Help needed - buying a new video card

[KillerCharlie]

I'm putting together a 6420 system. I play games, but I'm not a heavy gamer. I can't predict if I will play more games in the future or less. Hopefully this system will run Starcraft 2 okay (hopefully it comes out within the next couple years). What cards do you recommend? I was thinking $100-$150 range. I guess my only real goal is that it will run starcraft 2 decently.

Thanks!

 

[JPB]

8600 series ?
1950Pro ?

 

[996GT2]

I'd go with an 8600GT for the DX10 and the lower power consumption...performance will definitely be good enough for SC2, and since you aren't a huge gamer you won't need the extra power anyway

 

[coolpurplefan]

I don't know if sound is a concern for you but since I have a fanless motherboard, I decided to get a fanless CPU heatsink (Scythe Ninja). Then I figured I may as well go fanless for the video card as well so I just ordered an X1650 XT iSilence II. That particular model is not as powerful as the X1950 Pro. By the way, I did notice the X1950 Pro in benchmarks right around the 8600 in benchmarks. I think you'd usually pay more for the 8600 then that would be followed by the X1950 Pro except I think only Power Color makes a fanless X1950 Pro and I find it too expensive so I went with the HIS X1650 XT iSilence.

That's going to be cool with my Coolermaster Centurion 5 case because I plan to take off the 80mm fan in front my Samsung Spinpoint hard drive because it's already a cool-running drive and put the Scythe 120mm fan in the back of the case. I have a Seasonic S-12 with a 120mm fan so I should be able to get a near-silent machine.

 

[SolMiester]

Originally posted by: coolpurplefan
I don't know if sound is a concern for you but since I have a fanless motherboard, I decided to get a fanless CPU heatsink (Scythe Ninja). Then I figured I may as well go fanless for the video card as well so I just ordered an X1650 XT iSilence II. That particular model is not as powerful as the X1950 Pro. By the way, I did notice the X1950 Pro in benchmarks right around the 8600 in benchmarks. I think you'd usually pay more for the 8600 then that would be followed by the X1950 Pro except I think only Power Color makes a fanless X1950 Pro and I find it too expensive so I went with the HIS X1650 XT iSilence.

That's going to be cool with my Coolermaster Centurion 5 case because I plan to take off the 80mm fan in front my Samsung Spinpoint hard drive because it's already a cool-running drive and put the Scythe 120mm fan in the back of the case. I have a Seasonic S-12 with a 120mm fan so I should be able to get a near-silent machine.

No, they use the Artic cooling solution Accerelo X2, still has a fan!

 

[Borealis7]

could the 8600 handle 1600x1200 0AA 16AF with say...an E4300 or is it too far of a stretch?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

X1950GT $115 after MIR

X1950 Pro $126 after MIR

Both are HDCP enabled and 70% of the time the X1950GT stomps a 7900GS and the 7900GS can't hold a candle to the X1950 Pro.

At these prices there is no reason to get a slower and in some cases more expensive 8600GT, 7600GT or X1650XT.

 

[coolpurplefan]

Originally posted by: SolMiester

Originally posted by: coolpurplefan
...only Power Color makes a fanless X1950 Pro...

No, they use the Artic cooling solution Accerelo X2, still has a fan!

Uh, that's not what I read. But, I'll look more into it...
http://www.elitebastards.com/cms/index....com_content&task=view&id=363&Itemid=27

 

[coolpurplefan]

Originally posted by: Dazed and Confused
At these prices there is no reason to get a slower and in some cases more expensive 8600GT, 7600GT or X1650XT.

I agree with you performance-wise, but I ordered an X1650 XT iSilence II mainly because it has passive cooling. But, also because I only like UT2004 and BF2 which the X1650 XT can easily play.

Besides, next year I want to upgrade because of UT3. I wanted a better card right away but knowing the way I am, I know I'll be too lazy to upgrade the minute UT3 is out. I'll probably wait a while as usual which means I would have waited until next year for a better card. So, I decided to go cheap and get the 1650.

I wouldn't say there's NO REASON for getting another card. I want to see how silent my machine can get. And believe me, if it's real silent, I'll be bragging about it in the case&cooling forum.

EDIT: Here's a link on the Arctic Cooling's Accelero S2.
http://www.arctic-cooling.com/vga2.php?idx=125

 

[alaricljs]

Gigabyte has some passive 8x00 cards. I personally went with the XFX 7950GT XXX which is passively cooled. My system produces a low wooshing sound from the air movement produced by 4 120mm fans (1 CPU/HSF, 3 stock P182 fans on low). The noise drops into the background as soon as your brain starts doing something

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Take the money u save buying an X1950GT or X1950 Pro and buy this

Voila, you now have a silent ( just under 15db ) high speed video card for as low as $130 after MIR's.

 

[RussianSensation]

X1950GT/Pro, 7950GT or X1950XT for $170 are your best bets.

Starcraft 2 will be DX9 most likely so don't worry about the crippled Geforce 8600 series.

 

[KillerCharlie]

So an X1950 is faster than an 8600? What about future-proofing with a DX 10 card? Are there any DX10 cards out there that perform well and are decently priced?

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie
So an X1950 is faster than an 8600? What about future-proofing with a DX 10 card? Are there any DX10 cards out there that perform well and are decently priced?

X1900GT, X1950Pro, X1950XT will be much faster than 8600GTS even. You definately wont' futureproof for DX10 with a mid-range Geforce 8 card as it simply doesnt have the power to run DX9 games. Sure DX10 might speed up performance, but by then the games themselves will use more complex shaders, higher quality textures which will all decrease performance despite the DX10 gains (or at least I am guessing).

Here is a review of 8600GTS - Link

 

[KillerCharlie]

Okay, I'm going for the X1950.

Three last questions:

1) Is going from 256mb memory to 512mb worth it? The latter seems to be 30-40 bucks more.

2) HDCP - is it basically for HDDVD with a compatible monitor?

3) 7950GT better for the price?

 

[Dazed and Confused]

1 ) only if u plan on running resolutions above 1600x1200.

2 ) HDCP compliance allows you to play Blu-Ray and HD-DVD movies on your PC and other similar High Definition Content Protected video.

3 ) No, the 7950GT is not faster than an X1950 Pro, it's a close match to the X1950GT.

 

[RussianSensation]

Originally posted by: KillerCharlie

1) Is going from 256mb memory to 512mb worth it? The latter seems to be 30-40 bucks more.

If you are going to spend $30-40 more, you would be better off getting a 256mb X1950XT card. So stick with the 256mb 1950 card instead under $100 or so.

The 512mb 7950GT card is faster than X1950Pro. But once again the X1950XT is better at the same price point.