Unbelievable Performance at Unbeatable Price!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Overview of the R5 240 or HD 8490 Graphics Card
3. Pros and Cons of the R5 240 or HD 8490 Graphics Card
4. Specifications and Performance of the R5 240 or HD 8490 Graphics Card
5. Benchmark Results for the R5 240 or HD 8490 Graphics Card
6. Gaming Performance of the R5 240 or HD 8490 Graphics Card
7. Overclocking Capabilities of the R5 240 or HD 8490 Graphics Card
8. Comparison to Other Budget Graphics Cards
9. Real-World Usage and Impressions of the R5 240 or HD 8490 Graphics Card
10. Is the R5 240 or HD 8490 Graphics Card Worth It?
11. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome back to DMG! In our last video, we reviewed the FirePro 2270 graphics card and tested its gaming capabilities. Today, we will be focusing on another budget option, the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card. This versatile card can be found on eBay for around $10 and offers a cost-effective solution for super budget gamers. Whether you're building a computer from scratch or looking to upgrade an older system without integrated graphics, the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card could be a viable option.

Overview of the R5 240 or HD 8490 Graphics Card

The R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card is an entry-level GPU that provides DirectX 11 support, allowing you to launch and play most modern games. While it may not be the fastest card out there, it offers reasonable performance for gaming, web browsing, and video watching. The R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card is based on the GCN architecture and features 384 cores, 24 texture mapping units, 8 ROPs, and 1GB or 2GB of DDR3 memory. While the majority of these cards come with 1GB of memory, you can find versions with 2GB for a slightly higher price.

Pros:

• Affordable price, often around $10 on eBay
• Supports DirectX 11 for launching modern games
• Decent performance for light gaming and everyday tasks
• Low power consumption and PCIe 3.0 compatibility
• Overclocking potential for improved performance

Cons:

• Limited memory (most common version has 1GB)
• Not as powerful as higher-end graphics cards
• May struggle with demanding games and high settings
• Older architecture compared to newer GPUs
• Can be noisy due to the small fan

Specifications and Performance of the R5 240 or HD 8490 Graphics Card

The R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card offers a core clock speed of up to 780 MHz and memory clock speed of 900 MHz, making it faster than some other low-end GPUs on the market. Its power requirements are not demanding, and it utilizes PCIe 3.0 for faster data transfer. While it may not have the latest driver support, the drivers for the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card are reasonably recent and not considered outdated.

Benchmark Results for the R5 240 or HD 8490 Graphics Card

During our benchmark tests, we used GPU-Z to monitor the performance of the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card. Despite its affordable price, the card surprised us with its stable performance. Unlike some other low-end GPUs we tested, the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card was able to run FurMark at a decent frame rate without slideshow-like stuttering. The overclocking capabilities of the card proved to be beneficial in improving its performance, and it even handled particle effects and high frame rates in games like Fortnite and Borderlands 3.

Gaming Performance of the R5 240 or HD 8490 Graphics Card

When it comes to gaming, the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card performs impressively considering its low price. Games such as Roblox, CS:GO, Bioshock, and Tomb Raider 20th Anniversary Edition run smoothly on this budget GPU, even at low settings. While more demanding games like Fortnite and Borderlands 3 may require you to lower the settings further, the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card is still able to provide playable frame rates. It is important to note that for an enjoyable gaming experience, a higher frame rate may be desirable, but for the price, this card offers a decent gaming performance.

Overclocking Capabilities of the R5 240 or HD 8490 Graphics Card

The R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card has shown great potential for overclocking. By increasing the clock frequency, users can enhance the card's performance even further. It's important to monitor the card's temperature and ensure that it remains stable during overclocking. While overclocking can improve the card's performance, it may also increase heat generation and noise due to the small fan. Therefore, proper cooling and consideration of the card's limitations are recommended when attempting to overclock.

Comparison to Other Budget Graphics Cards

In the super budget category, the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card offers a competitive option. Compared to other low-end graphics cards such as the FirePro 2270 and the 9300 GE, the R5 240 or HD 8490 provides significantly better performance. It is worth noting that for around $10, the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card offers a compelling choice for those on a tight budget. However, in the $25 price range, the Quadro K620 may be a better option, offering improved performance for a slightly higher cost.

Real-World Usage and Impressions of the R5 240 or HD 8490 Graphics Card

Based on our experience using the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card, we found it to be surprisingly capable for its price point. It handled light games, web browsing, and video streaming with ease, and its performance in more demanding games was acceptable when settings were adjusted accordingly. The card's affordability makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious gamers or those looking to upgrade older systems without integrated graphics. However, it is important to manage expectations and understand that the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card may struggle with the latest and most demanding games.

Is the R5 240 or HD 8490 Graphics Card Worth It?

Considering its low price, the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card offers remarkable value for budget gamers. It provides a viable solution for those who want to play games on a tight budget or are building a computer from scratch. While it may not offer the same level of performance as higher-end graphics cards, the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card exceeds expectations and delivers satisfactory results for its price range. If you are willing to make a few compromises and adjust your game settings, the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card can provide an enjoyable gaming experience without breaking the bank.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card is a solid choice for super budget gamers. With its affordable price, reasonable performance, and overclocking potential, it offers a cost-effective solution for those on a tight budget. While it may not be the most powerful GPU on the market, it provides decent gaming performance and handles everyday tasks with ease. If you are looking for a low-cost graphics card that can deliver satisfactory results, the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card is worth considering.

Highlights

• The R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card offers surprising performance for its low price.
• It supports DirectX 11 and provides acceptable frame rates in light and moderately demanding games.
• Overclocking the card can further enhance its performance, but careful monitoring is necessary.
• The R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card is a competitive option in the super budget category.
• It is a cost-effective choice for budget-conscious gamers or those looking to upgrade older systems.
• While it may struggle with the most demanding games, it provides an enjoyable gaming experience within its limitations.

FAQ

Q: Can the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card run modern games? A: Yes, the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card supports DirectX 11 and can run most modern games. However, it may require lower settings or adjustments for optimal performance.

Q: Is it worth overclocking the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card? A: Overclocking the card can improve its performance but may also increase heat generation and noise. Proper monitoring and cooling are recommended when attempting to overclock.

Q: How does the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card compare to other budget options? A: Compared to other low-end graphics cards, the R5 240 or HD 8490 offers significantly better performance for its price. However, for slightly higher cost, options like the Quadro K620 may provide improved performance.

Q: Can the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card handle demanding games? A: While the R5 240 or HD 8490 graphics card can handle some demanding games, it is recommended to adjust settings to lower levels for smoother gameplay. Expectations should be managed, as it may struggle with the latest and most demanding titles.