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Author Topic: Upgrade Graphics Card  (Read 4837 times)

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Ryoshin

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    Upgrade Graphics Card
    « on: February 08, 2010, 10:27:08 AM »
    I'm looking to upgrade from a 8600GT. Now I'm not a huge PC gamer, but I've been thinking about playing more PC games lately. The 8600GT isn't the greatest card, but it can play most newer games somewhat decently, but I'm a videophile and I want to get the best possible graphic quality while staying in the range of my budget. Right now I'm gonna say my budget is $100-$150 bucks. There are so many options out there for graphics cards these days that I would just like some assistance on which card would give me the best performance for my budget.

    Here are my computer specs:

    MOBO: ASUS M4A78 PLUS
    CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz
    RAM: 6GB DDR2 (1GB x 2 and 2GB x 2)
    PSU: 550W (12V wattage is 420W) (12V1 20A) (12V2 18A)
    OS: Windows 7 Ultimate X64

    Thanks

    Crosshair



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      Re: Upgrade Graphics Card
      « Reply #1 on: February 08, 2010, 12:16:54 PM »
      For that budget the best you'd get is an Nvidia GTS250 for around $100.
      For $150 or so you could pick up an ATI 5770, which has DX11, uses less power and is more powerful, although it's not a huge step up from the GTS250.
      However, both are a massive step up from an 8600GT.
      Hope this helps :)
      Yes.  A female geek.  How surprising.

      Ryoshin

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        Re: Upgrade Graphics Card
        « Reply #2 on: February 08, 2010, 12:29:12 PM »
        For that budget the best you'd get is an Nvidia GTS250 for around $100.
        For $150 or so you could pick up an ATI 5770, which has DX11, uses less power and is more powerful, although it's not a huge step up from the GTS250.
        However, both are a massive step up from an 8600GT.
        Hope this helps :)

        Yeah it helps. Now it seems with ATI you get more bang for your buck, and you say that the 5770 isn't a huge step up from the GTS250, but is the 50 dollars worth the difference between the two?

        Also I forgot to add, my monitor resolution is 1920x1080, and I would hope to be able to use that resolution when gaming.

        kpac

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        Re: Upgrade Graphics Card
        « Reply #3 on: February 08, 2010, 12:44:20 PM »
        I use a 5750 with a 1080p monitor and it works great. Just to add an opinion to the mix.  :)

        Crosshair



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          Re: Upgrade Graphics Card
          « Reply #4 on: February 08, 2010, 12:47:01 PM »
          The HD5750 is slower than the GTS250 and costs more ... I wouldn't say buying one is a wise decision.
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          kpac

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          Re: Upgrade Graphics Card
          « Reply #5 on: February 08, 2010, 12:49:54 PM »
          Slower? But it will work better with that AMD CPU. It's not expensive, is it? I didn't think it was when I got mine.

          Ryoshin

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            Re: Upgrade Graphics Card
            « Reply #6 on: February 08, 2010, 12:54:55 PM »
            The HD5750 is slower than the GTS250 and costs more ... I wouldn't say buying one is a wise decision.

            What about HD4870? How does it compare to the HD5770?

            Crosshair



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              Re: Upgrade Graphics Card
              « Reply #7 on: February 08, 2010, 01:05:09 PM »
              Slower? But it will work better with that AMD CPU. It's not expensive, is it? I didn't think it was when I got mine.
              Yes, slower.  I don't understand your second statement at all.
              And it's not exactly expensive, no, it just costs more than the GTS250.

              What about HD4870? How does it compare to the HD5770?
              HD4870 is a little slower than the 5770.
              Yes.  A female geek.  How surprising.

              kpac

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              Re: Upgrade Graphics Card
              « Reply #8 on: February 08, 2010, 01:32:49 PM »
              Quote
              I don't understand your second statement at all.
              I mean, ATI cards are known to work better with AMD CPUs over NVIDIA cards.

              Ryoshin

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                Re: Upgrade Graphics Card
                « Reply #9 on: February 08, 2010, 01:35:32 PM »
                Which of these two do you think would be the best bet: BFG Tech GTS 250 512mb 156-bit GDDR3 at 129.99 or Gigabyte HD5670 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 at 109.99.

                Crosshair



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                  Re: Upgrade Graphics Card
                  « Reply #10 on: February 08, 2010, 01:59:49 PM »
                  I mean, ATI cards are known to work better with AMD CPUs over NVIDIA cards.
                  I've never heard of that being true ... can you provide some more info about that?  I'm intrigued.

                  Which of these two do you think would be the best bet: BFG Tech GTS 250 512mb 156-bit GDDR3 at 129.99 or Gigabyte HD5670 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 at 109.99.
                  GTS250.
                  Yes.  A female geek.  How surprising.

                  patio

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                  Re: Upgrade Graphics Card
                  « Reply #11 on: February 08, 2010, 02:04:51 PM »
                  I mean, ATI cards are known to work better with AMD CPUs over NVIDIA cards.


                  Source ? ?
                  " Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "

                  kpac

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                  Re: Upgrade Graphics Card
                  « Reply #12 on: February 08, 2010, 02:06:38 PM »
                  Hey, hey, I don't know! I've never used NVIDIA cards, but I've seen it on a lot of different sites. ATI cards are always paired with AMD CPUs.

                  Crosshair



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                    Re: Upgrade Graphics Card
                    « Reply #13 on: February 08, 2010, 02:09:06 PM »
                    Hey, hey, I don't know! I've never used NVIDIA cards, but I've seen it on a lot of different sites. ATI cards are always paired with AMD CPUs.
                    That's why I asked ... I'm interested to see what sites promote this, as I've never seen anything remotely like it.  I'm not trying to be rude but I'm not quite sure you have your facts straight ...
                    Yes.  A female geek.  How surprising.

                    kpac

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                    Re: Upgrade Graphics Card
                    « Reply #14 on: February 08, 2010, 02:10:24 PM »
                    Well is it not known that NVIDIA cards are usually paired with Intel CPUs?

                    http://www.scan.co.uk/MindMap/AMD
                    http://www.overclockers.co.uk/mfrList.php?mfrid=156