Budget Graphics Card

[NetherRealm]

I am looking for suggestions for a relatively cheap graphics card, I am new to custom builds and all my previous devices are laptops...

 

I am not looking for a specific "team" to buy from...

 

My price range is $150-200, I would like to eventually get into VR, but I am not too concerned for now about getting that ready... I am looking for something that would be more future proof and I AM willing to go a little bit out of my price range, its just a general area I would prefer to stick within...

 

I am looking for recommendations as to what would be the best product for the least, especially in the crypto craze...

 

Although an AMD GPU would work betting with the software I plan on installing (AMD adrenalin software) for overclocking and managing and visualizing, a Nvidia card would be just as good...

[hardtofindinthefuture]

Gt 1030

[Psittac]

What computer is this going in? Are you building one or have one already?

 

GPU's in that price range should be relatively unaffected.

 

AMD software will only work on AMD so far as I know.  Software exist's for any hardware you choose so don't decided based on software.

 

If you are building an entirely new system I highly recommend an AMD apu.

[aisle9]

3 minutes ago, NetherRealm said:

I am looking for suggestions for a relatively cheap graphics card, I am new to custom builds and all my previous devices are laptops...

 

I am not looking for a specific "team" to buy from...

 

My price range is $150-200, I would like to eventually get into VR, but I am not too concerned for now about getting that ready... I am looking for something that would be more future proof and I AM willing to go a little bit out of my price range, its just a general area I would prefer to stick within...

 

I am looking for recommendations as to what would be the best product for the least, especially in the crypto craze...

 

Although an AMD GPU would work betting with the software I plan on installing (AMD adrenalin software) for overclocking and managing and visualizing, a Nvidia card would be just as good...

At that price range, your most likely bets are the GTX 1050 or RX 560, because people are idiots and think a 1050 Ti is worth $200. Neither is anywhere near VR capable.

 

If VR is on the radar, it's worth squeezing some pennies together in hopes of finding yourself a GTX 970 at $200. It's the absolute bare minimum for VR. You'll have to really scour the internet and the local Craigslist to find one at that price, though. $200 does not buy much graphics card right now.

[Vg05KO9r]

I would look at the AMD Radeon RX 480. While the it's not the best GPU it can play witcher 3 at high settings on a 1080p screen, and it's also VR ready.

[NetherRealm]

1 minute ago, Psittac said:

What computer is this going in? Are you building one or have one already?

 

GPU's in that price range should be relatively unaffected.

 

AMD software will only work on AMD so far as I know.  Software exist's for any hardware you choose so don't decided based on software.

 

If you are building an entirely new system I highly recommend an AMD apu.

I am currently building one, so it isn't pre-setup, so what I have is a full ATX board with an AM4 socket, I have a much lower end GPU that will do for now, but when it comes to future proofing, I want it to be very sound..

 

I have quite a bit of room to work with, though my main concern for my case is the airflow as I havn't completely pulled it apart, and it seems to only have 1 fan, and that is on the back...

[NetherRealm]

3 minutes ago, aisle9 said:

At that price range, your most likely bets are the GTX 1050 or RX 560, because people are idiots and think a 1050 Ti is worth $200. Neither is anywhere near VR capable.

 

If VR is on the radar, it's worth squeezing some pennies together in hopes of finding yourself a GTX 970 at $200. It's the absolute bare minimum for VR. You'll have to really scour the internet and the local Craigslist to find one at that price, though. $200 does not buy much graphics card right now.

I have looked around an by far microcenter might have some REALLY nice prices, though I will do some digging to see what comes up.

[Vg05KO9r]

3 minutes ago, NetherRealm said:

I am currently building one, so it isn't pre-setup, so what I have is a full ATX board with an AM4 socket, I have a much lower end GPU that will do for now, but when it comes to future proofing, I want it to be very sound..

 

I have quite a bit of room to work with, though my main concern for my case is the airflow as I havn't completely pulled it apart, and it seems to only have 1 fan, and that is on the back...

