Curse

SNIEVES · Jun 20, 2007, 04:33 PM // 16:33

Hi

i need advice on buying a graphics video card. my current system isas follows:
Gateway Computer, AMD 64 anthalon X 2 4200 (Dual core) chip
1 gigabyte DDR Ram
320 Gigabyte Harddrive
onboard(motherboard) video graphics, nvidia Sli 6150
windows 2003 enterainment
21 inch Flat panel(HDTV) monitor, wireless mouse and keyboard

Looking at buying a video card PCI Express , mainly play guild wars and hopefully the new eye of the north and guild wars 2 in future, spending cash no more that $250.oo cash for a good video graphics card that is compatible with my computer and guils wars series.
Thank you for your asssitance

Zodiak · Jun 20, 2007, 06:21 PM // 18:21

Well the main things to consider, for me at least, is not only do you need NOW, but what do you plan on doing or playing Later.

Although 250$ isnt all that much when it comes to a video card, think intelligently.

First of all, go with NVIDIA, they have been proven hands down again and again to be more faster, stronger and more for your money.

Even though you may not have enough for the all godly, sought after 8800 cards, you MIGHT be able to afford the 8600 video card line. These video cards were derived from the much more expensive 8800s to be a cost effective means of using DirectX 10.

Know that Nvidia cards usually come in 4 models, GTS, GTX, Superclocked and Ultra.

The GTX is usually the standard model and the most sought after by people, the GTS model is the GTX which has been downclocked and has some disabled features. The Superclocked is the GTX which comes already overclocked and has some custom cooling on it. The Ultra is the top of the line cards but often more expensive then they are worth. There even is the Ultra Superclocked which is a waste 99% of the time as its only the Ultra Overclocked with more cooling again.

So for your money, stick to the GTS-GTX models, more leaning towards the GTX if you can afford it.

Also know that each of these models come in different series, you can have the same card ex 8600 GTX but with 384mb or 512mb, etc

You should know that most of these video cards are extremely power hungry and you should research the power consumption needed before. Also know that alot of video cards need external power. Either 4 or 6 pin PCI-Express power connectors that your Power Supply needs to have. Some companies offer MOLEX connector splitters that you can use, but they take up 2 MOLEX connectors that you might need elsewhere. Depending on the type of motherboard you have you might even need 1 more MOLEX connector to be connected beside your video card on the motherboard. In my case since I use two video cards in SLI mode, they need 5 sources of power for them alone.

What you should know about two video cards in SLI mode for the future. Your performance will increase 60-100% but your power consumption will double or more.

The only real companies I buy from are either NVIDIA (not simply the chipset, but the card itself) or EVGA. ASUS also makes video cards but I find their naming weird and confusing which pushes me away.

One thing you might consider but I dont think it will be an issue unless you go into the 8800 line is, check your case for clearance. Video cards can reach up to 11 inches long in the case of the 8800 Ultra and can take up 1 PCI-Express slot and cover the one beside it, rendering it useless.

If you have any further questions, simply post them here

moriz · Jun 20, 2007, 07:28 PM // 19:28

not to rain on your parade, but nvidia had never really given "more bang for the buck". in fact, they are notorious for pushing out products before they are ready, and tend to have more $$$ on top of it. for example, the 7xxx series still cannot fully support SmartShader 3.0 (can't quite remember what it's called), making them perform dramatically worse than the ATI equivalents (the X1xxx series, especially the higher ones) on shader heavy games (which includes GW Nightfall).

the 8xxx series are very fast. however, there are currently no games that takes advantage of their DX10 support. by the time games come out that seriously utilizes DX10, those cards will be long obsolete.

the best way to spend your $250 is buying the Radeon X1950XTX, or the NVIDIA equivalent: Geforce 7950GTX. they are both extremely fast cards (which the radeon is noticeably better on shader heavy games). there won't be DX10 games for at least a year, and by that time you'll want to replace these cards anyways.

IllusiveMind · Jun 20, 2007, 07:38 PM // 19:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz

the best way to spend your $250 is buying the Radeon X1950XTX, or the NVIDIA equivalent: Geforce 7950GTX. they are both extremely fast cards (which the radeon is noticeably better on shader heavy games). there won't be DX10 games for at least a year, and by that time you'll want to replace these cards anyways.

I second that. Get the Radeon X1950XTX.

