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Best video card for $100

B

brassmonkey2160

Junior Member
What's the best card right now for $100?

My buddy needs an upgrade (PCI express) but he still has a pretty terrible power supply, 350w, I forget what the 12v line was, but there was only one and it wasn't > 30A, IIRC.
 
there are 8800gt models out there for around $100 AR that should be fine on a 350w psu with, say, 27A on the 12v rail.
 
Could I run a 9600GSO on a ThermalTake 430W? There's a single 12V rail at 18A. Rest of machine is E2140 @ 3.2Ghz, WD 320GB HD, IDE DVD burner. Current card is Radeon X1950Pro.

Just wondering, because I have two Antec Basiq 500W PSUs that I could swap in to my rigs if need be. They have two 12V rails at 18A each.

 
Originally posted by: VirtualLarry
Could I run a 9600GSO on a ThermalTake 430W? There's a single 12V rail at 18A. Rest of machine is E2140 @ 3.2Ghz, WD 320GB HD, IDE DVD burner. Current card is Radeon X1950Pro.

Just wondering, because I have two Antec Basiq 500W PSUs that I could swap in to my rigs if need be. They have two 12V rails at 18A each.
Click to expand...

You can easily run it.
 
It really depends on the quality of the PSU. If it's a no-name it could be good (made by a "good" brand) or it could be crap, most likely the later. If it's a quality 350w I don't think it would have any issue with a 9600gso/gt or a 4670. For pure gaming the 9600 is the better buy but for HTPC and lower power (gaming is not as good as the 9600 but not too far back) the 4670 is better. With the current rebates the 9600gso is the no brainer buy but at full price it depends on his specific uses.

Personally if it's a crap psu I would get neither card unless he upgrades the psu. You can get a good antec earthwatts $430 for $40 from newegg. Thats by no means a great price (the 500w versions go on sale for cheaper sometimes) but just an example of a good psu for cheap.
 
It says i need a 750w PSU. I only have a 600w OCZ GameXtream SLI PSU. It powers everything in my sig just fine. Maybe it's the 4 18a 12v rails?🙂
 
Go with an 8800GT or a 9800GT if the power supply is not a no-name brand 350w. You should be fine. They can be had for $100 after rebate. Or look for another hot deal on a 9600GSO for $50 or less.
 
most PSU calculators are overblown as to how much power you actually need. it is better to do the math yourself. anandtech has a few charts on what parts consume how much aprox~ and you can usually choose your PSU based on that. with all that said and done, i would honestly get a good 450-500 watt PSU if you are planning on upgrading anything in that system to be really good enough for gaming. thats pretty much the minimum these days. sure, a no name 350watt might power it okay, right up until the PSU burns up from having to much current drawn from it lol
 
I'm looking at my e-geforce 9600 gso that I got for $36AR shipped the other day from newegg. With deals that cheap it's just stupid to buy a $100 card unless you're at 16x12 or higher.
 
AT: Debunking power supply myths.

Best write-up I've yet seen on powersupply needs. Most systems don't need anywhere near the power you'd imagine.

However, make sure the PS you choose can actually provide the amps required, I've seen cheapo "500W" models fail when trying to push a system that only needs 150-200W.
 
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