Hi
i need advice on buying a graphics video card. my current system isas follows:
Gateway Computer, AMD 64 anthalon X 2 4200 (Dual core) chip
1 gigabyte DDR Ram
320 Gigabyte Harddrive
onboard(motherboard) video graphics, nvidia Sli 6150
windows 2003 enterainment
21 inch Flat panel(HDTV) monitor, wireless mouse and keyboard
Looking at buying a video card PCI Express , mainly play guild wars and hopefully the new eye of the north and guild wars 2 in future, spending cash no more that $250.oo cash for a good video graphics card that is compatible with my computer and guils wars series.
Thank you for your asssitance
need advice on a new video graphics card
SNIEVES
Zodiak
Well the main things to consider, for me at least, is not only do you need NOW, but what do you plan on doing or playing Later.
Although 250$ isnt all that much when it comes to a video card, think intelligently.
First of all, go with NVIDIA, they have been proven hands down again and again to be more faster, stronger and more for your money.
Even though you may not have enough for the all godly, sought after 8800 cards, you MIGHT be able to afford the 8600 video card line. These video cards were derived from the much more expensive 8800s to be a cost effective means of using DirectX 10.
Know that Nvidia cards usually come in 4 models, GTS, GTX, Superclocked and Ultra.
The GTX is usually the standard model and the most sought after by people, the GTS model is the GTX which has been downclocked and has some disabled features. The Superclocked is the GTX which comes already overclocked and has some custom cooling on it. The Ultra is the top of the line cards but often more expensive then they are worth. There even is the Ultra Superclocked which is a waste 99% of the time as its only the Ultra Overclocked with more cooling again.
So for your money, stick to the GTS-GTX models, more leaning towards the GTX if you can afford it.
Also know that each of these models come in different series, you can have the same card ex 8600 GTX but with 384mb or 512mb, etc
You should know that most of these video cards are extremely power hungry and you should research the power consumption needed before. Also know that alot of video cards need external power. Either 4 or 6 pin PCI-Express power connectors that your Power Supply needs to have. Some companies offer MOLEX connector splitters that you can use, but they take up 2 MOLEX connectors that you might need elsewhere. Depending on the type of motherboard you have you might even need 1 more MOLEX connector to be connected beside your video card on the motherboard. In my case since I use two video cards in SLI mode, they need 5 sources of power for them alone.
What you should know about two video cards in SLI mode for the future. Your performance will increase 60-100% but your power consumption will double or more.
The only real companies I buy from are either NVIDIA (not simply the chipset, but the card itself) or EVGA. ASUS also makes video cards but I find their naming weird and confusing which pushes me away.
One thing you might consider but I dont think it will be an issue unless you go into the 8800 line is, check your case for clearance. Video cards can reach up to 11 inches long in the case of the 8800 Ultra and can take up 1 PCI-Express slot and cover the one beside it, rendering it useless.
If you have any further questions, simply post them here
Although 250$ isnt all that much when it comes to a video card, think intelligently.
First of all, go with NVIDIA, they have been proven hands down again and again to be more faster, stronger and more for your money.
Even though you may not have enough for the all godly, sought after 8800 cards, you MIGHT be able to afford the 8600 video card line. These video cards were derived from the much more expensive 8800s to be a cost effective means of using DirectX 10.
Know that Nvidia cards usually come in 4 models, GTS, GTX, Superclocked and Ultra.
The GTX is usually the standard model and the most sought after by people, the GTS model is the GTX which has been downclocked and has some disabled features. The Superclocked is the GTX which comes already overclocked and has some custom cooling on it. The Ultra is the top of the line cards but often more expensive then they are worth. There even is the Ultra Superclocked which is a waste 99% of the time as its only the Ultra Overclocked with more cooling again.
So for your money, stick to the GTS-GTX models, more leaning towards the GTX if you can afford it.
Also know that each of these models come in different series, you can have the same card ex 8600 GTX but with 384mb or 512mb, etc
You should know that most of these video cards are extremely power hungry and you should research the power consumption needed before. Also know that alot of video cards need external power. Either 4 or 6 pin PCI-Express power connectors that your Power Supply needs to have. Some companies offer MOLEX connector splitters that you can use, but they take up 2 MOLEX connectors that you might need elsewhere. Depending on the type of motherboard you have you might even need 1 more MOLEX connector to be connected beside your video card on the motherboard. In my case since I use two video cards in SLI mode, they need 5 sources of power for them alone.
What you should know about two video cards in SLI mode for the future. Your performance will increase 60-100% but your power consumption will double or more.
