new video card

compnewb14

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Mar 15, 2013
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10,510
My graphics card fan recently stopped working. I tried to both repair and the replace the fan but it did not work. I bought a replacement card but I did not know that my previous card was 128 bit. My old card was a 1.5 gig 128 bit card. My replacement is a 2 gig 64 bit card and it looks crappy compared to my old one. I would like to get another 128 bit card but it looks like I will only be able to get a 1 gig 128 bit card at most without having to upgrade my power supply. My question is, would there be a noticeable difference between my old 1.5 gig 128 bit card and a replacement 1 gig 128 bit card? I don't play computer games, but I do video editing and occasionally use Blender which is an open source 3D design application.
 

MC_K7

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It would help if you said exactly what model was your previous card and what model is the current one. I don't think 64-bit cards should look more "crappy" than 128-bit. There should be a performance difference in 3D applications maybe, but the "look" shouldn't be different. Did you install the correct drivers for your new card?
 

compnewb14

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Mar 15, 2013
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10,510
Yes I installed the new drivers and I also updated them online. my old one was Nvidia Geforce GT 230 1.5 gig. My replacement is a Galaxy Nvidia Geforce GT 610 2 gig. Everything just looks different than it used to with my old card. I have since tried plugging the old one back in and of course it fails within a matter of minutes without being cooled, but the quality of everything from internet browsing to videos just looks so much better with the old one. The difference is immediatley noticeable to me. I plan on taking the new one back to Best Buy tomorrow, but they don't have the best selection in store so I may have to end up buying online If I cannot find one there that suites my needs. I have debated just upgrading to more power to broaden my selection, but I honestly have no idea what I am doing. I know just enough to figure things out on my own but i have never replaced a power supply and have no idea as far as connectors and such are concerned so it makes buying difficult.
 

MC_K7

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Even if the performance of a GT610 is pretty slow, it shouldn't affect the quality of the image. Same thing with 64-bit vs. 128-bit it should only affect performance, not image quality.

But nevertheless, if you're not satisfied with it bring it back to Bestbuy for reimbursement (they don't have good prices for video cards anyways). Newegg have good prices for video cards online, Bestbuy also display their prices online so you'll be able to compare. As suggested by rolli59 a GT630 might be better for you or closer to the specs of what you used to have, should be better in fact.
 

compnewb14

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Mar 15, 2013
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10,510
i have an i7 dual 2.8ghz processor, 8 gigs of RAM. my power supply is 300W, but I am starting to realize I will probably have to upgrade it. I also have a 64 bit windows 7 operating system if that makes any difference. I am not sure if the i7 is first or 2nd generation, but it's probably 1st gen. I bought it back in 2010. anything else?

As far as the GT630 is concerned, I assume the 1 gig is sufficent? the 2 gig says it is GDDR3. I could be wrong, but I don't think that's compatible with what I have