Graphics Card Advice?

BulletExodus · 2012-06-22, 07:25 PM

Basically, I would like advice from you nice people on a graphics card with these conditions:

Must be within a price range of $150
Must be able to run under 550W power supply

Here are the complete specs for my computer:

http://support.gateway.com/s/desktop...X2800sp2.shtml

The objective? Run Planetside 2 smoothly. I'd appreciate the help, thanks.

Rbstr · 2012-06-22, 07:42 PM

Your specs are:

Intel® Core™2 Quad processor (up to 1333 MHz FSB)
Intel Core 2 Duo processor (up to 1333 MHz FSB)
Intel Pentium® processor
Intel Celeron® processor

You're going to have to be more specific to get an idea.

but

PCI Express® 2.0 ×16 low-profile graphics card support

Low-profile really limits your options.

You're looking at low settings and/or low screen resolution in the best case.

Oh and you've got a 220w power supply according to that.

Goku · 2012-06-22, 07:42 PM

Ok well there is a major issue already. You have a case that only takes low profile video cards and there really isn't a graphics card out there that I can recommend to run PS2 smoothly due to that.

Another member had a problem exactly like this. What he ended up doing was just getting a new case and swapping all his parts from the original case into the new one. That allowed him to get a stronger GPU as a result.

Are you willing to do this?

What 550W PSU do you have? What resolution are you playing? What specific CPU do you have (your link doesn't specify)?

Rbstr · 2012-06-22, 07:49 PM

This is the best low-profile card on newegg....seems to be the best anywhere unless you can find the "Palit GTS 450 low profile"

It's not very good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161397

BulletExodus · 2012-06-22, 08:02 PM

I have a Quad core 2.3 GHz, resolution is 1920 × 1080, and the PSU I'm buying is this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371016

If the case is as small as you say, will this PSU even fit?

Goku · 2012-06-22, 08:07 PM

No not by the looks of it to me anyway. Seems like there is a SFF PSU in the case you have currently.

Are you willing to do the case swap? Otherwise you will need a new desktop/laptop to run the game.

BulletExodus · 2012-06-22, 08:09 PM

I'm willing to get a new case if need be, but my limit is around 200 bucks, maybe a little more if I can shake people down.

Goku · 2012-06-22, 08:26 PM

EVGA GTX 460 - $140 ($25 MIR)
Antec 550W PSU - $50
Rosewill R218-P-BK Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $30

Total = $219.97 - $25 MIR = $194.97

Bare minimum I would go for this. Should run PS2 smoothly even with your current CPU.

If you can't do this for whatever reason we can swap out the video card to a 7750 and a cheaper PSU that would drop the price to around $180ish.

BulletExodus · 2012-06-22, 08:29 PM

Sweeeet. Thanks, my friend.

Goku · 2012-06-22, 08:36 PM

Before you order anything let me check a few more things.

Yup wait on it please.

Along the right side of this picture there is a bunch of wire inputs along the area of the PCI-e connector. How many wires are actually plugged along in there? I'm a bit concerned that since you are getting a two slot GPU there maybe some interference issues is all.

BulletExodus · 2012-06-22, 10:05 PM

I can't tell specifically from the picture. Does it have to do with the PCI x16 slot?

Bags · 2012-06-22, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by BulletExodus

I can't tell specifically from the picture. Does it have to do with the PCI x16 slot?

He means this area, I think. And the area to the south of it with identical pins.

Vancha · 2012-06-23, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by Goku

Before you order anything let me check a few more things.

Yup wait on it please.

Along the right side of this picture there is a bunch of wire inputs along the area of the PCI-e connector. How many wires are actually plugged along in there? I'm a bit concerned that since you are getting a two slot GPU there maybe some interference issues is all.

Considering the amount of mATX boards that use the bottom slot for the crossfire/SLI card, I'd have thought he'd be fine?

inspades · 2012-06-23, 11:54 AM

There may be additional issues here, as it looks very proprietary. Will the screw holes on this board match up to a standard case? Also, if the PSU is proprietary, you will likely fry the thing by using a standard PSU, which will be a must for a modern GPU.

Goku · 2012-06-23, 12:42 PM

I researched the mobo looks like a DTX form factor from what I found. That will fit a ATX mobo.

You really think a standard PSU will fry that mobo? Can you give more reasoning for that?

I looked around at people who did upgrade the PSU and there wasn't any issues. I'm 99% sure this won't happen if he upgrades the PSU.

About the connectors. I was only concerned there maybe clearance issues with the wires being right under the card and it not going fully in.