Video card help

[TorterraEndor]

I'm in need of a new video card right when I get the money. I don't need an amazingly good one, as PSU is the only game I'm needing it for. With the price range I want, I've narrowed it down to two choices. But if anyone can suggest cards in the similiar price range, thats more than welcome.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195030
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127223

I'm not a huge computer expert, but both would be fine for what I need it for, but just wanted to know what others think.

[Kent]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127277

Higher-end model of the GeForce 7-series than the one you listed, as well as twice the VRAM. This is what I'd get, based on my quick Newegg search in the general price range you're talking about (which, by the way, Newegg is the best place to get computer parts).

Personally, I follow a general rule of going for nVidia cards over ATI, simply because of all the rampantly wanton driver and hardware issues I've experienced from ATI over the years.

[HUnewearl_Meira]

I dunno about driver and hardware issues with ATI (I've had good experience with them, myself; though I know that certain motherboards using nVidia hardware tend to disagree with ATI cards), but if you're specifically planning on playing games, then a card with an nVidia chipset is probably the way to go. nVidia has a strong reputation for doing well with games. If you're planning on working with a lot of multimedia however, that is ATI's specialty.

[VioletSkye]

Although noone was blown away by the performance of the 8600 cards, they still offer DirectX 10 compatibility and tons of features. For about the same price, you get better performance than a 7600GT or a Radeon X1650PRO and future proof your card abit if you go with a 8600GTS.

MSI GeForce 8600GTS 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Over Clock Edition HDCP Video Card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127284) - $189.99 + free shipping

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: VioletSkye on 2007-04-29 14:48 ]</font>

[TorterraEndor]

I'll probably go with the card VS linked. Thanks http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

As I said, I don't know a whole lot about computers. I didn't know nVidia was better for gaming than ATI, so now I know to avoid ATI generally.

[VioletSkye]

I've done 2 pc builds for customers so far using the 8600GTS and it's proven to be a solid card. For the last machine I finished (which was just a few days ago) I actually used the same card I linked to http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

**interesting note** in many benchmarks the 8600GTS beats the X1950Pro and in some cases runs circles around it http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wink.gif

Performance-wise the 8600GTS is roughly equivilent to a 7900GS.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: VioletSkye on 2007-04-29 18:35 ]</font>

[Ryno]

well here is how the quality on mine looks like on he 360 from my video card.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r233/x_RYNO_x/cherryblossom1.jpg

http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[Ryno]

i know i saw someone that commented about 360 non HD, Non wide screen with this smiley, http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_lol.gif

i forgot the rest of the words he type.. but i know who commented.

[VioletSkye]

Heh, it was me!!

I thought the 360 fanboys might get offended http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_razz.gif

What I basically said was (jokingly) whats the point of having a 360 if you don't have an HD, widescreen TV http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_lol.gif





<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: VioletSkye on 2007-04-29 19:22 ]</font>

[ShadowDragon28]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130062#spec

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150185
(Unsure if the Power supply on my Dell E520 can handle it... it might not. )

Since I have very limited moola, this is the I'm most likely getting for my DELL Deminsion E520, it has a PCI-Express x16 slot.

I can't afford a card over $130. So getting one those two I listed seem pretty darn
good to me.


Found out my Power Supply is 305 WATT http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_frown.gif F*CK, now I have to get a new higher Watt Power Supply!


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ShadowDragon28 on 2007-04-29 19:47 ]</font>

[VioletSkye]

Heh, I've used the XFX card on a build. If you don't want/care about having a HDCP, VIVO compliant card (and especially if your monitor is not HDCP ready) and if you aren't concerned about future games using DirectX10, then either one will be a great card. I really like evga and have always had good luck with their products. In fact I used an evga motherboard on the pc I built for my nephew and it performs like a champ. Evga has a great step up program also which you can check out here: Step-Up Program (http://evga.com/stepup/default.asp?switch=2).

Some Dell models use a proprietary pinset on the motherboard (which means the PSU also uses that same pinset) so make sure you can use a standard ATX power supply with your Dell. If not, you will fry the motherboard. Check here: Dell to ATX Power Supply Converter (http://www.endpcnoise.com/cgi-bin/e/std/sku=dellconverter.html) to see if you need to use the adapter or not.

Also check with http://www.pcpower.com/products/power_supplies/selector/dell.htm

They have a PSU for the E520, unfortunately they are EXTREMELY expensive. Personally I'd buy the adapter for $15 and buy a cheaper PSU http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

You can also use this image to physically see if yours is a standard ATX pinset.
http://psofiles3.home.bresnan.net/atx.gif


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: VioletSkye on 2007-04-29 20:13 ]</font>

[ShadowDragon28]

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_upghw&message.id=100421&c=us&l=en&cs=&s=gen

According to this thread at www.dellcommunity, the 7600GT should be fine on a E520 without changing the power supply... supposedly...

[VioletSkye]

That could very well be the case. I checked the Technical Docs on the PSU for the E520 and it appears to be a standard 24 pin ATX, so if at some point you need/want to upgrade the PSU you should be good to go without any adapters http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

**side note** The extra 4-pins simply provide more power to the motherboard over more wires. This reduces resistance, heat and can provide better voltages. If the E520 was simply a 20 pin I would probably be more inclined to recommend an upgrade but the 24 pin should work fine.

If others have been running that same card with no issues I'd say go for it and happy gaming!! http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: VioletSkye on 2007-04-29 21:21 ]</font>

[ShadowDragon28]

Cool cool. I'm not so well versed in PC hardware, just basic understanding of things. I was reading around those threads. lol


It's just going to be for PSU: AoI (probably) and games running on Emulators.
I'm not going to playing Doom 3 or Oblivion or anything like that. ^_^;


I want to get the Logitec Wireless PC gamepad. Since I really like the Logitec wireless gamepad I got for my Slim PS2. Less cords the better IMO. I'm tired of cords. -__-

Thanks a million for the info btw.