Need input on new gfx card

Sauron the Evil

Sauron the Evil

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2006

The Lost Haven

E/Me

Hello, I have recently decided to upgrade my graphics card and before I purchase one I would like to got some recommendations. My price range is between $150-200$. If for any reasons my specs are needed here they are:


Machine name: HP-A1250N
Operating System: Windows XP Professional
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Hard Drive: 200GB
Graphics Card:Radeon x1300 pro (PCI express)
monitor: 22" samsung Sync Master 226BW

Malice Black

Site Legend

Join Date: Oct 2005

x1650 Pro PCI express £112.99

Jimmy Evol

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2007

Missouri, USA

Meeting of the Lost Minds [MLM]

R/Mo

I cant recommend anything unless you say what your going to be using it for.

nagisaki

nagisaki

Academy Page

Join Date: Nov 2006

The Interblag

Game Time [GT]

N/Me

There's a good article you may want to check out Here over at Tom's Hardware.

Dex

Dex

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Dec 2005

Chicago, IL

Black Belt Jones

R/Me

What kind of power supply do you have (brand and wattage....model# if possible)? I would recommend the x1950xt, but they draw quite a bit of power and you may need to upgrade your power supply to use it. However, the x1950xt is nigh unbeatable as far as speed and features in that pricerange.

EDIT:
Ah, I see that the fellow from THG agrees with me. No big surprise there...if he didn't....well....he'd be wrong....

Sauron the Evil

Sauron the Evil

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2006

The Lost Haven

E/Me

My power supply is 300 watts. : (

EternalTempest

EternalTempest

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

United States

Dark Side Ofthe Moon [DSM]

E/

I would seriously consider upgrading your power supply as Dex said.

If you attempt to run a newer card on 300w, expect unexplained blue screens of death, graphic glitches, random reboots.

Sauron the Evil

Sauron the Evil

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2006

The Lost Haven

E/Me

How many watts should I get for the new power supply?

Lurid

Lurid

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Mar 2006

Mo/

Wattage isn't nearly as important as the distribution of amperage across the rails, and the quality of the unit itself. Also keep in mind that some OEMs (assuming your PC is an OEM) like to use proprietary connectors for the power plugs, and proprietary size power supplies. Therefore your new PSU might not fit in your case, and / or not have the proper connections for your motherboard.

dronex

dronex

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Dec 2005

Mo/

slap a 8600gt if you can =) 120-150$

Sauron the Evil

Sauron the Evil

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2006

The Lost Haven

E/Me

What about this card: http://www2.pny.com/8600-GTS-256MB-P...P2320C269.aspx

Sauron the Evil

Sauron the Evil

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2006

The Lost Haven

E/Me

Well, any comments?

pork soldier

pork soldier

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2005

If you're going to go to $220 you might as well go to $260 and get an 8800GTS 320mb instead, it's an awesome card.

edit:

After more digging, STAY AWAY FROM THE 8600GTS AT ALL COSTS. It's crap. Get a 7900GT instead, you can find open-box 7900gt's for as low as $189 at newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16814127218R

Yes, I understand the 7900gt is a dx9 card - but you're not going to get playable dx10 framerates out of that 8600gts, period.

Sauron the Evil

Sauron the Evil

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2006

The Lost Haven

E/Me

Quote:
Originally Posted by pork soldier
If you're going to go to $220 you might as well go to $260 and get an 8800GTS 320mb instead, it's an awesome card.

edit:

After more digging, STAY AWAY FROM THE 8600GTS AT ALL COSTS. It's crap. Get a 7900GT instead, you can find open-box 7900gt's for as low as $189 at newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16814127218R

Yes, I understand the 7900gt is a dx9 card - but you're not going to get playable dx10 framerates out of that 8600gts, period.

Will this do? - http://www2.bfgtech.com/bfgr79256gtoce.aspx

Tachyon

Tachyon

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2005

Stoke, England

The Godless [GOD]

W/

Also, try and make sure that your new PSU has the neccersary power connectors for the card. The majority of modern PCI-e cards require a direct connection to the PSU because it's impossible to draw the required power through the PCI-e socket.

Sadom

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Aug 2006

Mu Tants

N/

You'll definatelly need to upgrade you PSU aswell. If you slap in a new card with only 300W your computer probably won't even boot.