The only real companies I buy from are either NVIDIA (not simply the chipset, but the card itself) or EVGA. ASUS also makes video cards but I find their naming weird and confusing which pushes me away.
One thing you might consider but I dont think it will be an issue unless you go into the 8800 line is, check your case for clearance. Video cards can reach up to 11 inches long in the case of the 8800 Ultra and can take up 1 PCI-Express slot and cover the one beside it, rendering it useless.
If you have any further questions, simply post them here
moriz
not to rain on your parade, but nvidia had never really given "more bang for the buck". in fact, they are notorious for pushing out products before they are ready, and tend to have more $$$ on top of it. for example, the 7xxx series still cannot fully support SmartShader 3.0 (can't quite remember what it's called), making them perform dramatically worse than the ATI equivalents (the X1xxx series, especially the higher ones) on shader heavy games (which includes GW Nightfall).
the 8xxx series are very fast. however, there are currently no games that takes advantage of their DX10 support. by the time games come out that seriously utilizes DX10, those cards will be long obsolete.
the best way to spend your $250 is buying the Radeon X1950XTX, or the NVIDIA equivalent: Geforce 7950GTX. they are both extremely fast cards (which the radeon is noticeably better on shader heavy games). there won't be DX10 games for at least a year, and by that time you'll want to replace these cards anyways.
the 8xxx series are very fast. however, there are currently no games that takes advantage of their DX10 support. by the time games come out that seriously utilizes DX10, those cards will be long obsolete.
the best way to spend your $250 is buying the Radeon X1950XTX, or the NVIDIA equivalent: Geforce 7950GTX. they are both extremely fast cards (which the radeon is noticeably better on shader heavy games). there won't be DX10 games for at least a year, and by that time you'll want to replace these cards anyways.
IllusiveMind
Quote:
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Originally Posted by moriz
the best way to spend your $250 is buying the Radeon X1950XTX, or the NVIDIA equivalent: Geforce 7950GTX. they are both extremely fast cards (which the radeon is noticeably better on shader heavy games). there won't be DX10 games for at least a year, and by that time you'll want to replace these cards anyways.
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Zodiak
Quote:
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Originally Posted by moriz
there won't be DX10 games for at least a year, and by that time you'll want to replace these cards anyways.
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the 8800 line of video cards CRUSHES anything out there, and OH OH whats this?!
http://www.novatek.com.au/news/confi...-10-games.html
5 Games that fully support DX10 and the year isnt over. These are only the titles that have PUBLISHED that they now currently have full DX10 support enabled.
Sorry but KDYNOWKAITHX
moriz
and i guarantee you those 5 games you mentioned will run perfectly in DX9. they have to. if they don't, nobody will buy them because it's only a tiny minority of gamers that actually have DX10 support. (incidently, apparently one of them is abandoning DX10 support)
as for the 8800 "crushing" anything else, i'd like to point out that the 8800GTX runs GW about 10 FPS faster than the radeon 1950XTX. once you realize that the FPS figure for these two cards are in the 100s range, and the fact that the 8800GTX costs about twice the money as the 1950XTX, you'll know which one is more worthwhile.
the only 8xxx series card that's in the OP's price range is the 8600GTS. and according to what i've heard, that card runs at about the speed of the 7600GT, which is much slower than the 1950XTX. the only thing it's got that's better is the DX10 support, which hardly counts for much of anything considering that the OP just wants to play GW:EN. by the time GWII comes around, the 8xxx series will be completely obsolete.
oh yeah, let's not forget that the OP's computer is a Gateway. there's no way it can run any of the 8xxx series.
as for the 8800 "crushing" anything else, i'd like to point out that the 8800GTX runs GW about 10 FPS faster than the radeon 1950XTX. once you realize that the FPS figure for these two cards are in the 100s range, and the fact that the 8800GTX costs about twice the money as the 1950XTX, you'll know which one is more worthwhile.
the only 8xxx series card that's in the OP's price range is the 8600GTS. and according to what i've heard, that card runs at about the speed of the 7600GT, which is much slower than the 1950XTX. the only thing it's got that's better is the DX10 support, which hardly counts for much of anything considering that the OP just wants to play GW:EN. by the time GWII comes around, the 8xxx series will be completely obsolete.
oh yeah, let's not forget that the OP's computer is a Gateway. there's no way it can run any of the 8xxx series.
scrinner
Find out what your power supply is And then if you have the money, buy a 8600 Gt from sparkle which is relatively cheap. It may not be teh best but its somewhere in between the 7900 GS and the 7600. Dont do it mainly for dx10 but do it because of the price and its value. I run guildwars in the 60-70 range with this card with all settings on high and 1600 x 1080 resolution. Though lately i enabled vsync to keep it at sixty and aligned with my monitor.
