Need entry-level video card to add DVI port, what should I get?

[wchang99]

I'm getting an LCD monitor, but my current onboard video only has a vga port. The add-in card doesn't have to be much better than the onboard video (nVidia 6150LE, 425 MPixels/s, 850 MTexels/s, DX 9.0c), but any extra perf. of course would be great. I'd like it to be a current gen card (all else being equal), for whatever improvements they may have and for DirectX 10/10.1, and would like to keep it under $50.

The ones I know of are:

ATI Radeon HD4550 (2400 MP/s, 4800 MT/s, 12.8 GB/s memory bandwidth, 64-bit memory bus, DirectX 10.1)

GeForce 9400GT (2200 MP/s, 4400 MT/s, 12.8 GB/s memory bandwidth, 128-bit memory bus, DirectX 10)

ATI Radeon HD3650 (2900 MP/s, 5800 MT/s, 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth, 128-bit memory bus, DirectX 10.1)

(stats pulled from wikipedia here and here.)

Are there any other gpu's I should be looking at (or anything other than fillrate, memory bandwidth, DX version)? I'm thinking of 512MB memory for this level.. any more wouldn't help much, right?

Of the above, I'm tending toward the ATI HD3650 (the HD3xxx series is an earlier gen than the HD4xxx, but the HD3650 is a late example of it, and has DX 10.1, so I guess that would not be a big issue?).. there's a good deal at newegg:

POWERCOLOR AX3650 512MD2 Radeon HD 3650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail -- $30 after MIR, + S/H

Does that look good? Or am I making a mistake?

(Don't want anyone to sweat my question too much, but, if there's an easy answer.. thanks!!)

edit: the card is not for the system described in my sig

 

[Qbah]

All of the above specifications don't really matter, since those cards can't really play games. Since you won' be connecting a LCD TV to it, I guess you don't really need HDMI Audio either. Takes a bit more work to get sound through DVI on a nVidia card

The fastest of those 3 is definately the HD3650. And 30$ is really cheap for it. So I'd say go ahead and get it.

However if you're sure you won't be playing any modern games, I'd say get a passive HD3450 - it has a DVI port and doesn't make noise. And does everything else as good as the HD3650. Or, if you can find a similarly priced passive HD4350/4550, go ahead and get it instead.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

I agree with the above, mostly. Any card should work fine and the HD3650 is definitely the fastest. Although, I do think it would be an ok gaming card. You may not be able to turn up the details in more demanding games, but 2+ year old games should run fine and I know Crysis will be very playable if you use low-medium settings.

 

[MrK6]

What are you looking to do with the card? I actually just got an HD 4350 for the family computer, mainly because I wanted a low power, passively cooled solution with DVI, VGA, and HDMI. It was also only $21 AR (+S/H). I tinkered around with it and was able to undervolt it in 2D and video playback and overclock it in 3D to 720MHz/440MHz from 600MHz/400MHz. I was even able to fire up so TF2 and L4D, which were only resolution limited due to the lack of memory bandwidth. Anyway, it's a great little card for the money :thumbsup:.

 

[wchang99]

Thanks for the help and advice, all. I needed to read up a little to figure out where I'm going with this, but your insights pointed some out things I hadn't thought of before, like noise (since it is the family computer for me, also), and possibly moving up a little, if I'm really going to play games with it.

I'm thinking of either going with something quiet and minimal, like the HD4350 with passive cooling (and just keep the same uses I have now, which is Google Earth and maybe loading up Quake 3 someday, in addition to the 2D), or spending a little more than I had originally thought, and getting the HD4670 or nVidia 9600GT.

The HD4670 would be great since I understand it's quiet (esp. the Powercolor one), and doesn't need a PCIE power outlet (which I don't have). The 9600GT is tempting though for its extra bit of power -- I understand it's a worthwhile jump over the 4670. The thing though is that I'd probably have to get a new PSU, because aside from whether or not my existing one (305w) can power it, I don't even have 2 molex connectors for a molex-to-PCIE adapter. So, I'm looking at PSU's, right now.

For PSU's, should I just get the cheapest one above 400w? Or, are there some names I should look for (or avoid)?

Also... my CPU is an Athlon 64X2 4400+ 2.3Ghz, and many websites use 3.2 - 3.6Ghz dual core (or even quad) to benchmark games/video cards. How would the fps numbers scale down to mine? Would it be a straight arithmetic ratio less (2.3 vs 3.2 or 3.6) only in the worst case scenario, but, mostly in the middle somewhere (like, 10-25% less even if my CPU is 36% less)?

And, also.. I have PCIE 1.0, not 2.0, would that affect things seriously at this level?

Many thanks for your advice. I'm trying to get up to speed on some of these things, and so, definitely appreciate your input as well.

edit:
if I get an overclocked 9600GT (the cheapest one available currently at newegg), will I be able to underclock it back down in Rivatuner to get the power usage down? Would that not necessarily quiet the fan down much, if they use a louder than stock cooling solution?

 

[Jacen]

maybe loading up Quake 3 someday

No need to worry about a GPU for that. Haven't you seen this yet?

http://www.quakelive.com/

 

[wchang99]

Originally posted by: Jacen
maybe loading up Quake 3 someday

No need to worry about a GPU for that. Haven't you seen this yet?

http://www.quakelive.com/

That site is so cool. No, I didn't know about that. I like their matching service (where it observes your skill level and matches you with someone appropriate).

I wonder what their angle is? Maybe trying to promote Quake Wars. I think I'm going to check it out -- thanks for pointing it out.

 

[Jacen]

No angle at all. Carmac just loves to provide fans service. Sure there are in-game ads, etc, but the game is totally free and meant for the hardcore to the pubbers.

Quake Live is Q3 ten years later done right and done free. Cant really complain.

 

[wchang99]

Yeah -- I have no problem with it at all. I guess I should have said "business model", but, either way, same thing, it's win-win. I'm looking forward to playing it.

 

[wchang99]

Originally posted by: MrK6
I actually just got an HD 4350 for the family computer... It was also only $21 AR (+S/H).

Actually, is that deal still good? I've been looking around, and have only found $33 + s/h (ewiz) as the best price (for a passive one). Which is pretty good, but, just wondering.

 

[MrK6]

Here's the card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814131144

It's OOS but the rebate is active until the 30th, so cross your fingers =)

 

[wchang99]

Originally posted by: MrK6
Here's the card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814131144

It's OOS but the rebate is active until the 30th, so cross your fingers =)

Replied to you at your email.. Thanks!

Just to update: I ended up going with the 9400gt; there was a good $20 AR price at Newegg this weekend, and I was honest with myself and realized I probably wouldn't ever use this purchase for (modern) gaming. And this way, if in the future something changes, I can get a 4770-type card and not have spent too much money now.