Video card recommendations? [modified]
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A game that I play frequently has better graphics when used with a decent video card. Lately, the numbers don't mean crap anymore and a higher chipset number may not be a better card. This is the recommended configuration for the premium graphics client: 256MB GeForce 7950 or higher, ATi Radeon X1900 or higher and Similar chips from other manufacturers I'm hoping the jolly fat man, or someone else, brings me something that matches that. I'm not looking for something at the top end of the spectrum, just something that's a little better than the requirements but without breaking the bank (Less than $200). My requirements: PCI Express, VGA output. The motherboard I have only provides PCIe x8 (but according to the PCIe specs, PCIe x16 devices will work, only at half the throughput. A different MB will be something for another day. Any suggestions? [edit: Is this my 15 minutes of fame? Being one of the linked topics in the daily newsletter? :)]
I don't claim to be a know it all, for I know that I am not...
I usually have an answer though.
modified on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 1:40 PM
I have an 8600 GT (or GTS). Great bang for the buck. I paid ~175 in April so I expect you can get them for less now. Check it out at www.newegg.com (no affiliation). Also, there are several brands that sell essentially the same base GPU at different prices. They usually have different clock speeds, warranties, reliability so it is important to compare the specs and read reviews to find the best deal.
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ATI 4850 is a great card for the money. ~$180 And make sure your power supply is up to the task whatever you buy. Some of these cards use a gazillion or so watt power supply to run.
I know you said you want to keep it under $200 so I have to also vote for the ATI 4850. I've always run ATI in my gaming machines. Currently I'm running two 4850's in crossfire and can crank most games to their max in graphic out put :D
S.Nowlin ----------------------- I'm a Techwriter Monkey -- handy, just less useful than the Bathroom Monkey.
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I have an 8600 GT (or GTS). Great bang for the buck. I paid ~175 in April so I expect you can get them for less now. Check it out at www.newegg.com (no affiliation). Also, there are several brands that sell essentially the same base GPU at different prices. They usually have different clock speeds, warranties, reliability so it is important to compare the specs and read reviews to find the best deal.
The 8600 is down to around $60-70, the 8800GT-512 is easily twice as fast (below 2560x1600 it outperformed the $500 8800GTX-768) and only costs $100ish now.
Today's lesson is brought to you by the word "niggardly". Remember kids, don't attribute to racism what can be explained by Scandinavian language roots. -- Robert Royall
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You can find the 8800GT for $100ish, the 4850 is $150ish. ATI had a big bang for the buck edge when the 4800 series first came out but NVidia dropped their prices enough that it's not there anymore.
Today's lesson is brought to you by the word "niggardly". Remember kids, don't attribute to racism what can be explained by Scandinavian language roots. -- Robert Royall
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A game that I play frequently has better graphics when used with a decent video card. Lately, the numbers don't mean crap anymore and a higher chipset number may not be a better card. This is the recommended configuration for the premium graphics client: 256MB GeForce 7950 or higher, ATi Radeon X1900 or higher and Similar chips from other manufacturers I'm hoping the jolly fat man, or someone else, brings me something that matches that. I'm not looking for something at the top end of the spectrum, just something that's a little better than the requirements but without breaking the bank (Less than $200). My requirements: PCI Express, VGA output. The motherboard I have only provides PCIe x8 (but according to the PCIe specs, PCIe x16 devices will work, only at half the throughput. A different MB will be something for another day. Any suggestions? [edit: Is this my 15 minutes of fame? Being one of the linked topics in the daily newsletter? :)]
I don't claim to be a know it all, for I know that I am not...
I usually have an answer though.
modified on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 1:40 PM
You didn't mention the resolution you would be using but I wouldn't recomend any card with less than 512MB. You should check out tomshardware.com since they have charts and reviews that compare all cards relative to eachother. Also, each month they update a list that has best bang for the buck across all price ranges. And keep in mind that Black Friday is coming up and there will be great deals then. Jay
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A game that I play frequently has better graphics when used with a decent video card. Lately, the numbers don't mean crap anymore and a higher chipset number may not be a better card. This is the recommended configuration for the premium graphics client: 256MB GeForce 7950 or higher, ATi Radeon X1900 or higher and Similar chips from other manufacturers I'm hoping the jolly fat man, or someone else, brings me something that matches that. I'm not looking for something at the top end of the spectrum, just something that's a little better than the requirements but without breaking the bank (Less than $200). My requirements: PCI Express, VGA output. The motherboard I have only provides PCIe x8 (but according to the PCIe specs, PCIe x16 devices will work, only at half the throughput. A different MB will be something for another day. Any suggestions? [edit: Is this my 15 minutes of fame? Being one of the linked topics in the daily newsletter? :)]
I don't claim to be a know it all, for I know that I am not...
I usually have an answer though.
modified on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 1:40 PM
You also need to keep in mind your power supply. Some don't have PCI graphics card power connectors. They can be either 6 or 8 pin. Some cards require one or two of a specific size. Check your supply and let that limit your card choice or pick the card and then get a supply that works with it (don't forget to watch your wattage too). Jay