What card to get???

Gilletter · Nov 4, 2008

Hey all, I need some input. As you all know Christmas is around the corner. I'm being hounded by family for a gift list. What I want to know is everyones oppinion on upgrading a graphics card... I want to ask for something around the $100 mark, and try not to go over that. Right now I have a Sapphire radeon x1650 pro, and with the newer games out I can't use AA or AF without it being slow and buggy... Can anyone recommend a card due to personal experience with them? I don't mind ATI or NVIDIA, just whatever you can make a compelling argument for. Thanks!!!

p.s. PCIe x16 since I didn't mention it above

farlex85 · Nov 4, 2008

The 9800gt is falling pretty close to $100, if you can get that that would be good. If not, the 9600gso w/ 768mb of vram would probably be the best choice..

CrAsHnBuRnXp · Nov 4, 2008

I have an ATI x1950Pro in my FS thread if interested.

red268 · Nov 4, 2008

I know this is a UK site. But if you can find the same in the US, it's not bad.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/139617

Won't be playing the latest games on highest settings. But you'll be able to play Crysis on medium settings at an acceptable fps.

Far Cry 2 will be fine on Medium settings - So the card is fine, just don't expect an amazing card for $100.

You'd still notice a MASSIVE improvement.

KainXS · Nov 4, 2008

any 8800/9600+ 3800/46XX/48XX would be a massive upgrade from a 1650, lol I had one a while ago

u can get an open box 8800GT from newegg for $86

Asylum · Nov 4, 2008

Heres a great card from a great company for a great price!!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130380

KainXS · Nov 4, 2008

heres an XFX 8800GT(REFURB) for 100

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4197114&CatId=28

kenkickr · Nov 4, 2008

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102792

4670 gives you about the same performance as the 3850 but doesn't require external power. Now sure how your 420W will do with the 8800-9800GT's so I'm suggesting this. Oh, and $20 more gives you the 1gb version.

Gilletter · Nov 4, 2008

thanks I will keep those in mind... keep em coming if there's more suggestions

KainXS · Nov 4, 2008

is it the ddr2 version version of the x1650 pro

JrRacinFan · Nov 4, 2008

9600GSO

http://www.evga.com/products/bstock.asp

or

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=74882

EDIT: Oh but wait ... power supply may be an issue. May want to look into an HD4670 instead.

Gilletter · Nov 4, 2008

JrRacinFan said:
9600GSO

http://www.evga.com/products/bstock.asp

or

http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=74882

EDIT: Oh but wait ... power supply may be an issue. May want to look into an HD4670 instead.

Second one is a deactivated item :-\ but that would probably be perfect

KainXS · Nov 4, 2008

the 8800GS/9600GSO is good but to get the most out of it you have to volt mod it really, when volt modded to 1.3V they overclock very very easily, at least my brothers does in his pc

for example at 1.3V this is the most he can get

at 1.1V it will only go up to about 750Mhz which is nice, at 1.2V it hits about 830, and at 1.3V it hits a bit over 900 but the stock heatsink won't take the heat at all.

but you could wait and get a 9800GTX or 4850 and a psu, the prices of graphics cards should drop with the holiday sales

got a 9800gx2 myself

JrRacinFan · Nov 4, 2008

Gilletter said:
Second one is a deactivated item :-\ but that would probably be perfect

Sorry forgot to specify to use the TigerDirect link.Would be perfect but I think you would have to get a new PSU as well. Oh and just as an FYI, I stated 4670 because it has lower power consumption and doesnt require a PCIe 6 pin. Almost the same as performing as the 8800GS. Just a tad under an HD3850.

KainXS · Nov 5, 2008

if the psu is the APEVIA LC-A420ATX I don't think that will be enough for a 8800/3800+ maybe a 46XX but the psu req from ATI is 400 watts

I ran a 3850 an a 380 watt antec so maybe but that antec had 2 18A 12V rails on it

Gilletter · Nov 5, 2008

I'm not looking to go for the greatest card ever, just something to upgrade to, so that I don't get all the artifacts when AA and AF are applied

boise49ers · Nov 5, 2008

4670/4850

The 4*** series would be a great choice I think.

Comparison:
http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=447&card2=579

Newegg pricing:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0048 106792627 1067944045&name=Radeon HD 4670

newtekie1 · Nov 5, 2008

The HD4670 is a good card, but don't be fooled into thinking it performs similar to an HD3850. The HD4670 is noticeably slower than the HD3850.

Personally, I would look in the direction of the HD4830. It is already close to the $100 mark, and by the time x-mas comes around, it should be right at the $100 mark. The performance is very good on this card.

And I wouldn't worry about your power supply, 420w should be enough. The system in my sig with the 9600GSO, even with 2 hard drives, has never gone over 300w pulled from the wall.

Gilletter · Nov 8, 2008

Well in regards to possibly needing a new PSU, what would anyone suggest? Cause I can ask for a new PSU from someone in the wifes family as well

johnspack · Nov 8, 2008

If you can find one, an 8800gt would be a bargain, for a kickbutt card. It'll play crysis ect, prob for like 100 bucks. For a little more, a 9800gtx non + model should be cheap, maybe 150?
And an 8800gt will dropkick an 9600gt or gso....

DaMulta · Nov 8, 2008

What until later if it is for X-Mass.

Video cards are the worst in keeping their value.

Today's cards that are 200usd today, could be 100usd in a month from now.

Gilletter · Nov 8, 2008

DaMulta said:
What until later if it is for X-Mass.

Video cards are the worst in keeping their value.

Today's cards that are 200usd today, could be 100usd in a month from now.

Well I'm just trying to get an idea on what to ask for, cause my wifes family keeps asking me for ideas... I figured I'd ask here and get everyones thoughts.

ShadowFold · Nov 8, 2008

Ask for a new psu and buy a new gpu your self

Heres a great cheap one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

Gilletter · Nov 9, 2008

ShadowFold said:
Ask for a new psu and buy a new gpu your self

Heres a great cheap one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

I would but I can't go spending my "own" money... I have my first kid on the way, so I have a bigger priority than my gaming coming :toast:

ShadowFold · Nov 9, 2008

Then I would just get a HD 4670 then

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What card to get???

Gilletter

farlex85

CrAsHnBuRnXp

red268

KainXS

Asylum

KainXS

kenkickr

Gilletter

KainXS

JrRacinFan

Served 5k and counting ...

Gilletter

KainXS

JrRacinFan

Served 5k and counting ...

KainXS

Gilletter

boise49ers

newtekie1

Semi-Retired Folder

Gilletter

johnspack

Here For Good!

DaMulta

My stars went supernova

Gilletter

ShadowFold

New Member

Gilletter

ShadowFold

New Member

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