Video Card

[pravi333]

I am looking to upgrade the video card in my computer

My requirements are dual monitor setup and i play wow game occassionaly

can anyone please suggest me a upgrade? not looking for the top of the line but something worth its money

my current specs

Processor AMD Athlon? 64 X2 Dual-Core 4000+

Memory 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz- 2DIMMs

Video Card 256MB NVIDIA Geforce 7300LE TurboCache

Hard Drive 160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache?

Operating System Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition

Network Interface Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
[430-0412]

CD ROM/DVD ROM 16x DVD+/-RW Drive

Sound Cards Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio

 

[pravi333]

is something wrong with my question?

 

[superunknown98]

Your topic doesn't really make any sense, but anyway. I would look for a Ati 1950xt or Geforce GTS 320MB. The Ati is cheaper and lacks DX10 support. If you can wait a few months both companies will have new midrage cards out.

 

[AVP]

What kind of power supply do you have? Is WoW all that you play? if so maybe look at a 1950pro or 7900gs.

 

[pravi333]

thanks for the suggestions, i appreciate the help. Not sure about the power supply, my configuration sheet from Dell doesnt mention anything about it. But the model is Dimension E521, Athlon 64 X2 from Dell.

Ya wow is all i play.

Ok i'll start looking for deals on Geforce GTS 320MB, 1950pro or 7900gs.

 

[pravi333]

Originally posted by: superunknown98
Your topic doesn't really make any sense, but anyway. I would look for a Ati 1950xt or Geforce GTS 320MB. The Ati is cheaper and lacks DX10 support. If you can wait a few months both companies will have new midrage cards out.

i changed the title to video card from memory card, thanks

 

[Bateluer]

I would wait until they launch their new cards in Nov/Dec before buying anything personally. Supposedly, there will actually be some viable midrange DX10 cards, but we'll see on that.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

Since you didn't list an actual budget and ones mans low cost is another mans Ferarri, get an 8800Ultra or give us a target price point.

 

[Capitalizt]

here ya go buddy...This card kicks ass. It's perfect for your rig.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/...ogies++Inc.-_-14133186

 

[pravi333]

i am willing to spend upto $300 and if i dont have to upgrade for a year atleast that would be great. Thanks for all your suggestions. I just bought 2x1gb memory dimms from one of the hotdeal post

 

[Dazed and Confused]

In that case the 8800GT will be released next week, sit and wait. It'll be $245 - $260 at launch it looks and it's faster in most cases than an 8800GTS.

 

[Denithor]

Seconded. Wait for the 8800gt (supposed to launch next week, we'll see...) and get the 512MB version. Should be around $250 and will be overkill for WoW.

If WoW is all you play wait for the 256MB 8800gt to come out, at $180 it will run circles around WoW and save you some bucks.

I play WoW with an e6400 @ 2.4GHz, 2GB DDR2 (that HP stuff you just got) and a 7600gt at 1280x1024 and all eye candy pushed all the way up and it's completely smooth. Gets a little jerky if I push it to 1600x1200 (native monitor resolution) but my x1900gt ran fine at that setting until it died recently. I plan to get an 8800gt-256/512 soon so I can play my other games too again (7600gt just doesn't cut it).

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: pravi333
thanks for the suggestions, i appreciate the help. Not sure about the power supply, my configuration sheet from Dell doesnt mention anything about it. But the model is Dimension E521, Athlon 64 X2 from Dell.

Ya wow is all i play.

Ok i'll start looking for deals on Geforce GTS 320MB, 1950pro or 7900gs.

Before looking too much into such big cards as the 8800GTS, please note than the Dell E521 has a only 305 Watts power supply. I know because I had my parents buy one last year.

Also, I remember opening the case to look at the expansion slots, and the motherboard has a specific configuration (mBTX form factor I think). The processor heatsink is huge. All this to say you might first check if the card you want to buy will physically fit.

You should also check if the E521 has the required PCI-E power connector to drive anything above a midrange category videocard.

If I remember correctly, there was a post some time ago of someone who had bought a discrete videocard for a Dell E521 but was unable to fit it on the mobo.

In addition, as you already have NVidia integrated graphics on this computer, it would be safer/easier to stay with an NVidia card.

It's possible that a 8600GT will be the best card you can add to this computer

 

[Dazed and Confused]

I had an X1800XT PE in my E521 and later followed that with a 7900GTX. Downside is a case mod was required as was some minor altering to the CPU shroud which won't be a problem with the single slot 8800GT. The X1800XT PE I ran was off the stock 305w PSU and that card consumed more power than the 7900GTX so if the 8800GT doesn't consume more power than an X1800XT PE you're good to go, otherwise you'll need to put a diff PSU in it which is possible says the Ultra X2 Connect 550w PSU I put in mine

If you do put a diff PSU in that E521 use one of the Ultra's or one of the Corsair PSU's with the Flex-Force cables. That case is cramped enough as is and standard cables on the average modular PSU will make matters way worse, it was hard enough to tuck the easy to work with Flex-force cables away neatly, I'd have hated to try it with a thicker less compliant cable.

 

[BernardP]

Thanks Dazed and Confused for confirming my previous post: case mod...CPU shroud...New P/S... No problema

 

[pravi333]

Originally posted by: BernardP

Originally posted by: pravi333
thanks for the suggestions, i appreciate the help. Not sure about the power supply, my configuration sheet from Dell doesnt mention anything about it. But the model is Dimension E521, Athlon 64 X2 from Dell.

Ya wow is all i play.

Ok i'll start looking for deals on Geforce GTS 320MB, 1950pro or 7900gs.

