Vid Card Recommendations

[jimbofoxman]

Just cause of life doings, I haven't payed much attention to deals, latest hardware, etc for the past few months. So, I need a recommendation to replace my old Gigabyte GeForce 7900GS 256MB. My MOBO is a Gigabyte 965P-DS3.

Sock it to me!

THANKS

 

[BernardP]

First things first...

What power supply do you have? What are your other system specs?
What is you monitor's native resolution?
What is your budget?

 

[jimbofoxman]

DUH...........Sorry

- 4GB of Crucial Ballistix 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
- Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
- Scythe Kamariki-2 KMRK-450A-2 450W ATX12V Power Supply
- BenQ FP202W Black 20.1" 8ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 600:1
- Max Res on Monitor: 1680 x 1050

Budget, probably no more than $250. Guess looking for a couple options up to that max $ amount.

I've thought about upgrading the CPU as well.

 

[hclarkjr]

Originally posted by: jimbofoxman
DUH...........Sorry

- 4GB of Crucial Ballistix 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
- Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
- Scythe Kamariki-2 KMRK-450A-2 450W ATX12V Power Supply
- BenQ FP202W Black 20.1" 8ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 600:1
- Max Res on Monitor: 1680 x 1050

Budget, probably no more than $250. Guess looking for a couple options up to that max $ amount.

I've thought about upgrading the CPU as well.

well if upgrading the cpu as well you might also consider upgrading the power supply as most of the newer video cards require some juice to run them.

 

[happy medium]

At your resolution grab a 9800gt for 99.00$ off newegg and overclock your cpu. Your psu will be fine for that card and you'll double your gaming fps easy. Save the rest for a better cpu in the future.

 

[adlep]

Originally posted by: hclarkjr

Originally posted by: jimbofoxman
DUH...........Sorry

- 4GB of Crucial Ballistix 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
- Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 Conroe 2.13GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
- Scythe Kamariki-2 KMRK-450A-2 450W ATX12V Power Supply
- BenQ FP202W Black 20.1" 8ms Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 600:1
- Max Res on Monitor: 1680 x 1050

Budget, probably no more than $250. Guess looking for a couple options up to that max $ amount.

I've thought about upgrading the CPU as well.

Upgrading CPU is not necessary

1. Try to overclock your CPU first for extra free gain in performance that will provide for a nice boost for few months. According to reviews, your CPU can frequently hit 2.8GHz with 3Ghz+ being a solid possibility.

2. Sell your current card for $20.00~30.00 or so to gain additional funds

3. PSU is a bit weak
Upgrade it with Corsair 750W unit
Hot Deal on AT info for $81.00 AR

So now you have:
$250.00 total + $30.00 for the old card = $280.00
- $81.00 for the new PSU
- $225.00 for the EVGA GTX260 with free FarCry2 game Newegg Link

You may be able to get the GTX 260 for a bit lower price if you stick around for few days and visit the hot deals section frequently.
The GTX260 would be my choice for an upgrade, although even a $139.00 AR 9800GTX will give you a significant boost!

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: happy medium
At your resolution grab a 9800gt for 99.00$ off newegg and overclock your cpu. Your psu will be fine for that card and you'll double your gaming fps easy. Save the rest for a better cpu in the future.

I agree with Happy Medium with whom I seem to share a similar system building philosophy...

As for the power supply, it seems strong enough and there should be no need to upgrade it for a 9800GT.

Look at the specs

Since the videocard is on its own 12V rail, the P/S should be sufficient. At worst, you can install the card first and see how the system behaves.

 

[Tempered81]

4870 1gb or gtx260 216

 

[jimbofoxman]

Jared, that GTX260 216 is for Express 2.0 x16. Will it work on my non 2.0 x16?

 

[sgrinavi]

How about a HD 4850 for $140? Your PSU might be fine, I would try it first.

 

[geoffry]

Originally posted by: jimbofoxman
Jared, that GTX260 216 is for Express 2.0 x16. Will it work on my non 2.0 x16?

Yes, PCI-E 2.0 compliant cards work in gen 1.1 slots just fine.

 

[tim924]

Definitely GTX 260 216 now,with the new nvida update,and here is currently the fastest GTX 260 216 available in the market: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150330
It's on sale now plus freeshipping,most reviews in november stating it even beat most GTX 280 at stock not to mention itself can overclock further,for $300 you get the performance of a GTX 280 and also comes with a free Far Cry 2 game

 

[Tempered81]

Overclock the cpu,

VGA card - get the GTX260 216 or the HD4870 1GB - yes they work in the 965 mobos.

I'm kinda leaning towards the core216 at this point.

 

[Wreckage]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130400


Review of a similar card.
http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/15651

 

[Tempered81]

Originally posted by: Wreckage
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130400

+1

:thumbsup:

 

[Shmee]

hmm, I also am looking at the gtx 260 216, as well as the 192 version. My question is, how much performance gain is there in getting the 216 over the 192? I mean, is it worth paying $240+ tax vs $205? (not sure if they charge sales tax) Perhaps, since it comes with farcry 2, though I am not sure I am big on playing it, ive heard it has some new troublesome copyprotection.

http://www.amazon.com/PNY-VCGG...7U60/ref=cm_cr_pr_pb_i