherboard and can run Skyrim returns lots of results. How do I choose? Should I prioritize CUDA cores, shader/core clock, prettiness of circuit board? Which brands are good or bad - MSI, Zotac, Asus, EVGA, PNY, Galaxy, Sparkle, Gigabyte, XFX, Jaton, Elitegroup? I have checked the graphics card hierarchy chart on Tom's and it helps, but there are still so many options. Thanks for your help!

 

[smeezekitty]

Radeon 7750: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102969
Its PCI-E 3.0 but works in a 2.0 slot. Quite a bit faster then a 8400.

 

[ASHISH65]

see firstly pci 3.0 gpu will work with pci 2.0 without any issues and there will be no performance loss.

I suggest you hd 7770 @$114.this one is good for skyrim @1050p res

- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202011

if you cannot increase your budget at all then get hd 7750

- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102969

i strongly reccommend you to get hd 7770 as it is 20%faster than hd 7750 by just adding few dollars.

it is a big jump from gs 8400 to hd 7770

- http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

Your psu is sufficient for both gpus and will work with your setup.

Good luck!

 

[JJ1217]

see firstly pci 3.0 gpu will work with pci 2.0 without any issues and there will be no performance loss.

I suggest you hd 7770 @$114.this one is good for skyrim @1050p res

- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202011

if you cannot increase your budget at all then get hd 7750

- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102969

i strongly reccommend you to get hd 7770 as it is 20%faster than hd 7750 by just adding few dollars.

it is a big jump from gs 8400 to hd 7770

- http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

Your psu is sufficient for both gpus and will work with your setup.

Good luck!

I honestly don't think upgrading the GPU will give a huge gain, that CPU isn't good at all for a hugely CPU bound game (And horribly coded also). He would still have massive dipdowns to low FPS which isn't nice at all.

OP, tbh, your rig is up to the point in which its usefulness sorts to wear off.

Keep the RAM, Display, Case and PSU, and really just save a little to get yourself a nice mobo, CPU and GPU.

 

[smeezekitty]

Well considering he using a Geforce 8400, then almost anything would help.

 

[jenneratty]

Thanks, smeezekitty and ASHISH65, those are some good looking cards! I did not know that pci 3.0 cards would work in my 2.0 slot. But that's why I posted here - to LEARN. As for the game performance, I don't really care how the graphics look as long as it works AT ALL (which it currently doesn't). Yes, almost any upgrade would help.

JJ1217, I have considered going to Costco and grabbing a computer off the shelf. My friend's lower end stock Costco computer runs Skyrim great on low settings. But they all come with Windows 8 right now. I would rather hold on to my beloved 7 for as long as possible before "upgrading" my start menu to the messy Windows Phone layout of 8.

Thank you for your help, gentlemen! I will have to wait to pick one out until after work tonight. Thanks!

 

[jenneratty]

Followup: I sprung for the HD7770. Newegg's $15 rebate stuck it right into my price range, and it's a fancy enough card to keep if I ever upgrade my PC. I popped it into my compy this morning and it raised my Windows Experience Index for graphics from 4.2 up to 7.5. Skyrim automatically set itself at HIGH settings, too! Wow! 😀 Thank you for your help!