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Cheapest GPU You Can Recommend

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Hey!

 

So today, I'm looking for a cheap GPU for my new HTPC, it's got a C2Q and 4GB of RAM. It's a 2009 Lenovo ThinkCentre, and the onboard graphics are, as you would imagine, depressing.

 

So, on eBay (I have credit there, so no other stores, sorry!), I'm looking for a $25 GPU- with shipping. I know this isn't much at all, but you'd be surprised. However, my question is, what GPU around this price (used, obviously) would you recommend? Some things I've found are:

 

Radeon HD 7730

GeForce GT 610, maybe 620

 

I have no idea what GPUs are good when looking at 2-year-old mid-range cards, so any help would be appreciated!

 

(Please, no 'just save your money', as I just need things like 1080p YT/Netflix to stream smoothly; I don't need a GTX 750 for that!)

 

EDIT- I'm an Nvidia fanboy, but for this, I feel like AMD's GPUs will give me more power for the money.

 

EDIT 2- SHOULD HAVE SAID THIS! IT NEEDS TO BE A LOW PROFILE GPU!

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Gt8800 <3 You can find them for about $30

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PC-Nvidia-GeForce-8800-GT-8800GT-512MB-PCIe-x16-Dual-DVI-I-Gaming-Graphics-Card-/221444079447?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item338f187f57

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COOLING: H100i w/ 2x Nb eLoop 800rpm
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Hey!

 

So today, I'm looking for a cheap GPU for my new HTPC, it's got a C2Q and 4GB of RAM. It's a 2009 Lenovo ThinkCentre, and the onboard graphics are, as you would imagine, depressing.

 

So, on eBay (I have credit there, so no other stores, sorry!), I'm looking for a $25 GPU- with shipping. I know this isn't much at all, but you'd be surprised. However, my question is, what GPU around this price (used, obviously) would you recommend? Some things I've found are:

 

Radeon HD 7730

GeForce GT 610, maybe 620

 

I have no idea what GPUs are good when looking at 2-year-old mid-range cards, so any help would be appreciated!

 

(Please, no 'just save your money', as I just need things like 1080p YT/Netflix to stream smoothly; I don't need a GTX 750 for that!)

Look for a Radeon HD 7750 GDDR5 at least. It used to be the HTPC king for quite some time. It will definitely take the load off your CPU when decoding video content, and it doesn't need external power and it also comes in low profile variants.

Rig: Intel Core i7-2600 / Sapphire R9 280X Dual-X / 2 x 8 GB DDR3-1600 / Seagate Hybrid SSHD 2 TB / FSP500-60APN 500W / 3x 20" 1600x900 LED / 51" Samsung F5000 plasma / Acer K330 LED projector
15.6" Clevo W650SJ: Intel Core i7-4810MQ / Geforce GTX 850M / 1 x 8 GB DDR3-1600 / Hitachi 1 TB 7200 rpm
14" Lenovo Y460: Intel Core i5-520M / Mobility Radeon HD 5650 / 2 x 4 GB DDR3-1333 / Hitachi 500 GB 5400 rpm

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newest generation you can afford, for driver support.

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I have a 9600GT, but it's not LP, and it needs external power :( Looks good, though!

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Look for a Radeon HD 7750 GDDR5 at least. It used to be the HTPC king for quite some time. It will definitely take the load off your CPU when decoding video content, and it doesn't need external power and it also comes in low profile variants.

Those go for around $160+ :(

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The onboard graphics should do tho.

I have been stuck in Japan for a year with nothing but Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, and I play a ton of games just fine, although most games on low settings. Still have had a great time playing them (CS:GO, DayZ, Arma 3, Insurgency, Civ 5, Don't Starve, Minecraft, Prison Architect, Portal 2, Skyrim, Bastion, Just Cause 2, Bioshock: Infinite, and a few more.)

I should be studying.

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I have been stuck in Japan for a year with nothing but Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics, and I play a ton of games just fine, although most games on low settings. Still have had a great time playing them (CS:GO, DayZ, Arma 3, Insurgency, Civ 5, Don't Starve, Minecraft, Prison Architect, Portal 2, Skyrim, Bastion, Just Cause 2, Bioshock: Infinite, and a few more.)

HD 4000 is basically a discrete GPU compared to the GMA 4500... I tried my brother's 2006 Lego SW game, it ran on low 800x600 at 5 FPS!

