Best bang for the buck gaming card?

[HockeyZ]

Pulling the trigger today. This is my choice so far:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16814127483R

NM just realized none in stock! It was yesterday. FML

 

[edplayer]

you can get a 512MB evga version for about $50. They go on sale a lot for $40 after rebate. I don't think gt 240 have a lot of overclocking potential as they don't have six pin connectors but they use very little power so maybe you can still clock it higher with just PCI-E power.

If you are set on a 1GB version, I guess that is a good one.

2nd link doesn't work


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...27483&cm_re=gt_240_1gb-_-14-127-483-_-Product

same card brand new (full warranty) $55 after a $30 mail in rebate. free shipping

 

[HockeyZ]

is the 1gb faster? I was actually just looking at the one you linked and all the reviews say it can overclock about 20percent with the included software.

 

[happy medium]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-483-_-Product

same card brand new (full warranty) $55 after a $30 mail in rebate. free shipping

Beat me to it.

 

[edplayer]

some people complain about MSI rebates never coming. I only filed one and had no problem. If you buy it, make sure to scan/copy the UPC in case you have a problem.

 

[happy medium]

is the 1gb faster? I was actually just looking at the one you linked and all the reviews say it can overclock about 20percent with the included software.

The 1gb is no faster, and won't make a difference.

 

[edplayer]

here is a 512MB evga version for $30 after a $45 rebate. Rebate is processed through 4myrebate which I have had very good experiences with. Seems like most of my rebates these days go through them and I am getting them a lot quicker than the stated time frames (don't bother to pay for expedited processing).

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0325137

 

[happy medium]

here is a 512MB evga version for $30 after a $45 rebate. Rebate is processed through 4myrebate which I have had very good experiences with. Seems like most of my rebates these days go through them and I am getting them a lot quicker than the stated time frames (don't bother to pay for expedited processing).

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0325137

Out of stock since yesterday.

 

[edplayer]

do you mean out of stock in a specific store?

They do have lots of them you know. You can get it shipped to you for $6 extra.

 

[HockeyZ]

I have a microcenter right up the street would this one be just as good:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0322506

 

[edplayer]

I would rather get that MSI 1GB version over that PNY

 

[happy medium]

I would rather get that MSI 1GB version over that PNY

I agree. Msi is better.

 

[HockeyZ]

they have the EVGA 1gb gt240 also for the same price (just little more up front). go with that?

 

[happy medium]

Evga is #1, I would. Just make shure it has ddr5 memory.

 

[edplayer]

they have the EVGA 1gb gt240 also for the same price (just little more up front). go with that?

thats up to you.

If you plan on overclocking the videocard, I would go with the MSI. I have one of the evga 512MB versions and it looks like the same cooler as the 1GB version. Its quiet but my card gets right under 70° C under load in a good case (HAF 922) and at stock speeds. You would probably have more oc potential with the MSI card.

I would go with the MSI 1GB or the cheapo 512MB evga. No PNY

 

[hdfxst]

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name...2-MB-DDR5-VGA-DVI-HDMI-PCI-Express-Video-Card 40 dollars after rebate but only has 512MB

 

[HockeyZ]

Ok I am finding alot of good stuff at microcenter so let me ask a few more things then I will stop with the noob questions I promise.

According to this chart the 9600gt looks quite a bit faster. Microcenter has a 9600gt for $59 but is a brand I have never heard of.

Is this a good deal? Anyone know of that brand? It looks super cheap in the picture.

EDIT: also they have a gts250 for $69 which according to that chart is ALOT faster.
link:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0328209

 

[edplayer]

9600gt is about 5% faster than the gt240 averaged in games. Your 2nd link doesn't work

Make your posts in advanced mode because Anandtech forums is having problems right now with vBulletin


and yes, the GTS250 is a lot faster than the gt240/9600gt. 25% or more

 

[HockeyZ]

That 9600gt is $59 bucks no rebate so I wouldn't have to worry about that whole process. I noticed its DDR3, the DDR3 9600gt is 5% faster than the gt240 ddr5? Also have you ever heard of the brand zotac?

here is the link to the 9600gt again:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0325750

here is the gts250:
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0328209

 

[edplayer]

best bang 4 the buck right now are the $30 gt240 and the $40 9800gt at fry's.

If you want a faster card wait for a good deal on a gts 250 (have seen for $60 so that $70 after rebate is decent) or a GDDR5 4850 which I think was on sale $80 recently at newegg.

and all 9600gt are ddr3. I was comparing it to the ddr5 gt240 (just slightly slower)

 

[HockeyZ]

is the Zotac TurboCache GeForce 9600 GT 512MB (1GB TC) GDDR3 PCIe x16 a normal 9600 gt? Or does that turbo cache business mean its garbage? When I look at 9600gt's on google their 256bit but that zotac ones is 128bit.

Right now I am leaning toward the gts250 for 105 up front and 70MIR

 

[edplayer]

if the Zotac does have a 128-bit memory interface, do not buy it.

And just so you know, most GTS250 are underclocked these days (including that EVGA one you linked)


the one you linked is 675/1500/1800. Reference is 738/1836/2200

Those usually sell for more. Newegg has a XFX version right now for $90 after rebate. But if you have more money to put upfront, they have a combo with that card and a XFX 650W power supply for $100 after two rebates:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.481578

Good deal if you need a good psu or can get someone to buy it off of you.

 

[HockeyZ]

Thank you very much for all your help. I am gonna go with the gts-250. Leaving to go pick one up now.

 

[Markfw]

The 8800 gts 320 mb is the slowest and as you go down the list the cards get faster.

In order of performance
8800gts 320mb
8800gts 640mb
9600gt/gso
8800/9800gt
8800 GT 512 701 mhz 15,141
9800 GT 512 660 mhz 14,613
8800gts 512mb (g92)/8800gtx 768mb
8800 GTS 512 740 mhz - 15,734
9800gtx
9800gtx+/gts250
9800 GTX+ 512 meg, 738 mhz 15,958
gt260 192 sp
gtx260 216 sp
gtx275
gtx285
gtx465
gtx460
gtx470
gtx295
gtx480

That should be real close.

I added my scores on my cards to the above, yes, close.

All scores are 3dmark06 on a 3375 mhz Q6600 and winXP and the latest drivers.

 

[happy medium]

I added my scores on my cards to the above, yes, close.

All scores are 3dmark07 on a 3375 mhz Q6600 and winXP and the latest drivers.

If the 8800gt and 9800t were at stock clocks (600), they would be and should be equal.

DO you have factory overclocked cards or do you overclock?

Thanks Mark and nice job.