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considering a new card

BTRY B 529th FA BN

BTRY B 529th FA BN

Lifer
I am considering a new vid card for everyday use like forums, email, video playback. Nothing too fancy.

I would consider a 4850 - budget no more than 125$

 
Does the motherboard have integrated video? If so, you might as well stick with that and save some money. Other than that, something like a 4350 would be nice (ZZF actually had a 4350 + OCZ keyboard for $15 shipped after rebate 2-3 days ago). A 4850 is massive overkill for web browsing and video playback.
 
I'd go with the 4870 512 over the 1gb for your uses if going for a "good" card, you can get one of those typically for ~ $115 these days. however, a 9600gso has been hovering around $40AR for months now, that card is an unbelievable price/performance bargain just in case you ever pick up some games that aren't called "crysis".
 
The problem is this old 1900XTX has a line going through the screen. It comes and goes and the exhaust noise, even at 30%, is still noisy.

EDIT: i guess i'll have to keep looking. i've looked but couldn't find the one thing i want; exhaust fan out the back of the case...
 
I don't understand how the 4870 is a candidate when he explicitly stated he wants a cheap low power card for 2D/desktop/internet apps. Nowhere does the word "games" or "D3D" appear in the OP. Simply because his budget is larger than it needs to be doesn't mean that he should blow it all.

I would suggest the radeon 4350. Cheap, passive and plenty of power for HD video. No reason to spend $130 on a 150-watt 4870 when a 35-watt Radeon 4350 will do the same job for only $30. In the above-stated usage scenarios, the difference between a 4350 and a 4890 or even a 5870 will be entirely indiscernible, except in regards to cost and energy consumption (two explicitly stated concerns).

If gaming on this machine is a distant possibility, I would address that bridge later on when it's time to cross it (like when RV840 is $100). For now, get your $30 card and move on.
 
Something like a 4670 would do you well, it is more powerful than your 1950XTX, inexpensive starting at ~$67 on Newegg, only uses the power from your PCIE slot - no external power needed, and would give you better video acceleration/HDMI. All while running cool and using not too much power.
 
fyi, if he has an x1950xtx right now then he probably plays games some times.

looking at the 3 rigs, however, if the other two are for serious gaming and the 3rd is never going to game then the lower power gpu the better. I would literally get the weakest thing out there, something that will generate minimal heat so that you won't have to worry about a dual slot card with rear exhaust.

I still think that the 9600gso would be good just in case you get the urge and your wife and kids are using the "gaming" rigs, however. 😉
 
The 4870 is not quiet, not cheap, not low heat, and not low power.

Methinks the OP is a bit confused.
 
Originally posted by: IlllI
Originally posted by: s44
The 4870 is not quiet, not cheap, not low heat, and not low power.

Methinks the OP is a bit confused.
Click to expand...



yeah i was thinking the same thing
Click to expand...

wooo, who said anything about getting another 4870 - but in light of that, if i did i could crossfire them. I am looking to make things a little more quiet in the Q9650 machine.
 
I was happy with a passive 4350 in the HTPC, but the 4670 has low idle power so I would think that would be a pretty decent general purpose card.
 
If you're not really gonna play current games I would just spend $20 on a passive cooled geforce 6200. It's low powered and no noise.
 
I know that you have a preference for ati, but you can get a 9600 gso for $34.99 shipped AR at newegg right now. that card really is as good as a 3850, as opposed to the 4650 which is quite a bit weaker.

 
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