Curse

SnipiousMax · Dec 16, 2008, 07:30 PM // 19:30

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?

Improvavel · Dec 16, 2008, 08:48 PM // 20:48

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.

moriz · Dec 16, 2008, 09:38 PM // 21:38

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.

Elder III · Dec 17, 2008, 01:43 AM // 01:43

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. :/

SnipiousMax · Dec 17, 2008, 06:08 AM // 06:08

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.

Awesome, thats exactly what I was looking for.

Lourens · Dec 17, 2008, 09:21 AM // 09:21

I would go for ati radeon 4670

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125244

Blackhearted · Dec 18, 2008, 02:51 AM // 02:51

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 · Dec 18, 2008, 03:06 AM // 03:06

Half upgrade?

moriz · Dec 18, 2008, 03:45 AM // 03:45

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.

true, but you'll want to spend another $60 or so upgrading to a new power supply. without knowing how powerful the OP's current PSU is, the 4670 is the best upgrade available.

SnipiousMax · Dec 18, 2008, 06:02 AM // 06:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz

without knowing how powerful the OP's current PSU is

Its this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371002

A sleazy sales rep convinced me I needed it for the 7600gs.

moriz · Dec 18, 2008, 06:05 AM // 06:05

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 · Dec 18, 2008, 06:35 AM // 06:35

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?

moriz · Dec 18, 2008, 01:56 PM // 13:56

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.

Leonora Windleaf · Dec 18, 2008, 04:16 PM // 16:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnipiousMax

I've never owned a MSI vid card before. Anyone know anything about the brand?

They are pretty good, I got 2 8800GTS from MSI and am quite happy with them... no problems at all.

Of course, they are not like XFX or EVGA, but still pretty good.

SnipiousMax · Dec 18, 2008, 08:36 PM // 20:36

^ 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?

Lord Sojar · Dec 19, 2008, 12:54 AM // 00:54

Get that card. You will not regret the purchase.

SnipiousMax · Dec 20, 2008, 02:34 PM // 14:34

Dupe, I'm a noob.

SnipiousMax · Dec 20, 2008, 02:34 PM // 14:34

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.

moriz · Dec 20, 2008, 02:37 PM // 14:37

other than the type of coolers, there are no difference, at least on paper.

Lord Sojar · Dec 20, 2008, 03:45 PM // 15:45

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.