New Graphics Card for Older Computer

LLenaSaturn on 27/06/2019 - 18:45

Hi, long time lurker, new member.
I have a computer that is pushing 10+ years old. Had a problem a few months ago & after weeks of hair pulling discovered the Graphics Card overheats as the fan on it doesn't work. I can get some life from it as long as I'm not doing anything too heavy on it by having a small 15cm desk fan blowing on it. Otherwise computer works fine, mum complains it is slow loading things but its not too bad.

Was thinking of a new refurbished computer but the actual computer is fine so I thought I'd just upgrade the parts over time.

Graphics card is currently a NVIDIA GeForce GT 320
Computer has an Intel Core i3 CPU 530 @ 2.93 GHz, 4GB RAM Running windows 10.

Any ideas for a graphics card for general computer stuff? Most demanding thing it would probably do would be playing movies to the TV or some FB games as we don't tend to use the computer for gaming anymore. Prefer not something too expensive so under $250.

Thank you!

Computing Computer Component Video Card

Comments

  • Godric on 27/06/2019 - 18:55

    Maybe something along the lines of a gtx660ti, older card and can get it quite cheap

  • spackbace on 27/06/2019 - 18:58
    +6

    That CPU has onboard graphics. Maybe try switching to that? Source

    Add SSD boot drive and find another 4-8GB ram and you'll be fine

    • trex on 27/06/2019 - 19:09
      +4

      +1 for SSD and RAM. My AMD is over 10 years old. I added in a SSD, RAM and a new graphics card awhile ago. I can still play CS:GO with it.

    • nick90 on 28/06/2019 - 08:34

      You can always get a i5 650 for like $20.

      But the tip is don't spend too much money on a old computer. Because you can use that money to buy another referb computer that has much more horsepower.

  • Switchblade88 on 27/06/2019 - 19:16
    +6

    If you're budgeting $250 then I'd be suggesting a refurb Optiplex 9010 or similar that's been quite popular here on OzBargain.

    This is the first random one I found and the integrated HD 4600 graphics are even better than your existing discrete GT 320.

    That's $223 shipped - with the added benefits of USB3.0 and an SSD that a 10yo PC won't have.

    Please don't throw money at an old PC!!

    • LenaSaturn on 27/06/2019 - 19:19

      Yes I had been looking at those & watching the ones that have come up. So you think its not worth bothering to upgrade the current computer & just go for the refurb ones?

      • Switchblade88 on 27/06/2019 - 19:27
        +2

        Absolutely do a full replacement. I'm all for reviving old PCs, and a basic GPU fan might get you out of trouble for $5 (or salvage one from a box of old bits). But if you're going to spend serious money then you always need to take the whole unit into consideration.

        As Spackbace said, if you DO have onboard graphics it might be worth trying it. But back in the day not all motherboards had graphics ports for integrated graphics, which would also explain the discrete card. Won't cost you anything to experiment.

        • LenaSaturn on 27/06/2019 - 19:43

          Yeah I think its given us all it can really, especially when a refurb one isn't much more. Which gen intel core should I look at? I was thinking of going for the i5 over the i3 as its not much more expensive from what I've seen & it has that bit extra power.

          Yeah just tried looking for that & I can't find any settings to switch to the integrated graphics.

          • scrimshaw on 27/06/2019 - 19:47
            +2

            @LenaSaturn:

            I can't find any settings to switch to the integrated graphics.

            It's usually in the BIOS, not in windows. However it's often just better to physically remove the video card so that your motherboard is forced to use onboard.

          • Switchblade88 on 27/06/2019 - 20:35

            @LenaSaturn: As @scrimshaw said, pull your GPU out and plug the monitor directly into the motherboard.

            As for refurbs, get an i5 (most Optiplexes are 3470's). Sometimes you can find an i7-3770 which has more grunt to it. Not much between them though, whichever is the better deal. The 9020 series have the 4570's, but being newer are consequentially more expensive.

            Drive: get an SSD, without question. Even a 120Gb boot drive, and add an external drive for storage is fine. (3Tb at officeworks for $99!)

            RAM: almost everything is 4Gb or 8Gb, this will mostly come down to cost. 8Gb is more futureproofed; you probably won't need more for the remaining life of the optiplex.

      • [Deactivated] on 28/06/2019 - 00:04

        Your current PC is not worth upgrading (to the tune of $250 at least), it will cost more and get you less than replacing it. If you do just want to replace a graphics card, spend no more than $20-30. Also you'll really have to be sure of compatibility as some (very) older motherboards don't work with newer cards.

  • vince088 on 27/06/2019 - 23:11
    +1

    just buy the cheapest graphics card at a computer store

    like a gt710 for like under $50

    https://www.msy.com.au/viconline/199-nvidia

    i use these just to keep pcs runnings so my kids can youtube/ play flash games

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