Choosing my dad's GPU

[NorthLake]

Hey all,

My dad just bought an ultrawide (lg 34um68), but after plugging it in we (I) came to the conclusion that his current GPU (ATI Radeon HD4350 doesn't support the ultrawide's resolution. I know it's because of the old HDMI-port. The card has got two other outputs which do support the resolution, but my dad has only got the built-in speakers of his monitor, so those are out of question. I came to the conclusion that buying a new GPU would be the best option. The only problem is compatibility. It's a big issue here, because the PC is a pre-built which doesn't have much room for a powerful GPU speaking in wattage. The pre-built is a Compaq Presario CQ5225NL (of which you can find the specs here). I've already asked for a recommendation, but I forgot to mention that the PSU only supports 300W in total. I've tried a psu calculator while picking the RX460 as GPU. It said the system would draw about 290W, which leaves very little room for safety. He leaves his computer on 24/7, because he doesn't want to close all the programs that he has opened. (7 IE tabs, 6 word docs, 3 excel docs, 1 access doc on average) He doesn't play games or edit video's, so the wattage, resolution and outputs would be the only things to look into. Can anybody say if this GPU is 'bad enough' for the system to support it? Thanks!

[Max_Settings]

Get something REALLY cheap, or use onboard graphics

[NorthLake]

Just now, Max_Settings said:

Get something REALLY cheap, or use onboard graphics

Yeah, the problem is: the motherboard only supports VGA. The ultrawide doesn't even have a VGA input... And yeah, I am looking for the cheapest GPU available, but it does have to support the resolution.

[Ordinarily_Greater]

I think it's still good

[Zando_]

1 minute ago, Max_Settings said:

Get something REALLY cheap, or use onboard graphics

Core 2 Quads don't have an iGPU as far as I know. 

[Zando_]

Maybe a GTX 1030?

[tom_w141]

I suggest a 560, don't worry PSU calcs are very conservative to make sure people have enough. If you aren't overclocking you should be fine. Even something like a 550/1050 will do if you aren't gaming.

[3 Lions]

I wouldn't go any lower than a GTX 1050. 

[Ordinarily_Greater]

1 minute ago, Zando Bob said:

Core 2 Quads don't have an iGPU as far as I know. 

Yes they don't have it, but my motherboard has onboard graphics (luckily).

[tom_w141]

1 minute ago, Zando Bob said:

Maybe a GTX 1030?

Forgot this was out. a 550 or a 1030 will be fine if your dad is a light user, e.g. docs, spreadsheets, video, web browsing.

[Ordinarily_Greater]

Just now, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

I wouldn't go any lower than a GTX 1050. 

GTX 970 is still normal for this system, right?

[Zando_]

Just now, tom_w141 said:

Forgot this was out. a 550 or a 1030 will be fine if your dad is a light user, e.g. docs, spreadsheets, video, web browsing.

Well, it's not exactly an awe-inspiring GPU like it's brother the 1080 Ti, so I think it kind of missed the limelight. 

[NorthLake]

4 minutes ago, tom_w141 said:

Forgot this was out. a 550 or a 1030 will be fine if your dad is a light user, e.g. docs, spreadsheets, video, web browsing.

I think even the price of a 550 is still a bit too much for my dad, but a GT 1030 would do nice, yeah

[3 Lions]

2 minutes ago, NorthLake said:

I think even the price of a 550 is still a bit too much for my dad, but a GT 1030 would do nice, yeah

No don't get the GT 1030. 

[NorthLake]

Just now, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

No don't get the GT 1030. 

Would you mind explaining why? I haven't built a pc myself, I've only watched a lot of videos...

[TVwazhere]

4 minutes ago, NorthLake said:

I think even the price of a 550 is still a bit too much for my dad, but a GT 1030 would do nice, yeah

Since you're not gaming, the GT1030 is your best choice to be able to display the resolution you're looking for

[3 Lions]

1 minute ago, NorthLake said:

Would you mind explaining why? I haven't built a pc myself, I've only watched a lot of videos...

The 1030 is overpriced even for a non-gamer, get a used 750Ti which will be cheaper and will be better in almost every way. 

[NorthLake]

1 minute ago, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

The 1030 is overpriced even for a non-gamer, get a used 750Ti which will be cheaper and will be better in almost every way. 

Well I'm not seeing that in my search results. A 750ti seems like it has an average price of €125 ($140), and a 1030 a price of €90 ($100).

[3 Lions]

3 minutes ago, NorthLake said:

Well I'm not seeing that in my search results. A 750ti seems like it has an average price of €125 ($140), and a 1030 a price of €90 ($100).

Save up a bit more money for a 750Ti, you won't regret it. 

[NorthLake]

1 minute ago, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

Save up a bit more money for a 750Ti, you won't regret it. 

And I wouldn't regret the 1030, either. My dad does no gaming or video editing AT ALL. The specs seriously don't matter. My only concerns are compatibility and the direct price.

[3 Lions]

Just now, NorthLake said:

And I wouldn't regret the 1030, either. My dad does no gaming or video editing AT ALL. The specs seriously don't matter. My only concerns are compatibility and price.

The 750Ti would be a better investment though. 

[NorthLake]

Just now, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

The 750Ti would be a better investment though. 

Investment in what?

[3 Lions]

Just now, NorthLake said:

Investment in what?

Everything

[NorthLake]

1 minute ago, LinusTechTipsFanFromDarlo said:

Everything

How can something be overpriced if the alternative is more expensive, and the specs wouldn't matter?

[3 Lions]

Just now, NorthLake said:

How can something be overpriced if the alternative is more expensive, and the specs wouldn't matter?

Please just get a used 750Ti instead.