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Solved Looking for budget decent/good GPUs that can fit in a micro-ATX

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anonath

PCHF Member
Aug 28, 2022
32
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Hello forum members,

I'm new to the whole GPU market stuff, and need some help on looking for a GPU that can fit a micro ATX well, but is also cheap enough and performs well enough to run things like... Hmm, example, a somewhat modded low to medium graphic Fallout 4. (Though not the kind of thing I'd play, but that's somewhat the target)
I'm pretty tight on budget at the moment which is why the budget requirement.

The borderline requirements I'd need for such kind of GPU would be:
- Size enough to fit (or leave some space) in a 30cm x 17cm x 35cm case (11.8 x 6.7 x 13.8ish) [Note: It's an Alcatroz Azzura Neo V]
- Preferably more than 2GB, either 4GB or 8GB. Though if none else, 2GB is fine
- Price below equivalent of US$150 (much better if below US$120) either new, new old-stock, or (normal condition) used. I live in Asia, so reference for price might differ
- Can be coupled to a PSU capable of 500W (or better, less) with relatively no problem. Maximum usage that doesn't exceed that and regular usage that doesn't eat too much. Not really gonna overclock it anyway.
- Low to no overheating issues on extended period of use (good cooling on it's own, either single or dual fan)
- lord almighty does Windows 7 matter in the choosing process? And manageable driver installation
- Reliable (good reliability usage review, lasts long, or in general good enough build quality to not crumple apart when being pushed near the limit just for a second)
- Relatively ok noise output level (though if it's quieter it'd be better, of course)

Not sure what other specs I'd need to be concerned about on that except for DDR type (which for some reason I can't find on my PC? Might need help identifying that too since I've tried so many ways from the internet that doesn't work)

Any help's appreciated!
 
Hello

This is what is required to run Fallout 4,,
  • Operating system: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit OS required)
  • Processor: Intel Core i7 4790 3.6GHz / AMD FX-9590 4.7GHz or equivalent.
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM.
  • Hard disk space: 30 GB free HDD space.
  • Video: NVIDIA GTX 780 3GB / AMD Radeon R9 290X 4GB or equivalent.

You will be hard pressed to find anything at your budget to play Fallout 4 or other games in this category.
 
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Hello! In my opinion, the best performance and size per dollar would be an GTX 1660. If they're used, you can get them for a reasonable price. I recommend checking eBay for some good deals on used.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hello! In my opinion, the best performance and size per dollar would be an GTX 1660. If they're used, you can get them for a reasonable price. I recommend checking eBay for some good deals on used.
Ah, I see. I don't use eBay since my country has its own networked online shop, but even from there I can find some used 1660's, however on the higher end spectrum of my budget, and some are damaged. But still, seems promising. 1650's seem to be more affordable but looks like it performs only half the capability.
 
Hello

This is what is required to run Fallout 4,,
  • Operating system: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit OS required)
  • Processor: Intel Core i7 4790 3.6GHz / AMD FX-9590 4.7GHz or equivalent.
  • Memory: 8 GB RAM.
  • Hard disk space: 30 GB free HDD space.
  • Video: NVIDIA GTX 780 3GB / AMD Radeon R9 290X 4GB or equivalent.

You will be hard pressed to find anything at your budget to play Fallout 4 or other games in this category.
Hmm... GTX 780? Doesn't seem too out of scope after searching, seem to fall on the low end of my budget. Though indeed it is the minimum requirement. And yeah I know on the budget cap... Rip, though maybe could try with settings going down low on some equal games and peogrammes.
 
lord almighty does Windows 7 matter in the choosing process? And manageable driver installation
yes, this will play a factor most hardware is being made (for some time now) for windows 10 and above

Can be coupled to a PSU capable of 500W
need make and model some really can put our 75 - 80% of what they claim.

You can run speccy to get the specs and post the link

So other can assist let get a speccy report.

What is the brand and model name or number of the PSU.

Download then run Speccy (free) and post the resultant url for us, details here, this will provide us with information about your computer hardware + any software that you have installed that may explain the present issue/s.

To publish a Speccy profile to the Web:

In Speccy, click File, and then click Publish Snapshot.

In the Publish Snapshot dialog box, click Yes to enable Speccy to proceed.

Speccy publishes the profile and displays a second Publish Snapshot. You can open the URL in your default browser, copy it to the clipboard, or close the dialog box.
 
yes, this will play a factor most hardware is being made (for some time now) for windows 10 and above


need make and model some really can put our 75 - 80% of what they claim.

You can run speccy to get the specs and post the link

So other can assist let get a speccy report.

What is the brand and model name or number of the PSU.

Download then run Speccy (free) and post the resultant url for us, details here, this will provide us with information about your computer hardware + any software that you have installed that may explain the present issue/s.

To publish a Speccy profile to the Web:

In Speccy, click File, and then click Publish Snapshot.

