Low profile gpu on tight budget?

[Soggydiverdan]

Hiya
I've got a low profile dell desktop pc, and I want to start upgrading it, starting with the gpu...
I'm going to need it for games like medieval 2 total war (so not a new new game...) which runs on the computer in lowest graphics settings, and doesn't run the (much more intensive) 'battle' scenes (or at least it is really stupidly jerky, I.e. 1fps)

and am on a really tight budget (or else I'd probably just buy meself a new computer from here!)

I'm torn between these...
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-155-OK

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-259-AS

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-121-MS

I do like the look of the ati one, but for what I need, would the other ones suffice?

Oh, thought I should mention I am running one 22" monitor with hdmi, dva and VGA in.

I do hope it is a gpu issue... As I have plenty of memory, and I the processor is also plenty fast enough!

Thanks for the help in advance
Dan
What do you all think? And do you have any better suggestions? As believe me... I am all ears and very willing to bow to your superior knowledge!

 

[oweneades]

None of those, get this one instead:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-123-HT&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1699

The card itself is a low profile model so should come with both styles of back plate in the box.

It is also at least twice as fast (in pure gaming terms) as anything else you have listed and is totally silent. It isn't an amazing card but should handle entry level gaming just fine.

 

[harmony]

Medieval 2 may not be that easily tamed imo, since the Total War series have always been hardware-killers.

I have a Geforce 210 (as a backup in case my main GPUs are faulty and on the way of RMA), and I have no idea if some circuit was castrated, as I ran WOW on it and if my Paladin casts a spell the game crashes.

I'd probably go for a 2nd-hand 5770 1GB for a good price.

 

[RiseAgainst]

i had the 5570, just upgraded to a 6850. The 5570 is great i had the sapphire model with the fan.
Great wee card i OC'd it and it ran all but the biggest battles on medieval total war 2 , even ran shogun demo on medium settings , ran crysis on medium settings.

When i say ran i mean like 25-30 fps but for the price that is excellent I think

so for your budget and specs i would agree with oweneades and say the 5570

Andrew

 

[Soggydiverdan]

Well, that seems pretty unanimous!
Thanks