Looking for a new video card

mekhettremere

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Oct 2005

St Louis, MO

Nocturnal Coven

R/N

I just got back into Guild Wars, and am thinking about upgrading my video card. Currently, I'm running a Radeon X1300. I found this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161273 , should this run GW well?

My other concern is that I have a 300W PSU, but the only "extra" I have in the box is a 2nd HDD, which I've been thinking about putting into a USB enclosure anyway. Does anyone think I'll run into any issues with the above Video card?

Thanks

moriz

moriz

??ber t??k-n??sh'??n

Join Date: Jan 2006

Canada

R/

that card can be run on a 300W PSU, and should easily run GW. in fact, the HD4670 is noted to be the most powerful graphic card that doesn't need any additional power source.

Lord Sojar

Lord Sojar

The Fallen One

Join Date: Dec 2005

Oblivion

Irrelevant

Mo/Me

Who is the manufacturer of your PSU, and what is the model type/number? The 4670 is very power efficient, but 300w will be cutting it close (usually PSUs with that little power have shoddy 12v rails). 400w+ is more in line with gaming grade cards, but again, it depends on rail design and implementation.

Post that info, and I can give you some more detailed advice.

Elder III

Elder III

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jan 2007

Ohio

I Will Never Join Your Guild (NTY)

R/

as stated above it really depends on your PSU - if it's an off-brand, mass produced (ie came in a Dell or HP) it's probably going to give you trouble. If it's a nice Corsair, Antec, etc... it will likely be ok. A new 500 watt PSU can be had for $40-50 if you shop the sales... name brands too.

Brett Kuntz

Brett Kuntz

Core Guru

Join Date: Feb 2005

I'd wait until Sept 1x, when ATI's new cards come out, as all existing cards will more than likely drop in price substantially. Basically, waiting 2 months could save you 25% or more (on car insurance).

Elder III

Elder III

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jan 2007

Ohio

I Will Never Join Your Guild (NTY)

R/

if you're talking 25% in regards to a 4670's price it's not worth waiting 2 months... they're pretty cheap already - if you are talking a 4870 x 2 then it may be worth it. lol

Nanood

Nanood

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

Supermans Crystal Palace

Legion Of The Dark Sun

The best article IMO for up to date value for cards.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...card,2362.html

Check it out

dilan155

dilan155

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2007

living room

N/

well you have to consider the 12v rail, whether there's multiple ones, whats the efficiency rating is. also the brand matters as well.

Malician

Oak Ridge Boys Fan

Join Date: Jun 2007

E/P

Quote:
Originally Posted by dilan155 View Post
well you have to consider the 12v rail, whether there's multiple ones, whats the efficiency rating is. also the brand matters as well.
Efficiency just relates to how much wattage is wasted (the PSU's draw from the wall will be higher than what it actually outputs).

Amps on the 12v rail times 12 = watts available. 10 amps on the 12v = 120 watts. Of course, what the manufacturer claims may be higher than what the PSU can actually supply... that's where brands come in =)

N E D M

N E D M

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Sep 2006

Officer's Club

Gameamp Guides [AMP]

I will recommend the version manufactured by Gigabyte rather than HIS.(i have one, just put in a new pc i built)
I have heard poor reviews on HIS products.
Also new PSU may be wise
and it plays GW very well

Elder III

Elder III

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jan 2007

Ohio

I Will Never Join Your Guild (NTY)

R/

HIS makes quality video cards, esp the ICEQ editions. I have both a HIS 4850 and a Gigabyte 4850 in my PC and I've been happy with both of them. The HIS I bought shortly after they came out on the market, and it's holding up very well for me so far.

mekhettremere

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Oct 2005

St Louis, MO

Nocturnal Coven

R/N

Thanks for the responses guys. I bought the HIS, should be here this week. My next purchase will either be a PSU, or if I win the lottery, a new machine.

I figure I can live without my DVDROM for a bit if there's too much power draw. I rarely use it anyway.

mekhettremere

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Oct 2005

St Louis, MO

Nocturnal Coven

R/N

Well, I got the card, but apparently Dell builds their Motherboards badly. The PCIE slot is too close to the Proc Heatsink, and the fan enclosure hits the HS enough that the card doesn't fit.

On the bright side though, this helped me convince my wife to let me buy a new machine, peice by peice for the next few months.

Elder III

Elder III

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jan 2007

Ohio

I Will Never Join Your Guild (NTY)

R/

Quote:
Originally Posted by mekhettremere View Post
Well, I got the card, but apparently Dell builds their Motherboards badly. The PCIE slot is too close to the Proc Heatsink, and the fan enclosure hits the HS enough that the card doesn't fit.

On the bright side though, this helped me convince my wife to let me buy a new machine, peice by peice for the next few months.
Unless you have a weird non-standard ATX motherboard the Processor is above your PCIe x 16 slot.... which means that the video card would have to be installed with the fan/heatsink facing downwards, away from the Processor.

*is confused*