Corsair case fans my friend, also consider the push and pull dynamics for airflow See here  https://www.amazon.ca/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/134-8467534-9400246?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=corsair+case+fans

[NetherRealm]

And now here is another question, does it matter how much memory is on the card, or the overall size? I see a rather small card with 2 GB or memory for a small fee, though I have no idea what changes the performance or the overall card from one to another.

[Psittac]

3 minutes ago, NetherRealm said:

I am currently building one, so it isn't pre-setup, so what I have is a full ATX board with an AM4 socket, I have a much lower end GPU that will do for now, but when it comes to future proofing, I want it to be very sound..

 

I have quite a bit of room to work with, though my main concern for my case is the airflow as I havn't completely pulled it apart, and it seems to only have 1 fan, and that is on the back...

What case do you have? Case fans do add up but are worth it, most stock cases come with few.

 

I would say the best future proof solution would be an AMD APU, perhaps the 2400g and then wait to add a gpu later when either the crypto needs have calmed down or the board partners have given in to ordering more gpu chipsets without fear of stock in hand.  The only issue with the 2400g as "future proof" is that at some point the cpu will limit the gpu however given your budget mindset and the fact that it's a 4 core with smt you should be fine for some time.

[NetherRealm]

Just now, Psittac said:

What case do you have? Case fans do add up but are worth it, most stock cases come with few.

 

I would say the best future proof solution would be an AMD APU, perhaps the 2400g and then wait to add a gpu later when either the crypto needs have calmed down or the board partners have given in to ordering more gpu chipsets without fear of stock in hand.  The only issue with the 2400g as "future proof" is that at some point the cpu will limit the gpu however given your budget mindset and the fact that it's a 4 core with smt you should be fine for some time.

if I am looking for more assistance on fans I will jump over to that subforum as there may be more details about my specific case, and that way it is archived properly.

[Psittac]

Just now, NetherRealm said:

And now here is another question, does it matter how much memory is on the card, or the overall size? I see a rather small card with 2 GB or memory for a small fee, though I have no idea what changes the performance or the overall card from one to another.

memory on a card is mainly determined by resolution of the display.  Higher memory allows higher resolution.  To simplify that is, and honestly I don't know the minusha of it

[NetherRealm]

Just now, Psittac said:

memory on a card is mainly determined by resolution of the display.  Higher memory allows higher resolution.  To simplify that is, and honestly I don't know the minusha of it

and does it matter how large, or small a card is, besides cooling? like could a smaller GPU push out as much performance (if not more) than a card that is full size? I feel as though if the card is smaller it wont pack as much of a punch...

[Psittac]

1 minute ago, NetherRealm said:

and does it matter how large, or small a card is, besides cooling? like could a smaller GPU push out as much performance (if not more) than a card that is full size? I feel as though if the card is smaller it wont pack as much of a punch...

you skipped past the part where I said you should get an AMD apu....... I'm a little drunk so I can't comment more on gpu's

[NetherRealm]

Just now, Psittac said:

you skipped past the part where I said you should get an AMD apu....... I'm a little drunk so I can't comment more on gpu's

Alrighty, well I will do a lot more digging tonight and share the results here to figure out which is the best option, I will be sharing links to them as well to help people searching in the near future for others to quick decide...

[Psittac]

3 minutes ago, NetherRealm said:

Alrighty, well I will do a lot more digging tonight and share the results here to figure out which is the best option, I will be sharing links to them as well to help people searching in the near future for others to quick decide...

Don't stress to much about your selection, given any budget and enough time you will have buyers remorse.  Going with the consensus is best.  Just look up gpu's available in your price range and select the one that looks most appealing.

 

Also you can give us the monitor resolution and frame rate you plan on useing and if you want to upgrade in fps or resolution. Also games played is a good starting point.  It's as complicated as you want it to be and asking the right questions and giving the correct information will give you a ballpark and competent options.

 

Again I have to stress that the AMD 2400g is highly favored right now for entry level gaming (you can assign system ram to the "gpu" in the desired amount) and it will help you get through these rough times of crypto influence on the gpu market.