Seeking guidance on current graphics cards and compatibility

[mrex21z]

Folks,

I'm relatively new to Steam, and I have recently downloaded the Battletech suite. I am not computer illiterate. In fact, I've built a number of systems. Albeit, not in the last few years, so my product knowledge is not 'cutting edge'.

My machine is adequate for the game in all aspects save one. My graphics. Below are the specs for my machine.


OS: 64-bit Windows 10 Pro
Processor: Intel® Core i5-2400 @ 3.10GHz
Memory: 12 GB RAM (Probably going to add more)
Graphics: Bone stock Intel HD Graphics (This is what I need to upgrade)
DirectX: Version 11
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 250 GB
Sound Card: DirectX 9 sound device

The recommended specs for Battletech, insofar as graphics are concerned are:

Graphics: Nvidia® GeForce™ GTX 670 or AMD® Radeon™ R9 285 (2 GB VRAM)

As far as I can tell, these are from 2018 and they're no longer made. So, I am seeking guidance on a currently produced graphics card that will fill the gap.

I'm partial to Nvidia, but I'm not married to their products. I'd also like to avoid spending an exorbitant amount of money for a card. I'm thinking "most bang for the buck".

As an example of what I'm facing, I'm able to load the game (somewhat slowly) and set it to autoconfig so I can see the intros. However, I see only the much reported "pink screen" for anything in-game. My system is not creating any textures so I know my graphics card is inferior.

Thank you, folks.

[Iroquois Pliskin]

It would help if you'd provide a budget on what you can spend on a GPU.

[mrex21z]

On that, I am not entirely certain. However, from what I looked at today, spending over $400 on a graphics card is completely out of the question.

Initially, I thought $100 to $175, but without knowing the average prices for graphics cards that aren't designed for ultra-high end gaming machines, I think I may be being unrealistic.

[Iroquois Pliskin]

I think anything from nvidia such as: 1660 super, 2060 super, etc would suit your needs. If amd you'd be going for a 5600, 5700. If you can swing a bit more money you could get a 2070 super/5700xt. Any of the new cards from either amd or nvidia are going to be over priced due to short supply.

For your build in particular I'd suggest a 1660 Super, my son has one by Asus and maxs everything @ 1080p no issues.

[r.linder]

Graphics card market is absolutely ♥♥♥♥♥♥ right now. IMO you'd be lucky to find even an RX 570 for that budget when it's normally sold used closer to 100$ US.

Assuming you have a 500W PSU, the RX 570 is a good option.
If your system is the pre-built though, it's probable that you'd have closer to 300~400W on that PSU which is really only enough for a GPU that only requires the power from the PCI-e x16 slot (75W; 1050 Ti, 1650, etc.)

[_I_]

budget?
psu brand/model age?
case styel/size or brand/model (max gpu length it can hold, or if limited to 1-2 slot width, or low profile)

[r.linder]

🌈Cloud Boy🌈 lähetti viestin:

GPU prices are insane these days. Try to find a GTX 1050Ti.
It's equal to GTX 670

Where'd you pull that from? UserBenchmark?

The 1050 Ti is noticeably faster than the 670, it's usually the difference between being above or below your target framerate, because from what I'm seeing, the 670 is consistently around 10 frames or more behind the 1050 Ti.

Sources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8YcySXJBls&
https://technical.city/en/video/GeForce-GTX-1050-Ti-vs-GeForce-GTX-670

This is why people talk smack about UserBenchmark. Their benchmark results are useless and inaccurate.

[GOD RAYS ON ULTRA™]

The only thing in stock that will probably fit your needs (without overpaying) is the evga gt1030. It may not have as much horsepower as a gtx670, but it has full dx12.1 hardware acceleration support, hugely less power consumption, much better optimizations with display drivers. Those things will give it an edge over a gtx670.
I would take a gt1030 over a gtx670 any day.

[_I_]

but dxdiag will show dx11 max for win7, even tho the intel hd on the sandy i5 is only dx10
gtx 7xx card series or newer will support dx11

[Nabster]

Something like a GTX 1050ti, 1650, 1650s, 1660, 1660ti and 1660s.

Amd would be rx570, 580, 5500xt and 5600xt

These are card can get you around 60fps 1080p medium to very high settings in most games.

I would stay in this range, higher GPU would be limited by your CPU. Lower GPU will be quickly outdated.

Check if your case has enough space and PSU had enough power.

[invision2212]

everything is over priced, even the 1050ti

so if you just want to spend as little as possible and still play some games look into a GT 1030

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0WL_FDwP88&t=200s&ab_channel=GAMINGBENCH

[_I_]

for now keep what you have, wait til prices drop or the next gen is released

[mrex21z]

I truly thank you folks for the guidance you have provided me. I'm going to continue looking and see if I can find your suggested cards.

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my question. I'm guessing it has probably been asked about a 100 times.

[JohnMars78]

Given your price target and current CPU, a new GTX 1650 should probably be the one to aim for right now. You might be able to find a new one for ~$200, depending on your store of choice/geographic location and your luck. Found one for €200 while newegg.com has the cheapest at $359...

[r.linder]

invision2212 lähetti viestin:

everything is over priced, even the 1050ti

so if you just want to spend as little as possible and still play some games look into a GT 1030

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0WL_FDwP88&t=200s&ab_channel=GAMINGBENCH

1050 Ti will probably get cheaper because Pascal is allegedly going to enter production again because NVIDIA can actually make 10 series cards

[Illusion of Progress]

GTX 1650s are going for $360? Yikes, it's gotten worse than I thought. I think that''s comparable to my GPU and I paid less for it almost 5 years ago. Definitely looks like I'll be skipping another generation because I don't expect this to clear up meaningfully any time this year either.

OP, if the recommended listing calls for a GTX 670 and you just want it to run that one game okay at whatever settings, get a GT 1030 if you don't want to waste money. It's nothing special at all, but it's a heck of a lot better than your integrated Sandy Bridge era HD 2000 or whatever it is, and even the xx50 cards are seemingly so overpriced that it's not worth it unless you really want that level of performance (or find one for ~$150 where it belongs). Hopefully the bare entry level isn't too affected; I got one for ~$85 I think a month or two ago. It's probably comparable to a GTX 570/GTX 660 I guess? It's better than the GTX 650 but below the GTX 750 Ti so it's probably okay if the game recommends a GTX 670.