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Those go for around $160+ :(

I don't know where you live, but where I live the HD 7750 1 GDDR5 is around $60 to 80. It's mostly old stock though, since the R7 250 and 250X have practically replaced it. I don't suggest really old cards since many of the very old cards like the 8800 GT (I had one back in 2007) don't really offload video from the CPU that much, or at all iirc.

For those recommending "integrated graphics". Look at his post, his CPU is a Core 2 Quad.  :lol: Out of context much.

Rig: Intel Core i7-2600 / Sapphire R9 280X Dual-X / 2 x 8 GB DDR3-1600 / Seagate Hybrid SSHD 2 TB / FSP500-60APN 500W / 3x 20" 1600x900 LED / 51" Samsung F5000 plasma / Acer K330 LED projector
15.6" Clevo W650SJ: Intel Core i7-4810MQ / Geforce GTX 850M / 1 x 8 GB DDR3-1600 / Hitachi 1 TB 7200 rpm
14" Lenovo Y460: Intel Core i5-520M / Mobility Radeon HD 5650 / 2 x 4 GB DDR3-1333 / Hitachi 500 GB 5400 rpm

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They really don't. It's the GMA 4500, pre-HD series even. It runs OK, but it really needs even a low-end GPU.

I dislike used stuff so I'd go for this http://www.ncixus.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=72416&vpn=GT610-SL-1GD3-L&manufacture=ASUS

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So, would a GT 610 or HD 7570 be a better card? Both of those seem the highest end card on both sides of the GPU spectrum. I've seen the HD 7570 play a few games, but the 610 seems like it would under-perform it... Any thoughts?

I was under the impression that you're buying the card just to offload video decoding from the CPU. If you're gaming, the HD 7730 would be best. You mentioned it, so I suppose it fits your budget. The GT 610 and HD 7570 are both meh. Even the latest integrated graphics like the Intel HD 4600 graphics found on Core i3 or the R7 graphics on the AMD A8-6600K would be faster.

Rig: Intel Core i7-2600 / Sapphire R9 280X Dual-X / 2 x 8 GB DDR3-1600 / Seagate Hybrid SSHD 2 TB / FSP500-60APN 500W / 3x 20" 1600x900 LED / 51" Samsung F5000 plasma / Acer K330 LED projector
15.6" Clevo W650SJ: Intel Core i7-4810MQ / Geforce GTX 850M / 1 x 8 GB DDR3-1600 / Hitachi 1 TB 7200 rpm
14" Lenovo Y460: Intel Core i5-520M / Mobility Radeon HD 5650 / 2 x 4 GB DDR3-1333 / Hitachi 500 GB 5400 rpm

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Hey!

 

So today, I'm looking for a cheap GPU for my new HTPC, it's got a C2Q and 4GB of RAM. It's a 2009 Lenovo ThinkCentre, and the onboard graphics are, as you would imagine, depressing.

 

So, on eBay (I have credit there, so no other stores, sorry!), I'm looking for a $25 GPU- with shipping. I know this isn't much at all, but you'd be surprised. However, my question is, what GPU around this price (used, obviously) would you recommend? Some things I've found are:

 

Radeon HD 7730

GeForce GT 610, maybe 620

 

I have no idea what GPUs are good when looking at 2-year-old mid-range cards, so any help would be appreciated!

 

(Please, no 'just save your money', as I just need things like 1080p YT/Netflix to stream smoothly; I don't need a GTX 750 for that!)

 

EDIT- I'm an Nvidia fanboy, but for this, I feel like AMD's GPUs will give me more power for the money.

 

EDIT 2- SHOULD HAVE SAID THIS! IT NEEDS TO BE A LOW PROFILE GPU!

get  gt 630

My setup

 

CPU i7 4770K 4.8 ghz 1.4V Motherboard MSI G-45z87 RAM 32gb 1600mhz hyperx ram GPU 3x Gtx 780ti Windforce GHZ edition Case NZXT Phantom 820 Storage 64gb SSD and a 500GB HDD PSU corsair ax1200i Display(s) 3x Acer S231HL Cooling h105 8 corsair af 120

 

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/AS-IS-PNY-VCGGT6302XPB-GeForce-GT-630-2GB-128-Bit-DDR3-PCI-Express-t1140022288-/221483497981?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item339171f9fd

My setup

 

CPU i7 4770K 4.8 ghz 1.4V Motherboard MSI G-45z87 RAM 32gb 1600mhz hyperx ram GPU 3x Gtx 780ti Windforce GHZ edition Case NZXT Phantom 820 Storage 64gb SSD and a 500GB HDD PSU corsair ax1200i Display(s) 3x Acer S231HL Cooling h105 8 corsair af 120

 

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