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Video Card Upgrade

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - Video Card Upgrade

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nachodonkey   10-15-2007 at 06:22:59 PM

Posting for a friend of mine -

Hello, I am currently looking to upgrade my video card and monitor. Here is the system I have to run it -

AMD 64 3500+ Venice core not overclocked
Socket 939 Nforce4 motherboard with PCI-E 16x slot
Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC ATX 430W - +12V@18A
1gb DDR 400 - 2*512mb (probably need to upgrade to 2gb?)
Windows XP

I am looking at getting one of these monitors -

Acer AL2016WBbd Black 20" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 800:1 - 1680 x 1050

or

Acer AL1916WAbd Black 19" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 700:1 - 1440 x 900

Any recommendations on a video card that would fit my system and have a decent performance for around $140?
I dont want to start a debate just want some feedback, I am currently looking at a -

XFX 7600 GT 590/1600 factory overclocked http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150182

but not sure it will push those monitors at the highest resolution. I currently play World of Warcraft and F.E.A.R. but would like to try out Age of Conan when it comes out.

Thanks in advance for any help provided!!


Message edited by nachodonkey on 10-15-2007 at 06:42:46 PM
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oswold   10-15-2007 at 06:56:28 PM
- 0 +

Other graphic cards that should be around that price (although i dont follow American prices) should be the X1950pro and the 7900GS. The 8600GT/GTS could also be an option for the right price, but the two mentioned DX9 cards will out perfrom the GTS in most cases. If you like overclocking get the 8600GT.

Higher performing cards than these may be held back by the single core 3500+, so another upgrade you could do is get a X2 4200+ = the best 939 Athlon.

The RAM upgrade is not totally essential if you are on XP, but wouldnt hurt. Most games should still be ok on 1gb. That may change in the near future (Crysis etc).

I would go for the lower resolution moniter, especially if you get a 7600GT, as my one stuggles at 1280x1024 in Oblivion and Bioshock, let alone at 1680x1050. However the X1950pro and 7900GS may have the power for 1680x1050 in modern games if you lower a couple of settings, and both will handle older games (HL2) at that resolution..

------------------------------ E4300@2.925ghz
AW9D-MAX
EVGA 8800GTS 640mb
2GB OCZ
Reply to oswold
KyleSTL   10-15-2007 at 07:00:05 PM
- 0 +

This would be a good card for the price:

GECUBE HV195PG3-E3 (R) Radeon X1950PRO 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - $137 after MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814241050

or if you really don't like MIRs:

SAPPHIRE 100176L Radeon X1950PRO 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - $135
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102061

Although both of those would probably require a PSU upgrade (someone else please chime in).

These would be good with your current PSU:

PNY VCG7900SXPB GeForce 7900GS 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - $110 after MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814133186

Foxconn FV-N79SM2D2-OC GeForce 7900GS 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - $100 after MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814186013

Just a couple suggestions, although I'm definitely sure a 7600GT would run with your current PSU (though you may not be happy with its performance - depending on how long you want it to be able to run newer games).

------------------------------ Lian-Li PC-7B | XClio Greatpower 550W | P4 3.2 Prescott SL7E5 | Scythe Ninja
2GB DDR400 Corsair VS (4*512) | eVGA nVidia GF 7600GS AGP vmod 1.46/1.91 OCd 759/907
WD 160GB & 640GB SATA
WinXP MCE 2004
 Reply to KyleSTL
nachodonkey   10-15-2007 at 07:45:38 PM
- 0 +

Thank you both for the info!!! I hadn't even looked at the 7900's. That PNY looks great at that price!! Plus I like the 256-bit memory bus. Thanks again!!

Reply to nachodonkey
KyleSTL   10-15-2007 at 11:24:04 PM
- 0 +

Just double check the amperage requirements before you order anything. Post again if you need any more help.

