Low power graphics card for gaming

[matt1]

Out in Australia until the end the year and have inherited my wife's grandparents computer so thought I'd do it up and play some Eve-Online!

Just opened it up, spec:

• Intel E5400
• 2x2gb ddr3
• seagate 500gb hdd
• 350w psu
• samsung p2050 monitor - 1600 x 900

I've put the above with a few fans into http://powersupplycalculator.net and get idle 56w, load 123w, recommended psu 164w. Using this to gauge what graphics card this psu could take.

Wanting as cheap as possible second hand card in Australia. Curious what people's views may be on this.

 

[Diddums x]

750 ti. I have a couple of them and for the money / power consumption they can't be beaten. No idea what they'd cost in Oz though, isn't hardware ridiculously overpriced there?

 

[matt1]

Cheapest gigabyte one is £87 new when you convert it.

 

[matt1]

Put that into the calculator I linked and get 352w under load and recommended psu 443w.

Edit: accidentally put in the 780 Ti, oops.

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

What is the make of the PSU?

My GTX660 and Xeon E3 1230 V2 system is lucky to see 200w at the wall when running games.

 

[matt1]

I didn't recognise the name when I looked inside, probably a cheap brand. I used to have a 7850 in my previous build which from some reading is still pretty decent, might be a reasonable choice at second hand prices.

 

[Diddums x]

7850 is pretty much on par with a 750 ti, but the 750 has more ram unless you get a 2gb 7850. The difference however is the power consumption. Your PSU will easily handle a 750 ti, but it's performance with a 7850 will be questionable.

I'd say it's a case of 7850+psu or 750ti.

I wouldn't risk running a 7850 on a 350w psu, especially an unbranded jobbie.

 

[LadFromWales]

Got a [email protected], H81I-Plus, 2x4GB 1333, 256GB SSD, R9 270, Corsair CX430.
Most I've seen it draw from the wall is 180 watts!
Running Heaven and Prime95 at the same time.

Around 40 watts idling too