Recommend me a cheap video card for Socket 775 system

[sandy777]

So my teenager is using my old socket 775 system:

E7300 Core2Duo CPU
MSI G31 Motherboard (I forgot the model)
4GB DDR2 RAM
128GB SSD
Antec 380W power supply
Windows 7 Pro Installed

She uses it for mostly schoolwork and web-surfing which is adequate for her needs.

But she also wants to play Sims 3 (with all expansions) occasionally, and the GMA3100 integrated graphics unit on the motherboard is slow and causes artifacts.

Looking for a low cost (and preferably low powered -- she leaves it on all the time) video card that will work on this motherboard and give descent performance playing Sims 3.

I was looking at the R7 240 (can be had for around $50) -- but I wasn't sure if it would work on this motherboard (which is PCIE 2.0). Any recommendations?

 

[96Firebird]

The 240 should be fine, I can't imagine Sims 3 requires much as far as video performance goes.

 

[NTMBK]

PCIe is backwards and forwards compatible- I currently run a PCIe 3.0 HD 7770 on a PCIe 1.1 motherboard, and I've not had any compatibility problems

The 240 should work, and should certainly be faster than the integrated graphics, but it's still pretty slow- I'd personally go for an R7 250, but it's up to you how much you want to spend. Whichever you decide, be careful you get a version with GDDR5 and not DDR3- the faster memory helps performance a lot.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Looking for a low cost (and preferably low powered -- she leaves it on all the time) video card that will work on this motherboard and give descent performance playing Sims 3.

I was looking at the R7 240 (can be had for around $50) -- but I wasn't sure if it would work on this motherboard (which is PCIE 2.0). Any recommendations?

If we're not talking an outrageous resolution, a 240 would be a good fit. Perhaps a 250 depending on how much you want to spend on it. The Nvidia alternative is the 730 (GDDR5 preferably) or 740 (again GDDR5). Or you could try and find a used 7750/7770, they're still pretty powerful and generally quite cheap.

As for power, these cards are all powered from the PCIe slot (sub 75W, with the exception of the 7770), and have pretty good idle power management (sub 5W). If possible try and get a low-profile version, those consume a bit less power compared to their regular size siblings.

 

[sandy777]

Thanks for the great info guys.

I did consider the R7 250, but those go for $80-$90+; I'm not that crazy about sinking a lot of money in for an old socket 755 system.

The $50 G7 240's I've been looking at have DDR3 memory. Does the DDR3 memory really cripple the card as opposed to one having DDR5? Again, Sims 3 is the most demanding game that she will play.

I also saw on ebay someone selling refurbished 5670's for $33 shipped. How would that compare to a G7 240?

 

[Jimzz]

Look for a used 7750 (with DRR5) or 7770
Should be some out there and faster than the R7 240 card as well.

 

[Leyawiin]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-gefo...0650&cp=1&lp=1

Is this cheap enough? Same as a GT 740. Its new, more than enough for your rig (between an HD 7750 and HD 7770 in performance) and comes from a regular retailer with a warranty.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

MSI GT 640 1gb for $50.- AR

DDR5 not DDR3

 

[monkeydelmagico]

Look for a used 7750 (with DRR5) or 7770
Should be some out there and faster than the R7 240 card as well.

The 7770 are selling for around $50.- on ebay. Good pick as well

 

[SPBHM]

GMA 3100 (G31) is the worst thing I can imagine to play games, any VGA, even a 7300GT is a big upgrade,

 

[cbn]

The $50 G7 240's I've been looking at have DDR3 memory. Does the DDR3 memory really cripple the card as opposed to one having DDR5? Again, Sims 3 is the most demanding game that she will play.

Actually the R7 240 (assuming it has DDR3 1800) is a very nicely balanced card with about 40% of the compute and 40% of the bandwidth of a R7 250X/HD7770.

Thanks for the great info guys.

I did consider the R7 250, but those go for $80-$90+; I'm not that crazy about sinking a lot of money in for an old socket 755 system.

Take a look at some of the video cards being listed in this thread ---> http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2403091

Hopefully some good bargains show up. (I think the two GT 640s with 64 bit GDDR5 listed at the end of the thread for $49.99 AR free shipping are good choices though. With the VISA checkout discount the MSI card at newegg drops to $42 AR free shipping)

 

[Denithor]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-gefo...&skuId=6820308

GTX 650 with GDDR5 for $64 and free shipping. Original credit goes to VirtualLarry in the cheap video cards post above. This is the best deal you're going to find on this level of NEW card with full warranty and everything. Plenty of GPU horsepower for Sims 3 and likely anything else your daughter wants to play.

