Curse

roxy rub rub · Aug 06, 2007, 05:18 AM // 05:18

I bought my own computer, so I can freely play guild wars on a computer in my own room instead of the family computer.

My computer has: Windows XP, 1GB RAM, 180GB+80GB HDD, Intell Celeron, sound card... ect.

Pretty much the same as the family computer, except that has a 360GB HDD, and it runs GW perfectly... although im not sure what videocard it uses.

With the budget I have, im considering these:
http://itestate.com.au/products_deta...ode=PD00004718
http://itestate.com.au/products_deta...ode=PD00004713

Would these be suitable enough to run GW?

Lord-UWR · Aug 06, 2007, 06:02 AM // 06:02

The two video cards you have linked to are not graphics cards to be messed with, they are probably the second or third best option for anyone putting together a new computer.

So, first of all, you need to know that your CPU should be able to support and be compatible with these video cards. Secondly, both video cards linked are PCI-Express, so your motherboard needs to support it. Thirdly, figure out what graphics card you already have? or are you connecting your monitor to your motherboard, which then means your graphics card is on-board. But if you can get them, you SHOULD get the 8600 one, but not that brand. Try EVGA GeForce 8600 GT, or an Asus one.

roxy rub rub · Aug 06, 2007, 06:30 AM // 06:30

Yeah, I know my computer is PCI-e, I should've mentioned it, my CPU is 2.80 GHz
I'll go and check out what card I have now on the other computer...

...System requirements said its a nVidia Geforce 6200 Turbocache, like I said, I have never had any lag while playing and it always plays smooth.

I think the cards im looking at are a decent choice haha.

Malice Black · Aug 06, 2007, 10:24 AM // 10:24

I'd have gone for a 7900 or similar. The low-end 88xx series sucks.

iridescentfyre · Aug 06, 2007, 05:23 PM // 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord-UWR

But if you can get them, you SHOULD get the 8600 one, but not that brand. Try EVGA GeForce 8600 GT, or an Asus one.

Those are great, I like BFG myself... expensive, but the tech support and warrantee are awesome and worth it.

dronex · Aug 06, 2007, 05:30 PM // 17:30

The 8600 should be great... brand dosent matter

Tachyon · Aug 06, 2007, 06:45 PM // 18:45

Before you invest in a graphics card, make sure that your PSU can take it. The majority of modern PCI-e cards require a separate power cable to be connected to the card.

roxy rub rub · Aug 07, 2007, 08:34 AM // 08:34

http://itestate.com.au/products_deta...ode=PD00004959
Is this good? Its over my budget though and im not 100% sure on what the requirements mean, remember I have windows XP. Gosh im dumb. XD

Here is some specs for it:
http://www.evga.com/products/moreinf...1-AR&family=23

Also I think where im going to buy the card from must really sell everything there for heaps cheap (I bought my HDD and monitor there) 'cause the spec link says $180 usd and the first link is $169 Australian... so it is a good deal regardless.

Remember I am aiming for a lower price, atleast is the 8500GT going to run it well, seeing it comes standard with man gaming computers

acidic · Aug 07, 2007, 09:17 AM // 09:17

I would look for a previous generation card rather than the mid-low end of the 8series. In dx9 the 7series and x1k series dominates the mid-low 8series. IN dx10 the mid-low dx10 cards are terrible and unplayable. http://anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3029&p=6
Only thing that might be going for the midlow 8series is the improved image quality over the previous 7series

Theres quite a bit of articles, and I can just point you to some of the benchmarks to dissuade you from buying the 8600's http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/07/...600/page7.html

I'd pick one of these;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102034
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814134001
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102061
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102067

Dex · Aug 07, 2007, 11:28 PM // 23:28

In your price range I would go with a Radeon x1950xt without question. It needs a lot of power (make sure you have at least a 480w-500w PSU), but all around it's still the best GPU for under $200 US. A ton more raw power than the nVidia 7900 series and it can do shader tricks that even the 8800GTX can't do (FP16 blends with MSAA, anyone?)

lordpwn · Aug 08, 2007, 01:08 PM // 13:08

The GeForce 8500 and 8600 are pointless; they're slower than some equally cheap mid-to-high-end cards from the previous generation when running DX9 and earlier games. They _may_ support DX10 stuff but there isn't anything worth buying a card for yet and when there will be it will be too much for a cheap first-gen DX10 card to handle.

