So a completely new and shiny computer (preferably with glowing blue things) is gonna have to wait a bit. I'd like to replace my Nvidia 7600gs with something a little more current, but don't want to spend more than $75.00. Is it possible to get a decent card around that price? I'm not looking for anything fancy, but I'd like to play some of the more modern games without sacrificing to much.
The rest of my computer isn't exactly a Gem either (Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 / 1.86 GHz, 2 gigs 533 MHz ddr2 ram) so I'm wondering if the Video Card is even the bottleneck?
Graphics Card without blowing all my Christmas Money.
SnipiousMax
Improvavel
I would look for a nvidia Geforce 8600 GT or an ati 3850/3870. Should give a nice boost over that 7600gs.
You can also look on overclocking a bit ur processor.
You can also look on overclocking a bit ur processor.
moriz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125244
cheap and very powerful. what's really nice is that it doesn't require additional power, which means its guaranteed to work with the rest of your components.
cheap and very powerful. what's really nice is that it doesn't require additional power, which means its guaranteed to work with the rest of your components.
Elder III
I have had my eye on that exact card that Moriz posted... it will give you a good bit of bang for your buck and enable you to play the newer games at a pretty decent rate too.... far better than your current card.
Improvavel - fyi the 8600 GT is not much better than the 7600 GS - I had the 7600 and now have the 8600GTS (actually better than the GT) and the performance increase is not very much. :/
Improvavel - fyi the 8600 GT is not much better than the 7600 GS - I had the 7600 and now have the 8600GTS (actually better than the GT) and the performance increase is not very much. :/
SnipiousMax
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by moriz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125244
cheap and very powerful. what's really nice is that it doesn't require additional power, which means its guaranteed to work with the rest of your components. |
Lourens
Blackhearted
Personally i'd spend an extra $10 for a 9600 instead of a 4600 series. But then again, that's cause i prefer full upgrades instead of half upgrades, which is what you get with a 4600. But to each his own.
I Dont Do Coke
Half upgrade?
moriz
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Blackhearted
Personally i'd spend an extra $10 for a 9600 instead of a 4600 series. But then again, that's cause i prefer full upgrades instead of half upgrades, which is what you get with a 4600. But to each his own.
|
SnipiousMax
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by moriz
without knowing how powerful the OP's current PSU is
|
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371002
A sleazy sales rep convinced me I needed it for the 7600gs.
moriz
yeah, that one is pretty good. you can take blackhearted's advice and get a geforce 9600GT if you wish... though it is more expensive (and more powerful).
SnipiousMax
Other than taking up two slots, how is this card here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127333
I've never owned a MSI vid card before. Anyone know anything about the brand?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127333
I've never owned a MSI vid card before. Anyone know anything about the brand?
moriz
they are ok for the most part.
keep in mind that the 9600GT does come in single slot form. that might be better for you.
keep in mind that the 9600GT does come in single slot form. that might be better for you.
Leonora Windleaf
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by SnipiousMax
I've never owned a MSI vid card before. Anyone know anything about the brand?
|
Of course, they are not like XFX or EVGA, but still pretty good.
SnipiousMax
^ If EVGA is a better brand there is this one at the same price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9600gt&x=0&y=0
How does it compare with the MSI one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9600gt&x=0&y=0
How does it compare with the MSI one?
Lord Sojar
Get that card. You will not regret the purchase. 
SnipiousMax
Dupe, I'm a noob.
SnipiousMax
What is the difference between these two cards?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130393
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130424
They are all the same brand, same card, same memory, same core speed, around the same price, but there are little differences here and there.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130393
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130424
They are all the same brand, same card, same memory, same core speed, around the same price, but there are little differences here and there.
moriz
other than the type of coolers, there are no difference, at least on paper.
Lord Sojar
However Snipious, I must point out... If you are going to spend 105 bucks on a 9600GT, it would be rather silly not to take advantage of the amazing deals to be had on a 9800GT, which has very close to the same power requirements that the 9600GT has (a difference of 15-38 watts depending on distributor design)
Here you go, case in point:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130397
A ten dollar difference for that performance gain is absurd not to buy. It would be quite silly to pass up a price like that.
Here you go, case in point:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130397
A ten dollar difference for that performance gain is absurd not to buy. It would be quite silly to pass up a price like that.
SnipiousMax
^^ I'm already bottlenecking my processor with the very first suggested card, but I can't argue with logic! 
Improvavel
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Elder III
Improvavel - fyi the 8600 GT is not much better than the 7600 GS - I had the 7600 and now have the 8600GTS (actually better than the GT) and the performance increase is not very much. :/ |
Lord Sojar
Ummm... the 9600GT will SLAUGHTER the 7600GS, and I mean SLAUGHTER it.
They are not just shrinks and/or re-designations in many cases. Some are, simply because that market segment doesn't need anything new (which in turn means higher priced)
The 9600GT is extremely similar to the 8600GT, with a few minor modifications to improve performance and a die shrink, yes. The 9800GT is not nearly as similar to the 8800GT.
And Snipious, you will not be bottlenecking your processor anymore than you would be with a 9600GT. The 9800GT I linked to is the absolute best buy around right now. Get it.
They are not just shrinks and/or re-designations in many cases. Some are, simply because that market segment doesn't need anything new (which in turn means higher priced)
The 9600GT is extremely similar to the 8600GT, with a few minor modifications to improve performance and a die shrink, yes. The 9800GT is not nearly as similar to the 8800GT.
And Snipious, you will not be bottlenecking your processor anymore than you would be with a 9600GT. The 9800GT I linked to is the absolute best buy around right now. Get it.
Elder III
yes the 9600GT will slaughter the 7600GS, hands down, it also slaughters the 8600GT, by nearly as much. lol
this 9600GT at $70 may be the best buy in your budget range....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127333
or the Gigabyte 4670 on Newegg @ $55 if you want to save more money and lose a little performance.
this 9600GT at $70 may be the best buy in your budget range....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127333
or the Gigabyte 4670 on Newegg @ $55 if you want to save more money and lose a little performance.
SnipiousMax
While I'm at it, should I upgrade my RAM as well? It's really really cheap for some 800 DDR2.
SnipiousMax
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130380
^This is the card I ended up getting, comes in another four days.
^This is the card I ended up getting, comes in another four days.
Snograt
Great!
And yes, why not up your RAM to 4 GB. Dump the RAM you have and get 4 gigs of 800MHz.
And yes, why not up your RAM to 4 GB. Dump the RAM you have and get 4 gigs of 800MHz.
SnipiousMax
Everything is freaking awesome. Totally worth it. Thanks for the recommendations (with a tip of the hat to Rahja for talking me into the 9800).
Lord Sojar
The 9800GT is a great card, hands down. It is also one of the best buys on the market currently. Glad you are impressed with the performance. A RAM upgrade would do you a lot of good, as Snoggy said.
Check out this RAM for on the cheapz:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231192
The fact that Gskill completely destroys any other RAM manufacturer right now speaks for itself. That isn't even mentioning that at 4-4-4-12 timings, this kit blows away everything with ease.
Check out this RAM for on the cheapz:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231192
The fact that Gskill completely destroys any other RAM manufacturer right now speaks for itself. That isn't even mentioning that at 4-4-4-12 timings, this kit blows away everything with ease.