Best Graphics Card for a 300W PSU

[mnstar]

Hi
I want to buy a graphics for my PC with 300W PSU. It has a E4500 CPU, 2 hard drives and a DVD writer. I am looking at a 3850 HD because I was told it will work with my setup. Any advise please?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would get a bus powered(gets power off the graphics card slot only) graphics card as even an HD3850 needs additional power from the PSU. Have you thought about upgrading your PSU? The best bus powered graphics card I know off is the Nvidia 9500GT which has performance between that of an 8600GT and 8600GTS withou needing any additional power from the PSU. If you can wait a few weeks I would check out the ATI HD4650 and HD4670 as these maybe bus powered but offer similiar performance to an HD3850. The professional version of the HD4670 has been reviewed and has the same 320 shaders as the HD3850 but needs less power to run.

The review is here:

http://www.3dprofessor.org/Reviews%2...00/v5700p1.htm

[Dano]

aha, I have came crossed a similar problem not long ago, I think I might be helpful here.
Try any branded Nvidia 8500GT, the card only requires 300W PSU to run it and it is a good card if you only use your PC for some light gaming and watching HD TV, and also the card only costs about £30 which won't break your bank account.
The one I got is XFX 8500GT fatal1ty, it is a highly overclocked edition which requires minimum 350W (I had a 350W PSU and was looking for the best graphic card for the system at the time) I wouldn't recommonded any overclocked edition in your case, just get the normal one it is a good card in general which is HD and directX 10 ready it won't let you down, but if you are a heavy gamer then you should consider to upgrade you PSU and get a performance card.
I don't know too much about ATI cards so no comments on that, but I do know the 3850 requires minimum of 400W to run it, I think.

p.s My XFX 8500GT gives me 30 -60 fps on World of Warcraft at standard settings and the screen resolution is 1680x1050, not bad I would say !!

[SSK]

8500gt is a decent card...as dano said it has dx10 and more than capable of delivering hd output without a sweat...in regards to gaming its not fantastic at all tho if you just a casual gamer and not worried bout it having to be at a high res then its more than enough...otherwise you may need to upgrade your psu if you would want anything more powerful

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The 9500GT is two to three times more powerful than an 8500GT so I think it is the best choice if you do not want to upgrade your PSU. Ebuyer sell a 512MB gddr3 one for £56:

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148181

http://www.inno3d.com/products/graph...gf9/9500gt.htm

Here is a good review:

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid...e=expert&pid=1

[SSK]

didnt know a 9500gt was out...i agree go for that instead of 8500gt

[shadowmaster]

What 300watt psu do you have?

[Nelsaidi]

I would suggest 8600, dont know if 9600needs more power, but im very sure 8600 works. If you want sometinhg cheap and guaranteeed to work 7600gt, its good, and works, ive done it

[mnstar]

Its a Dell Vostro 200 unit

[Dano]

First of all, I would agree that 9500GT is a much better card, but would a 300W PSU good enough for it?
Secondly, at £56 it costs almost twice as much as a 8500GT http://www.ebuyer.com/product/126986 512MB card, does it really worth it?
Finally, for a similar price as 9500GT you can get a 8600GTS which has 675 GPU speed and 2000MHz DDR3 from aria.co.uk http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Compo...roductId=29273
Mmmh... I bet you would think it twice now...

[shadowmaster]

Its a Dell Vostro 200 unit

Wouldn't it be better in the long run to upgrade your psu first? As it then gives you the option to get any mid/high end card in the future.

I say this because you can now pick up 9600GT, 3850, 3870 for just a bit more then a 9500gt and they are far superior cards. However if you don't upgrade your psu then you are limited to low end gfx cards.

[Powderhound]

The 8600GT is bus powered and the Gigabyte silent GTS is also, but it is dual slot, which your Vostro is unlikely to support.

[Skyboat]

The 9500GT is essentially a die-shrunk 55nm 8600GT, which still costs around the same price. It will however run cooler and draw less power obviously

[mnstar]

I think I am going to upgrade my PSU

[shadowmaster]

I think I am going to upgrade my PSU

Good idea, a good quality 400watt psu should be fine for you. What's your budget?

[Zhaoman]

FSP Blue Storm II 400W

£35 on Scan today only. An efficient PSU from a reputable company, and at that price: looks perfect for your needs. That should allow you to get a more powerful card such as the 9600GT or even the HD4670 when it comes out!