Advice on choosing a GPU

[canibe]

Hello Linus tech tips community,

Sorry for a needy first post.

 

My father has a PC that is working very well still, even though it was bought many many years ago.

Other than emailing, he loves to play minecraft. 

We have realized recently that minecraft warns that OpenGL 2.0 will be needed in the future.

Would upgrading from onboard graphics solve this problem?

If so, could you recommend a the best fit for his use? Nothing too pricey hoping for under $150 CAD.

Here are the specs below.

Thanks so much. This would be my first time buying a GPU.

 

OS Name    Microsoft Windows 10 Home
Version    10.0.10586 Build 10586
Other OS Description     Not Available
OS Manufacturer    Microsoft Corporation
System Name    DESKTOP-ALUTNB7
System Manufacturer    HP-Pavilion
System Model    GV465AA-ABA a6245n
System Type    x64-based PC
System SKU    GV465AA#ABA
Processor    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU    Q6600  @ 2.40GHz, 2394 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date    American Megatrends Inc. 5.08, 2007-08-16
SMBIOS Version    2.5
Embedded Controller Version    255.255
BIOS Mode    Legacy
BaseBoard Manufacturer    ASUSTeK Computer INC.
BaseBoard Model    Not Available
BaseBoard Name    Base Board
Platform Role    Desktop
Secure Boot State    Unsupported
PCR7 Configuration    Binding Not Possible
Windows Directory    C:\Windows
System Directory    C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device    \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale    Canada
Hardware Abstraction Layer    Version = "10.0.10586.0"
User Name    DESKTOP-ALUTNB7\Claude
Time Zone    Eastern Daylight Time
Installed Physical Memory (RAM)    6.00 GB
Total Physical Memory    5.99 GB
Available Physical Memory    3.66 GB
Total Virtual Memory    6.99 GB
Available Virtual Memory    4.56 GB
Page File Space    1.00 GB
Page File    C:\pagefile.sys
Hyper-V - VM Monitor Mode Extensions    Yes
Hyper-V - Second Level Address Translation Extensions    No
Hyper-V - Virtualization Enabled in Firmware    No
Hyper-V - Data Execution Protection    Yes
 

[striker477]

From what I gather that cpu does support open GL but only 1.2. I'm not sure on Canadian prices but I think a GTX 750 TI would be towards the higher end of your price range and would be plenty of power for what you are doing.

[Howlingwolf101]

FIrst of, welcome to the forum.

Secondly, that's way more info than we really need to be honest. Just listing the CPU, Ram, and Model should be enough also your budget and location, which I assume is Canada. I'll show you: 

Windows 10 Home

HP-Pavilion

Processor    Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU    Q6600  @ 2.40GHz

(RAM)    6.00 GB

 under $150 CAD

 

Just so that in the future you don't have to write that all out.

 

here, try this http://www.ncix.com/detail/gigabyte-geforce-gtx-750-ti-3b-116410-1209.htm from NCIX a canadian company

[Spork829]

4 minutes ago, striker477 said:

From what I gather that cpu does support open GL but only 1.2. I'm not sure on Canadian prices but I think a GTX 750 TI would be towards the higher end of your price range and would be plenty of power for what you are doing.

Yep, GTX 750 or 750 Ti. If he wants to play more games in the future then it might be wise to save up a little longer and get like a GTX 960 or 970.

[striker477]

Yeah, if you want to play more demanding titles and keep the settings up I would consider a 960 or 970. But in the price range you listed I think a 750Ti would be your best bet. Which should still allow you to play newer titles just might have to turn settings down a bit as it only has 2gb of vram. 

[canibe]

Excellent, thanks for your quick replies!! and for the great advice.

I will try to keep the info shorter next time 

 

Since he has a 300w power supply, I guess he will need a new one too.

 

[striker477]

1 minute ago, canibe said:

Excellent, thanks for your quick replies!! and for the great advice.

I will try to keep the info shorter next time 

 

Since he has a 300w power supply, I guess he will need a new one too.

 

I don't have all the information but you can go into pcpartpicker.com and start a part list using what you have installed and what you are looking to upgrade too and will give you a idea where you stand on watts. Just remember you always want to keep some headroom. 

[canibe]

Excellent. I will do that. Thank you. You guys rock!!

[Howlingwolf101]

4 minutes ago, canibe said:

Excellent, thanks for your quick replies!! and for the great advice.

I will try to keep the info shorter next time 

 

Since he has a 300w power supply, I guess he will need a new one too.

 

500 watts should be more than enough, you should probably go with either EVGA or Corsair since a bad power supply can ruin your whole system, don't cheap out but don't get more than you need

[striker477]

If you do need a upgrade i would check out reviews and make sure to stick with a good name brand like  corsair, evga, seasonic etc. 

[canibe]

Awesome. Will do!! The one in there right now looks very generic. I am surprised it hasn't fired yet. lol