Best possible Graphics card for a Core i3

[councilior]

Hello, I need some expert opinion about which graphics card to buy.

My current CPU is a Core i3 4330 @ 3.5GHz, I've 16GB of RAM and a 1920x1200 screen.

I know that mine is a mainstream CPU, so I would like to know which is the most powerful graphics card I can use with my system which doesn't get bottlenecked by my weak CPU.

My guess is a R7 260X, but I'm not sure. Is there any formula to calculate it?

Many thanks.

 

[brandonwh64]

I3's are quite powerful, a 280X or maybe above would do good on it.

 

[Easy Rhino]

I do not believe a new i3 will put any limitations on even the most powerful gaming gpu.

 

[CJCerny]

I do not believe a new i3 will put any limitations on even the most powerful gaming gpu.

Agreed. I3 is not going to bottleneck any single graphics card.

 

[manofthem]

Right now, my i3 2100 is paired with an R9 290, and it plays very well at 1920.1080. You'll see differences in benches, but for actual gaming, I don't think I have seen any real issue.

 

[cadaveca]

Hello, I need some expert opinion about which graphics card to buy.

My current CPU is a Core i3 4330 @ 3.5GHz, I've 16GB of RAM and a 1920x1200 screen.

I know that mine is a mainstream CPU, so I would like to know which is the most powerful graphics card I can use with my system which doesn't get bottlenecked by my weak CPU.

My guess is a R7 260X, but I'm not sure. Is there any formula to calculate it?

Many thanks.

1920x1200 is R9280X/GTX770 or better territory, to use most games with maxed settings. You can use less GPU for lowered graphical settings.

CPUs don't paly a large role in gaming performance, but in some instances, can be totally critical, for example, with RTS games like Total War, where the extra threads offered by "better" CPUs are fully put to use. So to truly be able to answer your question directly does require more information in order to provide the very best answer. If you want to paly everything...an i3 is definitely going to be a bottleneck for ANY GPU expect for those with the most meager performance.

 

[MxPhenom 216]

1920x1200 is R9280X/GTX770 or better territory, to use most games with maxed settings. You can use less GPU for lowered graphical settings.

CPUs don't paly a large role in gaming performance, but in some instances, can be totally critical, for example, with RTS games like Total War, where the extra threads offered by "better" CPUs are fully put to use. So to truly be able to answer your question directly does require more information in order to provide the very best answer. If you want to paly everything...an i3 is definitely going to be a bottleneck for ANY GPU expect for those with the most meager performance.

Id also put a gtx760 in that list. Solid card, at good price point for ~1080p gaming.

 

[cadaveca]

Id also put a gtx760 in that list. Solid card, at good price point for ~1080p gaming.

BF3, Tomb Raider, Assassin's Creed Black Flag, and a few other apps don't agree with that. the ~$30 difference to go 770 over 760 is worth it.

Personally, nothing less than a GTX780 will do.

At the same time, the lack of real threads on the i3 chip also hampers performance a bit too in most modern games, so there's that to consider as well. I pick GPUs based on chosen resolution, and then CPU based on demands in that aspect. To me, the GTX760 is a worthless part simply filling a price gap.

If not gaming, the built-in GPU is all that is needed, anyway.


Of course, I do run GTX780 Ti in Tri-Sli, and have been running multiple cards for years now. I just might be a bit snobbish about hardware performance, and don't settle for "good enough".

 

[CJCerny]

Cadaveca makes a good point. OP, you should find and read reviews of the Pentium 3220. That is a low end Haswell processor. In those reviews, they often show the FPS for games on that CPU along with the FPS on the same game with a 4770k using the same video card. In many games, there are no differences in the FPS. In a few games, the 4770k has a big lead. It just depends on how much the game relies on the CPU.

 

[councilior]

Thanks to everybody for the fast answer.

I was not aware that my i3 was so capable for gaming, in most benchmarks I've seen high-end card are always paired with i7s so I did conclude that an i3 was not suitable for them.

I think that a R9280X would be a great choice, I've seen lots of people selling them on ebay, I can try to get an used one for cheap. I've read that NVIDIA cards run cooler than AMD ones and are more energy efficient, but they're more expensive as well.

My objective is to be able to play games like Starcraft II, FarCry 3 or BF4 at decent framerates.

 

[64K]

Hello, I need some expert opinion about which graphics card to buy.

My current CPU is a Core i3 4330 @ 3.5GHz, I've 16GB of RAM and a 1920x1200 screen.

I know that mine is a mainstream CPU, so I would like to know which is the most powerful graphics card I can use with my system which doesn't get bottlenecked by my weak CPU.

My guess is a R7 260X, but I'm not sure. Is there any formula to calculate it?

Many thanks.

What is your budget for a GPU? That sounds like it might be the biggest thing might limit your options based on what people are saying about how well your i3 performs.

 

[councilior]

What is your budget for a GPU? That sounds like it might be the biggest thing might limit your options based on what people are saying about how well your i3 performs.

My budget is about 200 Euro, I can spend a little bit more if the card really worth it.

I know that this is a tight budget so I'm looking for a good deal on the pre-owned market.

 

[eidairaman1]

270.270X,280,280X, maybe a 290, or

6970,6990,7770, 7850,7870,7950,7970,7990

 

[Devon68]

This seems nice:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SEALED-...517?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item27e276691d
Condition: New: A brand-new, unused, unopened, undamaged item in its original packaging
Good luck in your search.

 

[thebluebumblebee]

Also, consider that you could, someday, if needed, upgrade your CPU to an i5 or i7, so get the best GPU you can afford. On the value side, don't overlook the 7950 and GTX 670.

 

[ruff0r]

Paired an i3-4330 with an GTX 770 for a costumer, works fine all games are running nice and smooth.

