Looking for a new video card... need your help

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imported_rogerwilco

Member
Sep 3, 2005
47
0
0
Hi,
my Leadtek 6600GT Extreme video card's fan just died,
apparently it stopped working a few months ago, but I haven't played any games to find out sooner (the computer hangs as soon as I start the game).

So I decided to buy a new card instead of buying a new cooling system for it.

First of all,
I wanted to know which of the following companies is recommended for video cards:
Leadtek, Sapphire, Gigabyte, Asus, Palit.

anyway, I've gathered some of the cards I've considered buying (I've searched through Leadtek & Gigabyte models for now),
they're arranged from the cheapest to the most expensive,
I'd like your opinion on which one is the best choice:

LeadTek Geforce WinFast PX9600GT 512MB DDR3 PCI-E S-FANPIPE
http://www.leadtek.com.tw/eng/...eid=419&lineid=1&act=1

WinFast PX9600 GT ZL (Zalman Edition)
http://www.leadtek.com.tw/eng/...eid=420&lineid=1&act=1

LeadTek Geforce WinFast PX9600GT EXTREME 512MB DDR3 PCI-E S-FANPIPE
http://www.leadtek.com.tw/eng/...eid=418&lineid=1&act=1

GIGABYTE Geforce 9600GT 512MB DDR3 HEATPIPE PCI-E
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Pro...ew.aspx?ProductID=2785

GIGABYTE Geforce 9600GT 512MB DDR3 + ZALMAN COOLING PCI-E
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Pro...ew.aspx?ProductID=2786

LeadTek Geforce WinFast PX8800GT 512MB DDR3 PCI-E
http://www.leadtek.com.tw/eng/...lineid=1&pronameid=398

LeadTek Geforce WinFast PX8800GT 512MB DDR3 Zalman Cooling PCI-E
http://www.leadtek.com.tw/eng/...lineid=1&pronameid=401


These are my computer's specifications:
- AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor
- GIGABYTE GA-K8NF-9 NFORCE4
- OCZ DDR 512MB PREMIER 400mhz CL2.5 x2
- WD 200GB 7200RPM 8MB JD SATA
- WD 320GB 7200RPM 16MB SATA2
- LEADTEK WinFast PX6600GT TDH Extreme 128MB DDR PCI-EXPRESS
- COMPUCASE CI-6A19 BLACK + HEC 300W



as I understand, I'll have to replace my power supply to a 400W one.

anyway, I'd really appreciate your help on this subject.
Thanks


 
D

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
All of the brands you've listed should be OK, except possibly for Palit since they're new to supporting customers directly.

Your CPU is a bit slow for the 8800GT cards, but if you buy one it will still run faster than the 9600s and will still be a decent card for when you upgrade the motherboard, CPU 7 RAM.

So, decide how much you want to spend and pick one.

You might want to get a 500 - 650 watt PSU instead of a 400 though, so you don't have to buy a new one when you upgrade again.
 
DSF

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
4,902
0
71
Among Nvidia graphics card partners your best bets in terms of warranty and customer service are EVGA and XFX. Both have good customer service and lifetime warranties. BFG may have joined the lifetime warranty club too, I don't recall for sure. Among the brands you linked, nothing really stands out. ASUS would probably be the best quality among the brands you listed, but you didn't link any of their cards.

Where are you buying from?

 
I

imported_rogerwilco

Member
Sep 3, 2005
47
0
0
S

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Of the brands you have listed, my best experience has been with ASUS. Sapphire is very no-frills, and I'm pretty sure Palit is as well.

I have never bought a Gigabyte product but they have an excellent reputation.

Leadtek I haven't heard too much good or bad about. They scream of mediocrity. :)

Just so that you know, ASUS is sort of looked upon as the industry gold standard in a way. That said they don't make a 4850 card, and that would be my reccomendation right now pretty much regardless of budget (just xfire two of them if you have more to spend).

If you are indeed willing to spend around $300, then if you can get an ASUS-based GTX260 that would probably be a nice card for the money. The 4870 is the same price, but I would take the 260 as I respect what NV has done with their push toward general computing on the GPU (plus there's the fact that ASUS will make a higher-quality product than any of the vendors AMD works with).
 
S

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
OP: What is your budget and what are some of the cards available to you at that price?

Do not buy an 8600-based graphics card! The 9600 is great, the 8600 is absolute crap in comparison. Maybe 25% of the 9600's speed on a good day.