Zodiak
The argument is that the games just dont exist, which they do. Having support for DX9 or not was not the issue.
Yeah I agree that the 8800 line is more expensive, just the most powerful on the market. I simply take it as an investment.
Looking at his system his system. even if it IS a gateway, he has what is required, SLI support on his motherboard. The only other thing he would require is a sufficiant power supply.
Though some motherboards arent designed as well as others to take the size of video cards into consideration.
Yeah I agree that the 8800 line is more expensive, just the most powerful on the market. I simply take it as an investment.
Looking at his system his system. even if it IS a gateway, he has what is required, SLI support on his motherboard. The only other thing he would require is a sufficiant power supply.
Though some motherboards arent designed as well as others to take the size of video cards into consideration.
SNIEVES
Hi
This is the OP(?), just to let you , know, i know didly squat about computers, so this is the reason i come to you guys for advice on a good solid video card, i wasnot aware that the gateway computers were crap, i my job which is a federal facilty they have dell dimmension desktops, and until 6 months ago they computer techs in our techonogy department swore by the AMD series of CPU, thats why i got the gateway it has the AMD Anthalon Dual Core X 2 4200 CPU. its actually pretty fast, but really i want to buy a good solid video card that would work properly with the specifications mentioned above, i have know idea what type of power supply its has as far as wattage, i spend alot of time on guildwars, average easly 3 to 4 hours during the week and 8 to 10 hours a day on the weekend, i am 44 years old sand a guildwars addict(LOL),,also does anyone know if when guild wars 2 comes out, and will it run on Dx 9 or Dx10 only.
This is the OP(?), just to let you , know, i know didly squat about computers, so this is the reason i come to you guys for advice on a good solid video card, i wasnot aware that the gateway computers were crap, i my job which is a federal facilty they have dell dimmension desktops, and until 6 months ago they computer techs in our techonogy department swore by the AMD series of CPU, thats why i got the gateway it has the AMD Anthalon Dual Core X 2 4200 CPU. its actually pretty fast, but really i want to buy a good solid video card that would work properly with the specifications mentioned above, i have know idea what type of power supply its has as far as wattage, i spend alot of time on guildwars, average easly 3 to 4 hours during the week and 8 to 10 hours a day on the weekend, i am 44 years old sand a guildwars addict(LOL),,also does anyone know if when guild wars 2 comes out, and will it run on Dx 9 or Dx10 only.
moriz
something is only an investment if its value increases over time. graphic cards, unfortunately, do not fit that requirement. they generally become obsolete in about a year.
what i'm trying to say is, by the time the OP is interested in DX10 support, there will be better cards out there for less money. the 8800 series were made to attract the computer ethusiastics and the stupidly rich. they do not have a good value.
what i'm trying to say is, by the time the OP is interested in DX10 support, there will be better cards out there for less money. the 8800 series were made to attract the computer ethusiastics and the stupidly rich. they do not have a good value.
eggrolls
If you only have $250, get the Radeon x1950pro:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102061
or the x1950xt:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102067
Check your power supply to see whether it can handle these cards first. You'll have to open up the side of the case and look at the label on it. It would be helpful if you can take a picture of the label so we can see whether it's enough.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102061
or the x1950xt:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102067
Check your power supply to see whether it can handle these cards first. You'll have to open up the side of the case and look at the label on it. It would be helpful if you can take a picture of the label so we can see whether it's enough.
Zodiak
Quote:
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Originally Posted by moriz
something is only an investment if its value increases over time. graphic cards, unfortunately, do not fit that requirement. they generally become obsolete in about a year.
the 8800 series were made to attract the computer ethusiastics and the stupidly rich. they do not have a good value. |
I did not want dedicated OpenGL rendering cards because I do intend to use them for play as I do intend to use them for work.
Now stop argueing if you dont plan on getting one.
scrinner
To the Op, If you can play guildwars right now, You will be able to play Eye of the north.
However if your looking to make an investment for Guildwars two as well, i would suggest not buying a graphic card now. I would suggest buying a graphics card near the launch of guildwars two to be able to play on the Highest settings. However if you truly want more performance now, i would go with the radeon cards linked above or an 8600.
Good luck
However if your looking to make an investment for Guildwars two as well, i would suggest not buying a graphic card now. I would suggest buying a graphics card near the launch of guildwars two to be able to play on the Highest settings. However if you truly want more performance now, i would go with the radeon cards linked above or an 8600.
