Budget video card for minecraft/LEGO games?

[Dribble]

Really if $50 is your limit a 740 is the best bet. Contrary to what people on the forum here say it will run modern games ok including the lego ones - people on this forum are obsessed with super high res and ultra settings. I know someone who has one and he doesn't seem to have any problem playing games on it.

As a step up from that a 750Ti is also a good card - plenty performance and ticks all the other boxes (small, low power, modern architecture, good drivers).

The radeons are much bigger, hotter, much higher power and will need more maintenance. Second hand is asking for trouble.

If I were buying something like that for my son's pc I'd just get the nvidia card, turn on geforce experience so it sets all the game settings up appropriately and know it will just work without me having to fiddle with it every other week.

 

[Zodiark1593]

API support =/= architecture...

You're saying terascale is almost as good as maxwell?

Performance wise, Big Terascale > Smallest Maxwell.

 

[MrTeal]

what about low settings?
http://pclab.pl/art67250-4.html
maybe it will be playable at 720p?

same result, a 7770 is destroying it.



god rays are glitched with the old Radeons, it's not just about performance, also, good luck with 1GB and Fallout 4, some parts of the map will be basically unplayable and the game will be unable to properly load the textures most of the time, also I don't think you can blame the horrible performance on tessellation, so it doesn't help much.

a lot of the newer games perform horribly with pre-GCN Radeons, and it's only getting worse with no driver updates.

it's much safer to try and get at least a 750/260, but between a 730 and a 6950, sure the 6950 should be less horrible, but if you are not playing more than lego at low settings perhaps the 730 could make more sense due to lower power draw.

if you are playing newer, more demanding games, I don't see the 6950 1GB as a good choice, you need to get something a little more expensive.

I played through about four hours of FO4 last night, up to Corvega Factory. Only meant to do a little outside, but got a bit into it. On my 1GB shader unlocked 6950 (at default 830MHz), 1080p with high presets but shadow distance set to 3000 and resolution set to 1024, the game was more than playable with min logged by FRAPs in the mid 20s and low 30s averages. There was some stuttering at times primarily when changing areas, but not terrible. I didn't try lowering textures the medium, but I imagine that would have relieved some of the vram pressure.

I don't have a 730 to compare with, but I'm not sure it would have done quite as well.

 

[tweakboy]

Grab the 760 GTX

 

[ArchAngel777]

FWIW, I picked up a 750ti for my son's computer that runs a 2500K. It plays everything smooth as butter. The best part is, it only takes like 60wattts. No external power source. It basically replaced the 480 Thermi he had. Same performance 300 watts less power! Very impressed with that card... Very.

 

[Headfoot]

all this "smooth as butter" and all that subjectivity just derails discussion. Video card performance is quantifiable. Let's talk about actual frame rates, frame times and settings used so the discussion is objective, not subjective.

If you're spending $125 new, the 750 ti is slower than other cards at that same price point, namely R9 270 as long as you can still find them. http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Gigabyte/GTX_950_OC/7.html. I know its a GTX 950 review, but it includes the 750 Ti as well as 370 as well as 270x. 270x is basically an upclocked 270, same number of shaders (1280 vs 1024 in the 370), so subtract 5-7% off of the 270x score to reach the 270 score. Bottom line, something like this $125 AR (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131545&cm_re=r9_270-_-14-131-545-_-Product) crushes the $100 AR 750 Ti, and the $110 AR R7 370 is still substantially faster. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150735&cm_re=r7_370-_-14-150-735-_-Product)

If you're buying used, realize you can get a R9 280 / 7950B for $100 used and that will end up being about 10-12% slower than the 280x in that graph (coming in around the 960's level in that stack).

Thus, I would buy a used 7870, used 7850, used 270, used 270x, used GTX 760, used GTX 660 Ti, used GTX 670, whichever you can find for ~$70, before I'd consider going new.

 

[Seba]

Those "relative performance" charts are only good for a basic idea about relative card performance.

You have to look at game benchmarks and see the results in games that you intend to play (or based on engines that the games you intend to play are also based), at resolutions you intend to use.

Look at minimum frame-rates and at frame-times.

Check what drivers they used and what were the system specifications.

Also you have to look at settings they used and if they got playable frame-rates (for instance a card which gets 15fps is 50% better than other card that gets 10fps, but both are useless at least at those settings). The performance difference may not vary linearly with different settings.

The "relative performance" charts will hide these things.

 

[MiddleOfTheRoad]

At about $100 (no rebates) you can buy a new GTX 750 Ti 2GB, like this Zotac card for $105 (or for $125/$110 after rebate that R7 370), so $100 for a used GTX 750 Ti 2GB is obviously an aberrant price.

Cool, now back it up. Because Nvidia cards don't sell cheap, even used.

