Sim City Graphics

[shabumbleflop]

Hey guys,
I built my first pc about a year ago and held off on getting a graphics card, mainly because I didnt need one right away. That point has finally come. I recently bought the new SimCity, and I am wondering what I should go with, what is compatible with what I have, etc.

Intel Core i3-2100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115078

ASRock H61M-VS LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157241

8GB RAM

Rosewill Challenger
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811147153

Corsair CS430 430W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139026

My main thing is staying around $100. I don't neccisarily need to run all settings on ultra high. I priced online and realized that I was in way over my head as far as requirements for each. Essentially, looking for the highest quality GC, around $100, if possible.

Thanks guys!

 

[Onus]

For that price, look for a HD7750 with GDDR5. If you can forego a few Happy Meals, the HD7770 is around $115 and is significantly stronger.
Edit: Hmmm, found one for $110 shipped: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161402 which has a MIR bringing it down to $100 if you play that game (and win).

 

[shabumbleflop]

I can skip a few Big Macs here and there... I suppose. Especially if it is stronger...

*didnt realize my links were out of date...


i3-2100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

ASRock H61M-VS LGA 1155 Intel H61 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157241

Rosewill Challenger
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 430W ATX12V v2.3 80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026&Tpk=corsair%20builder%20series%20cx%20430

Correct me if I am wrong, and now that you know what type of motherboard I have, will the HD 7770 work with my motherboard? HD7770 has PCI Express 3.0 x16, where as my motherboard is PCI Express 2.0 x16...

 

[smeezekitty]

Yes. the PCI-E slots are backwards compatible although it could limit performance slightly.

 

[stickmansam]

The pcie 2.0 and 3.0 are compatible with each other (as they are also with 1.1) and the performance speed is negligible with a 7750/7770

These are the top end cards and they are barely effected going from 3.0 x16 to 2.0 x16

I tend to have good luck with MIR's, some people have mixed success and other horrid stories

If still want your burgers there is this $90 - $20MIR +$4 shipping 7750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131481&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[shabumbleflop]

I really like the HD 7770. I have 7 expansion slots in the back of my case, and this looks like it takes up two, which is not a big deal seeing as I am currently using 0. My motherboard is located near the top of the case and my worry is that the HD 7770 won't fit in the case. Is this something that is universal so i shouldnt worry about it/is there a way I can check/ I have to physically install and see if it does or not?

 

[soulprovider]

The i3-2100 is a Sandy Bridge CPU and limited to PCI-e 2.0 regardless.

From the recent Tom's 'best card for the money' the HD7770 is on par with the old HD6850 which is no longer in retail channels, but quite possible to pick up second hand on ebay for half the money.

I have one sat here in fact since I upgraded to a more capable card but alas I'm in the UK.

Personally, for the sort of money you want to spend on a video card then a second hand unit would merit a thought as you could get similar or better performance for less money - folks after all commonly upgrade to better cards.

 

[stickmansam]

Nope, the newer cases are all like that, no need to worry

 

[shabumbleflop]

Awesome! Thanks for your help guys. Just pulled the trigger on Newegg. I will let you know how it goes when I gets here!

 

[Onus]

...If still want your burgers there is this $90 - $20MIR +$4 shipping 7750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131481&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

That's one of the DDR3 abominations!
Fortunately, it looks like the OP has pulled the trigger; should be a fun build.

 

[stickmansam]

I need to look through my links more carefully

 

[ibjeepr]

Another option, although it looks like you made your purchase already, I got my HD 5870 used for $80 and it's rated 2 tiers higher than the HD 7770 so used is always an option. Also, I'm playing SimCity maxed on it.