Pick out my new video card

[Nickc19]

So I'm upgrading my computer after about 2 years (an am a bit/alot out of touch with whats good), and really have no idea what the best bang for the buck video card to go with would be. My current one is a Sapphire Radeon 9800PRO 128M.

It'll go with an E6600, either a MSI P6N SLI-FI or ASUS P5N-E SLI mobo, and this Rosewill power supply (i know prolly not the best power supply but I'm on a semi-budget).

I'm really wanting to keep it at or under $215 bucks or so (if spending an extra 10-15 bucks means getting a much better value, that'd be fine). Anybody have any recommendations? I'm trying to find something asap so I can order it today...

 

[alaricljs]

Well, you can find a couple cheaper versions of this, but I like that it has no fan. It's also re-clocked by XFX right off the bat:
XFX 7950GT XXX It's only in your price range after rebate, so you may want to avoid.

I'm not about to say it's the best for the price... but it's my personal choice in it's price range.

 

[chizow]

Since it doesn't seem like you're willing to wait for the 2900XT, I'd look to increase your budget slightly and spring for a 320MB 8800 GTS for $240-250 AR. It'll outperform anything in the $200-250 range considerably. I consider any upgrade over $200 "real money" rather than a stop-gap so once you break into that range, its worth spending a little bit more imo.

 

[Nickc19]

That 7950GT was actually one I was already considering.

If I went the 8800GTS route, this EVGA one seems to be the cheapest (~45 bucks higher than the 7950GT after rebates). I'm wondering if my power supply would be enough to handle it though (and upgrading that isnt an option cause I just bought it)....?

 

[chizow]

Within $45 the 320MB GTS is a much better buy, but it looks like its OOS and it also seems like your PSU would be a problem. I think 20-24A on the 12V rail is recommended for the GTS and that PSU is only rated at 18A. I think there's a few on these forums who have run a GTS with that PSU but looking at the user comments on Newegg it might not be such a good idea.

If your order hasn't shipped yet, you could call Newegg to cancel the PSU order, but then you'll probably end up spending $100 more to accomodate a GTS. Still worth it imo, but an increase of $100 might not fit your budget.

 

[swtethan]

heard some good things about thet PS

 

[chizow]

Also if you're planning to OC, you might be better off going with a E6420 and saving $40 there to apply to the PSU or GPU. Lots of people got better results with the E6400 vs. E6600 and with the E6420 there's even less difference between the two (6420 has 4MB L2).

 

[swtethan]

actually its this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182045

 

[swtethan]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182032

or this one

 

[Munky]

That PSU has dual 12v rails with 30A combined, that's enough to run a 8800gts 320. But if you don't want to spend extra for the 8800gts then this x1950xt is the fastest card for under $215, and it's $189 AMR.

 

[Nickc19]

I already have the PSU and already ordered the CPU, so I cant change either of those - I did think about the 6420 but I dont think I plan to overclock this time around. The PSU I got in from newegg last week. At the time I ordered it I didnt plan on buying an 8800GTS card so figured it'd be enough for what I did end up going with, but of course yall have me leaning that way now and I dont know what to do...I'm pretty much stuck

Edit: went ahead and did a refund RMA on that PSU and am gonna get something more reliable...figure its not worth risking it.