Which single slot GPU to replace GT 545?

[lorgoyf]

PPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: in the next few months

BUDGET RANGE: $100-130

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming > Movies >>Office

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: GT 545 (OEM) and a really cheap power supply (not sure how many watts, assume the worst)

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: Mainboard MS-7728-2.0, 8gb 1333mhz ram, i7-2600

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: none

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

I want this GPU to mainly play Bf3 at low settings with really high FPS (60+). My current GT 545 manages 40ish FPS at 1080p resolution on low settings.

Also as you can probably guess from the components, my computer is a pre-built machine (from Medion) and therefore I don't want to mess around with getting a new mainboard, case or PSU. Please assume that any limitations for my current GPU (i.e. no extra power supply, watt requirement, size, pcie x16 slot, no extra 6 pin power) also apply to the new one.

I was thinking about something along the lines of a Radeon HD 6770. Would the increase in power be worth the upgrade?

Thanks for any help.

 

[DelroyMonjo]

This is the manufacturer's site. They recommend a 400W power supply for this card.
http://www.hisdigital.com/us/product2-682.shtml
Here is a BF3 review on that card. You aren't likely to see 60 FPS with this card. But you could try...http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7770-7750-benchmark,3135-6.html

 

[lorgoyf]

This is the manufacturer's site. They recommend a 400W power supply for this card.
http://www.hisdigital.com/us/product2-682.shtml
Here is a BF3 review on that card. You aren't likely to see 60 FPS with this card. But you could try...http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7770-7750-benchmark,3135-6.html

Thanks. If that is out of question, what alternative cards are there for 300w PSUs?

 

[DelroyMonjo]

Not many newer cards are going to fit your specifications. There are cards which use 2 slots worth of space but only plug into the PCIe 16 slot. They will cover the adjacent slot making it unusable. As for 300W power supply, you are really at the lower limit ov current video cards which could run BF3.
If you can afford a $300 CPU and $60 video games you should be able to buy a decent power supply and video card. Get back with us when you have more realistic expectations.

 

[lorgoyf]

Not many newer cards are going to fit your specifications. There are cards which use 2 slots worth of space but only plug into the PCIe 16 slot. They will cover the adjacent slot making it unusable. As for 300W power supply, you are really at the lower limit ov current video cards which could run BF3.
If you can afford a $300 CPU and $60 video games you should be able to buy a decent power supply and video card. Get back with us when you have more realistic expectations.

As I said it was a very unbalanced pre-built machine, but I didn't have the experience (or patience) back then to get something better. I am now trying to see how I can maybe improve my situation, so please don't be rude about it.

 

[DelroyMonjo]

I'm not trying to be rude, just realistic. You don't even know what power supply you have. Most pre-built computers, even from Cyberpower and places like that put in crappy power supplies which aren't even capable of running a high end machine that they built.

 

[Zero_]

I'd suggest a HD7750. Very close to the HD5770 in performance, and really low power consumption (~55W).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007827196/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=banforbucga08-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B007827196

Also, if you can spend a bit more, there soon will be single slot versions of the HD7770 which should be OK since the power consumption is only 10W more than the GT545. You'll have to use a 6pin adapter though. No clue how long the wait will be.

 

[refillable]

7750

 

[DelroyMonjo]

A 7750 is single slot and in price range but they still suggest a 450W PSU.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-radeon-hd-7750-and-7770-review/7

 

[maxinexus]

The most powerful single slot VGA without an external power requirement is 7750 but you have to be careful because some brands have larger cooling solutions than others

 

[maxinexus]

If you require more powerful card just get any dual slot VGA but you will need a full water block to make it a slim design

 

[Zero_]

A 7750 is single slot and in price range but they still suggest a 450W PSU.
http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-radeon-hd-7750-and-7770-review/7

Official power rating suggestions are for noobs, no offense. They just dont want people buying crappy "1200W" PSU's and blaming them for a busted card.

A fully blown overclocked i7 rig with a dozen fans and storage drives will hit a maximum of 200W without a GPU. Plus the 55W of the HD7750 will still be around 250W. Any 300W PSU should be enough.

 

[DelroyMonjo]

zero, I'm fully aware that 'suggested' system wattage on PSU's is overrated but it's the crappy 500W PSU's that are really only 250 or 300W with no PFC that will bite you in the ass!
BTW, a 7750 isn't gonna get 60FPS at any res. in BF3. : http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/battlefield-3-graphics-performance,3063.html

 

[lorgoyf]

Official power rating suggestions are for noobs, no offense. They just dont want people buying crappy "1200W" PSU's and blaming them for a busted card.

A fully blown overclocked i7 rig with a dozen fans and storage drives will hit a maximum of 200W without a GPU. Plus the 55W of the HD7750 will still be around 250W. Any 300W PSU should be enough.

This is good news. I will update my first post once I know more about my PSU. A Radeon 7750 seems nice, but would it be a noticeable improvement over my Gt 545?

zero, I'm fully aware that 'suggested' system wattage on PSU's is overrated but it's the crappy 500W PSU's that are really only 250 or 300W with no PFC that will bite you in the ass!
BTW, a 7750 isn't gonna get 60FPS at any res. in BF3. : http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/battlefield-3-graphics-performance,3063.html

Currently I'm hitting 40-50 FPS at low detail and 1080p resolution with my current GPU. If I get a better card, it should be able to reach at least 60. I am surprised at the bechnmark results from your link though, in multiplayer I get more FPS with a less powerful GPU than what they say I should be getting.

 

[killzone2367]

HD 7770 won't hit 60 FPS in BF3 at any settings..a 6850 would be better.

 

[Zero_]

zero, I'm fully aware that 'suggested' system wattage on PSU's is overrated but it's the crappy 500W PSU's that are really only 250 or 300W with no PFC that will bite you in the ass!

I know. Looking at his specs, even with a HD7750 the TDP totals add upto around 160W. Therefore, even if his 300W PSU were to give only half the specified output, he'd be OK.