Steam Link and GPU replacement

[Left]

I bought a Steam Link for $20 to stream my computer to my TV. It didn't run well on my GT 730 Fermi or off the i5 CPU, but it ran well off Intel integrated graphics. Good device.

However, I want a dedicated graphics card over Intel integrated for better game compatibility and slightly better image quality, like I feel Dedicated provides. I'm going to actually try a Radeon 240, which happens to have 4GB video RAM. It isn't nearly as good as something like a GT 1030, but it'll do, hopefully. My budget is tight.

I decided to keep my computer after previously thinking about selling it or swapping up. At least when I'm using Steam Link, I don't have to look at it, to be bothered by the size.

 

[DeerGlow]

I bought a Steam Link for $20 to stream my computer to my TV. It didn't run well on my GT 730 Fermi or off the i5 CPU, but it ran well off Intel integrated graphics. Good device.

However, I want a dedicated graphics card over Intel integrated for better game compatibility and slightly better image quality, like I feel Dedicated provides. I'm going to actually try a Radeon 240, which happens to have 4GB video RAM. It isn't nearly as good as something like a GT 1030, but it'll do, hopefully. My budget is tight.

I decided to keep my computer after previously thinking about selling it or swapping up. At least when I'm using Steam Link, I don't have to look at it, to be bothered by the size.

I'm not too great for this, but make sure your computer can take upgrades before you try to change it. An i5 though, how good is it's GPU already?

 

[Left]

I'm not too great for this, but make sure your computer can take upgrades before you try to change it. An i5 though, how good is it's GPU already?

The Intel integrated GPU is pretty good, yet won't play one of my games for the fact that the game wasn't really designed to run off Intel.

My computer also has a GT 730 Fermi, and while it's compatible, it can be slower and really slow.

My computer including power supply can run a Radeon 240 though. A Radeon 240 would actually be easier on the power supply than my current graphics card.

 

[DeerGlow]

The Intel integrated GPU is pretty good, yet won't play one of my games for the fact that the game wasn't really designed to run off Intel.

My computer also has a GT 730 Fermi, and while it's compatible, it can be slower and really slow.

My computer including power supply can run a Radeon 240 though. A Radeon 240 would actually be easier on the power supply than my current graphics card.

With this stuff you have to make sure your computer is compatible physically with upgrades and not soldered.

 

[Wookiee]

According to this benchmark list, the R7 240 isn't much better than the GT 630, and didn't score as well as your integrated graphics:
PassMark Software - Video Card Benchmarks - Mid-to-High Range Video Cards

There are some things it would do better, but not by much (and in many cases, maybe not even noticeably). Considering how much trouble you've been going through with this in the last few weeks, I would seriously just bite the bullet and get a 750Ti like you were planning in the first place, and replace the power supply if necessary (though if it's at least 400W with a six pin connector, there's a very good chance it'll run it without hassle).

 

[Left]

According to this benchmark list, the R7 240 isn't much better than the GT 630, and didn't score as well as your integrated graphics:
PassMark Software - Video Card Benchmarks - Mid-to-High Range Video Cards

There are some things it would do better, but not by much (and in many cases, maybe not even noticeably). Considering how much trouble you've been going through with this in the last few weeks, I would seriously just bite the bullet and get a 750Ti like you were planning in the first place, and replace the power supply if necessary (though if it's at least 400W with a six pin connector, there's a very good chance it'll run it without hassle).

Here's the thing though. Integrated shares the memory bandwidth with the processor in games. But in synthetic graphics benchmarks, it pretty much has the whole bandwidth to itself, because nothing processor intensive is usually going on.

What this means is that Integrated graphics scores slightly better in synthetic benchmarks than in actual games.

The HD 630 and Radeon 240 will be equal in games, because the processor uses memory bandwidth too in games, either that or the Radeon 240 will be a touch better.

A GT 730 Fermi overclocked by 10% can already just about hit HD 630 numbers in actual games if you aren't streaming.

 

[Wookiee]

You'd still really be pushing it, and almost in the same spot you are now, a few weeks from now.

Take a look at this video. They even compare the GT730 to it.