Give us the link to the $50 GTX 750 Ti 2GB you keep talking about -- because I'll buy 5 of them.

 

[MiddleOfTheRoad]

Really if $50 is your limit a 740 is the best bet. Contrary to what people on the forum here say it will run modern games ok including the lego ones - people on this forum are obsessed with super high res and ultra settings. I know someone who has one and he doesn't seem to have any problem playing games on it.

That is pretty ridiculous. You'd probably be sued for fraud if you were in sales. The GT 740 is positioned for the HTPC market for a reason.

The GT 740 is a downclocked GTX 650.... It is a painfully slow card.... Why buy a dedicated card to run games in low settings @ 720p...... I can't believe some people on this forum.

 

[MiddleOfTheRoad]

Performance wise, Big Terascale > Smallest Maxwell.

I know. I think a lot of people underestimate the brute force of 1400 - 2000 pixel shader cards -- even if they are older. Even though I prefer Nvidia cards (I use Linux a lot) -- it's mind numbing how much bad advice is given here based on bias towards GeForce cards. If you've got enough power supply, it's the cheapest way to get smooth gameplay.

 

[MrTeal]

That is pretty ridiculous. You'd probably be sued for fraud if you were in sales. The GT 740 is positioned for the HTPC market for a reason.

The GT 740 is a downclocked GTX 650.... It is a painfully slow card.... Why buy a dedicated card to run games in low settings @ 720p...... I can't believe some people on this forum.

You'd still need to go used to find one anyway. Unless there's a great deal out there that pcpartpicker can't see, the cheapest 2GB 740 is $75 shipped. The cheapest 1GB is $70.

 

[Headfoot]

Those "relative performance" charts are only good for a basic idea about relative card performance.

You have to look at game benchmarks and see the results in games that you intend to play (or based on engines that the games you intend to play are also based), at resolutions you intend to use.

Look at minimum frame-rates and at frame-times.

Check what drivers they used and what were the system specifications.

Also you have to look at settings they used and if they got playable frame-rates (for instance a card which gets 15fps is 50% better than other card that gets 10fps, but both are useless at least at those settings). The performance difference may not vary linearly with different settings.

The "relative performance" charts will hide these things.

Heck of a lot better than "butter smooth".... And the review is clearly linked there. I'm not going to do anyone's thinking for them. RTFA applies, as always

 

[MrTeal]

Heck of a lot better than "butter smooth".... And the review is clearly linked there. I'm not going to do anything thinking for them. RTFA applies, as always

Besides, as anyone who's tried to butter a roll with fresh out of the fridge butter can attest, even butter smooth can be an incredibly frustrating and destructive experience.

 

[dogen1]

Performance wise, Big Terascale > Smallest Maxwell.

Not always apparently.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1061?vs=1130

 

[iiiankiii]

At about $100 (no rebates) you can buy a new GTX 750 Ti 2GB, like this Zotac card for $105 (or for $125/$110 after rebate that R7 370), so $100 for a used GTX 750 Ti 2GB is obviously an aberrant price.

Yo, I can't seem to find any $50 750ti. Please provide some links. Heck, find one that is $75. I can't seem to find that one, either. You recommend a 750TI because you're under the illusion that it can be had for around $50 used. Yet, you have yet to provide any evidence of said magical $50 750TI.

 

[IllogicalGlory]

I'd recommend one of the following:

The best choice IMO: (EVGA) B-stock 650 Ti Boost $60 + shipping

(EVGA) B-stock 650 Ti Boost $70 + shipping
(Ebay) New 650 Ti $61 shipped
(EVGA) B-stock 670 $100 + shippin

 

[Blue_Max]

As I suggested, scrape by on the barely-adequate IGP until you can recycle enough bottles and scrape up loose change to get a GTX 750 deal. I've bought too many dead used cards.

If eVGA's b-stock comes with a good return policy for defects, those 650TIboost cards are tasty!

 

[IllogicalGlory]

B-stock comes with a 1-year warranty, which is the really nice thing about it. Great prices even for secondhand, and backed up with a warranty.

 

[SPBHM]

I played through about four hours of FO4 last night, up to Corvega Factory. Only meant to do a little outside, but got a bit into it. On my 1GB shader unlocked 6950 (at default 830MHz), 1080p with high presets but shadow distance set to 3000 and resolution set to 1024, the game was more than playable with min logged by FRAPs in the mid 20s and low 30s averages. There was some stuttering at times primarily when changing areas, but not terrible. I didn't try lowering textures the medium, but I imagine that would have relieved some of the vram pressure.

