El-cheapo graphics card wanted

Xylak

Xylak

New Member
Ok you geeks, I'm looking for a cheapo graphics card to replace my steampunk beastie.
Spec requirements are:
  • 1Gb memory
  • 2 x VGA ports - I run two monitors for an easy life
  • Quiet as a mouse - preferably with no fan
  • Nvidia based as a preference for no other reason than I've always been happy with these cards

Budget is <£75!

Can anyone offer recommendations please?
Ta.
 
thatbloke

thatbloke

Junior Administrator
I have a Radeon HD6750 that I purchased recently as a spare - even though you killed one of my BB team I'll send it your way for £70 inc. P&P if you are interested.

It doesn't entirely meet your specifications though because:

-It's a Radeon
-It has a fan
-It has 1xDVI and 1xHDMI (but a HDMI->DVI adapter supplied) - no VGA

however if you're still interested after knowing the above, let me know.
 
Xylak

Xylak

New Member
Thanks Chaps,

Bloke, I won't take you up on that offer as it's not really what I'm looking for.
The GT440 looks good.

For reference, this is what I'm running at the moment (with adapters for DVI-VGA) : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127287

If I go for something with a vga and a dvi port, I take it that it'll work the same way as my current card (dual-views etc)?

I was looking for something that will be an easy swap out (cos I'm crap with hardware these days!).
Poking about on ebuyer I have found these 2... any comments as to how good/bad they may be? I have no real idea about what the difference in GPU chips is these days.
Is the 440 series better/worse than 520 series?

http://www.ebuyer.com/278120-kfa2-g...dvi-vga-hdmi-pci-e-graphics-card-52ggs4hx9dtx
http://www.ebuyer.com/282116-palit-...a-hdmi-pci-e-graphics-card-neat5200hd06-1193h


/I know I could spend ages trawling the interwebs for answers but I have little idea of what I'm reading and would rather pick the brains of the wonderful friends I have on THN (kiss-butt!)
 
Traxata

Traxata

Junior Administrator
Xylak said:
Thanks Chaps,

Bloke, I won't take you up on that offer as it's not really what I'm looking for.
The GT440 looks good.

For reference, this is what I'm running at the moment (with adapters for DVI-VGA) : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127287

If I go for something with a vga and a dvi port, I take it that it'll work the same way as my current card (dual-views etc)?

I was looking for something that will be an easy swap out (cos I'm crap with hardware these days!).
Poking about on ebuyer I have found these 2... any comments as to how good/bad they may be? I have no real idea about what the difference in GPU chips is these days.
Is the 440 series better/worse than 520 series?

http://www.ebuyer.com/278120-kfa2-g...dvi-vga-hdmi-pci-e-graphics-card-52ggs4hx9dtx
http://www.ebuyer.com/282116-palit-...a-hdmi-pci-e-graphics-card-neat5200hd06-1193h


/I know I could spend ages trawling the interwebs for answers but I have little idea of what I'm reading and would rather pick the brains of the wonderful friends I have on THN (kiss-butt!)
Click to expand...
The 440
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=GeForce+GT+440

The 520
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=GeForce+GT+520
 
Xylak

Xylak

New Member
Traxata said:
The 440
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=GeForce+GT+440

The 520
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/gpu.php?gpu=GeForce+GT+520
Click to expand...

So, I should be looking at a 440 chip rather than 520?
Just to be sure, considering that both are at the bottom of those lists...
(yeah, I know I'm a cheapskate but budget is non-existent and almost anything should be a big improvement on what I have).

I just want to get the best all-round performance/value and need to be sure of what I'm buying, really.

Thanks for all the tips, btw, much appreciated!
 
Xylak

Xylak

New Member
Also, am I being dumb by sticking with nvidia?
Are the ATI cards offering better performance these days?
Some of the reviews I have seen about these cards suggest that Radion cards are better performers and better value.

GAAAAH! Tell me what to buy! I am getting even more confused! :S
 
Wol

Wol

In Cryo Sleep
I'm sure theres got to be some form of chart out there that shows the relative performance between the series.

as far as i understand, within a series, e.g. within the 4XX series, increasing numbers = better, but then between series' , there is overlap in performance, so although 440 is a lower number than 520, the fact that the x40 is better than the x20 ends up making it better because of this overlap..... :S

Or at least thats how I read it! lol.

They will be able to do the whole dual view / dual desktops, yes.
 
Xylak

Xylak

New Member
Right, then, I think I've found one...

Sapphire AMD Radeon HD 6670 Ultimate
Review

Not nvidia, I know, but I've come to the conclusion that for a few pounds more than the 440 series (others seem to be out of my price range) I can get much better performance.
It's slightly above budget but I think it is probably worth it in the long run. One day I'll have to invest in a proper card, I know!

If anyone knows anything good/bad about these cards I'd appreciate a comment ;)
Cheers
 
thatbloke

thatbloke

Junior Administrator
If you REALLY do not want a fan, then it will be about the best you'll get.

(otherwise my offer is still open ;))
 
Xylak

Xylak

New Member
Wol said:
their shonky ass drivers? :p

I imagine it should do you for what you need though.
Click to expand...

Are they bad? They must have XP Pro sorted, no?


thatbloke said:
If you REALLY do not want a fan, then it will be about the best you'll get.

(otherwise my offer is still open ;))
Click to expand...

Yeah, fan-less is pretty much a must... PC is designed to be as quiet as I can get. So, no Del-bloke, I won't take you up on that offer ;)
 
Wol

Wol

In Cryo Sleep
Xylak said:
Are they bad? They must have XP Pro sorted, no?




Yeah, fan-less is pretty much a must... PC is designed to be as quiet as I can get. So, no Del-bloke, I won't take you up on that offer ;)
Click to expand...

Theres a reason we call him that "card hustler" bloke ;-)

Meh. I've just got issues with them, but other people dont seem to. Think its just the card I've got at the moment :( silly thing.
 
Xylak

Xylak

New Member
Wol said:
Theres a reason we call him that "card hustler" bloke ;-)

Meh. I've just got issues with them, but other people dont seem to. Think its just the card I've got at the moment :( silly thing.
Click to expand...

There appear to be a lot of reasons to call bloke a lot of things ;)
*hugs thatbloke*

Well, I don't think I'm going to get any better for the price. Next increase takes budget well over a ton and I've already upped it a bit.

Anyways, thanks for the help & advice. Much appreciated :)
 
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