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Unsure which mid-tier graphics card to go for with these specs...

Xion

Xion

Xion

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Joined
4 Dec 2007
Posts
322
Hi all, I'm trying to pick a graphics card for a PC I got for my dad from here back in 09/2015. Uses it for mainly office work but when he is free he will play some fairly lightweight RPG titles (no AAA games).

The games he plays on it are mainly top down MMORPG titles, for example his current game is Drakensang Online which he is enjoying quite a bit (although settings not at their max).

I'm not too sure which to go for, been browsing for a while...nothing too overkill due to the games he is playing and nothing overly loud. Some mid tier card seems like it will be fine. Just want it to be okay with Motherboard/case below too.

Here are some of the specs:
Case: Raijintek Agos Midi Tower
Motherboard: Asus H81M-K Intel H81 (Socket 1150) DDR3 Micro ATX
Processor: Intel Pentium G3460 3.50GHz (Haswell) Socket LGA1150
Memory: TeamGroup Elite Black 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C11 1600Mhz
Power Supply: SuperFlower Golden Green HX 350W "80 Plus Gold"
Storage: Samsung 120GB SSD 850 EVO / Seagate 1TB 7200RPM HDD
Windows 10 64-bit

Thanks for the help!
 
That's a dual core CPU, right? Can you give us a budget of some sort?

I'll be honest, I'm not totally sure what to suggest, but I'll get the ball rolling and perhaps someone else can provide a more accurate answer. It's my understanding that there will be less of a CPU overhead if you get an Nvidia card? If that's the case, then perhaps something like a GTX1050, though even that may be overkill?

Second hand is another option and is quite possibly the way to go: GTX750/Ti/950.
 
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Yup it's dual core. I didn't really know of a budget as I was trying to decide what are my options, but I guess keeping it around the £200 or below mark should be fine as it's not for any huge titles.

I see the 1050 are not bad with their prices, so preferably one of the lower models should be fine. So many options! Haha. Something low power consumption would be nice too.

Hmm...
 
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I would imagine something around a £100 or less would be a reasonable match for that CPU. :)

What resolution is your father using?
 
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Yeah I wanted something which matched the CPU and rest of the hardware, not feeling out of place and a bit overkill. The 1050 may be too much then.

£100 or les would be just right, even if it's just slightly higher.

I'll have to check the resolution tomorrow as it's not at home.

The current game has the following recommended graphics specs anyway haha:

"GPU: 512 MB VRAM, DirectX 10 and Shader Model 3 (Radeon HD 2000 series, GeForce 8000 series or Intel HD Graphics)"
 
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Yeah, if the games he plays have those kinds of requirements, he may as well buy something very cheap and cheerful like a GT730 GDDR5/740 which should be quite adequate.

In the link below, you can see what the 8000 series roughly equate to; a GT730+/R7 250 with GDDR5 memory might be enough for what he needs. Once you start going above that the price begins to jump up a bit, so second hand might be your best bet (a very well-priced GT740 or if you're lucky, a GTX750 would be great/plenty).

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gpu-hierarchy,review-33383.html
 
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Thanks for the reply all, just looking around now. I notice there are a few 730's without fans, would that be sufficient over the fan ones? Was looking at something quieter anyway, as the PC is always on at his office desk. The advice above has helped narrow down the search though, so appreciated!
 
GTX1050 would be perfect it can also handle new games up to 1920x1080. Its only around £110 if you look around pointless buying any 2nd hand GPU's when this is so cheap & if you go Zotac has a 5 year warranty.

I bought a GTX1050 for a relatives new build I was doing for them could not believe how easily it can handle any recent PC game up to 1920x1080 for the money its a great GPU so ideal for causal gamers as well.
 
Bit worried the 1050 will be overkill :) and also he has a 350W PSU so that must come into consideration right? He's pretty much playing lower spec MMO titles, like the one mentioned above. Actually I'm wondering if the 350W PSU is too low for the 730 i memtioned above? One person in a comment mentioned he needed 550W hmm..:/
 
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OP could overclock the cpu and get very close to a decent i5 quad core performance. It is a Haswell core so still very good for most new games.


I'd recommend a fairly decent card such as a used 970/390 or the RX 470 if going new.
 
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I think you won't have to worry about the power supply, you'll barely go above 200W with the kind of graphics cards being discussed here (i.e. mid/low end Nvidia cards). If you don't mind spending around £100 the 1050 is a good choice and will probably be silent when not gaming. As others have suggested a 2nd hand 750Ti / 750 / 740 would be good choices if you want to spend less.

I wouldn't worry about a 1050 being overkill because you can always upgrade other parts like the CPU in the future if needed.
 
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Your best option for that system be a gtx 750ti or the older 7770(or is it 7750).


My sig system came with a gtx 750 and was very good for more demanding games that what you'd dad plays, we talking 2015 when I got the system which also originally came with a 350w power supply.
 
Thanks for all the replies! This forum continues to impress its its contributions as always.

Well, I've not tried an overclock before and don't want to have a first try on my fathers PC used mostly for work purposes / PAYE for his employees and few other bits :). Would rather give that a go with my PC at home. It's a second PC which is on 24/7 in his office which when he has some spare time can load up a game for a couple of hours or so, usually in a windowed mode. No speakers or anything either.

Once again no new or AAA titles are usually played on it, just lighter weight RPG/MMO games which are easy to pick up and play and get into.

I'm now going from the 730 to the 750ti instead of a 1050. Having a look around. All your suggestions are interesting though :). So many choices it's quite frustrating to pick haha! Just want to make sure it works well with the rest of the system specs that's all.
 
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Screw it, may just go with that 1050 above as the price is great too :p. Just hope it's fine with the mobo and case.

Order placed! Thanks all :).
 
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tbh second hand would be the best some sort of 970 and clock that cpu to hell might give some results

edit: if psu can handle it
 
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