Need a new video card.

[Sargent Horse]

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4460 CPU @ 3.20GHz
Manufacturer Intel
Speed 3.2 GHz
Number of Cores 4
CPU ID BFEBFBFF000306C3
Family 06
Model 3C
Stepping 3

Video Card AMD Radeon R7 240
Manufacturer ATI
Chipset AMD Radeon R7 240
Dedicated Memory 2.1 GB
Total Memory 4.0 GB
Pixel Shader Version 5.0
Vertex Shader Version 5.0
Hardware T & L Yes
Vendor ID 1002
Device ID 6611
Plug and Play ID VEN_1002&DEV_6611&SUBSYS_85F11043&REV_00
Driver Version 13.151.0.0

Memory 13 GB

Operating System Microsoft Windows 8 (build 9200), 64-bit
Service Pack 0
Size 64 Bit
Edition Basic
Version 6.2.9200
Locale 0409

BIOS 0507
Version American Megatrends Inc. 0507
Manufacturer American Megatrends Inc.

Display Maximum Resolution 1920 x 1080

Sound Device 1 Logitech G930 Headset
Driver Version 8.53.0.2

Sound Device 2 Realtek High Definition Audio
Driver Version 6.0.1.7116

Sound Device 3 AMD High Definition Audio Device
Driver Version 9.0.0.9902

DVD ASUS SH-224DB

CD ASUS SH-224DB

Drive 1
Size 1.7 TB
Free 1.7 TB

Drive 2
Size 150.0 GB
Free 34.3 GB

Browsers
Internet Explorer 11.0.9600.17498
Chrome 0.0
Firefox
Safari

Software
Java 8.0.450
Flash 16.0.0.296
DirectX 11.0
.NET 3.5.30729.4926
QuickTime
Adobe PDF Reader 10.1.3.23

I just copied my specs off of http://www.systemrequirementslab.com and all I know really is that this is NOT a custom PC and that I need a new Video Card. If you want to recommend something else then feel free! Thanks.

[Master Butters]

This quote is filled with stuff.

If it's not a custom built PC, I'm assuming it's store bought? If so, do you even know if you CAN change the graphics card on it? I think you generally can, but I don't know for sure.


Also, what motherboard do you have? I'm not seeing anything relating to motherboards in your post.

[Sargent Horse]

If it's not a custom built PC, I'm assuming it's store bought? If so, do you even know if you CAN change the graphics card on it? I think you generally can, but I don't know for sure.


Also, what motherboard do you have? I'm not seeing anything relating to motherboards in your post.

How would you like me to go about finding out my comp model so I can tell you?

[EpicBlob]

Personally, I'd spend the little bit of extra money and buy a GTX 970 or AMD equivalent (290). You will be set several years down the road and will have no buyers remorse. Coming from a guy who bought the 560, 660, 670, then finally decided to get a beefy card with the 970 several months ago and have no regrets.

[Marrv]

I would also recommend a 970 for being the best investment for performance vs cost.

As for Intel > AMD cpu gfx - it doesnt matter anymore so do not worry about that.

And if it is store brought, unless it is dell, then it can always be changed (the most they do is glue over the screw - with a knife & px2 you can still get it out). If it is a dell you need hex screwdriver - but still perfectly possible, have fixed enough dell laptops to know!

[AOD_BritishBob]

First things first, you need to find out what sort of power supply you have. You currently have a AMD Radeon R7 240, which requires no external power. You need to find out if your power supply has any extra connections as this is going to limit your upgrade choices.


Ignore all the posts above until you find this out. your PSU typically looks something like this:
http://cdn.instructables.com/FLT/ZG2...PCT8.LARGE.jpg

And you're looking for loose wires, similar to the ones on the left of this PSU. Taking a photo and posting it of the type of spare connectors might be the easiest idea.

[Neotoad]

Personally, I'd spend the little bit of extra money and buy a GTX 970 or AMD equivalent (290). You will be set several years down the road and will have no buyers remorse. Coming from a guy who bought the 560, 660, 670, then finally decided to get a beefy card with the 970 several months ago and have no regrets.

Gonna second this. I have the 970 and its quite capable, and it should be good for a few years.

[Scipio]

Definitely 970 for bang for your buck. You'd still have to check with compatibility though. For example, my generic HP desktop can't take a video card with dedicated power because of space and power requirements.

[Grady666]

Gonna second this. I have the 970 and its quite capable, and it should be good for a few years.

+3 | Your PC(which still I dont know if it is or isnt, but im guessing is) isn't custom built; and looking at the specifications again as I did in my first post, I doubt they put anything more than a 500W 80+ Gold PSU in it, If it is a Cyperpower,IBuyPower,AvaDirect, ETC(I dont think Origin PC, Maingear, Falcon Northwest even sell Desktop PC's starting within the price range of your System, Or at least Not w/ a 240; They are all extremely overpriced anyways, If you choose not to build your PC, you save more money buying from CyperPower or IBuyPower with a "Larger"/"Wider range of Systems" than Boutique builder like Origin or Maingear ); So I(personally) w/ your PC's current power supply would recommend again, any GTX 970 w/ 2 6Pin PCI-E Power connections, But mainly for the sole reason that its Power requirements and efficiency are excellent compared to AMD's. Although, by replacing your PSU/Power-supply you still *might* save $10 Compared to the 970 depending on what PSU you get and assuming you buy within the price range of $50-$70; For example the Sapphire R9 290 is $269.99($270) and the Cheapest GTX 970 is $330[EVGA Blower 970, Gigabyte ITX 970, ASUS Strix<---probably your best bet, ETC] and I couldn't find any 600W+ PSU's worth a damn that would provide the connectors and plenty of power for an r9 290(solid; IE: You CAN run the 290 on a "OK" 500W PSU, as long as you take into consideration the TDP and power usage of your other parts, which are all pretty low, AS WELL AS your any and all external devices: Keyboard,Mouse,Flash Drives,ETC) without breaking even on the difference of buying just a 970, or a r9 290 and a $75+ PSU; The combination I'd go for, If You do choose to go w/ AMD is the Rosewill Valens 500W 80+ Gold Certified [Non-Modular]($60) and the MSI R9 290($270) OR the Sapphire R9 290 4GB($270)-