In the Publish Snapshot dialog box, click Yes to enable Speccy to proceed.

Speccy publishes the profile and displays a second Publish Snapshot. You can open the URL in your default browser, copy it to the clipboard, or close the dialog box.
I have this old Speccy snapshot that's still mostly relevant (ignore the high CPU temperature; it was from a few months ago. My PC actually runs pretty fine and cool now. No hardware part changes since this snapshot)

And as for the target performance of a GPU I'm looking for, I think I can have with lower expectations, just not too far
 
At the moment I'm using a Magnum V8-S (which is kinda measly at 230-250~W at best, it comes stock with the micro-ATX Alcatroz case - I'm replacing it as well obviously once I know how much power different GPU selections might draw... Currently looking at max 500W for potential ones in shopping list, though they're also budget-capped)
 
See if this helps with the PSU selection.
Hmm.... All listed are very powerful units, maybe even much over what I'd look for, guess that explains the way over sky-reach price. So I guess the most well known brands (Corsair, Seasonic, Cooling, etc) would be completely out of question.

Since I don't intend on overclocking (or push the limits too hard except for duration of use), 500W PSUs would certainly be enough, or even 400-450W (but that's kinda bordering the limit). Currently looking at Thermaltake or Avepia brand PSU of said power outputs. Not sure if they're great but many reviews have positive scores for the specific output of either two brands.
 
+ I know that many of Thermaltake's are plainly bad and only a few of their range are good. But for the price range, there are of course more options to look at... Including used Corsairs of the same output... if I can find one that's not beaten to or crippled.
 
Never ever purchase a used PSU regardless of the brand or spec, warranties are not transferable + unless you know the seller you cannot vouch for how the PSU has been treated/used.

Apevia and Themaltake are bottom tier, Thermaltake are the least garbage of the two but they still make the lemon list here
 
Never ever purchase a used PSU regardless of the brand or spec, warranties are not transferable + unless you know the seller you cannot vouch for how the PSU has been treated/used.
Noted on that. In any case, is the Varro Prime EZMAX a good PSU? I've seen hundreds of reviews that give 5 star ratings for said PSU. To note, it's a 500W PSU with 80+ efficiency rating, seems to be priced at, unbelievably, $15.77 new (and it's 600W version stands at just a dollar equivalent more)

Late note: Discovered that the brand is local. Guess that's why it's very cheap.... But reviews are still stellar. Tempted with it's price, weighing choice against the EVGA 500 BV or Corsair CX500 since I also got a good deal from the two (though still lots above the mentioned local PSU), told by a friend scouting the market
 
Never heard of the Varro Prime psu. If it has a really good warranty maybe . Corsair is a good brand try to go with one that has a 5 to 10 warranty if you can.
 
Never heard of the Varro Prime psu. If it has a really good warranty maybe . Corsair is a good brand try to go with one that has a 5 to 10 warranty if you can.
The Varro one has a warranty of 2 years. Rather short...

While looking for the warranty of the Varro I also came across yet another brand with it's PSU, Armageddon Voltron 235FX and it's bigger version 300FX, 470W and 600W respectively, and 3 year warranty. EVGA 500 BV that I mentioned has 3 year warranty too.

The Corsair CX500's that I can find all have extremely short warranties.... Despite being sold new. 1 month is the shortest I found (Insanity!) and 1 year is the longest from the CX500's. (Despite it should've been having 3-5 year warranty officially from Corsair itself)

Late note: I found a CX500 that has the right 3 year warranty, but overpriced by almost 75% over every other listing
 
Yeah forgot to mention that the Corsair it would need to be a gold standard for that warranty... So you know a bit pricey.

But given that Varro is only 15 bucks... you could give it a try.. Also i would not expect much if you are going to game.
 
Yeah forgot to mention that the Corsair it would need to be a gold standard for that warranty... So you know a bit pricey.

But given that Varro is only 15 bucks... you could give it a try.. Also i would not expect much if you are going to game.
Well... I won't be doing stuff like overclocking and razor's edge performance kind of use, so I think the PSU might gonna have just moderate load like the GPU to-be-planned

Though yes, the target game I'm using as example is kinda above the budget I mentioned for the rig needed, but just want to see if it can run on a "playable" state with the setup once done. Because the actual game and programme I'll be running forward would be more lighter than [unmodded, buggy mess stock] FO4 by a noticeable margin. Want to give the GPU and PSU some nice breathing space for daily use

While looking at the PSU's (sorry if I'm jumping the topics again for a second) I was looking in tandem to the thread's original topic too to find a GPU within my budget, or much lower than that if possible. I found that similar performance AMD GPUs to the Nvidia ones mentioned have lower prices. Though I do heard that AMD GPUs consume more power and give off more heat... Should I consider an AMD GPU or with warning, or stay away, when paired with any of the PSUs mentioned so far?
 
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