I have a PC with an Intel i7 processor and 16GB of RAM, but my video card is pretty outdated—it's a GT 730. The motherboard is an Intel H61, and I'm not really savvy about computers. If I want to swap out my GT 730 for a better video card, will I need a new motherboard, or can I just remove the old one? Also, what would be a good and cost-effective video card to replace it with?
2 Answers
It looks like your setup is a bit older than you think! The i7 CPU isn't brand new—it's actually from 2011, and the GT 730 is from 2013. But no worries! You can still upgrade your video card. Just unplugging your GT 730 and replacing it with a new one should work fine, as long as your motherboard supports the card you choose.
Before you choose a new card, check your power supply since it can limit your options. If it lacks extra PCIe power cables, you might need to stick to a card that runs solely off the PCIe slot's power. Cards like the RTX 3050 are solid choices for 1080P gaming and should be a good upgrade from your GT 730! They typically run around your budget of $300, but just make sure your power supply can handle it.
I have the smart bx1650W power supply, but I'm looking for something cheaper. Any other suggestions for video cards around $300?