Best Graphics Card Available for a 300W power supply??

[Ty]

Hey, guys. I've been wanting to upgrade my video capabilities for a while now and always put it off because it was such a daunting task. Now, I've taken the time to do a little research on Google and I've come to the realization that I'm kinda limited on what I can get based on my power supply, which is 300W. I want to buy the best available graphics card for my system WITHOUT switching out the power supply.

My system specs are:

Processor: AMD A8-5500 APU with Radeon(HD) Graphics 3.20 GHz
RAM: 10GB
Operating System: Windows 8 64-bit
Integrated Graphics: Total Available Graphics Memory: 5067 MB
Dedicated Video Memory: 512 MB
System Video Memory: 0 MB
Shared System Memory: 4555 MB

And my current "card", I guess you could call it, is a AMD Radeon HD 7560D, if that helps.

If you need more detailed information, my complete system can be found here:
http://h20566.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.PAGE/public/kb/docDisplay/?sp4ts.oid=5295962&spf_p.tpst=kbDocDisplay&spf_p.prp_kbDocDisplay=wsrp-navigationalState%3DdocId%253Demr_na-c03518229-6%257CdocLocale%253D%257CcalledBy%253D&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken

Thank you so much in advance for your recommendations and contributions.

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202002

All you can do without replacing your PSU.

[Cheechako]

From the looks of that case, upgrading your PS should be simple enough. It is hard to have too much because a PS is more efficient the further it is from 100% use.

It is not a daunting task. There are plenty of videos to show you how. Newegg probably has some, and there is always YouTube. Just pay attention to details, unplug from the wall power, and take care for static.

If you have a slim case, then things change. I have an office-store desktop with a PS upgrade and a GTX 660.

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

Originally posted by Vash:

Thanks for the reply. I did notice that it said it had to have a minimum of a 400W power supply?

It will work with 300W, they are just covering their asses with those recommendations so they are usually set with spare. It does not require any additional power cables and takes all the power from PCI-E slot.

Would be better though to just replace the PSU and get more powerful card like GTX 660 or HD 7870.

[Cheechako]

It looks like a low-profile card, designed for slim cases. It has an adapter, but why get one like that if you have a full size case?

I got a GTX 660 - that's a $200 card. It is way better than the one linked above. It also has 2 GB of RAM, which can make a big difference in today's games. NewEgg has a GTX660 and PS combo for $300. If you shop around (even on NewEgg), you might even get more card for that much.

I personally would not buy a graphics card with less than 2GB of ram. I don't know what is available that fits your PS, but you could double your PS for $40 or so and then not have to limit your GPU.

If you still want to keep the 300W, I would suggest holding out for a 2GB card. You can fit a full size card in your box if the link you posted is correct.

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

Originally posted by Vash:

Yeah, I know. I'm just not wanting to replace the power supply and all that jazz. Will this be a significant increase from my old integrated graphics card, though? I mean, will it be able to run Payday 2 on like, medium settings?

Yeah it's same level card as recommended for Payday 2, should be ok with high settings.

It has 1 Gb of RAM but it's DDR5 RAM, common trick with cheaper cards that have 2 Gb or more RAM is to use much slower DDR3 RAM.

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

Originally posted by Vash:

Thanks for the replies. I'm getting really confused now, guys. I'm getting replies from other places saying that like, this card is better than the Sapphire one you recommended me, Rumpel:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130821

or this one:

http://www.amazon.com/PNY-NVIDIA-GeForce-PCI-Express-VCGGT6302XPB/dp/B00847LDKC/ref=dp_return_2?ie=UTF8&n=541966&s=pc

I'm really friggin' confused. :/

That's complete BS:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html

those cards have slow DDR3 RAM and are 7 tiers below HD 7750 DDR5.

[Cheechako]

Originally posted by Rumpelcrutchskin:

It has 1 Gb of RAM but it's DDR5 RAM, common trick with cheaper cards that have 2 Gb or more RAM is to use much slower DDR3 RAM.

That's why you read the description of the card you buy - then there is no trick.

My card: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0094CX8QI/ That is a GTX 660 2GB DDR5 PCI 3.0 TF - currently $190 on Amazon. Add a $40 PS, and the cost is $230.

Your current card PassMark score: 665
The low profile card: 1632
My GTX 660: 4113

(Source: http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu_list.php)

I'm not saying you have to get a GTX 660. I'm saying depending on your budget, changing out the PS in your computer is a relatively simple task and gives you some really great options.

p.s. If you still want to stick with lower end cards, the site I linked at least gives you a reference to chart the different GPU options.

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

Not argueing with that, getting 550W PSU and GTX 660 or HD 7870 Ghz Ed. would be much better choice but some people are just not tech savy enough to replace PSU.
What may look simple to you can be really hard to some other people.

[Cheechako]

Originally posted by Vash:

Yeah I understand, Cheechako. I do want some eye candy but I nowhere near want to be maxing out all my games, ya know? I just want to run my games on medium and the occasional high.

I cannot max out everything. Again, I do not know your budget. Just don't let your case, computer, or the challenge chase you out of the PS upgrade option.

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

Originally posted by Vash:

So how much are we looking at here price-wise to replace the PSU and get a decent card?

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/UN2j

need to measure if you have room inside the case for that card lenghtwise.

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

Originally posted by Vash:

Hm. $198 is a little bit out of my range, at the moment. I'm beginning to think my best bet here is to get the original Sapphire one. Now, I read online that I might be able to "Crossfire" this new card with my old integrated graphics. What is "Crossfiring" and, if it's good, is it true?

Nah HD 7750 does not support crossfire with integrated GPU, you need two identical graphics cards for crossfire and motherboard with two PCI-E slots, also it takes more power to run two dedicated graphics cards.

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

Originally posted by Vash:

Oh my God. Are you kidding me? As soon as I went to put the order in, it says they're sold out of that card!! Is this the same thing??:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102969

Yeah it's same thing, just not low-profile for office PC cases. If your case is not very slim then this will do.

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

Originally posted by Vash:

Originally posted by Rumpelcrutchskin:

Yeah it's same thing, just not low-profile for office PC cases. If your case is not very slim then this will do.

Now what do you mean by slim? My PC looks like a normal computer case. Jeez, I don't know how else to describe it. I just don't want to purchase this card and then come to realize it doesn't fit!

Yeah it would fit, your case is relatively normal, just some office PC cases are very slim.

[Cheechako]

Here's a slim HP: http://www.amazon.com/HP-Pavilion-Slimline-S5310F-Desktop/dp/B00318CGIC/?tag=incepin05-20

Note how the DVD drive is sideways. That's one way to tell at a glance.

[senseidongen]

Originally posted by Vash:

Originally posted by Rumpelcrutchskin:

Nah HD 7750 does not support crossfire with integrated GPU, you need two identical graphics cards for crossfire and motherboard with two PCI-E slots, also it takes more power to run two dedicated graphics cards.

Ok, then. Well, I think this just about does it, fella's. Gonna put the order in now! Thanks for all the replies, suggestions and advice! I really appreciate it!

Apparently, it is possible to dual graphics (APU crossfire) an HD 7750... at least, people seem to have managed it with an A10 APU... if you get a chance, give it a go and report back :)