Should I get an X850XT

[Extelleron]

Hello! My system specifications are in my signature, I currently have an ATi Radeon 9600. Weird thing about it is everywhere I look it says "9600 Pro", but it is clocked @ 325/400 rather than 400/600.

Anyway, I cant stand the performance I am getting from my 9600 and have wanted to upgrade my card for months. I looked into the 6800GS AGP, but it seems to be too expensive for the performance it will give me (more expensive than PCI-E version but lower clockspeeds? wtf?) I am considering buying the ATi X850XT at Micro Center, since it's only $249 after rebate, a much better deal than the 6800GS. I have a few questions about it:

1. Will the X850XT work on a 300-W PSU? (Note this is a Gateway system.... do they underrate their PSU's as I believe Dell does?)

2. How long is this card going to last playign games at high/max settings? How long is it going to last before it is useless? This is my main concern as w/ the x8xx series lacking SM3.0 I dont know how long it will last.............

Thanks.

 

[Eureka]

For you yes.

Unfortunately, I got one and my rig bottlenecks it.

Norm

 

[Mesix]

Not very long for MAX settings, but you might just have to turn it down a tiny bit. I'd say this card is good for another 2 years before it's useless

 

[Munky]

It's a good card for $250, and it's fast enough for modern games at 12x10 res. It will probably run new games for the next year without problems, but you might need to turn down some settings in demanding games like COD2. There are only a handful of games with SM3 exclusive features, and only half of those are playable on last gen SM3 hardware. But a 300w PSU will most likely not be enough for the card. Look at the label on the side of the PSU, and let us know how many amps it has listed for +12V. If it's less than 22 or 24, then you might need a beefier PSU.

 

[Extelleron]

Well for right now I can tell you what it says under "Performance" when I look at my system specs at gateway.com..................

(There apparrently are two different PSU's my computer could have, I'll list both

#1

Voltage 115/230 V
Frequency 50/60 Hz
Input current 8 Amps maximum at 115 Vac full load
4 Amps maximum at 230 Vac full load

#2
Voltage 115/230 V
Frequency 50/60 Hz
Input current 10 Amps maximum at 115 Vrms, 60 Hz
5 Amps maximum at 230 Vrms, 50 Hz

I'll open my case and look at the PSU later..........