Looking for a cheap graphics upgrade

[Timo]

Hey guys, I've worked up a bit of extra dosh and was wanting to up my graphics card from a 7600GS 256mb to something a bit more decent (to play recent games at higher than everything on low X( ). Not fussed on ATi/nVidia (oh god please don't bring that into this thread), but i'm pretty cheap. What would be a good card to get that delivers the best bang for its buck? Oh, and here's a list (http://www.pricespy.co.nz/cat_16.html#g226) of recent cards and their lowest prices avaliable for me if you're wanting to go a bit further for no apparent reason :p

[alby]

The ATI 3850 256mb or the 512mb one.

[Sever]

I didn't know you could purchase graphics cards with dosh... which is... what, exactly? Talk to legionaire45. He'll know what to hook you up with. He did it for me, and now my computer runs like a charm for a very reasonable price.

[Abdurahman]

The best super cheap card is the 8600GT. You can get itfor under 100 dollars, and it's extremely good.

It can run Crysis at reasonable framerates at medium/high.

And you get Company of Heroes Free.

Also, its 79.99 after mail in rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150229

[Timo]

Newegg doesn't ship to New Zealand ;p.

[Atty]

AGP or PCI-E? D:

[Timo]

PCI-E 16x - my computer isn't that ancient D:

[legionaire45]

The best super cheap card is the 8600GT. You can get itfor under 100 dollars, and it's extremely good.

It can run Crysis at reasonable framerates at medium/high.

And you get Company of Heroes Free.

Also, its 79.99 after mail in rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150229
If you can find a site that has that card in Australia I would recommend it. I purchased that exact card myself.

If you have a bit more money then that I'll have to recomend a HD3850 with at least 512MB of ram. IIRC you have a dual monitor setup so this should help a little bit if you ever game using both screens. If you can find this model here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102720) at an Australian shop/site you should be good. If you have more money then that then I'll have to recommend an 8800 GT. Any should do, but EVGA has the step up program where you can trade your old GPU in and get a discount on a newer GPU of your choice. If you end up going that route then remember to hold onto all the paperwork that comes with the card or they will dock like $10USD or more per paper missing.

If you have even more money then that then go with the 8800 GTS(G92) (I own this card and love it). From there you might as well hold out for the new stuff coming from both Nvidia and ATI in the near future.

[Ki11a_FTW]

I use the ATI HD 2600XT, people hate it, but i can still run every single game i have on high including crysis with around 25-30 fps. Sure its not one of the top of the line cards but it beats the 7600 by a long shot. but yeah, if your willing to spend some more money go for the HD3850

[Timo]

Does the company that produces the card matter? Also from what you guys are suggesting I'm thinking i'll go with the 8600GT 512/8600GTS 256mb, the latter if the price increase = performance, and ATi's 3850 256mb.

[jahrain]

8800GT is the best deal on the market imo.

[alby]

This review (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HIS/HD_3870_X2/6.html) might help you decide what card you want to get. There are more pages with other games.

[InnerGoat]

Does the company that produces the card matter? Also from what you guys are suggesting I'm thinking i'll go with the 8600GT 512/8600GTS 256mb, the latter if the price increase = performance, and ATi's 3850 256mb.
HD3850 would be fine, but you should really get a 512mb card now. HD3850 512mb, HD3870 512mb, or 8800GT 512mb. Take your pick.

[Chronos]

What Jahrain said, an 8800 GT.

I'd rather invest in a high-end card than a mid-end.

[Syuusuke]

I would keep saving up money wait til a video card with DisplayPort comes out and buy that monitor that uses DisplayPort.

Or not =)

8800GT is the best deal, I'd say. Come on, this is coming from someone who would rather use ATI.

[Timo]

Looks like I need to be spending more money than I intended. That's sweet as though, i'll just have to save up for a little bit longer :p. Also, if I was able to last on a 7600GS for the past 2 and a half years - would the 8800GT 512mb be able to deliver the same shelf life? All i'm keen to do is play games full screen (1680x1050), probably not on all high settings and without AA.

