Video card pickins'

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fustercluck

fustercluck

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2002
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Think my video card (Radeon x1950 Pro) might be on it's last legs and I thought maybe I could ask for a new vid card for Xmas since I don't have anything else I want.

Here's my current system:
My System:
Intel E7200 Wolfdale Dual Core processor @ 3.4ghz
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L
4GB Corsair DOMINATOR (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500)
22" CHIMEI CMV 221D-NBC Black LCD Monitor
ATI Radeon X1950 Pro
Creative Labs Audigy 2 ZS
Windows Vista 64
APEVIA ATX-CW500WP4 500W ATX Power Supply

Looked a lot of different video cards already tonight but wasn't really sure what the good stuff is, I haven't looked at video cards in a long time. Also it appears I missed the 15% cashback promo with paypal&newegg :x - Too bad I didn't start looking a couple days ago.

Anyways, mainly I (think I) want a video card with a lot of video memory, at least 1gb. Something to get GTAIV up and running (I think it required a ton of video memory or something). Maybe even 2gb...but I guess then the price shoots up by about $200 :/ - So probably can't afford a 2gb one. Don't care too much if it's an ATI or Nvidia card, though I've personally had better luck with ATI in the past. Would ideally like to spend around $200 but would consider anything under $300.

A little worried about my power supply too. It seems 500W is not enough for a lot of video cards these days.
 
Keysplayr

Keysplayr

Elite Member
Jan 16, 2003
21,211
50
91
"APEVIA ATX-CW500WP4 500W ATX Power Supply"

What are the specs on this puppy? 12V+ rails/Amps.

I have run a GTX280 on an Enermax 465W with 36A on a single 12V+ rail. I may have been pushing it, but it ran. I had several hard drives and an moderately overclocked CPU. e6420 2.13 @ 3GHz.

If your PSU is up to the task, I would think a GTX260 would be a very sweet upgrade for your system.

This one looks nice for 220.00 after rebate. Factory overclocked, and it comes with FarCry2 if you don't already have it and want it.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130373
 
fustercluck

fustercluck

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2002
7,402
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71
Size of the card shouldn't be an issue, but I'll measure before buying.

Yeah it seems like neither a 500w PSU or a Dual Core CPU are up to task these days, computer stuff becomes obsolete so quickly :p

Was looking at the one haffey linked to earlier. What's the "X2" all about though? I thought I read most games won't fully utilize X2 video cards or something.

The GTX260 looks like a more realistic choice price wise. What's with the 896MB 448-bit stuff though? Seems kinda odd. At least when compared to ATI cards which seem to go in the standard 256MB increments.

This case came with a 300W Antec power supply originally, that was a while ago.
 
Keysplayr

Keysplayr

Elite Member
Jan 16, 2003
21,211
50
91
Cards like the 8800GT, 9800GT/X, 4850/X2 4870/X2 come with a 256-bit wide memory bus. The GT200 series comes with a wider 448bit memory bus on the GTX260 (896MB GDDR3), and a 512bit wide memory bus on a GTX280 (1GB GDDR3).
Similar to the G80 8800GTS 640/320 and the 8800GTX. The GTS640 has a 320bit wide memory bus and the GTX had a 384bit wide memory bus. They had 320/640 MB GDDR3 and 768MB GDDR3 respectively. More available bandwidth over the more standard 256bit memory bus. Some vendors compensate for the 256bit wide bus with GDDR5 memory and it's higher clocks to try to obtain a similar amount of memory bandwidth as the wider bus GPU's. There isn't anything odd about it. Just another way of doing things to obtain the same results.
 
fustercluck

fustercluck

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2002
7,402
0
71
What's "Crossfire supported" mean? I'm going to sleep so I'll just look it up tomorrow if no one feels like explaining :)

Leaning toward a HD 4870 1GB 256-bit right now, wonder if my PSU can take it. Keep in mind I'm running an overclocked dual core E7200.

Most likely going to wait for a 'hot deal' and get a nice card for a good price.
 
sgrinavi

sgrinavi

Diamond Member
Jul 31, 2007
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76
Originally posted by: wankawitz
What's "Crossfire supported" mean? I'm going to sleep so I'll just look it up tomorrow if no one feels like explaining :)

Leaning toward a HD 4870 1GB 256-bit right now, wonder if my PSU can take it. Keep in mind I'm running an overclocked dual core E7200.

Most likely going to wait for a 'hot deal' and get a nice card for a good price.
Click to expand...

It means that the card meets the standards for crossfire (using multiple cards for faster GPU output)

I would be concerned about your PSU, you might be pushing it with even a single top of the line card. You might be better off to pick up a $200 4870/512 and spend the rest on a qualty PSU
 
Leyawiin

Leyawiin

Diamond Member
Nov 11, 2008
3,204
52
91
HD 4870 1 GB or a GTX 260 216 (preferably an OC'd one like the XFX GTX 260 Black Edition). For your processor and resolution played they'd be great.
 
fustercluck

fustercluck

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2002
7,402
0
71
If anyone hears of a really good video card deal lemme know, I keep a pretty close eye on hot deals forums though. Looking for HD 4870 1 GB or a GTX 260 mainly.
 
AVP

AVP

Senior member
Jan 19, 2005
885
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According to hardocp the 216 vs the older 260 does nothing in turns of offering higher performance at the same visual quality, in other words, the max playable settings will basically be about the same for both cards, you will just net yourself a few extra fps that won't change play. Something to consider if you decide to get a gtx 260, there are some good deals to be had on the older version and you could save yourself some cash.
 
fustercluck

fustercluck

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2002
7,402
0
71
I'm a little confused with how newegg is listing the specs for these following Radeon HD 4870 cards:

One of the cards shows Memory Clock 3600MHz

Another one shows 900 MHz, 3.6Gbps

Final one shows Memory Clock 1800MHz

Are they all different?
 
AzN

AzN

Banned
Nov 26, 2001
4,112
2
0
Originally posted by: wankawitz
I'm a little confused with how newegg is listing the specs for these following Radeon HD 4870 cards:

One of the cards shows Memory Clock 3600MHz

Another one shows 900 MHz, 3.6Gbps

Final one shows Memory Clock 1800MHz

Are they all different?
Click to expand...

gddr5. Quad pumped. 900x4=3600
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
Originally posted by: sgrinavi
I would be concerned about your PSU, you might be pushing it with even a single top of the line card. You might be better off to pick up a $200 4870/512 and spend the rest on a qualty PSU
Click to expand...

I'd be concerned about that PSU too. sgrinavi's suggestion is sound.
 
fustercluck

fustercluck

Diamond Member
Dec 29, 2002
7,402
0
71
Originally posted by: Azn
Originally posted by: wankawitz
I'm a little confused with how newegg is listing the specs for these following Radeon HD 4870 cards:

One of the cards shows Memory Clock 3600MHz

Another one shows 900 MHz, 3.6Gbps

Final one shows Memory Clock 1800MHz

Are they all different?
Click to expand...

gddr5. Quad pumped. 900x4=3600
Click to expand...


That explains the first two, but what about the 1800mhz one? is that 450x4?
 
T

Tempered81

Diamond Member
Jan 29, 2007
6,374
1
81
Originally posted by: Qbah

~150$: 9800GTX+ and HD4850
~225$: GTX260 C216 and HD4870 1GB
~300$: GTX280 and HD4850x2
~400$: HD4870x2

It's your choice now :)
Click to expand...

~185$: GTX260 and HD4750 512
 
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