Best graphics card to buy for me ($300)

[ualdriver]

Hello-

pertinent system specs: Windows XP, ASUS P5W DH Deluxe mobo, 650W power supply with two 6 pin PCI express connectors

I currently have a x1900xtx video card and I'm looking to upgrade. I'd like to stay around 300 bucks if possible, but will go a bit higher if it makes sense.

I'm looking for something that I can just drop in, and I want to avoid CrossFire simply because I don't know much about it and don't have time right now to figure it out.

I was thinking about a HD5850, but my concern is that I don't think my mobo has PCI express 2.0 (although it does have two PCI express slots) and just about every modern graphics card seems to have PCI express 2.0 as a specification. Confused.

Also, I'd like to have a card that is dual link DVI-D compatible.

Suggestions, advice appreciated, particularly about this whole PCI express 2.0 requirement and the dual link DVI-D compatibility.

Thanks!

 

[garritynet]

Just drop one of these in there, you should be fine on all fronts. PCIe 16x 1.0 runs at half of the bandwidth of PCIe 16x 2.0. Lots of people run their Xfire rigs just fine as 8X/8X which gives each card the same bandwidth of PCIe 16x 1.0. I wouldn't worry about it. It has dual link DVI and needs two PCIe 6pin connectors.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-085-_-Product

 

[toyota]

you left out plenty of "pertinent" info such as what cpu , what res, and amount of ram. no point in getting a 5850 with a slow cpu, less than 3gb of ram and a low res you know?

 

[garritynet]

you left out what cpu you are using...

Oh no! This is gonna turn to a "Your CPU will never be able to feed that GPU and your computer will be unbalanced!" threads!!!!

His CPU is unimportant. He has the power and bandwith to run the best card he can get with $300, which is the 5850. The 5850 supports dual link DVI. Those were his concerns. Just let him stick a hugely overpowered GPU in his box and turn the SSAA wayyyy up.



Edit to add: This is just joshing on my part. Not intended to be percieved as an attack.

 

[toyota]

Oh no! This is gonna turn to a "Your CPU will never be able to feed that GPU and your computer will be unbalanced!" threads!!!!

His CPU is unimportant. He has the power and bandwith to run the best card he can get with $300, which is the 5850. Those were his concerns.

you cant make that call because you have no idea what cpu he even has.

 

[zerocool84]

Oh no! This is gonna turn to a "Your CPU will never be able to feed that GPU and your computer will be unbalanced!" threads!!!!

His CPU is unimportant. He has the power and bandwith to run the best card he can get with $300, which is the 5850. The 5850 supports dual link DVI. Those were his concerns. Just let him stick a hugely overpowered GPU in his box and turn the SSAA wayyyy up.



Edit to add: This is just joshing on my part. Not intended to be percieved as an attack.

Well yes but what rez he plays at is very important.

 

[garritynet]

I know he didn't ask about upgrading his CPU. Not every computer has to be balanced. I'm not saying you are wrong. I am saying "Oh crap....another one of those threads".


Edit to add: Im NOT saying you are wrong. Gosh I need some sleep. I apologize.

 

[garritynet]

Double post.

 

[garritynet]

Well yes but what rez he plays at is very important.

Thats actually a really good point. I stand corrected. Also: In the pre-edit post I responded to res was not mentioned.

Edit: Although with Dual link DVI its gotta be pretty high right?

 

[toyota]

I know he didn't ask about upgrading his CPU. Not every computer has to be balanced. I'm not saying you are wrong. I am saying "Oh crap....another one of those threads".

It was funny that the OP listed pertinent stuff but didnt even list the basics such as res and cpu. I was also going by the fact that his system seems a little old so he may not have a reasonable cpu or enough ram to justify going to a 5850. we dont know until he posts that info.

DAMN the forums are sluggish...

 

[Will Robinson]

The Radeon HD5850 is unbeatable at that price point.
You will be impressed with the upgrade from an x1900XTX.
I'm happy with mine and would recommend it.

 

[MrK6]

Assuming he's got a Core 2 Duo and is playing with a resolution of at least 1680x1050, another vote for a 5850. However, if he's still using a Pentium D/playing on a 17" 1280x1024 monitor, well, that money might be better partitioned to upgrade a few parts .

 

[mm2587]

so c2 duo or quad and at least 1920x1080 so it seems

Hi all-

I have a Asus P5W DH Deluxe motherboard with an E6600 processor. I used the search function on this forum to figure out what my motherboard is compatible with and read the sticky about quad-core vs. dual-core- thanks to the forum for posting that info. I think I'm going to go with an upgrade to a Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550.

I do have a couple of more questions though that I had difficulty finding an exact answer to. After I upgrade my mobo's BIOS and purchase this Q9550, is there anything I need to do further other than simply remove the old heatsink/fan, remove the old processor, drop the new processor and heatsink/fan in, and then just boot it up? Is there anything else I should be considering? (I'm not overclocking or water cooling or anything like that)

This computer that I am upgrading was my first build so I just want to make sure there isn't anything else I should be considering before making the processor swap.