[Grady666]

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4460 CPU @ 3.20GHz
Manufacturer Intel
Speed 3.2 GHz
Number of Cores 4
CPU ID BFEBFBFF000306C3
Family 06
Model 3C
Stepping 3

Video Card AMD Radeon R7 240
Manufacturer ATI
Chipset AMD Radeon R7 240
Dedicated Memory 2.1 GB
Total Memory 4.0 GB
Pixel Shader Version 5.0
Vertex Shader Version 5.0
Hardware T & L Yes
Vendor ID 1002
Device ID 6611
Plug and Play ID VEN_1002&DEV_6611&SUBSYS_85F11043&REV_00
Driver Version 13.151.0.0

Memory 13 GB

Operating System Microsoft Windows 8 (build 9200), 64-bit
Service Pack 0
Size 64 Bit
Edition Basic
Version 6.2.9200
Locale 0409

BIOS 0507
Version American Megatrends Inc. 0507
Manufacturer American Megatrends Inc.

Display Maximum Resolution 1920 x 1080

Sound Device 1 Logitech G930 Headset
Driver Version 8.53.0.2

Sound Device 2 Realtek High Definition Audio
Driver Version 6.0.1.7116

Sound Device 3 AMD High Definition Audio Device
Driver Version 9.0.0.9902

DVD ASUS SH-224DB

CD ASUS SH-224DB

Drive 1
Size 1.7 TB
Free 1.7 TB

Drive 2
Size 150.0 GB
Free 34.3 GB

Browsers
Internet Explorer 11.0.9600.17498
Chrome 0.0
Firefox
Safari

Software
Java 8.0.450
Flash 16.0.0.296
DirectX 11.0
.NET 3.5.30729.4926
QuickTime
Adobe PDF Reader 10.1.3.23

I just copied my specs off of http://www.systemrequirementslab.com and all I know really is that this is NOT a custom PC and that I need a new Video Card. If you want to recommend something else then feel free! Thanks.

Given you have an Intel Processor/CPU(Although it really doesn't matter) I'd personally recommend a GTX 960 (EVGA GTX 960 SSC ACX 2.0 2GB/4GB, ASUS STRIX GTX 960 2GB/4GB, Or a Gigabyte "Windforce 3X" GTX 960 2GB/4GB) I'd go w/ either the ASUS Strix 960 2GB Or EVGA GTX 960 SSC 2GB; Both are in the $200-$210 Range($209.99 on the EVGA last time i checked, I actually have and own a EVGA GTX 960 SSC ACX 2.0 2GB for BF4,Fable,Witcher, ETC It does great @ 1080p)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-913-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-091-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-770-_-Product

[Fishwithadeagle]

A 290/290x can be had for under 300 now-a-days. I would recommend that, although you may have to upgrade your psu. That will run everything on ultra. Your cpu is fine. Nvidia will come at a premium for performance, but it is more apple-esque, whereas amd is more windows-esque if you know what I mean.

[AOD_Nozama]

While its true that you can't bridge ati to Nvidia, you can certainly use them as primary and secondary cards for dual monitors. They are considered separate pieces of hardware and you'd just need to install both driver sets. VRAM and speed can be different on Nvidia as long as both cards have the same gpu I.e. I can use a gtx 680 2gb with a gtx 680 4gb sc and the sc will clock speed down to the lower card. in addition gpu memory is not shared so a 2gb and a 4gb card will coexist just fine.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Grady666]

While its true that you can't bridge ati to Nvidia, you can certainly use them as primary and secondary cards for dual monitors. They are considered separate pieces of hardware and you'd just need to install both driver sets. VRAM and speed can be different on Nvidia as long as both cards have the same gpu I.e. I can use a gtx 680 2gb with a gtx 680 4gb sc and the sc will clock speed down to the lower card. in addition gpu memory is not shared so a 2gb and a 4gb card will coexist just fine.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

For different/separate monitors, absolutely-

But for one monitor, One Graphics card, selected w/ specifications scaled based on the Monitors Resolution, is your best idea. Everyone is different though.

*AMD has even wider "compatibility/support" for mixing and matching Different Graphics cards for CFX, As long as the GPU is in the same "architectural" family(EX: Pitcairn CFX w/ Tahiti one with 3GB VRAM one with 2GB and Varying Clock speeds); Also with SLI(and CFX, Id assume), the lowest of the two GPU's Clock speed of two different Model, will , like you said reduce itself to match the other- I (personally) don't like that, nor do I like that in SLI/CFX The Amount of memory on each card isn't at least Shared, and its not doubled.

[AOD_Nozama]

I still run two pny 680 enthusiasts. One day I'll upgrade but I got both of these for $300 last year to replace my dual 480sc's


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Grady666]

I still run two pny 680 enthusiasts. One day I'll upgrade but I got both of these for $300 last year to replace my dual 480sc's


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thats a pretty good deal;switching from two 480's to x2 680's.