I need a new video card but I haven't shopped for one in YEARS

Magic Pink

Here's my current card and I need a new one, better and hopefully 100$ or less.

Card name: AMD Radeon HD 5700 Series
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chip type: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x68B8)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_68B8&SUBSYS_25431002&REV_00
Display Memory: 4095 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1013 MB
Shared Memory: 3082 MB

what should I do help i are a dumb

GnomeTank

I'm not sure 100 bucks is going to get you much, but lemme have a peak around. Generally you need to spend 200-300 to really break in to a serious performance category. In the 100 dollar range, you're likely to still be getting older card, just newer than what you have.

Magic Pink

Well, I mean this card is like 10 years or so old. It shouldn't be hard to get one that's still a lot better for 100$ yet not "top of the line" new. I don't really need cutting edge stuff. Thanks!

Mainly I'm concerned that some card won;t work with whatever dealy who motherboard slots I have or what have you.

GnomeTank

Is your current card PCI-e? I assume so, but I believe the 5000 series may have still had an AGP version?

GnomeTank

Well, here's a GeForce 740 with 4GB of RAM for 99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487043

That's a shit ton of RAM for that low end of a card, but hey, whatever. It doesn't cost any more than other 740's sporting 2GB.

If you're willing to spend 150, you can get a 750: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121855

The 750 will be a stronger card (even though it has less RAM).

Gaslight

Magic Pink wrote: »

Well, I mean this card is like 10 years or so old.

Not if it's a Radeon 5700 series. Those came out in 2009.

Magic Pink

GnomeTank wrote: »

Is your current card PCI-e? I assume so, but I believe the 5000 series may have still had an AGP version?

Is that the slot-type the card plugs into, yes? Is there a way to tell that without cracking open the case?

Magic Pink

GnomeTank wrote: »

Well, here's a GeForce 740 with 4GB of RAM for 99: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487043

That's a shit ton of RAM for that low end of a card, but hey, whatever. It doesn't cost any more than other 740's sporting 2GB.

If you're willing to spend 150, you can get a 750: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121855

The 750 will be a stronger card (even though it has less RAM).

Why is the 750 better if it has half the RAM?

GnomeTank

Because it has more raw processing power. Video cards are a balance between raw processing power (how fast the card can process vertices and pixels), and memory (how many big textures and buffers the card can store). As a general rule, if a card has 2GB, that's plenty for 1080p gaming. If you're going to be 1080p for a while, it's best to spend your dollar on raw processing power. If you plan to go to 1440p in the next year or so, then more memory should be considered. That said, neither the 750 or the 740 is going to push 1440p very well memory or otherwise.

For my dollar, I would get the 750 with less memory, because the raw processing power is going to be significantly better. It's going to have a more direct benefit to you.

GnomeTank

Magic Pink wrote: »

GnomeTank wrote: »

Is your current card PCI-e? I assume so, but I believe the 5000 series may have still had an AGP version?

Is that the slot-type the card plugs into, yes? Is there a way to tell that without cracking open the case?

Yes it is, and download and run GPU-Z. Pretty sure it tells you the slot type.

Magic Pink

Oh my god SO COOL.

Yeah, it says PCI-E 1.1 x16 @ 16 1.1

Awesome! I will go with your recommendation! Thanks an absolute ton!

GnomeTank

Yeah, you're good go with any of the cards I listed then. Remember that PCI-e is backwards compatible, so PCI-e 3.0 cards will work in 1.1 slots. As long as your slot is 1.1, you're golden.