Get an ATI X1950 Pro, X1950 XT or a GeForce 7950 and enjoy twice the speed a GeForce 8500 or 8600 would have offered.

MithranArkanere · Aug 08, 2007, 06:59 PM // 18:59

Both are nVida, and GW do not had precisely the most hardcore graphic requirements ever.

They both will do. So You should check wich one will have more compatibily with your system.

dronex · Aug 08, 2007, 07:43 PM // 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordpwn

The GeForce 8500 and 8600 are pointless; they're slower than some equally cheap mid-to-high-end cards from the previous generation when running DX9 and earlier games. They _may_ support DX10 stuff but there isn't anything worth buying a card for yet and when there will be it will be too much for a cheap first-gen DX10 card to handle.

Get an ATI X1950 Pro, X1950 XT or a GeForce 7950 and enjoy twice the speed a GeForce 8500 or 8600 would have offered.

*cough* 8600 = next gen *cough*

akatookey · Aug 08, 2007, 08:02 PM // 20:02

*cough* low-end next gen wont be able to handle next-gen games anyway, and offer less performance than high-end 79xx cards *cough*

I would go with an evga 7900 gt or a high-end x1950 card like other people suggested, just because the 8600 is more expensive doesn't make it better...at all...also someone posted brand doesn't matter...next time you buy an off brand and it breaks let me know how replacing it goes...

I highly recommend eVGA and BFG for customer support and service

SigurdTheBalmung · Aug 08, 2007, 08:12 PM // 20:12

To add to akatookey, when looking at brands see what does and doesn't void the warranty on the card. Especially when it comes to after market fans. I'm not sure about BFG, but eVGA does not void your warranty when replacing fans, so long as you keep the stock parts.

Also I have had to contact eVGA's customer support twice, once when installing my SLI setup and once when a fan went out on a card. Both times they were able to get right to the point and answer/help me, as well as being curteous and knowledgable about their products and the components in my system.

Dex · Aug 08, 2007, 11:45 PM // 23:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by akatookey

*cough* low-end next gen wont be able to handle next-gen games anyway, and offer less performance than high-end 79xx cards *cough*

QFT.

I hate silly marketing phrases like "next gen". It means nothing. As akatookey said, good luck turning on all the DX10 eye candy in future games when your GPU can't turn out a good enough framerate to make it worthwhile. You'll be turning it all off again to get decent fps.

If you're not going to spring for an 8800 or a x2900 then go with a x1950 or 7950. You'll be much happier.

roxy rub rub · Aug 09, 2007, 09:55 AM // 09:55

The only game I do/would play is GW.

http://www.myshopping.com.au/SP--141..._Graphics_Card

Is that good? But I really don't like buying off the internet, and im aiming to only buy from some local stores, but im not sure if they have it in stock or let alone get it shipped for under 200 bucks.

I found this:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/NVIDIA-GEFORC...QQcmdZViewItem

$neekie · Aug 09, 2007, 10:32 AM // 10:32

I bought the 7900GS(256), runs great. And isnt to expensive, i bought it for 120Euros in store(Netherlands).

Some advice, i dont know anything about pc s and i discoverd(after i bought it) my powersuplly wasnt enough. So look into that....

mzzls

Fr_3_aK · Aug 10, 2007, 04:40 AM // 04:40

Im looking for a replacement 3D just like you are. I spent a week looking at all the cards on Ebay and a few other aussie sites.

Really it comes down to what you can pay, and what your PSU will run.

Some good links to look at are:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...ocessing_Units
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compari...ocessing_Units

Once you see something you can afford do a goodle search with the cards name and review. Read a couple reviews to scope out what FPS the card can achieve and how they rate it.

I only ever found 1 site that reviewed cards for GWs:
http://au.gamespot.com/features/6129...pe=tech&page=3

As you can see an old 6600GT will run it at 100 FPS maximum. Another factor is in a high stress situation, how low will the FPS go. While the link didnt mention that, i got some guildies to test the lowest FPS in Kamadan #1 storage area.
A 7600GT went down to 15 FPS,
8800GT 30 FPS,
X1650 Pro 20 FPS
R300 20 FPS
and me with a old FX5500 8 FPS lol.

So in conclusion, stop asking "is this good? is this good?" just buy what you can afford.