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ Lian-Li PC-7B | XClio Greatpower 550W | P4 3.2 Prescott SL7E5 | Scythe Ninja
2GB DDR400 Corsair VS (4*512) | eVGA nVidia GF 7600GS AGP vmod 1.46/1.91 OCd 759/907
WD 160GB & 640GB SATA
WinXP MCE 2004
 Reply to KyleSTL
kpo6969   10-16-2007 at 12:10:07 AM
- 0 +

KyleSTL wrote :

Just double check the amperage requirements before you order anything. Post again if you need any more help.


The 7900 series is like 22a (7950GT) or less

------------------------------ P35-DS3L Rev 2 bios F9C l E8400 @ 3.6Ghz @ 1.232v l OCZ Vendetta 2 /LGA775 Bolt-Thru l 4GB G.Skill 8800PI@1000mhz 4:5 @ 1.87v l WD3200AAKS 320GB l Evga 8800GTS 512 l X-Fi Xtreme Music l Corsair HX520 l Antec Sonata III 500 l Vista32 SP2 l Win7 X64 7600
 Reply to kpo6969
WR2   10-16-2007 at 12:49:45 AM
- 0 +

1950Pro power requirement is 450W and 12v+ 30amps.
8600GT / 8600GTS - 400W and 12v+ 22amps.
7600GT / 7600GS - 350W and 12v+ 18amps

Reply to WR2
WR2   10-16-2007 at 12:52:53 AM
- 0 +

7900GT / 7900GS power requirement is 400W and 20amps.

Reply to WR2
nachodonkey   10-16-2007 at 01:26:59 AM
- 0 +

Ok, I have spent the last hour on newegg trying to find a 20a psu that I can afford, this is about the only one I can afford and still get the monitor I want plus the PNY 7900GS. Will this work?

ENERMAX Noisetaker II EG495P-VE ATX12V 485W Power Supply 115/230 V
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817194009

Any other suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks again!!

Reply to nachodonkey
kpo6969   10-16-2007 at 01:33:14 AM
- 0 +

That one has 32amps for $90.00
How about a 33amp for $70.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139003


Message edited by kpo6969 on 10-16-2007 at 01:34:52 AM
------------------------------ P35-DS3L Rev 2 bios F9C l E8400 @ 3.6Ghz @ 1.232v l OCZ Vendetta 2 /LGA775 Bolt-Thru l 4GB G.Skill 8800PI@1000mhz 4:5 @ 1.87v l WD3200AAKS 320GB l Evga 8800GTS 512 l X-Fi Xtreme Music l Corsair HX520 l Antec Sonata III 500 l Vista32 SP2 l Win7 X64 7600
 Reply to kpo6969
WR2   10-16-2007 at 01:41:51 AM
- 0 +

From ZipZoomFly
Enermax Noisetaker II EG495P 2x 22amps$75and free shipping

 

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by WR2 on 10-16-2007 at 01:46:44 AM
Reply to WR2
nachodonkey   10-16-2007 at 01:45:05 AM
- 0 +

Ok call me blind, I swear I thought I had checked all of em. I will look into those and check em out thanks so much!!

btw I just wanted to say thanks again, from this info I think I have a pretty good idea of what I need to get. Much appreciated!! I can read reviews all day long, but I like to get feedback from others before making my final decisions. Thanks to this board I can do that!!!


Message edited by nachodonkey on 10-16-2007 at 02:02:04 AM
Reply to nachodonkey
kpo6969   10-16-2007 at 06:38:26 AM
- 0 +

WR2 wrote :

From ZipZoomFly
Enermax Noisetaker II EG495P 2x 22amps$75and free shipping



2x22amps = 44a Not-you do not add 22+22, maximum combined wattage on 12v rails divided by 12 = amps
32amps
Enermax Noisetaker EG495P-VE SFMA 32amps
http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=205763

So it's a dead heat with the free shipping, but 1 less amp.

