Graphics Card for 250w PSU?

Question

After a lot of help on here and a lot of researching i'm at a loss. Whats is the best card available for a 250w PSU. I know i should upgrade my PSU but that is a future product. My slot available is a pci-e x16. 1gb ram, in fact PC is only 6 months old but its a cheap one from a certain computer world....

Answer 1

A 250W PSU is okay for just about everything *except* gaming, since graphics cards are notorious power hogs - the newest ones use a lot more power than a dual-core CPU. Since you say you're planning on upgrading the PSU later on, it seems best to get a cheap card now, then upgrade when you have more power available.

The eVGA version of the GeForce 7300GS should work with a good 250W supply - it's an old card now, and you might have to look on eBay to find one, but it's much better than onboard graphics. When you have 400+ watts to play with, then an 8600GT would be a decent choice, but don't risk one of those with 250W.

Answer 2

Even if you weren't gonna buy a graphics card BUY A DECENT PSU as there have been a lot of stories of those chinese like brand PSU burning themselves out and take some of ypour computer parts with it get something like a Antec, Cooler Master or other decent brands(make sure it has at least 30 amps on the +12 volt rail or 18amps dual +12 rails) it doesn't need to cost more than $60 most go at about $30 then get something like a 8800 GT 512mb/HD 3850 512mb(slower than the 8800 GT but priced competatively.)these are the best price to performance cards out there and also get another gig all new games now need at least 2gigs to be smooth.

Answer 3

A GeForce 8600 GT is probably a good idea for your computer. The 8600 GT is said to have power requirements in the neighborhood of 40 - 45 watts maximum, which should be well within your computer's limits.

The particular one I link in my sources is an EVGA brand. If you decide you want something faster, you can trade the card in (plus some money) and get something faster. This works during the first 90 days from when you buy it. If you look elsewhere, it doesn't have to be the same brand but make sure the card has GDDR3 memory. Some come with only GDDR2 and are much slower cards for almost the same price.

Answer 4

You'll have to go for an older card. The modern ones just need more juice to keep themselves running without a problem. One of my computers (approx. four years old) has a 300w or so power supply, running some old GeForce 5500 something.

You could get a 500w power supply for $22 AUD.

Answer 5

I suggest the ATI HD 2400 Pro or XT. They consume less than 20 watts.
BUT you should not let the power supply restrict your graphics option. Consider this PSU that will widen your graphics card option:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817339001

Answer 6

I hunted for 10 minutes. there are countless respectable photographs playing cards that fit on your funds that would desire to actual cope with that interest.the priority is all of them want a minimum of a 300w capability grant. for yet another $30 ($a hundred and ten finished) you will get the two.