 

[NationsAnarchy]

I'm about on the same road, my family desktop is running a Core i3-2130, and I've been looking for a nice graphics card to run with it. Just moderate 1080P gaming most of the time. So maybe a R9 270/270X ?

 

[LaytonJnr]

I'm about on the same road, my family desktop is running a Core i3-2130, and I've been looking for a nice graphics card to run with it. Just moderate 1080P gaming most of the time. So maybe a R9 270/270X ?

For moderate 1080p gaming, I think you would be better off with a GTX 750 Ti or an R7 260x. I have an R9 270x and it consumes quite a bit of power, so you can save on electricity bills and the such with those lower power cards.

Layton

 

[NationsAnarchy]

Hmm, I thought the R9 270 doesn't consume that much more power comparing to GTX 750 Ti/R7 260X ?
Somehow I feel 750 Ti/260X lacks a bit of power, I just want some more futureproof

 

[LaytonJnr]

Hmm, I thought the R9 270 doesn't consume that much more power comparing to GTX 750 Ti/R7 260X ?
Somehow I feel 750 Ti/260X lacks a bit of power, I just want a bit more futureproof

Futureproofing is understanding what your current needs are, assessing what money is available, working out how much to spend for the here and now (if any money at all), and then leaving the rest of the money to upgrade in the future when you really need it.

Do you really need the extra performance? Do you play games often enough for it to be worth it? Could you live with not having the highest settings when you play the odd game now and again?

Layton

 

[Constantine Yevseyev]

I'm about on the same road, my family desktop is running a Core i3-2130, and I've been looking for a nice graphics card to run with it. Just moderate 1080P gaming most of the time. So maybe a R9 270/270X ?

Well, there's something you have to think of before you make any decision.
GTX 760 is great for sub 250 USD price tag. Actually, you can find it for something like 220 USD (Gigabyte Windforce 3X goes a bit pricey but it has fantastic OC potential, runs 1200/7400 MHz at friend's machine and unbelievably cool and silent), while R9 270X currently saves you 25 USD and it performs only 3-4% slower in most games. So choose carefully. I've been waging a war with AMD for 6 months now (because of Mobility products support, nothing against their desktop stuff), so I'd personally go with GTX 760.

 

[NationsAnarchy]

Futureproofing is understanding what your current needs are, assessing what money is available, working out how much to spend for the here and now (if any money at all), and then leaving the rest of the money to upgrade in the future when you really need it.

Yep, thanks for reminding me that.

Well, there's something you have to think of before you make any decision.
GTX 760 is great for sub 250 USD price tag. Actually, you can find it for something like 220 USD (Gigabyte Windforce 3X goes a bit pricey but it has fantastic OC potential, runs 1200/7400 MHz at friend's machine and unbelievably cool and silent), while R9 270X currently saves you 25 USD and it performs only 3-4% slower in most games. So choose carefully. I've been waging a war with AMD for 6 months now (because of Mobility products support, nothing against their desktop stuff), so I'd personally go with GTX 760.

Interesting point right there, I'll definitely consider it carefully. Cheers from Viet Nam !

 

[Constantine Yevseyev]

Hmm, I thought the R9 270 doesn't consume that much more power comparing to GTX 750 Ti/R7 260X ?
Somehow I feel 750 Ti/260X lacks a bit of power, I just want some more futureproof

Well, 750 Ti & 260X DO lack some power because of the silicone design, so it's totally OK for you to consider them just a bunch of budget cards without any "future potential". For example, GTX 750 Ti is desktop packaging of mid-range mobile GPU known as GTX 860M (1500 USD price tag). They won't be able to handle Ultra Settings/1080P preset, the reviews clearly state that they can only give you something like 28 FPS Average, which is not nearly "smooth". Interesting options are R7 265 (3.5 Million VND) and GTX 660 (3.7 Million VND): they're not as power hungry as ones that we were talking about (GTX 760/R9 270X), while they can still perform pretty good in Ultra/1080P. And of course they cost 15-20% less (which is great).

 

[NationsAnarchy]

Unfortunately I don't have the luxury to get that good price, usually it's more expensive than that.
Probably I'll include both R7 265/GTX 660 as well. Thanks anyway !

http://www.hanoicomputer.vn/linh-kien-pc/card-man-hinh/vga-asus-gtx750ti-ph-2gd5-128bits-p16952.html

A quick example here for you, a GTX 750 Ti cost 4.25 Million VND (~ 200 USD). Yeah, pricing is harsh

 

[LaytonJnr]

Well, 750 Ti & 260X DO lack some power because of the silicone design, so it's totally OK for you to consider them just a bunch of budget cards without any "future potential". For example, GTX 750 Ti is desktop packaging of mid-range mobile GPU known as GTX 860M (1500 USD price tag). They won't be able to handle Ultra Settings/1080P preset, the reviews clearly state that they can only give you something like 28 FPS Average, which is not nearly "smooth". Interesting options are R7 265 (3.5 Million VND) and GTX 660 (3.7 Million VND): they're not as power hungry as ones that we were talking about (GTX 760/R9 270X), while they can still perform pretty good in Ultra/1080P. And of course they cost 15-20% less (which is great).

Those are quite bold, and perhaps unsupported statements. For example "28 FPS average" at what settings? Which game? At what resolution? My old ATI laptop GPU could do 300FPS on something like Garry's Mod, but that old ATI GPU is outperformed even now by a HD 7750. It would be nice for some context, maybe some links to the websites your getting information from, so a better conclusion can be made. I'm a guy that prefers price to performance, and I think budget options can often be perfect for a large variety of people. I'm perfectly fine with just High rather than Ultra.

Layton