Upgrading my graphics card

Hi. My system spec is as follows:

Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.4ghz
3gb ddr2 RAM
2 x 360gb HDD
nVidia 8600gs

As you can see, my graphics card is plain awful. I'm looking to upgrade in the next 1-2 weeks but I'm not sure what to. I wanna play Crysis on reasonably nice settings on 1024x768 (don't care about AA). I hear the 8800GT is quite good for the price, and I'm looking to spend around £160. Any ideas?

(BTW, I use vista so I want one that will be ok with DX10)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=GX-089-PC

that's probably the best card for the money right now.

if you want to spend a little more, go with the non-castrated version:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...)%20-%20Retail

make sure your PSU can handle it though.

Thanks for the input. How do you think either would fare with Crysis (or rather, what settings could I get it running smooth on)?

both cards can run crysis comfortably at 1280x1024. the HD4870 can obviously run it better.

since you're looking to run it at 1024x768, both should be able to handle high settings, with antialiasing thrown in possibly.

also, since this is a GW forum, i can say confidently that the HD4850 can run GW at around 200 FPS. that's with everything maxed out at 1680x1050 resolution.

Thanks alot. Gonna open up my computer later on and check how good the PSU is. If it's good enough I'm gettin that 4870. :P

the HD4870 requires you to have AT LEAST a 500W powersupply. more specifically, you need at least 32 amperes on the 12V rail for your entire system (including the card). it also requires two 6-pin power connectors.

it's also a good idea to make sure you have good ventilation, since these cards run very hot. that can be remedied with a few software fixes though.

i'd only go for the 4000 serie if you have a well cooled case, they have very high temps from what i heard.

the high temperatures are really caused by the fan not spinning fast enough. i managed to set it to 40% (from 5%) by manually tweaking an overclock profile. now it idles at 52C and 65C at full load, which is much more acceptable than the 70C idle and 82C load it was doing before.

however, even at the higher temperatures, the card (HD4850) does not affect the temperatures of my other components. i do have an EXTREMELY well-ventilated case though, with fans set at medium. i guess the heat was expelled pretty damn fast

if you really are going with the HD4870, note that it has a dual slot cooler, which automatically pumps the heat out of the back of your case, which means it won't affect your other components. however, do ensure good air flow.

Would pulling the side off my computer's case be sufficient?

if you have a good case and good fan placements, it won't be necessary.

In fact, taking the side off of your case does exactly the opposite on a well cooled case. A case is set up to maximise airflow across the necessary components, usually air is sucked in through the front bottom and blown out the back top. Opening the side allows the air to go wherever the hell it likes, thereby not cooling your components.

Yep that's true snog, it's better adding more fans (faced in the right direction so they improve air flow and don't decrease it -_-) than opening you're side

The 4850 will run crysis just fine at that res. It will run most any game fine at that res. If you are looking to save money, and you are in the USA, newegg had one for $150 after MIR. Shipping is $8 I think.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...485 0&x=0&y=0

Check slickdeals or fatwallet to see when the next deal pops up. I haven't seen any deals on that 4870 yet, but there should be some soon.

A case can be "designed" for optimum airflow with the side panel on, but that doesn't necessarily means it performs that way in reality. It all depends the specific case, mounting of components, cabling, fans, etc.

My advice is try it and see. If the temperatures drop with the side panel off, then leave it open. Don't let anything get inside the case though