I'll list some of the good GPUs for you:

8800GS
9600GT
8800GT
8800GTS
9800GTX
9800GTX+
GTX260
GTX280

4850
4870

The rest are old news and you should stay away from them. The above list is in order of GPU power from least to greatest, separated NV on top, AMD on the bottom. Good luck!
 
S

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: rogerwilco
Actually, it's the most expensive, from all the cards I've presented here.
it's around 290 dollars.
Click to expand...
AFAIK those sell for around $200USD in North America. Keep in mind that your country may charge all sorts of taxes and duty at the border. If that's the going rate around there I'd say it's a good deal, but you should look into both the 4850 and the 8800GT. The GT is considerably cheaper and performs right about the same as the GTS. Typically a GT sells for around $150 here but they're in short supply. Perhaps you could get one there for around $220.
 
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imported_rogerwilco

Member
Sep 3, 2005
47
0
0
bob4432

bob4432

Lifer
Sep 6, 2003
11,726
45
91
Originally posted by: rogerwilco
Well,
I've decided to go with the GIGABYTE Geforce 9600GT 512MB DDR3 + ZALMAN COOLING PCI-E
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Pro...ew.aspx?ProductID=2786

and upgrade my power supply to PCPOWER&COOLING PPCS500 Silencer 500W Retail
http://www.pcpower.com/product..._500_EPS12V/index.html

Are there any objections?

Thanks again, you guys
Click to expand...

Sickbeast, what's your verdict on this?
(I'm waiting for your answer before I order)
Click to expand...

you would be fine w/ the antec ea430 that is ~$40AR - most "moderate" gaming rigs are going to pull less than 250W max

also, a lot of people discount the 3850 512 card, but they do ok under 1680x1050 and are low power and low heat - something to consider. but the 4850 can't really be beat for a $150AR card
 
S

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: rogerwilco
Well,
I've decided to go with the GIGABYTE Geforce 9600GT 512MB DDR3 + ZALMAN COOLING PCI-E
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Pro...ew.aspx?ProductID=2786

and upgrade my power supply to PCPOWER&COOLING PPCS500 Silencer 500W Retail
http://www.pcpower.com/product..._500_EPS12V/index.html

Are there any objections?

Thanks again, you guys
Click to expand...

Sickbeast, what's your verdict on this?
(I'm waiting for your answer before I order)
Click to expand...
It's hard for me to say without knowing the prices in US dollars BUT if it's say 30% cheaper than the $270 he quoted you for the 8800GTS then I'd say it's probably a fair price and definitely a good card to be purchasing considering your budget constraints. You're really not losing much compared with an 8800GTS at the end of the day (maybe 20% or so overall).

Keep in mind that you will get much more mileage out of a 4850, but that card should be the same price as an 8800GT (in other words, more money than a 9600GT). The 4850 is comparable to the 9800GTX just so that you are aware.

Sorry that took so long, I fell asleep! :)
:beer:
 
I

imported_rogerwilco

Member
Sep 3, 2005
47
0
0
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Originally posted by: rogerwilco
Well,
I've decided to go with the GIGABYTE Geforce 9600GT 512MB DDR3 + ZALMAN COOLING PCI-E
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Pro...ew.aspx?ProductID=2786

and upgrade my power supply to PCPOWER&COOLING PPCS500 Silencer 500W Retail
http://www.pcpower.com/product..._500_EPS12V/index.html

Are there any objections?

Thanks again, you guys
Click to expand...

Sickbeast, what's your verdict on this?
(I'm waiting for your answer before I order)
Click to expand...
It's hard for me to say without knowing the prices in US dollars BUT if it's say 30% cheaper than the $270 he quoted you for the 8800GTS then I'd say it's probably a fair price and definitely a good card to be purchasing considering your budget constraints. You're really not losing much compared with an 8800GTS at the end of the day (maybe 20% or so overall).

Keep in mind that you will get much more mileage out of a 4850, but that card should be the same price as an 8800GT (in other words, more money than a 9600GT). The 4850 is comparable to the 9800GTX just so that you are aware.

Sorry that took so long, I fell asleep! :)
:beer:
Click to expand...