 

[PliotronX]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-gefo...&skuId=6820308

GTX 650 with GDDR5 for $64 and free shipping. Original credit goes to VirtualLarry in the cheap video cards post above. This is the best deal you're going to find on this level of NEW card with full warranty and everything. Plenty of GPU horsepower for Sims 3 and likely anything else your daughter wants to play.

Holy Crisco! For the longest time my 650 at 75 bucks was the absolute best I could find and that was an open box eVGA. It is in my HTPC/NAS serving wonderfully with various games at 1080p (not the highest detail in latest games but Xbone-esque level graphics). This is tempting enough to buy another for one of those got-a-case-but-no-parts-nor-immediate-need-but-want-to-geek-out systems.

 

[Seba]

Get a GTX 750. It is newer (this means you will have longer driver support), it is better than all the above suggested cards and consumes little power.

Also, it is capable enough to be transferred in a new entry-level gaming PC should the 775 motherboard will die and a replacement 775 motherboard would not make sense.

It is not the cheapest graphics card, but I do not see the point in buying anything bellow this level of performance.

 

[sandy777]

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-gefo...&skuId=6820308

GTX 650 with GDDR5 for $64 and free shipping. Original credit goes to VirtualLarry in the cheap video cards post above. This is the best deal you're going to find on this level of NEW card with full warranty and everything. Plenty of GPU horsepower for Sims 3 and likely anything else your daughter wants to play.

I was going to pull the trigger on this, but I noticed it requires the 6pin PCIE connector connected. Will this work on a system with a 380W PS?

 

[PliotronX]

Get a GTX 750. It is newer (this means you will have longer driver support), it is better than all the above suggested cards and consumes little power.

Also, it is capable enough to be transferred in a new entry-level gaming PC should the 775 motherboard will die and a replacement 775 motherboard would not make sense.

It is not the cheapest graphics card, but I do not see the point in buying anything bellow this level of performance.

The 750 is going for double the price of the PNY 650, not even close to double the performance.

 

[Leyawiin]

Original credit goes to VirtualLarry in the cheap video cards post above

I've been recommending this in other forums for months - they've had this price since at least August. At that time it was in stock at my local store. I wasn't even aware of that thread (wasn't trying to steal anyone's "credit").
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/i...ard-low-budget-peculiar-dillema.html#14127497

 

[skipsneeky2]

The gtx650 is a good starting off card, i got one as a in between upgrades card and spare and it does the job for 720p/768p. Games like BF3 and BF4 can even be played on low at 768p with a solid framerate assuming you got a quad core going with it.

 

[Jimzz]

I was going to pull the trigger on this, but I noticed it requires the 6pin PCIE connector connected. Will this work on a system with a 380W PS?

Yea it is rated less than 90watts and that's at max usage. There is a adapter to use a regular 4 pin plug if your PS does not have a 6pin.

This is a good card at a good price.

 

[Seba]

The 750 is going for double the price of the PNY 650, not even close to double the performance.

"Double the price" sounds impressive. Until you realise we are talking about $50 more (from $64 to $112).

It is also better suited for his anaemic power supply. Less power and (for almost all GTX 750 models) no 6 pin PCI-E power connector required.

 

[Denithor]

Anemic power supply? LOL. The whole system with the GTX 650 will likely not even pull over 150W at full gaming load. Let alone the light load that Sims 3 will demand. Use the included adapter to convert two molex 4-pin power plugs into a single 6-pin PCIe power plug to feed your card. Assuming you have extra molex plugs on the PSU (make sure).

 

[mistersprinkles]

Get a GTX 750. It is newer (this means you will have longer driver support), it is better than all the above suggested cards and consumes little power.

Also, it is capable enough to be transferred in a new entry-level gaming PC should the 775 motherboard will die and a replacement 775 motherboard would not make sense.

It is not the cheapest graphics card, but I do not see the point in buying anything bellow this level of performance.

:thumbsup:
The first officer concurs.

Sims 3 is not very demanding on graphics. It FLEW on my 8800GTS (a mid-high range 2007 card).

 

[cbn]

What resolution does your daughter plan on playing Sims 2 at?

Does she like PC gaming in general, or is the pretty much the only game she anticipates playing?