Zodiak · Jun 20, 2007, 08:59 PM // 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz

there won't be DX10 games for at least a year, and by that time you'll want to replace these cards anyways.

Not to RAIN on YOUR parade, but do your research.

the 8800 line of video cards CRUSHES anything out there, and OH OH whats this?!

http://www.novatek.com.au/news/confi...-10-games.html

5 Games that fully support DX10 and the year isnt over. These are only the titles that have PUBLISHED that they now currently have full DX10 support enabled.

Sorry but KDYNOWKAITHX

moriz · Jun 20, 2007, 09:15 PM // 21:15

and i guarantee you those 5 games you mentioned will run perfectly in DX9. they have to. if they don't, nobody will buy them because it's only a tiny minority of gamers that actually have DX10 support. (incidently, apparently one of them is abandoning DX10 support)

as for the 8800 "crushing" anything else, i'd like to point out that the 8800GTX runs GW about 10 FPS faster than the radeon 1950XTX. once you realize that the FPS figure for these two cards are in the 100s range, and the fact that the 8800GTX costs about twice the money as the 1950XTX, you'll know which one is more worthwhile.

the only 8xxx series card that's in the OP's price range is the 8600GTS. and according to what i've heard, that card runs at about the speed of the 7600GT, which is much slower than the 1950XTX. the only thing it's got that's better is the DX10 support, which hardly counts for much of anything considering that the OP just wants to play GW:EN. by the time GWII comes around, the 8xxx series will be completely obsolete.

oh yeah, let's not forget that the OP's computer is a Gateway. there's no way it can run any of the 8xxx series.

scrinner · Jun 20, 2007, 09:34 PM // 21:34

Find out what your power supply is And then if you have the money, buy a 8600 Gt from sparkle which is relatively cheap. It may not be teh best but its somewhere in between the 7900 GS and the 7600. Dont do it mainly for dx10 but do it because of the price and its value. I run guildwars in the 60-70 range with this card with all settings on high and 1600 x 1080 resolution. Though lately i enabled vsync to keep it at sixty and aligned with my monitor.

Zodiak · Jun 20, 2007, 09:36 PM // 21:36

The argument is that the games just dont exist, which they do. Having support for DX9 or not was not the issue.

Yeah I agree that the 8800 line is more expensive, just the most powerful on the market. I simply take it as an investment.

Looking at his system his system. even if it IS a gateway, he has what is required, SLI support on his motherboard. The only other thing he would require is a sufficiant power supply.

Though some motherboards arent designed as well as others to take the size of video cards into consideration.

SNIEVES · Jun 20, 2007, 09:50 PM // 21:50

Hi

This is the OP(?), just to let you , know, i know didly squat about computers, so this is the reason i come to you guys for advice on a good solid video card, i wasnot aware that the gateway computers were crap, i my job which is a federal facilty they have dell dimmension desktops, and until 6 months ago they computer techs in our techonogy department swore by the AMD series of CPU, thats why i got the gateway it has the AMD Anthalon Dual Core X 2 4200 CPU. its actually pretty fast, but really i want to buy a good solid video card that would work properly with the specifications mentioned above, i have know idea what type of power supply its has as far as wattage, i spend alot of time on guildwars, average easly 3 to 4 hours during the week and 8 to 10 hours a day on the weekend, i am 44 years old sand a guildwars addict(LOL),,also does anyone know if when guild wars 2 comes out, and will it run on Dx 9 or Dx10 only.

moriz · Jun 20, 2007, 10:03 PM // 22:03

something is only an investment if its value increases over time. graphic cards, unfortunately, do not fit that requirement. they generally become obsolete in about a year.

what i'm trying to say is, by the time the OP is interested in DX10 support, there will be better cards out there for less money. the 8800 series were made to attract the computer ethusiastics and the stupidly rich. they do not have a good value.

eggrolls · Jun 20, 2007, 11:11 PM // 23:11

If you only have $250, get the Radeon x1950pro:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102061

or the x1950xt:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102067

Check your power supply to see whether it can handle these cards first. You'll have to open up the side of the case and look at the label on it. It would be helpful if you can take a picture of the label so we can see whether it's enough.

Zodiak · Jun 20, 2007, 11:48 PM // 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz

something is only an investment if its value increases over time. graphic cards, unfortunately, do not fit that requirement. they generally become obsolete in about a year.

the 8800 series were made to attract the computer ethusiastics and the stupidly rich. they do not have a good value.