Great, thanks (no need to apologize for sleeping :))
The Gigabyte 8800GTS model is GIGABYTE Geforce 8800GTS 512MB DDR3 PCI-E
and it costs 419 dollars.
So I guess I'll take the GIGABYTE Geforce 9600GT 512MB DDR3 + ZALMAN COOLING PCI-E which costs 242 dollars.
I'll avoid the Inno3D if you don't know it (I don't like brands that are localized, they're usually crap)

Thanks again for all your help

 
S

SickBeast

Lifer
Jul 21, 2000
14,377
19
81
Originally posted by: rogerwilco
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Originally posted by: rogerwilco
Well,
I've decided to go with the GIGABYTE Geforce 9600GT 512MB DDR3 + ZALMAN COOLING PCI-E
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Pro...ew.aspx?ProductID=2786

and upgrade my power supply to PCPOWER&COOLING PPCS500 Silencer 500W Retail
http://www.pcpower.com/product..._500_EPS12V/index.html

Are there any objections?

Thanks again, you guys
Click to expand...

Sickbeast, what's your verdict on this?
(I'm waiting for your answer before I order)
Click to expand...
It's hard for me to say without knowing the prices in US dollars BUT if it's say 30% cheaper than the $270 he quoted you for the 8800GTS then I'd say it's probably a fair price and definitely a good card to be purchasing considering your budget constraints. You're really not losing much compared with an 8800GTS at the end of the day (maybe 20% or so overall).

Keep in mind that you will get much more mileage out of a 4850, but that card should be the same price as an 8800GT (in other words, more money than a 9600GT). The 4850 is comparable to the 9800GTX just so that you are aware.

Sorry that took so long, I fell asleep! :)
:beer:
Click to expand...

Great, thanks (no need to apologize for sleeping :))
The Gigabyte 8800GTS model is GIGABYTE Geforce 8800GTS 512MB DDR3 PCI-E
and it costs 419 dollars.
So I guess I'll take the GIGABYTE Geforce 9600GT 512MB DDR3 + ZALMAN COOLING PCI-E which costs 242 dollars.
I'll avoid the Inno3D if you don't know it (I don't like brands that are localized, they're usually crap)

Thanks again for all your help
Click to expand...
You're welcome.

That card *should* make an excellent general-processing workhorse as well once DX11 comes out, plus you can run folding@home on it right now, and hopefully PhysX within the next few months.

The Zalman heatsinks are generally very good. Enjoy! :)
 
I

imported_rogerwilco

Member
Sep 3, 2005
47
0
0
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Originally posted by: rogerwilco
Originally posted by: SickBeast
Originally posted by: rogerwilco
Well,
I've decided to go with the GIGABYTE Geforce 9600GT 512MB DDR3 + ZALMAN COOLING PCI-E
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Pro...ew.aspx?ProductID=2786

and upgrade my power supply to PCPOWER&COOLING PPCS500 Silencer 500W Retail
http://www.pcpower.com/product..._500_EPS12V/index.html

Are there any objections?

Thanks again, you guys
Click to expand...

Sickbeast, what's your verdict on this?
(I'm waiting for your answer before I order)
Click to expand...
It's hard for me to say without knowing the prices in US dollars BUT if it's say 30% cheaper than the $270 he quoted you for the 8800GTS then I'd say it's probably a fair price and definitely a good card to be purchasing considering your budget constraints. You're really not losing much compared with an 8800GTS at the end of the day (maybe 20% or so overall).

Keep in mind that you will get much more mileage out of a 4850, but that card should be the same price as an 8800GT (in other words, more money than a 9600GT). The 4850 is comparable to the 9800GTX just so that you are aware.

Sorry that took so long, I fell asleep! :)
:beer:
Click to expand...

Great, thanks (no need to apologize for sleeping :))
The Gigabyte 8800GTS model is GIGABYTE Geforce 8800GTS 512MB DDR3 PCI-E
and it costs 419 dollars.
So I guess I'll take the GIGABYTE Geforce 9600GT 512MB DDR3 + ZALMAN COOLING PCI-E which costs 242 dollars.
I'll avoid the Inno3D if you don't know it (I don't like brands that are localized, they're usually crap)

Thanks again for all your help
Click to expand...
You're welcome.

That card *should* make an excellent general-processing workhorse as well once DX11 comes out, plus you can run folding@home on it right now, and hopefully PhysX within the next few months.

The Zalman heatsinks are generally very good. Enjoy! :)
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot, SickBeast.
You've been a great help.
 
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