Upgrade from HD 3300 IGP now or later?

[dndavis57]

My question isn't so much about cards themselves, but the timing of my upgrade. I'm presently running a cheap 19" LCD but hope to upgrade to a Dell U2410 in the next few months. I'm running onboard graphics now. I'm wondering how much, if any, improvement in overall system performance, video playback, Flash, etc., I might see by upgrading the card in advance of the monitor.

Purchase Details:

1.Budget(Be sure to include currency if not USD): < $100


2.Do you consider rebates? Yes.


3.Brand Preference: None.


4. Crossfire/SLI? No.


5.Have you previously looked at a product which you feel would fill your needs? Yes. HD 5670 or GT 240 DDR5 ($42 AMIR). Open to other suggestions.


6.Which games (If any)do you plan to play and @ which desired detail levels? Not a gamer. I like flight sims, but haven't had one on my latest system since I built it.


7. Are there any other uses(Folding, Photoshop, Video editing or watching Blu-Ray) or features (DX11, CUDA, OpenGL, 3D, Eyefinity) you are looking for besides gaming? BOINC, photo editing, light video editing, productivity apps, VirtualBox, watching DVDs. No Blu-Ray at this time, but possible.


8. Is the performance added by overclocking something you would take into consideration? Mild OC acceptable.

System Specs:

1. Pre-built(HP, Dell, etc)? Ordering(a new computer) or Upgrading? Upgrading. Presently running ASUS M4A78T-E motherboard with onboard Radeon HD 3300 (128MB Sideport Ram). 4GB system RAM, probably going to 8 MB soon. Windows 7 Professional 64-bit is my primary OS, with Ubuntu running in VirtualBox.


2.Monitor Resolution: Presently 1280x1024.


3.Processor: AMD Phenom II x3 720


4.Power Supply Unit: Corsair 650W


5.Case Dimensions(Length, Low Profile, Cooling): Antec P182 tower; air-cooled.

Thanks for your help.

 

[deimos3428]

I wouldn't bother upgrading until something feels sluggish enough that you feel you need an upgrade. I have the very same board, and the HD3300 is an excellent IGP that will handle most 2D applications like those above without issue at up to 1920x1080. The longer you wait the more you'll get for that same $100.

That said the two options you're considering above are quiet, cool, and considerably more powerful for a decent price so it wouldn't be a crime to add one, either.

 

[Wizlem]

I think if you want the best feature set, an AMD 5000 series card is slightly better than an Nvidia 200 series. I believe your IGP already supports flash acceleration though so unless you are looking for specific features it's probably best to wait and see if you find something that doesn't run as well as you want because most things should run just fine. That is unless you don't mind spending a few bucks for no reason if you could have gotten away without it.

On a side note, I do have a 1080P tv and an HD3200 board that I tested and I remember thinking that moving windows across the screan felt a little laggy but I may have forgotten to allocate enough memory to the IGP since the board doesn't have sideport. Seemed to run flash videos just fine though.

 

[Wizlem]

Just decided to test out what I was I was talking about earlier and the HD3200 at 1080 isn't suffering from what I remember so it must have been some other problem. Runs Windows 7 desktop and a 720P youtube video just fine.

 

[dndavis57]

Thank you, both.

I'm not suffering any performance issues that would force an upgrade now. I'll need a card to support the resolution of the new monitor but, as you said, I'll get more card for the same money or the same card for less by then.

 

[timma]

if you will use NV CUDA,can buy GT 240 OC edition~

 

[deimos3428]

I'll need a card to support the resolution of the new monitor but, as you said, I'll get more card for the same money or the same card for less by then.

I'd definitely try out the HD3300 on the new monitor/resolution before buying anything. It may surprise you.