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ P35-DS3L Rev 2 bios F9C l E8400 @ 3.6Ghz @ 1.232v l OCZ Vendetta 2 /LGA775 Bolt-Thru l 4GB G.Skill 8800PI@1000mhz 4:5 @ 1.87v l WD3200AAKS 320GB l Evga 8800GTS 512 l X-Fi Xtreme Music l Corsair HX520 l Antec Sonata III 500 l Vista32 SP2 l Win7 X64 7600
 Reply to kpo6969
WR2   10-16-2007 at 07:19:11 AM
- 0 +

kpo6969 wrote :

2x22amps = 44a Not-

Oh really?? read my comments in this thread +12 Volt Rail Amp Rating

 

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to WR2
lunyone   10-16-2007 at 07:19:27 AM
- 0 +

Check out these links:
8800gtx on 380w PSU!
http://www.overclockers.com/articles1452/

PSU - $49 shipped - $39 w/Goggle checkout Can power 8800gtx and an OC’d e6600! See link above for proof!
Antec Earthwatt 380W P/Satx 12V v.2.2 80MM P/S2 Fan 80-Plus Certified - EA380
http://www.buy.com/prod/antec-eart [...] 77214.html


This PSU should work for you just fine and won't break the bank for you!
PSU - $60 shipped - $30 MIR = $30!! Hard to beat at this price w/30A on 12V rails combined!!
Antec earthwatts EA430 ATX12V v2.0 430W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TUV, CE, CB, C-tick, CCC – Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371006

Reply to lunyone
kpo6969   10-16-2007 at 07:53:29 AM
- 0 +

WR2 wrote :

Oh really?? read my comments in this thread +12 Volt Rail Amp Rating


I would but it's a dead link.

------------------------------ P35-DS3L Rev 2 bios F9C l E8400 @ 3.6Ghz @ 1.232v l OCZ Vendetta 2 /LGA775 Bolt-Thru l 4GB G.Skill 8800PI@1000mhz 4:5 @ 1.87v l WD3200AAKS 320GB l Evga 8800GTS 512 l X-Fi Xtreme Music l Corsair HX520 l Antec Sonata III 500 l Vista32 SP2 l Win7 X64 7600
 Reply to kpo6969
nachodonkey   10-17-2007 at 08:34:58 PM
- 0 +

Just a quick thank you to all that helped me in my upgrade, I have just ordered -

 

Acer AL2016WBbd Black 20" 5ms DVI Widescreen LCD Monitor 300 cd/m2 800:1 - 1680 x 1050
Foxconn FV-N79SM2D2-OC GeForce 7900GS 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - PNY was out of stock, but this one has gotten good reviews also
Antec earthwatts EA430 ATX12V v2.0 430W Power Supply 100 - 240 V UL, CUL, FCC, TUV, CE, CB, C-tick, CCC

 


Due to the info recived here I am sure I got the best for my money!!

 

Thanks!!


Message edited by nachodonkey on 10-17-2007 at 08:35:34 PM
Reply to nachodonkey
nachodonkey   10-20-2007 at 06:11:54 AM
- 0 +

Update!!

Got my parts in and everything is GREAT!! Scored 8212 in 3Dmark05. Nothing overclocked except the factory OC from Foxconn. Much better then my old setup with a score of 1200.

Thanks again!!

Reply to nachodonkey
lunyone   10-20-2007 at 07:33:34 AM
- 0 +

What was your final build?

Reply to lunyone
nachodonkey   10-20-2007 at 08:54:39 AM
- 0 +

I kept my Nforce4 board (ECS A939), Athlon 64 3500, 1gb ram and added the Antec Earthwatts psu, Foxconn 7900gs and Acer 20inch LCD monitor. Pretty basic system, not overclocking or anything.

Reply to nachodonkey
lunyone   10-20-2007 at 09:48:37 AM
- 0 +

NIce, glad that worked out for you.

Reply to lunyone
smokedyou911   11-02-2007 at 12:31:16 AM
- 0 +

7600gt requires more power that a 7600gs. A 7600gs will run 100% load on a 12 12v rail. Glad to hear it all worked out.

Reply to smokedyou911
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