I need to add a video card...

[JEDIYoda]

I play quake Live and would like to play a few other games that are out.
I am into the Unreal series and half- Life..etc
Here is the basics of my sytem....

HP Pavilion m9500z AMD Phenom II X4 940 3.0GHz 6GB 500GB
AMD Phenom II X4 940 (3.0GHz/6MB L3 Cache)
500GB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive
6GB DDR2 SDRAM (2x2048MB and 2x1024MB)
Total memory slots: 4 DIMM

I already have onboard video -- video RV730 Pro w/512MB

So far I have been looking at --
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4870 100259-1GL Video Card - Retail
Radeon HD 4870
1GB GDDR5
PCI Express 2.0 x16
$ 189.99


EVGA GeForce GTX 260 896-P3-1260-AR Video Card - Retail
GeForce GTX 260
896MB GDDR3
PCI Express 2.0 x16
$179.99

MSI Radeon HD 4870 R4870-T2D1G Video Card - Retail
Radeon HD 4870
1GB GDDR5
PCI Express 2.0 x16
$199.99

BFG Tech GeForce GTX 260 BFGEGTX260896OCE Video Card - Retail
GeForce GTX 260
896MB GDDR3
PCI Express 2.0 x16
$169.99

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4830 100266HDMI Video Card - Retail
Radeon HD 4830
1GB GDDR3
PCI Express 2.0 x16
$109.99

EVGA GeForce GTS 250 01G-P3-1155-TR Video Card - Retail
GeForce GTS 250
1GB GDDR3
PCI Express 2.0 x16
$149.99

POWERCOLOR Radeon HD 4870 AX4870 1GBD5-PPH Video Card - Retail
Radeon HD 4870
1GB GDDR5
PCI Express 2.0 x16
$189.99

VisionTek Radeon HD 4670 900251 Video Card - Retail
Radeon HD 4670
1GB GDDR3
PCI Express 2.0 x16
$94.99

 

[Rifter]

BFG Tech GeForce GTX 260 BFGEGTX260896OCE Video Card - Retail
GeForce GTX 260
896MB GDDR3
PCI Express 2.0 x16
$169.99

or

SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4870 100259-1GL Video Card - Retail
Radeon HD 4870
1GB GDDR5
PCI Express 2.0 x16
$ 189.99


or if you wanted lower costing then i would go with


SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4830 100266HDMI Video Card - Retail
Radeon HD 4830
1GB GDDR3
PCI Express 2.0 x16
$109.99

or a 4770.

 

[Jacen]

The 4870 and GTX 260 are the fastest out of those. I'd give the slight nod to the 4870, probably powercolor as I'm not the biggest fan of sapphire's support. Honestly you can't go wrong with either.

The 4890 should be hitting $199 here eventually but I don't know if you want to wait for that.

And i could have sworn Quake Live didn't use the GPU at all, maybe I am mistaken?

 

[AzN]

You probably need a new power supply for those video cards

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: Azn
You probably need a new power supply for those video cards

I have several power supplys that I can switch out if needed. I have a PC Power & Cooling PSU`s in all my riggs. I have an 850 I can switch out from another rigg if needed. I also have a 1K I can switch out.

Peace!

 

[Spoelie]

what's the monitor resolution?
For half-life and unreal based games, a 4770 will suffice. If going for the heavy hitters, an upgrade to 4870/GTX260 would be recommended.

Those would be my only choices, other cards do not provide the same value. Don't go for a 4830 at least.

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: Spoelie
what's the monitor resolution?
For half-life and unreal based games, a 4770 will suffice. If going for the heavy hitters, an upgrade to 4870/GTX260 would be recommended.

Those would be my only choices, other cards do not provide the same value. Don't go for a 4830 at least.

Yup. 4850 or 4770 seems to be ideal in your case, even if you're gaming on a 24" monitor. Those games simply aren't very stressful on modern hardware. If you're planning to play newer stuff like Crysis, Bioshock, or Fallout3, then you should probably scoop up a 4870 or GTX260.


edit: Also, if you use a 4770, chances are your current PSU will be fine and dandy.