I recently picked up an older desktop and want to upgrade it gradually, mainly for gaming. It has an Intel Core i5-6500, a GeForce GT 720, 12 GB of DDR4 RAM, a 1 TB SATA hard drive, and Windows 11. The power supply is a VulTech VPS-A500ER rated at 500W, but it has no PCIe 6-pin or 8-pin connector. Roblox can drop to around 10 FPS or lower in some experiences, so the graphics card is the biggest issue.
My budget is roughly €60–80, and I'm happy to buy used. I'd prefer a card that draws all its power from the PCIe slot, without relying on adapters or replacing the PSU. I've been considering a 4 GB GDDR6 GTX 1650, but I'm unsure which versions are suitable. What would be the best GPU choice for this system and budget?
3 Answers
Before buying anything, check whether the PSU has unused connectors that could technically power a graphics card. Adapters from SATA or other plugs exist, but I wouldn’t recommend relying on them with an inexpensive, questionable power supply. Replacing the PSU with a reputable model that includes proper PCIe connectors would be safer if you find a better-value GPU that needs extra power.
A GTX 1650 is probably the most practical option if you must keep the current power supply. Look specifically for a model that is powered only through the PCIe slot, since some GTX 1650 versions do have an additional 6-pin connector. It should be a huge improvement over the GT 720 and is likely to fit your budget on the used market.
An RTX 3050 6GB can also run without an extra power connector, but it will probably cost considerably more than €80. The RX 6400 is another low-power possibility, though it loses performance on PCIe 3.0 systems like yours, so I’d choose it only if you cannot find a suitable GTX 1650.
Try not to focus only on the VRAM amount. An 8GB card would be preferable for newer games, but at this price and with no PCIe power cable, the choices are very limited. A slot-powered GTX 1650 is a reasonable upgrade for this older system, especially for lighter games and esports titles.
I was hoping to avoid replacing the power supply for now, so I’ll prioritize a slot-powered card and make sure the specific model has no 6-pin connector.