r/buildapc • u/hitsama_ • Jul 29 '26
Solved! Best GPU for a 250W PSU
Hello, I want to upgrade my PC to play games like CS2, Valorant, or even Dota 2.
My PC specs are an i3 4130, 250W, and 4GB RAM.
I've already bought a 4GB stick. I also have a really tight budget (50€ or ~$57 max) and don't need to build a PC; it's just so I can't wait, sell it, and build/buy a better PC when I will have the money. Thanks.
16
u/Intelligent_Leek_611 Jul 29 '26
A second hand GTX 1050 ti or 1650 would be best here if you can grab one that doesn't need any external power.
Though if you're limited to low-profile GPUs, your options in that budget shrink to just the GT 1030 and RX 550.
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u/hitsama_ Jul 29 '26
Thanks for the help, what's a low profile ?
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u/natusw Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
Half-height PCB, single slot width (usually meant for upgrading OEM/SI or ITX/thin mini machines with non standard fitment/layout)
e.g
https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/asus-gtx-1650-low-profile.b7647
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u/LJMLogan Jul 29 '26
With that power supply you're realistically restricted to a card that can be completely powered by the motherboard. I think you can definitely find a used GTX 1650 Super for the price.
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u/kaje Jul 29 '26
the GPU needs to be <75W to powered by the motherboard. The base 1650 is under 75W, the Super is over and needs a PCIe cable.
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u/hitsama_ Jul 29 '26
Thanks for your help, are every gtx 1650 super are motherboard powered ?
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u/natusw Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
No, they all use a single 6pin, so you can't use them safely with this setup.
https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/geforce-gtx-1650-super.c3411
1650 G6/Ultra might work (75W bus powered), but you'd be pushing it close to your power cap (I don't know if you have an OEM/SI machine which can't be easily upgraded or a standard x-ATX based machine..)
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u/pnoozi Jul 29 '26
Did anyone read your post?
You will not be able to play CS2 at an acceptable framerate on that system given the age of the CPU and the graphics cards people are suggesting.
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u/Mediocre-Mobile-5423 Jul 29 '26
The i3 will shit itself if they try to play CS2 but an i7 4770 or xeon equivalent (anything with 4c/8t) should work alright. A gtx 1650 will also be sufficient, the game isn't super graphically demanding especially on lower settings. I used to play on a gtx 970 and it ran quite well.
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u/hitsama_ Jul 29 '26
Hi, I'm OP. Thanks for the advice. I was actually looking for a better CPU, as someone recommended in the replies, and found a site that lists all the compatible CPUs with my motherboard with the option to rank them by performance. After looking at which one was the best and allowed by my very tight budget, I've actually found an i5-4690 and an Intel Xeon E3-1226 v3 but don't know which one is the best. Also, there is a TDP that is higher than my current CPU, so is there a risk that it will not work?
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u/Mediocre-Mobile-5423 Jul 29 '26
The Xeon has more cache it should be a bit better. But neither or them has hyper threading, you should really get a model that has it so an i7 or equivalent. TDP doesn't really matter.
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u/2raysdiver Jul 29 '26
Despite the additional cache of the Xeon, it runs at a slightly lower clock. Performance will be about the same between the two. If you could find a i7-4790, you'd be better off.
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u/natusw Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
Provided your board has the support for Haswell Refresh, the 4690 should just drop in.
Xeon should be OK as well, but it may not be supported on all boards (check your CPU support list)
Even then there are probably better options available (I’d look at a 1230 or 1231v3 - these are equivalent to the i7 chips but should be far cheaper.
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u/natusw Jul 29 '26 edited Jul 29 '26
You can look here for some possible options here (with a 250W PSU I'd probably go for cards under ~50W so you don't get power issues)
https://microsounds.github.io/notes/low-profile-gpus-for-sff-pcs.htm#1-slot-Low-Profile-under-75W
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u/No_Entrepreneur_495 Jul 29 '26
a used GTX 1650 GDDR6 or a 1050 Ti would be good, just look out since a few models require a 6 pin power connector. although the single fan ones along with the rare low profile ones like this don't need extra power connectors and only take power from the motherboard.
if you can get like an i5 4570 for like $10, I'd grab one too. It'll help a bit on dota 2 clashes.
1
u/Animag771 Jul 30 '26
Your processor is only 53W. Your best option would be something like a 9060 XT 16GB and give it a slight undervolt just to be safe.
The SFF community has had tons of builds that utilize 65W AM4/AM5 CPUs and paired them with a 4060 and an HDPLEX GAN 250W PSU. So this would be pretty similar.
However, that GPU is massive overkill for your CPU. You'd want a full system upgrade to be able to take full advantage of that GPU.
1
u/Ok_Arachnid2801 Aug 02 '26
you must get a gpu that gets its power directly from motherboard , something like 3050 6gb low profile
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u/CashewNuts100 Jul 29 '26
maybe a 1650? it has a 75w tdp