I don't have a 730 to compare with, but I'm not sure it would have done quite as well.

if you only played the starting area until the Corvega factory you are not near the worst areas for the vram limitation,

try the area near Boston common, goodneighbor and so on, with my 5850 the framerate normally was good but it kept freezing way to much to be playable when loading stuff, also, keep an eye on the textures quality, it basically never streams the proper quality textures (once you are playing for a while, not staying on the same area), and medium textures don't do anything basically.

also did you notice the godays glitch?

but maybe they improved things massively with some patch, I only tested it a month ago, it was terrible.

 

[Dribble]

That is pretty ridiculous. You'd probably be sued for fraud if you were in sales. The GT 740 is positioned for the HTPC market for a reason.

The GT 740 is a downclocked GTX 650.... It is a painfully slow card.... Why buy a dedicated card to run games in low settings @ 720p...... I can't believe some people on this forum.

lol at the indignation at actually suggesting a lower end card.

It's positioned as an upgrade for people with integrated graphics just like the op. HTPC's don't even need a discrete graphics card. It'll give him what he needs - an easy to install, small, low power card that will fit in any old pc even if they have limited cooling and low end psu's. It will play the games he wants to play (lego games, minecraft, etc) just fine. It will be supported for many years to come and because it's new it will come with a decent warranty. No it's not quite $50 but it's close enough the op can stretch to get it.

 

[Seba]

Yo, I can't seem to find any $50 750ti. Please provide some links. Heck, find one that is $75. I can't seem to find that one, either. You recommend a 750TI because you're under the illusion that it can be had for around $50 used. Yet, you have yet to provide any evidence of said magical $50 750TI.

What are you trying to say? That a used GTX 750 Ti 2GB should be more expensive than a new one?

Used cards are best bought locally. I did not said that he could get a used GTX 750 Ti 2GB right at $50. I said closer to $50 than a new GTX 750 2GB card or a better (better than GTX 750 Ti 2GB) used card.

If HD 7850 2GB (which is better than GTX 750 Ti 2GB) can be found used for $70-$80, then a used GTX 750 2GB should not cost more. Or he could buy one of those used HD 7850 2GB instead if he can't find cheaper GTX 750 Ti 2GB cards.

Used cards are bought from other people, not from shops (usually). There are no huge inventories at one (private) seller. Once a person sells his old card, he usually does not have another one to sell. That deal is gone. You have to look elsewhere. On used market you buy what you find. If you are not prepared for a little "scavenging" and bargaining and for the risk of getting a defective product, then stick with new cards.

 

[iiiankiii]

What are you trying to say? That a used GTX 750 Ti 2GB should be more expensive than a new one?

Used cards are best bought locally. I did not said that he could get a used GTX 750 Ti 2GB right at $50. I said closer to $50 than a new GTX 750 2GB card or a better (better than GTX 750 Ti 2GB) used card.

If HD 7850 2GB (which is better than GTX 750 Ti 2GB) can be found used for $70-$80, then a used GTX 750 2GB should not cost more. Or he could buy one of those used HD 7850 2GB instead if he can't find cheaper GTX 750 Ti 2GB cards.

Used cards are bought from other people, not from shops (usually). There are no huge inventories at one (private) seller. Once a person sells his old card, he usually does not have another one to sell. That deal is gone. You have to look elsewhere. On used market you buy what you find. If you are not prepared for a little "scavenging" and bargaining and for the risk of getting a defective product, then stick with new cards.

I''m saying find me a $50 750ti. You're still missing the point. The point is, it would be hard press to find a used 750ti at that price. By your logic, there are $50 Titan X out there. You just have to "prepared for a little "scavenging" and bargaining."

For used prices, eBay is a pretty good indicator. You're just way off with your assumption on pricing. That's all. You keep on recommending a 750ti. Yet, the average price for a 750ti is closer to $100; not $50. That's my point.

As for the 7850 2GB, they're actually CHEAPER than the 750TI on eBay on average. That's right. A more powerful card is cheaper than the 750TI.

 

[MrTeal]

I'd recommend one of the following:

The best choice IMO: (EVGA) B-stock 650 Ti Boost $60 + shipping

(EVGA) B-stock 650 Ti Boost $70 + shipping
(Ebay) New 650 Ti $61 shipped
(EVGA) B-stock 670 $100 + shippin

Eesh, $13 shipping on those EVGA cards if really harsh. Still, $73 for that card is good, and is better than spending $70 on a used 7850 off eBay. At least you get a 1 year warranty with the 650Ti Boost, and you know it hasn't been mined with.

 

[Seba]

By your logic, there are $50 Titan X out there. You just have to "prepared for a little "scavenging" and bargaining."

Incorrect. My logic is that a second hand card should be cheaper than the same new card. Otherwise buy the new card. It's really simple.

 

[Seba]

Yet, the average price for a 750ti is closer to $100; not $50. That's my point.

Use "sort by price" on that list and you will have a surprise. You do not buy second hand cards at "average" price of all the listings from all the sellers (average of $100 calculated how b.t.w.?).