Thanks for your time,
ualdriver

Hello-

What would you guys recommend for a good quality monitor in the 27 to 30 inch range? I want a monitor that would be good for gaming (FPS), as well as the standard web surfing/Excel/e-mail text stuff. I currently have a BENQ FP241W which I like very much, but I'm looking for something larger now. If it matters, I have a X1900XTX with one of those DVI jacks that has 3 rows of 8 little square-ish pins and then a "+" with a little square-ish pin in each corner of the cross.

From what I've read by searching around, it seems like the Dell U2711 might fit the bill?

Also, I've noticed with the 30" models that some say you have to have a "dual link" DVI? What exactly is that and what happens if you don't have it with a larger monitor?
Thanks!

 

[yh125d]

I'm assuming those are other threads of his?

In that case, yeah, 5850. But I agree with toyota, he could have been running a pentium D on 1280x1024

 

[ualdriver]

Sorry I left the other stuff out. I didn't know the CPU and RAM were as important for a video card upgrade.

I have 4GB RAM and I am running a quad core 9550 processor.

That other threads that mm2587 put up are mine too. The quad core post is from a while back.

I am looking at doing an upgraded display as well, something in the 27" to 30" range, but I didn't include that fact because I thought this would be the wrong forum. If you would like to recommend some LCD monitors in that range, I'd be happy to read your opinions.

To answer the other question, I guess I'd like to run 2560 x 1600 while running a game like Battlefield Bad Company 2, but I assume that is not realistic.

With that information, what do you all say.....and thanks for the info....

 

[yh125d]

I would have said 5850 for 1920x1200, but for 2560 I'd say try to limp along for a little more til you can afford a 5870 for $400. I think it'd be worth your while at that res

 

[ualdriver]

Just drop one of these in there, you should be fine on all fronts. PCIe 16x 1.0 runs at half of the bandwidth of PCIe 16x 2.0. Lots of people run their Xfire rigs just fine as 8X/8X which gives each card the same bandwidth of PCIe 16x 1.0. I wouldn't worry about it. It has dual link DVI and needs two PCIe 6pin connectors.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-085-_-Product

I put up more complete specs if that changes your advice....

 

[ualdriver]

I would have said 5850 for 1920x1200, but for 2560 I'd say try to limp along for a little more til you can afford a 5870 for $400. I think it'd be worth your while at that res

I'd be willing to consider that. I only upgrade different components of my computer once every 2 years or so, so I'd pay the extra money if the general consensus thinks its worthwhile.

It's not so much that I don't have that little extra money, I just want the best bang for the buck.

 

[Gikaseixas]

go with the 5870 to play at that resolution.

 

[yh125d]

I'd be willing to consider that. I only upgrade different components of my computer once every 2 years or so, so I'd pay the extra money if the general consensus thinks its worthwhile.

It's not so much that I don't have that little extra money, I just want the best bang for the buck.

5850 overall is better bang for the buck, and can play most games at 2560x1600 pretty well, but for a 2 year lifespan, and to be playing newer games I'd definitely say the 5870 is worth it

But there always is the option to buy a 5850 now, play for 6 months or so, then pick up a second for xfire when fermi drives prices down!

 

[ualdriver]

go with the 5870 to play at that resolution.

OK thanks. I assume the 5870 is dual link DVI-D capable as well?

5850 overall is better bang for the buck, and can play most games at 2560x1600 pretty well, but for a 2 year lifespan, and to be playing newer games I'd definitely say the 5870 is worth it

But there always is the option to buy a 5850 now, play for 6 months or so, then pick up a second for xfire when fermi drives prices down!

Yeah, I guess I should get around to learning how to do xfire. For now, I'm just hoping that I can get a decent card that I can just drop in, load some drivers, and go.

As far as these cards go that you all mention, my power supply is adequate, correct?

 

[happy medium]

5850 overall is better bang for the buck, and can play most games at 2560x1600 pretty well, but for a 2 year lifespan, and to be playing newer games I'd definitely say the 5870 is worth it

But there always is the option to buy a 5850 now, play for 6 months or so, then pick up a second for xfire when fermi drives prices down!

I'd go with this.

 

[yh125d]

650w is plenty, assuming it's a decent brand and isn't 5 years old

 

[evolucion8]

Is just that every thread made that someone is asking for a GPU upgrade, always the phrase "Your CPU will bottleneck significantly the videocard" becomes the song of the day. But back in topic, you have a great CPU, even an HD 5970 will be a good upgrade, and it won't be bottlenecked by your PCI-E lanes. But for the sake of the price/performance balance, the HD 5850 is a great option for you.

 

[eklock2000]

Also, what OS is the OP running...DX9/10 vs. DX11?

I just ordered an XFX5870 from TigerDirect, free shipping, no tax in Cali, for $399 with $33 BingCashBack. $366FTW...so tired of waiting on FERMI.

EK2K