WTB: Cheap GPU for my son's build

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Dreamerbydesign

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Looking for the final piece for a build for my son to game on.

Looking for a GPU that is better than a HD6450 1gb, which is currently in the machine as a hold over.

He is using a 2560 x 1080 monitor but could game at 1080p if it was easier on the card.

He has a older Dell Mobo, Sandy bridge could and 8 gb of ram. He does have a Corsair cx600 power supply.

He has been budgeting and researching. Just let me know if you have something sitting around. We are looking for a 3 or 4 gb card.

Cheap is the name of the game... What do you have?
 
Tell him to take a look at the GT 730--if he can snipe one right, he should be able to get one on ebay for <$25 and does seem like a significant upgrade from the hd6450. (y)
 
Have a range you want to stay in? I have some 3GB 1060s for sale.
 
jmilcher said:
He is working with $75. now Th for the replies guys. Still looking
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That's a pretty healthy budget. (y) I'm sure you'll be able to find what you want in that price range (unless it's a 1080ti).
 
I want him to enjoy gaming, but also earn it on his own. Something too weak and he will probably drop this hobby all together. Obviously he has seen my setup, but he knows that took years of hard work.
 
jmilcher said:
I want him to enjoy gaming, but also earn it on his own. Something too weak and he will probably drop this hobby all together. Obviously he has seen my setup, but he knows that took years of hard work.
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I applaud you for teaching him the value of earning vs getting. Even if he doesn't stay in gaming long-term, the idea of earning what you want will pay him dividends all his life that many of his peers will wonder why they're not 'getting'. (y)

How is he going about trying to find the card? Just on here or is he checking out craigslist, ebay, and all the other places out there? There's always a bargain out there for your budget if you look hard enough--and this applies to everything from computers, to cars, to even houses--you just have to remember not to give up. ;)
 
Check out your local offee up bud. They have good deals from time to time. Mean while, ill keep an eye out for some good deals
 
Maybe, we could talk the guy down
 

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SamirD said:
I applaud you for teaching him the value of earning vs getting. Even if he doesn't stay in gaming long-term, the idea of earning what you want will pay him dividends all his life that many of his peers will wonder why they're not 'getting'. (y)

How is he going about trying to find the card? Just on here or is he checking out craigslist, ebay, and all the other places out there? There's always a bargain out there for your budget if you look hard enough--and this applies to everything from computers, to cars, to even houses--you just have to remember not to give up. ;)
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He is looking on Facebook marketplace an craigslist.

Truth is, I trust [H] way more. I have been buying and selling here for a decade. So I know I will be finding a better deal on here eventually, and know that is coming from someone with feedback, and that the GPU will work.

So he has been busy researching for a few days. I am just hoping to find something here for him.
 
jmilcher said:
He is looking on Facebook marketplace an craigslist.

Truth is, I trust [H] way more. I have been buying and selling here for a decade. So I know I will be finding a better deal on here eventually, and know that is coming from someone with feedback, and that the GPU will work.

So he has been busy researching for a few days. I am just hoping to find something here for him.
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I agree with you on trusting [H] more. That being said, it's good to learn to navigate the 'shady' on other platforms and there's deals to be found for sure. Ebay can be a great place to just see where pricing should be based on what has been sold recently. (y)

I'd also encourage him to check out open box specials from tech companies like cdw, provantage, techforless, pcconnection, insight, etc.

Just in a quick search on the CDW outlet, the gt 730 I was suggesting is currently at only $34+shipping. There's also 2 gtx 1050s in there for just $106+shipping, and the outlet prices do continue to drop over time so they may come into the $75 range at some point:
https://www.cdw.com/search/?key=nvidia&outlet=1&searchscope=all&sr=1&SortBy=PriceAsc&MaxRecords=72#
 
$75 should get a decent RX 460 4GB - It's alot better than the old card you are replacing and If you want nice low power (some don't even need a pcie power plug) with decently modern tech, it does a nice job.
 
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Have you tried looking for an HD 7950 3GB??

I'd wager you could find one of those for $75-90ish and it's about 30% faster than an RX 460....
 
admiralperpetual said:
probably find a gtx 680 for $75.. I sold my 670's for that much months ago
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Holy shit you just reminded me that I have a GTX680 laying around unused. It's an ASUS 2GB version, and I loaned it to my buddy for him to play The Witcher 3 on until he built his new rig and gave it back to me. It's still packed in it's original box ready to ship and everything (I think, haven't seen it in a few months). I have a nice EK waterblock for it also (no longer installed). Does your son want to watercool?

I also have an AMD 5870 but can't recall much about it.

I should really make a new FS thread one of these freaking days. PM me if you want.
 
horrorshow said:
Have you tried looking for an HD 7950 3GB??

I'd wager you could find one of those for $75-90ish and it's about 30% faster than an RX 460....
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And then don't forget about the r9 270--it's almost as fast as the 7950, but seems readily available under $75 on ebay if you look carefully enough. (y)
 
horrorshow said:
680 = 770 = 960

(Give or take)

So yeah, 680 is faster than the 950.
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Horrorshow is correct. The 680 is approximately 10% faster than the 950 and (typically) has 4GB of mem vice 2 GB for the 950.

BUT (there's always a BUT) ... the 680 averages using about twice the power (195W vs. 90W) and it is a much older card (mid 2012 vice mid 2015 for the 950).

Jmilcher, I have two 950s that I bought in 2016. The cards run everything I throw at them (I play SS3 in 4K) and the cooling fans hardly ever turn on because they run cool. If you can buy one for $75 do it. Either of these cards (680/950) will run many games very well. Do not hesitate to buy if you can snag one for $75.
 
Made a deal for the gtx680. This will be great until he can save up enough for a newer card.

Thanks guys and gals for all the help.
 
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