Before looking too much into such big cards as the 8800GTS, please note than the Dell E521 has a only 305 Watts power supply. I know because I had my parents buy one last year.

Also, I remember opening the case to look at the expansion slots, and the motherboard has a specific configuration (mBTX form factor I think). The processor heatsink is huge. All this to say you might first check if the card you want to buy will physically fit.

You should also check if the E521 has the required PCI-E power connector to drive anything above a midrange category videocard.

If I remember correctly, there was a post some time ago of someone who had bought a discrete videocard for a Dell E521 but was unable to fit it on the mobo.

In addition, as you already have NVidia integrated graphics on this computer, it would be safer/easier to stay with an NVidia card.

It's possible that a 8600GT will be the best card you can add to this computer

i am not sure how i can confirm a physical fit of a video card unless i try it out. or i can wait a few weeks after the 8800GT comes out and hopefully someone tries out it on the E521 and posts it somewhere

But your point is a very valid one.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: pravi333
i am not sure how i can confirm a physical fit of a video card unless i try it out. or i can wait a few weeks after the 8800GT comes out and hopefully someone tries out it on the E521 and posts it somewhere

The PCB on the 8800GT has the same lenght as on other 8800 series card, but with single slot instead of dual-slot cooling. There is a good chance it won't be a drop-in fit. And don't forget about the likely need to upgrade the power supply, although the 305W Dell power supply is a solid one for that rating.

When the 8800GT comes out, you will always have the option of buying one at a B&M store with a 15-day no-risk retun policy. If it doesn't fit, it will have cost you nothing to try it. If it physically fits, then you will only have to look into the need to replace the P/S.

 

[s44]

Maybe the AMD alternative will fit better. Longer wait, though.

 

[pravi333]

the 8800GT is up for sale
Link

 

[happy medium]

Originally posted by: Dazed and Confused
I had an X1800XT PE in my E521 and later followed that with a 7900GTX. Downside is a case mod was required as was some minor altering to the CPU shroud which won't be a problem with the single slot 8800GT. The X1800XT PE I ran was off the stock 305w PSU and that card consumed more power than the 7900GTX so if the 8800GT doesn't consume more power than an X1800XT PE you're good to go, otherwise you'll need to put a diff PSU in it which is possible says the Ultra X2 Connect 550w PSU I put in mine

If you do put a diff PSU in that E521 use one of the Ultra's or one of the Corsair PSU's with the Flex-Force cables. That case is cramped enough as is and standard cables on the average modular PSU will make matters way worse, it was hard enough to tuck the easy to work with Flex-force cables away neatly, I'd have hated to try it with a thicker less compliant cable.

The 8800gt needs 105 watts (same as GTS or less) and x1800xt pe needs 105 watts.

Power consumption for video cards here.

http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=7&t=9354

If wow is the only game you play get a 7600gt (100 bucks) and 3 times faster then the 7300

 

[pravi333]

Originally posted by: happy medium

The 8800gt needs 105 watts (same as GTS or less) and x1800xt pe needs 105 watts.

Power consumption for video cards here.

http://www.atomicmpc.com.au/forums.asp?s=2&c=7&t=9354

If wow is the only game you play get a 7600gt (100 bucks) and 3 times faster then the 7300

according to that link
7300LE (my present card) = 24W
7600GT = 36W
8800GT = 105W

Now thats a big jump on wattage for the 8800GT, so i guess i've to upgrade my power supply too if i choose the 8800 also some possible enclosure modification for the fitting problems.

If the 7600GT is a good card that dont slow my FPS on wow then i can go with it & later on buy a whole new rig instead of modifying the existing one too much

My present card gives upto 30FPS on wow with nothing else running. But it goes down upto 12FPS if i play a movie on VLC, so if the 7600GT can address that, then i'll go with that card.

Once again thanks for all your responses.

 

[Denithor]

Well, don't let your power supply stop you from what you really want. You can get a great Antec EA430 power supply for $30 after $30MIR.

And to clarify, the only reason the 7600gt doesn't cut it for my WoW experience is that it won't run 1600x1200 smooth with everything turned up. 1280x1024 or 1280x960 is perfelctly smooth but I get the monitor jaggies because it's not running native resolution.

If you run at 1280x1024 (or lower) the 7600gt will be great for you and you won't need a new power supply. If you run higher resolutions, get the power supply, grab an 8800gt and enjoy.

 

[pravi333]

well if thats the case let me do some research on size fitting for the power supply & 8800gt on my current enclosure

 

[pravi333]

Originally posted by: Denithor
Well, don't let your power supply stop you from what you really want. You can get a great Antec EA430 power supply for $30 after $30MIR.

And to clarify, the only reason the 7600gt doesn't cut it for my WoW experience is that it won't run 1600x1200 smooth with everything turned up. 1280x1024 or 1280x960 is perfelctly smooth but I get the monitor jaggies because it's not running native resolution.

If you run at 1280x1024 (or lower) the 7600gt will be great for you and you won't need a new power supply. If you run higher resolutions, get the power supply, grab an 8800gt and enjoy.

i ordered this from newegg, hopefully it'll fit my enclosure.

Now i am looking for the video card itself, i see the same 8800GT card from various companies like

EVGA, BFG, PNY, .....

my question is, is it the same card retailed by different company with there name on it? or they're different?

The rates sure vary a lot

thanks

 

[Denithor]

Actually, for your uses you might be better off with a Radeon HD3850 or Radeon HD3870. These cards can be had for ~$180/220 respectively and are a great value for the money. Still overkill for WoW and if that is really all you play just pick up the 3850 and you're good.