My Third Trip for Video Card Advice
By
Cade Lawson,
Posted on: 2010-11-10 22:24 in ALL ACCESS Gameplay Technical Issues Bugs
Like 95% of all store bought PCs, it has a dinky power supply, in your case only 250 watts. This will limit your possibilities unless you upgrade it as well. Without upgrading it, the cards that would probably work with that power supply will be significantly slower than a 9800GTX.
That said, the two current top end sub $200 video cards online are the 768MB nVidia GTX 460 and the 1GB AMD HD 6850. You may be able to find the 1GB version of the GTX 460 at the $200 mark. Both cards would really like a nice quality 500 watt power supply to make them go. At stock clock speeds they are 60-80% faster than a 9800GTX.
Problem is pricing in a new PSU. If you get a new PSU, you'll only have enough money for a card that's probably less powerful than your 9800GTX. Still, compared to the integrated Intel graphics on the Core i3, anything would be a huge improvement.
If you don't plan on swapping out the PSU now, the best you can do is maybe an ATI HD 5670. Even then you may be pushing your luck with power. The nVidia card with a similar power usage would be the GT 430 but it's 30% slower than the HD 5670 which is 20% slower than a 9800GTX.
Honestly, I can't understand why they (HP, Dell, etc) bother mentioning the empty graphics expansion slot when then use such tiny PSUs. It's like a car dealer installing a trailer hitch on an AMC Pacer. Yea, you may be able to tow one of those tiny U-Haul trailers to and from college, downhill, with a stiff tailwind. But in general it's of pretty limited use.
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
Tempus unum hominem manet
Quote:
Oh crikey, I forgot to mention that the 550 watt PSU I got for the 9800 was salvageable, so I am gravy on that. Thanks again, you've actually seen me through to my third video card!
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Originally Posted by Father Xmas
Like 95% of all store bought PCs, it has a dinky power supply, in your case only 250 watts. This will limit your possibilities unless you upgrade it as well. Without upgrading it, the cards that would probably work with that power supply will be significantly slower than a 9800GTX.
That said, the two current top end sub $200 video cards online are the 768MB nVidia GTX 460 and the 1GB AMD HD 6850. You may be able to find the 1GB version of the GTX 460 at the $200 mark. Both cards would really like a nice quality 500 watt power supply to make them go. At stock clock speeds they are 60-80% faster than a 9800GTX. Problem is pricing in a new PSU. If you get a new PSU, you'll only have enough money for a card that's probably less powerful than your 9800GTX. Still, compared to the integrated Intel graphics on the Core i3, anything would be a huge improvement. If you don't plan on swapping out the PSU now, the best you can do is maybe an ATI HD 5670. Even then you may be pushing your luck with power. The nVidia card with a similar power usage would be the GT 430 but it's 30% slower than the HD 5670 which is 20% slower than a 9800GTX. Honestly, I can't understand why they (HP, Dell, etc) bother mentioning the empty graphics expansion slot when then use such tiny PSUs. It's like a car dealer installing a trailer hitch on an AMC Pacer. Yea, you may be able to tow one of those tiny U-Haul trailers to and from college, downhill, with a stiff tailwind. But in general it's of pretty limited use. |
Anything over an nVidia 5770.
They should run the new graphics just fine.
Quote:
Radeon 5770*. Also not a bad choice. Its what I use as a back up to my 5970 and it handles CoH UM respectably.
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Originally Posted by Infernus_Hades
Anything over an nVidia 5770.
They should run the new graphics just fine. |
Okay, so my third video card advice asking post since I started, and I'm sure I will keep getting great advice!
Got a new computer, and HP p6630f, haven't kept up with the new Nvidia nomenclature since my 9800GTX was purchased a few years ago. I am looking to keep it under $200. Thanks, I'll keep peeking in and thanking people.