Good luck
Quaker
Basically any card you can get for $250 (and less) will blow the doors off your on-board video. Any of the above mentioned cards will do fine. As far as DX10 is concerned, games that fully use DX10 are still a ways off and DX10 only comes with Vista, which I wouldn't recommend to anyone yet. Maybe after Service Crap 1.
SNIEVES
Hi this the OP,
Thks to you all for all the imput, the current on board video graphics are ran by the SLI nividia on board(motherboard) 6150 le graphics, my average FPS for guildwars is bettween 12 - 18 FPS, every once in a while i mught get 20 FPS, i currently have a 21 inch HDTV capable flat panel monitor, so i would love to be to apreciate the game fully, i don't know if 12 - 18 FPS is good or average, i often hear players stating there are geetting 60 - 70 FPS, also i plann on taking my CPU unit to Best buy to have the video card installed by Geeks on Call computer Techs on site, which will only charge a $39.00 fee to properly install the video graphics card properly according to specifictions, since i dont know jack ____ about computers , and dont want to messup something, i am nothing trying to get top of the line performane or , just looking to get a decent card for the money and get decent quality image form the game, i dont thin k the onboard nividia 6150 graphics was really made for gaming, thats is the reason why i want to purshase a true separate graphics card, so to keep my limit to under $300.00 for a card installed is maxed, also i keep a fan place behind the computer tp blow air in to tha back vent to keep the computer cool
Thks to you all for all the imput, the current on board video graphics are ran by the SLI nividia on board(motherboard) 6150 le graphics, my average FPS for guildwars is bettween 12 - 18 FPS, every once in a while i mught get 20 FPS, i currently have a 21 inch HDTV capable flat panel monitor, so i would love to be to apreciate the game fully, i don't know if 12 - 18 FPS is good or average, i often hear players stating there are geetting 60 - 70 FPS, also i plann on taking my CPU unit to Best buy to have the video card installed by Geeks on Call computer Techs on site, which will only charge a $39.00 fee to properly install the video graphics card properly according to specifictions, since i dont know jack ____ about computers , and dont want to messup something, i am nothing trying to get top of the line performane or , just looking to get a decent card for the money and get decent quality image form the game, i dont thin k the onboard nividia 6150 graphics was really made for gaming, thats is the reason why i want to purshase a true separate graphics card, so to keep my limit to under $300.00 for a card installed is maxed, also i keep a fan place behind the computer tp blow air in to tha back vent to keep the computer cool
scrinner
Not sure why you wouldn't recommend vista, Its a pretty good OS. Nothing wrong with it so far but besides that, i dont want to incite flames
Well op then i would suggest buying one of the cards linked above from neweggs. THough do not expect to get high/good looking settings in Guildwars Two since it will take advantage of direct x10
Well op then i would suggest buying one of the cards linked above from neweggs. THough do not expect to get high/good looking settings in Guildwars Two since it will take advantage of direct x10
Zodiak
This is a preatty good comparison of the 8600 vs the x1950. It takes most things into consideration and puts them through various benchmarks. In some cases one or the other will have a few frames abve the other but in the end, for two video cars that perform about the same, the 8600 is DX10 compatible, for those who care.
Just make sure as the articule says, if your going for the 8600 (which is what I would chose), dont get the GT, get the GTS at the very least.
http://www.techreport.com/reviews/20...0/index.x?pg=1
Now about Vista, the Home editions arent even worth a look, the pro editions are alright but if you want the full Vista experience, you need to go with Ultimate, which requres 1gb of ram minimum and a 512mb video card.
Its a hefty one at that and you should expect a 15% performance decrease from what you should normally get.
Vista is not bad, quite the contrary. I will get it soon, I just want the driver related performance decrease to.. well... Decrease LOL
Just make sure as the articule says, if your going for the 8600 (which is what I would chose), dont get the GT, get the GTS at the very least.
http://www.techreport.com/reviews/20...0/index.x?pg=1
Now about Vista, the Home editions arent even worth a look, the pro editions are alright but if you want the full Vista experience, you need to go with Ultimate, which requres 1gb of ram minimum and a 512mb video card.
Its a hefty one at that and you should expect a 15% performance decrease from what you should normally get.
Vista is not bad, quite the contrary. I will get it soon, I just want the driver related performance decrease to.. well... Decrease LOL
scrinner
Zodiak, The home/premium is not bad and is the most common one. basic should be completely skipped and ultimate is the best.
SNIEVES
hi this is the OP- i dont have windows vista i have the other windows version, also i found out the my power supply is 300 watts, i really dont want to upgrade the power supply, so based on that 300 watts power supply what is my best option on a new graphics card.