[JunkfoodMan]

Looks like I need to be spending more money than I intended. That's sweet as though, i'll just have to save up for a little bit longer :p. Also, if I was able to last on a 7600GS for the past 2 and a half years - would the 8800GT 512mb be able to deliver the same shelf life? All i'm keen to do is play games full screen (1680x1050), probably not on all high settings and without AA.

Well, I have an 8800GT 512mb, and I have to say its amazing. Far from what I expected (in a good way). It will be a great investment. Plus, I can play any Source game on all high settings with 4xAA 1680x1050, and I get 60FPS throughout. And It can run Crysis on high/Very high at 1680x1050, no AA pretty well (25 FPS minimum I'd say). Although you could spend a bit more on an 8800GTS 512mb (G92), as I've heard that outperforms the GT.

[Timo]

Nope - The 8800GT will set me back $366.69, and there's no way I want to spend more than that (was expecting to be able to spend less than $250 D: ). Oh and I guess I should note that i'm in New Zealand, and newegg doesn't ship here.

[JunkfoodMan]

Nope - The 8800GT will set me back $366.69, and there's no way I want to spend more than that (was expecting to be able to spend less than $250 D: ). Oh and I guess I should note that i'm in New Zealand, and newegg doesn't ship here.

Newegg doesn't ship to the uk either =(
Well, I'd say go with the 8600GT/GTS then. They're a good choice for the Price range. Or perhaps get 2 and SLi them, if you have the right Motherboard.

Edit: Disregard that, just checked your specs.

[Ki11a_FTW]

I heard some people are having problems with the 8800 GT..

[JunkfoodMan]

Well I'm surely not one of them.

[InnerGoat]

I heard some people are having problems with the 8800 GT..Please, do explain... unless you're trying to say the stock cooler sucks, which it does.

I'm quite happy with mine.

[Chronos]

Looks like I need to be spending more money than I intended. That's sweet as though, i'll just have to save up for a little bit longer :p. Also, if I was able to last on a 7600GS for the past 2 and a half years - would the 8800GT 512mb be able to deliver the same shelf life? All i'm keen to do is play games full screen (1680x1050), probably not on all high settings and without AA.
If that's the case get an HD2900 GT?

[demonmaster3k]

well i think the pny 512 8500GT that newegg has for $60 gives you more bang for your buck, but if i had a choice of any card out there i would go for the ATI Radeon 3850HD crossfire gpu 256-512 (cos there's only 1 1gb card out there-nVidia 8800 ultra and slic that means no dual DVI splitters and no HD/blu ray) sides on maximum pc, the 3850HD gpu beat out the 8800GT on a preformance test.

[Syuusuke]

If that's the case get an HD2900 GT?


Nope - The 8800GT will set me back $366.69, and there's no way I want to spend more than that (was expecting to be able to spend less than $250 D: ). Oh and I guess I should note that i'm in New Zealand, and newegg doesn't ship here.

Hey if he didn't want to spend $366, I don't think he wants to spend money for a HD2900 =/

Oh wait...pfft =P

[Abdurahman]

The HD 2900GT costed 129.99 on Newegg last week. It could cost close to that for you Aussies.

[Timo]

New Zealand isn't a part of Australia.
Edit: I'll look over the rest of the replies in more detail when I get home from work - i'm running late X(

[Abdurahman]

Sorry Timo :(

[Timo]

Well after looking over the review alby posted early on in the thread again, I think i'll definitely go with the 8800GT. The card looks like it'll last for a while (I don't care if i'm running a game at 30FPS/low spec, as long as it's full screen for the next year or so), it's cheaper and it outperforms the price equiv. card from ATi (3870 512mb).

[Bodzilla]

Grab an 8800GTX 768mb.

it's what i have now and it Owns to say the least.

