New Video Card

[lordvader781]

I recently bought UT3 and never thought to check the requirements (stupid me). Currently it runs with out dropping frames if the settings are on the lowest with the resolution set to 1024x768 when usually its 1440x900.  I was hoping to get a new video card,  but first need a few questions answered.  As of now I have an integrated NVIDIA 6150 LE with 256 MB from a total of 2 GB system wide.  The cards I looked at were NVIDIA 8500 and 8600. On NVIDIA's website it says these need a 300 watt PSU at minimum which is what I have.  On other sites I've seen the minimum is 350+.  Which one is it? My current system specs are as follows:

HP Pavilion a1648x
AMD 64 X2 Dual Core 4400
2 GB system memory
3 PCI slots
1 PCI Express x16
300 W PSU
Widows XP MCE

Would either of these 2 cards work or would I need something else? Thanks.

[Calum]

The 8600GT needs at least a 300W PSU.
An 8600GT will run UT3 acceptably, but if you're considering high levels of detail, high resolutions, and more demanding games, consider a better video card and PSU - the 8600 isn't all that good.
Don't drop to an 8500 though, it will not run games very well at all.

[lordvader781]

The recommended cards for UT3 are a NVIDIA 7800GTX and ATI x1300.  Wouldn't either of these be at least adequate enough to run the game.  I don't see how the 8600 is just acceptable to run UT3 when the 7800 is the recommended.  I guess I'm just not a hardware guru seeing as I'm a programmer.  I'm not looking for anything amazing.  I just want to be able to play some of my newer games (UT3, NHL 07) with average graphics.

[Soviet_Genius]

There isn't that big a difference between the speed of the 7 and 8 series except the 8 series supports DirectX 10. If you're low on cash, get the 8600. It should run on your 300 watt PSU, mine does. Get the 8800 if you have more money, but you're gonna have to get a new PSU with that.

[lordvader781]

I have on more question.  Is there a difference between PCI-E and PCI-E x16?  I currently have 3 PCI slots and one PCI-E x16 slot available.  It seems most 8600 cards I've seen mention PCI-E but not x16.

[Calum]

The 8600 is around the same speed as a 7800 series card.
When a video card specification says PCI-E, they mean PCI-E X16, not one of the other types.