Zodiak
Well Considering that most manufacturers recommend a power supply of at least 350w for a single power and at least 500w for both I would say that your not to a good start.
You can find a compatible power supply relatively cheap. just make sure that
1. Its by a reliable company like Antec, Thermaltake, Ultra, etc.
2. It has the type of connector your video card requires such as 4 pin, 6pin, single power, dual power.
Here is an example
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153052
You can find a compatible power supply relatively cheap. just make sure that
1. Its by a reliable company like Antec, Thermaltake, Ultra, etc.
2. It has the type of connector your video card requires such as 4 pin, 6pin, single power, dual power.
Here is an example
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153052
SNIEVES
Hi This is the OP - I really dont have the funds to replace the power supply at this tme, i am not really a hardcore gamer per say, mainly play guild wars, i have found a card that should work , that has a 300 watt minimum requirement, its the Nvidia Geforce 8500 GT, card is avaliable at best buy were i plan on having it installed, there fee is only $ 39 for the installation, i dont know much about computers , and mainly play guild wars, does anyone have any expeirence with the Geforce 8500 GT. thks.
Zodiak
I dont have any experience with the 8500 but i would SERIOUSLY NOT recommend getting anything lower then a GTS model, the GT model is the lowest there is, it comes before the GTS
GT, GTS, GTS Superclocked, GTX, GTX Superclocked, Ultra, Ultra Superclocked
thats how the nameing convention goes
GT, GTS, GTS Superclocked, GTX, GTX Superclocked, Ultra, Ultra Superclocked
thats how the nameing convention goes
Quaker
To get the sort of graphics power that most people here are recommending, (and which would match your machine better) you would probably need to upgrade the power supply too. However, if you really don't want to do that, you may be satisfied with a less powerful graphics card such as the 8500GT. Just dial some of the graphics detail levels back, turn off AA (Anti-Aliasing), etc. Actually, in GW, going to Options, then Graphics, and clicking on Auto-detect would be the simplest solution.
My setup is similar to yours. I have an AMD 64 X2 3800+, 2 gigs of RAM, and a Gateway 21 inch wide monitor running GW at 1680x1050. I'm currently using an x1800XL based card (which is the low end of the x1800 series), and I get acceptable frame rates. I don't know what the actual fps is. AA (Anti-Aliasing) is turned off at the moment - vsync on. (I haven't been too concerned about it because I'm planning to get a 2900XT card very soon.)
The main problem is that 1680x1050 is a lot of pixels to push around. You may have to turn down the graphics quality a lot, although, as I said earlier, it would still be better than the on-board.
My setup is similar to yours. I have an AMD 64 X2 3800+, 2 gigs of RAM, and a Gateway 21 inch wide monitor running GW at 1680x1050. I'm currently using an x1800XL based card (which is the low end of the x1800 series), and I get acceptable frame rates. I don't know what the actual fps is. AA (Anti-Aliasing) is turned off at the moment - vsync on. (I haven't been too concerned about it because I'm planning to get a 2900XT card very soon.)
The main problem is that 1680x1050 is a lot of pixels to push around. You may have to turn down the graphics quality a lot, although, as I said earlier, it would still be better than the on-board.
Zodiak
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Quaker
Actually, in GW, going to Options, then Graphics, and clicking on Auto-detect would be the simplest solution.
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lol even though when i set the settings myself on 1680x1050, 60hz refresh, everything on the highest ive had 300fps.
Guildwars does NOT do the best job on figuring out what settings it should be at but at least it tries.
SNIEVES
i have pretty much looking at the Geforce 8500 GT, it does not require me to change my power suppl since it requires a minimum of 300 watts, which i have and 512 k ram, which i have 1 gig DDR PC 4200,the questions i cannot find any reviews or anyone familiar with the card to tell me if its a decent card or garbage
SNIEVES
Well, i went to best buy , and got the Geforce 8500 GT(512MB), plus 1 gig more of DDR Ram,My new system configuration is :
Gateway GM5094E- AMD 64 Antalon X 2 Dual Core 4200, 2 gig of DDR Ram, 320 Gig Hardrive, Nividia Geforce 8500 GT(512 MB), its running very smooth, pictures agristal clear and life like, geetting up to 90 FPS, averaging 65 FPS mostly
Gateway GM5094E- AMD 64 Antalon X 2 Dual Core 4200, 2 gig of DDR Ram, 320 Gig Hardrive, Nividia Geforce 8500 GT(512 MB), its running very smooth, pictures agristal clear and life like, geetting up to 90 FPS, averaging 65 FPS mostly