Which GPU for low resolution?

[Brumboy]

Hi,

I've currently got an old GeForce 8400GS which came with the computer about 3 years ago. I'm looking to upgrade my motherboard/CPU/memory to H67/i5 2500/DDR3.

So now I'm looking at buying a new graphics card. The monitor I have now is quite old and the resolution I use is 1280 x 1024.

Now I was wondering if the resolution would make a difference when looking at graphics?

All I want to do is to be able to play modern games (recent ones and future ones) at 1280 x 1024 resolution with almost maximum graphic settings.

Do I really need to spend over £100 on a graphics card to achieve this or is there a cheaper card I can get (I was originally looking at the GTX 460 768M for £116 but that's really expensive for me).

Thanks!

 

[Brumboy]

Anything cheaper than £90?

It looks like at that price range it's between 5770 & GTS 450, which one is better?

Also could I run modern games at almost max settings with a 5570 or GT 430?

 

[Brumboy]

From reading your other thread you mention you have a Q6600. Why would you want to upgrade to Sandy Bridge i5 2500/H67 and gpu whilst using such a low resolution monitor?! Decent monitor and graphics card would fit perfectly into your current system and perhaps sell the 3GB RAM you currently have for a matched 4GB. This would be the way to get the most from gaming!

The Q6600 system I have now is quite old now and I think it's time to get a new CPU. From looking at various topics/sites it looks like the new i5 2500 CPU will last me another 2/3 years just like this computer did.

Are these monitors any good? I have a 19 inch LCD TV monitor right now. Is it really worth buying a whole new one? not sure about that.

The monitor I have now can go up to 1440 x 900, I just use a lower one for some reason.

The 5770 seems to be the best card under £100 - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-149-XF&tool=3

Thanks for the help guys!

But one last thing, some people have mentioned you can buy 2nd hand GPU's, where can I buy them?

And where could I sell my Q6600/3GB DDR3 memory?

 

[Brumboy]

This forum has a very good members market but unfortunately you don't have access to it just yet, requires 3 months membership and 250 posts . Flea Bay is the other option and you'll probably get a bit more money from their but have to deal with deceiving morons and fees.

The Q6600 is still a very good cpu particularly when overclocked. I think it'd be worth posting in the general forum about getting ideas from other folks too. Using the monitor you have with an i5 2500/H67 is an utter waste of money in my opinion. Its not you cpu which is holding you back but the 8400GS.

Thischart shows the relative performance and the 8400GS is going to be somewhere below that of the 9400GT so you will see a huge performance boost.

If I was you...

22" inch monitor
5770
4GB match RAM

If your motherboard supports overclocking get a bit more performance from you Q6600.



If its games its struggling with the 8400GS is the route of the problem. Not your Q6600.

3 months membership? ah damn!

I don't think it's worth buying a new monitor unless I can find a HD one for a very low price, I don't play a lot of games but I do want a future proof system.

I was just enquiring about buying a decent graphics card incase I do want to play modern games at decent settings/FPS.

Why would the monitor I have now be a waste if I upgrade to i5 2500 & H67?

 

[Brumboy]

yeah the q6600 is still an excellent chip, sounds like you have a store bought system from your original post, which means you may need a new psu before you get a 5770, as store bought systems generally dont have psus with enough juice to handle better gfx cards. your mobo will probably be locked so you cant overclock so a new mobo might be useful as the q6600 does better at 3.0 + gigahertz.

Yeah it's a Packard Bell iextreme computer which I bought for £500 about 2.5 years ago. It's done well! But I want to upgrade now.

The PSU will have to be replaced since the H67 motherboards require a 24 pin PSU and I have a 20 pin PSU right now.

I think I'm going to buy the Radeon HD 5770 with i5 2500/H67/4GB DDR3 and a new PSU. Should cost around £412 which is good I guess.

Anyway thanks a lot for the help everyone.