Its an investment if i use them for work and their use will allow me to repay them fast.

I did not want dedicated OpenGL rendering cards because I do intend to use them for play as I do intend to use them for work.

Now stop argueing if you dont plan on getting one.

scrinner · Jun 21, 2007, 01:26 AM // 01:26

To the Op, If you can play guildwars right now, You will be able to play Eye of the north.

However if your looking to make an investment for Guildwars two as well, i would suggest not buying a graphic card now. I would suggest buying a graphics card near the launch of guildwars two to be able to play on the Highest settings. However if you truly want more performance now, i would go with the radeon cards linked above or an 8600.

Good luck

Quaker · Jun 21, 2007, 04:43 AM // 04:43

Basically any card you can get for $250 (and less) will blow the doors off your on-board video. Any of the above mentioned cards will do fine. As far as DX10 is concerned, games that fully use DX10 are still a ways off and DX10 only comes with Vista, which I wouldn't recommend to anyone yet. Maybe after Service Crap 1.

SNIEVES · Jun 21, 2007, 02:33 PM // 14:33

Hi this the OP,

Thks to you all for all the imput, the current on board video graphics are ran by the SLI nividia on board(motherboard) 6150 le graphics, my average FPS for guildwars is bettween 12 - 18 FPS, every once in a while i mught get 20 FPS, i currently have a 21 inch HDTV capable flat panel monitor, so i would love to be to apreciate the game fully, i don't know if 12 - 18 FPS is good or average, i often hear players stating there are geetting 60 - 70 FPS, also i plann on taking my CPU unit to Best buy to have the video card installed by Geeks on Call computer Techs on site, which will only charge a $39.00 fee to properly install the video graphics card properly according to specifictions, since i dont know jack ____ about computers , and dont want to messup something, i am nothing trying to get top of the line performane or , just looking to get a decent card for the money and get decent quality image form the game, i dont thin k the onboard nividia 6150 graphics was really made for gaming, thats is the reason why i want to purshase a true separate graphics card, so to keep my limit to under $300.00 for a card installed is maxed, also i keep a fan place behind the computer tp blow air in to tha back vent to keep the computer cool

scrinner · Jun 21, 2007, 03:06 PM // 15:06

Not sure why you wouldn't recommend vista, Its a pretty good OS. Nothing wrong with it so far but besides that, i dont want to incite flames

Well op then i would suggest buying one of the cards linked above from neweggs. THough do not expect to get high/good looking settings in Guildwars Two since it will take advantage of direct x10

Zodiak · Jun 21, 2007, 03:27 PM // 15:27

This is a preatty good comparison of the 8600 vs the x1950. It takes most things into consideration and puts them through various benchmarks. In some cases one or the other will have a few frames abve the other but in the end, for two video cars that perform about the same, the 8600 is DX10 compatible, for those who care.

Just make sure as the articule says, if your going for the 8600 (which is what I would chose), dont get the GT, get the GTS at the very least.

http://www.techreport.com/reviews/20...0/index.x?pg=1

Now about Vista, the Home editions arent even worth a look, the pro editions are alright but if you want the full Vista experience, you need to go with Ultimate, which requres 1gb of ram minimum and a 512mb video card.

Its a hefty one at that and you should expect a 15% performance decrease from what you should normally get.

Vista is not bad, quite the contrary. I will get it soon, I just want the driver related performance decrease to.. well... Decrease LOL

scrinner · Jun 21, 2007, 06:30 PM // 18:30

Zodiak, The home/premium is not bad and is the most common one. basic should be completely skipped and ultimate is the best.

SNIEVES · Jun 22, 2007, 11:16 AM // 11:16

hi this is the OP- i dont have windows vista i have the other windows version, also i found out the my power supply is 300 watts, i really dont want to upgrade the power supply, so based on that 300 watts power supply what is my best option on a new graphics card.

Zodiak · Jun 22, 2007, 12:15 PM // 12:15

Well Considering that most manufacturers recommend a power supply of at least 350w for a single power and at least 500w for both I would say that your not to a good start.

You can find a compatible power supply relatively cheap. just make sure that

1. Its by a reliable company like Antec, Thermaltake, Ultra, etc.
2. It has the type of connector your video card requires such as 4 pin, 6pin, single power, dual power.

Here is an example
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153052