Gaming Any recommendation for GPU upgrade?

[trumpet-205]

So basically I'm looking for a graphic card upgrade. Here is what I'm looking for,

* Low profile PCI-Express x16
* Power consumption 25W or less

My current PC is a HP Slimline s3600 with Nvidia GeForce 9300GE.

 

[Rydian]

What's the current PSU in that machine?

W is A times V, so for example even if your PSU has 100W to spare, if only 10 of that is on the +12v rail then you don't meet the Amp requirement for most cards.

Pretty much anything that's not a piece of shit will not work in the stock PSU non-gaming computers come with, sad to say.

 

[Fishaman P]

Wow, thanks for asking so I didn't have to!

FYI, even the most power-efficient cards are going to take ~75W under load.
Unless you get a new processor with integrated graphics, that is.

 

[Deleted User]

My suggestion is the Sapphire Radeon HD 4350.
low profile, low voltage and passive cooling and directX 10.1

Consumes less than 25 watts under full load

according to: http://www1.sapphiretech.com/ca/products/p...ew.php?gpid=263

 

[Originality]

Getting a Core i5-2400 and it's integrated graphics will probably give a better performance than a HD4350 or a GeForce 9300, based on the benchmarks I've seen so far. A H67 motherboard would be needed though.

 

[trumpet-205]

Well, I know my PC isn't a gaming PC. I'll replace it maybe two years later. For now, all I need is a GPU upgrade to increase gaming performance a bit. My CPU and RAM are decent for now (2.4GHz dual core and 4GB RAM). I don't play on high graphic settings anyway.

I'll tear down my PC tomorrow to see its PSU rating. As for 25W power consumption thingy, it is recommended from my HP manual.

 

[Rydian]

Make sure to also tell us the number of A listed for +12V.

 

[trumpet-205]

Here is my PSU rating,

Max Output - 160W
+12V - 12.01A

Looks like I may need to upgrade PSU as well. Problem is that my PC is a slim one, meaning finding a PSU is a challenging task. The highest I can find right now is 300W with 18A on +12V.

 

[Rydian]

Okay that's Micro-ATX... and I can't find a power supply on newegg powerful enough for a decent card that's not a cheap piece of shit with tons of reviews on how it died.

 

[trumpet-205]

So far I find both Radeon HD 4350 and 4550 fit the power consumption requirement. Are both decent cards?

Strangely, I can't find TDP on my GeForce 9300GE.

 

[Rydian]

4350's not decent, 4550's better but you're not going to be playing crysis on it.

 

[trumpet-205]

Nope. I'll not be playing Crysis.

The only reason I'm upgrading my GPU is because Assassin's Creed and PCSX2 has low frame rate (45 fps) on low graphic settings. I'm hoping with upgraded GPU both can be playable.

 

[Joe88]

PCSX2 is mainly CPU dependent

 

[tijntje_7]

How in the WORLD Is 45 fps LOW!?
the human eye is F*CKING LIMITED TO 24-25 FPS O_O
And besides, with micro atx, a shit psu. And a CPU eating game...
You won't be getting much of an upgrade...

Though, I will still try to help you. I might be back with a suggestion soon.

Edit: okay, nevermind. I can't. I need more experience with computer parts.
Sorry. Good luck though.
And @ fear zoa, you do realize that console games don't run at 60 fps, right?
An also mostly not at 40 either.
Iirc, most of the time they run on 30fps. And of course, if it lags then, it will be a noticeable difference. Since it surpasses the 24-25 fps human eye barrier.

 

[trumpet-205]

PCSX2 is mainly CPU dependent

Well then I'm out of luck for PCSX2.

Not much of a problem since I have a PS2.

Assassin's Creed is really the prime reason I want to up GPU. Even on the lowest setting its frame rate is not high enough.

Basically I just want to up my GPU for now then maybe two years later build a computer dedicated to gaming. I intend to keep my slim computer for a very long time (co-exist with future computer).

 

[Fear Zoa]

How in the WORLD Is 45 fps LOW!?
the human eye is F*CKING LIMITED TO 24-25 FPS O_O
And besides, with micro atx, a shit psu. And a CPU eating game...
You won't be getting much of an upgrade...

Though, I will still try to help you. I might be back with a suggestion soon.

If console games don't run of the FPS their designed to...they lag and it is definitely noticeable...

 

[Satangel]

I'm playing DQ VIII with PCSX2 with an average of 60 FPS, and even then it seems to stutter just a little bit. It definitely does not run as fluent as Oblivion or Fallout 3. So if anything runs at 40 FPS, you will surely notice it. (or it's just my GPU that is having real problems, my CPU is using 80% of it's power)

But I'm very happy with the emulator, amazing shit.

 

[Santee]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814127523
It doesn't use power from the psu it takes it from the Pcie slot so it should have enough power.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814102829
Same thing just less power, also doesn't require psu cable.

 

[trumpet-205]

So right now I'm debating between Radeon HD 5450 and 5570. If I go with 5570 I'll most likely upgrade my PSU along the way.

What do you think? It does seem like 5570 is a major improvement over 5450, though I don't know if I need that kind of power. 5450 is definitely more powerful than my GeForce 9300.

 

[Rydian]

Go with the 5570 and upgrade your PSU.