Graphics Card Upgrade Question

[Wayfaerer1]

I would like to upgrade my graphics card to improve gaming performance, but I have no idea what my options are...

Here are my specs:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200(2.33GHz)
64 bit Quad-Core Processor 4MB L2 Cache 8GB DDR2 800 640GB SATA II (7200RPM, 16MB Cache)NVIDIA GeForce GT120 Graphics, 1GB DDR2 Total Video Memor400W Power SupplyOS: Windows Vista 64-bit

A while back, somebody suggested the Sapphire HD 5770.

How much improvement would this card provide over the GT 120 that I currently have?

What are some other options?

Currently, I can run just about any latest game, but on minimum or medium settings. High or Perfect settings and the frame rates are pathetic.

Essentially, I'm hoping to beef up my PC for games like Red Orchestra 2 and whenever Storm of War comes out.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[happy medium]

A 5770 is a good choice for your weak power supply. Try overclocking that cpu if you can,it should goto 3.0 ghz rather easy.

It should be 3x faster then your gt 120.

 

[mwmorph]

What is your power supply?

 

[happy medium]

What is your power supply?

With his specs I'm betting it was a prebuild ,Dell, HP, Gateway ect. ect.
400 watt oem.

 

[Wayfaerer1]

Correct - a Gateway LX6810

 

[happy medium]

Correct - a Gateway LX6810

ok your power supply has 2 12 volt rails at 18 amps and 14 amps.
http://www.ascendtech.us/itemdesc.asp?ic=CSPGATLX6810014

I'd go for a gtx 460 768 maximum or a 5770. The gtx 460 is 25% faster.
The 5770 should be about 25$ cheaper.

5770 140$ or 120 AR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-476-_-Product

gtx460 160$ or 135$ar
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-173-_-Product

Edit: did you get the 19" monitor or upgrade to the 22"? Thats important.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Try overclocking that cpu if you can,it should goto 3.0 ghz rather easy.

With his specs I'm betting it was a prebuild ,Dell, HP, Gateway ect. ect.
400 watt oem.

:|

He won't be overclocking at all. He can't.

HD 5750, HD 5770, or GTS 450 are good options for you: Low power and a good match with your processor. Any of those are easily 4 times faster than a GT120, which isn't a gaming card at all.

 

[Wayfaerer1]

I have an LG 20" monitor.

I figured I couldn't overclock it because it's a pre-build PC.

If I opt for the 5770, will I or should I need more ventilation/cooling?

Or is what I already have sufficient?

 

[taltamir]

With his specs I'm betting it was a prebuild ,Dell, HP, Gateway ect. ect.
400 watt oem.

which means 200 watt IRL.
he will need a real power supply before he can get a GPU upgrade. luckily a good solid 500watt (actual power) can be bought for ~50$

@op: check this out: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/GPU/94
choose a directX version, choose a benchmark (choose the resolution you would prefer to run it at, probably your monitor's native res), and then compare the various cards.
The 5770 is way down at the bottom in terms of performance (despite being about 3x faster then your current card). its all a matter of how much you want and how much you are willing to pay.

only you can decide what is worth your money.

 

[happy medium]

20" monitor is perfect for a 5770 but for 20$ more I'd go with the gtx460 768.
You power supply will be ok since your not overclocking anything.

power draw with a core i7 system thats draws more power then yours.