UT3 Max settings 16aa at my max rez. 1600x1200.
75 Frames plus.

owns.

E:

New Zealand isn't a part of Australia.
Edit: I'll look over the rest of the replies in more detail when I get home from work - i'm running late X(
oh c'mon Timo, you love being mistaken for One of us.
Join me and n00b :beer:

[Timo]

I had $250 to spend. The 8800GT is $365 and the GTX is $700. I think i'll go with the 8800GT.


EEEEdit: Also, this. (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HIS/HD_3870_X2/16.html) I don't want to spent another $300 on a 10-20FPS increased I won't be able to notice.

[Bodzilla]

But think of your E-peen 8===D

[Timo]

This is coming out of my new great lens fund, so I think i'll keep my e-peen in my pants. ;)

Thanks for all your help guys, it's really appreciated. If you think i'm making a horribly wrong decision, feel free to PM me :p


Actually i'll keep this thread open for one last question - does the producer of the card matter? As in, is it worth shelling out an extra bit in order to buy from nVidia or Asustek (examples) over Palit, or some random brand?


... unless you're trying to say the stock cooler sucks, which it does.


Does this mean I would need to get a case fan? The only thing i've got ventilating my case is the CPU's heatsink fan :|

[Bodzilla]

Does this mean I would need to get a case fan? The only thing i've got ventilating my case is the CPU's heatsink fan :|
Your Fucking joking.

wow. How the hell does your computer operate =U?

[Timo]

Well according to SpeedFan my internal temperature is currently 105C. Although it also says another temp. gauge is reading -7C, so go figure.

[SnaFuBAR]

whatever you do, don't buy from MSi

[Timo]

Why? My current card is from MSi :o

[SnaFuBAR]

their customer service is garbage. they kept blaming my computer for the problems with their products, even though i tested all my components and tried other cards.

the 8600gts was giving me bsod, and they wouldn't fix or replace my card. they didn't even offer a lower end card. that's how much cock they suck.

[alby]

does the producer of the card matter? Does this mean I would need to get a case fan? The only thing i've got ventilating my case is the CPU's heatsink fan :|

EVGA is a great company, but you need to read reviews about it to find out which company is better.

[InnerGoat]

This is coming out of my new great lens fund, so I think i'll keep my e-peen in my pants. ;)

Thanks for all your help guys, it's really appreciated. If you think i'm making a horribly wrong decision, feel free to PM me :p


Actually i'll keep this thread open for one last question - does the producer of the card matter? As in, is it worth shelling out an extra bit in order to buy from nVidia or Asustek (examples) over Palit, or some random brand?



Does this mean I would need to get a case fan? The only thing i've got ventilating my case is the CPU's heatsink fan :|Yeah get as many case fans as the case can hold. :lol:

[jahrain]

If newegg won't ship to new zealand, just have it ship to someone who lives in the US, then have them ship it to you.

[Timo]

My main concern with that jahrain is if the card decides to shit its pants when it arrives on my doorstep. It looks like it'll cost $310NZD (If that EVGA card is the cheapest) which is awesome, but then after 20-30$ for shipping, and i'm getting close to the price i'd pay for it here, anyway.

[Timo]

Bump.

If I was to get the 8800GT, would a 450W power supply be able to handle it (This one (http://pcpacific.net/product_info.php?products_id=4174), if being specific matters)? Please say yes D: Other specs in profile.

[alby]

I don't know what Nvidia recommends for the 8800 GT but my whole system on load is only 400 watts.

[InnerGoat]

Bump.

If I was to get the 8800GT, would a 450W power supply be able to handle it (This one (http://pcpacific.net/product_info.php?products_id=4174), if being specific matters)? Please say yes D: Other specs in profile.
Of course that won't work.



















































JK LOL it'll be fine if your PSU isn't utter crap.

[SnaFuBAR]

BFG 9600 gt oc 512mb pci-e is only 199 at bestbuy.

E: sorry timo forgot your location :smith: