onboard vs. 9800GT?

Croikee26

Junior Member
Nov 9, 2008
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On my computer device manager listing it has two listings like the following:
Display Adapters
Nvidia GeForce 9400 (GeForce 8200 + GeForce 9300 GE)
Nvidia GeForce 9400 (GeForce 9300GE + GeForce 8200)

Looks like a duplicate listing, but is this just a plain old onboard graphics card? If so, how much better would a 9800GT or a 9800GTX be? I can run crysis but its choppy at medium, low runs fine. Thoughts on this improvement?

is there a better card out there for around $160?
 

ther00kie16

Golden Member
Mar 28, 2008
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9300GE = 9300GS from what I can find so it looks like your computer is fairly new with the 8200 onboard and a 9300GS dedicated card running in HybridSLI, hence forming a 9400 (performance-wise anyway). There's two probably because one's primary and one's secondary display.
What resolution are you running? Staying with an Nvidia card would allow you to stay with HybridSLI so the dedicated video card can be shut off when you don't need the power when you aren't running games. 9800GT would be a decent choice (look for ~$110 after rebate on newegg). If you don't care about HybridSLI, 4850 would be a good choice for ~$150. 9800GTX+ is in that performance range too, though a tad more expensive.
 

Croikee26

Junior Member
Nov 9, 2008
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Thanks for the replies everyone! Would I see a large performance increase going from what I have currently into a 9800gt or gtx or 4850 in Crysis? I use this game because its really the first next/current gen game I've played on a new computer.

The other cared I was looking at was a GTX260, but that was about $100 more expensive. If I will see a great upgrade going with a $150 card I'll go that route if not, I guess I'll fork out more :) Thoughts?
 

Croikee26

Junior Member
Nov 9, 2008
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oh and I have an OLD monitor and its max resolution is 1280 by 1024. I know, time for a new monitor too.
 

faxon

Platinum Member
May 23, 2008
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just make sure the 9800GT supports hybrid SLI. not all models do, it should say if it does or doesnt though. there was also an issue with newegg selling ones that didnt and labeling them as ones that did, so check around before you buy. of course, if you dont care this is a non issue
 

Dadofamunky

Platinum Member
Jan 4, 2005
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Originally posted by: Croikee26
On my computer device manager listing it has two listings like the following:
Display Adapters
Nvidia GeForce 9400 (GeForce 8200 + GeForce 9300 GE)
Nvidia GeForce 9400 (GeForce 9300GE + GeForce 8200)

Looks like a duplicate listing, but is this just a plain old onboard graphics card? If so, how much better would a 9800GT or a 9800GTX be? I can run crysis but its choppy at medium, low runs fine. Thoughts on this improvement?

is there a better card out there for around $160?

FAR superior to onboard. 9600GT/9800GT-GTX/9800GX2 bla bla bla - all would be head-snappingly faster and alsmot overkill for 1280x1024. You could run everything at max settings. (Except Crysis.) This is a great time to buy lower-priced cards. The HD4850, for example, matches up directly with the 8800 Ultra - a $650 card 18 months ago. I know you wouldn't use that with your platform, though. IF your system works with hybrid SLI, you could even leverage the onboard, so you'd waste nothing! Sounds like a good board you've got there.

These are Halcyon days for budget gamers.
 

Croikee26

Junior Member
Nov 9, 2008
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Great replies thank you. I'm looking at a couple cards now. With either the 4850 or the 9800 would I need a new ps? My current one is 350 watts. If so, there is one on newegg with great reviews that is 430 watts for 40 bucks and one that is 500 watts for 50 bucks. Which would be adequate?
 

ther00kie16

Golden Member
Mar 28, 2008
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I'd say go for the 9800gt as it's about $40 cheaper and if those are the Antec Earthwatts PSUs (built by Seasonic), even the 380W should be plenty for a 1 card setup. If those aren't the Earthwatts, you can get the 500W Earthwatts from Fry's for $50 + free shipping.
 

MarcVenice

Moderator Emeritus <br>
Apr 2, 2007
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I'd probably buy a HD4670, because it doesn't need a 6 pin pci-e connector. To bad you can't use hybrid SLI though, but it does save you a fair amount of money and trouble needed to buy and install a new PSU...