Best Video Card for My System?

Computer Specs

CPU: AMD Athlon x64 x2 Dual-Core 4100+
MoBo: ASUS A8M2N-LA (NodusM3)
RAM: 1024 MB DDR2 533 Dual-Channel (512x2)
Video: Integrated Nvidia GeForce 6150 LE (128mb shared)
PSU: 300W Hipro HP-D3057F3R Standard ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817174026
Hard Drive: Seagate 320GB SATA
OS: Windows Vista Premium 32-bit
3 PCI Slots (2 open)
1 PCI-Express x16 (open)

What is the best video card I can run in my system, as is.

Yep, that's a terrible PSU. Wouldn't put more than an 2400 XT or 8500 GT on that, and it still might crap out.

Get a nice quality PSU though, and the sky's the limit. Geforce 8800's or radeon 38870's will even play nice on that CPU, at high resolutions.

Assuming you want to play games, that is...if you don't want to game, the 2400 or 8500 will be fine.

How much do you have to spend? You'll need to upgrade your PSU if your going to get a better GPU solution.

Man the PSU is not very expensive, you should try and talk to your father.

okay first, tell you dad that you weren't the problem for the memory frying. Second I'd put in a 2600xt or 8600gt. You can get this for $120 shipped and has 512mb of DDR3!
SAPPHIRE 100218L Radeon HD 2600XT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102703

That should be more than enough for your $.

So, which of those 8600GT's is the best for my computer?

Yes get the 2600XT 512mb.
I understand your situation with your father. I had many similiar things happen to me too.

I can tell you bought an HP =] tell me if im wrong?

I did the same three years ago, now i build it myself, much better/cheaper =]

Visiontek Radeon HD 2600 Pro 512MB PCI-Express
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/5 [...] IN_RSLT_PG

ATI Radeon (TM) HD 2600PRO PCIE 256MB GDDR2
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/5 [...] IN_RSLT_PG

Diamond Viper ATI Radeon HD 2600PRO PCIE 512MB GDDR2 Video Card
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/5 [...] IN_RSLT_PG

(My #1 choice)
Visiontek Radeon HD 2600 Pro 512MB PCI-Express
http://shop3.outpost.com/product/5 [...] IN_RSLT_PG

My Dad will probably make me buy it at Fry's or something in case something goes wrong.

Those options are all the same features wise (same core/memory speeds and all DDRII), so the Diamond viper would be best since it's cheaper.

As mentioned though, finding a GDDR3 or XT option would be best though, like this;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814161179

or better yet a GDDR4 Xt like this;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814127305

Both of which are cheaper than those FRY's options.

The only problem with FRY's is their terrible selection.

The main thing you need to decie is whether the performance is worth another couple of bucks after rebate;

HD2600 Pro vs 2600XT (note I picked the DX10 game page due to your statements above);
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/v [...] pro_7.html

So if you look through that review it should give you and idea of the difference between the two.

And GDDR3 vs GDDR4;
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/v [...] 56h_3.html

Like I said before, go with the 2600xt models. The DDR4 model TGGA linked looks good, especially with the $30 MIR, which you Dad might like! I know that when I'm shopping for my son's computer parts (or mine) I have to look at all possiblilities available. I look for the best GPU that I can afford and then shop at several different places. Newegg has some of the best customer service around on the web for computer parts. If you inform and educate your Dad on this, you might be able to buy from them. This would be the cheapest way to get a quality and better video card than if you went to Fry's, BTW. Sometimes it takes perserverance to get what you want. If you Dad doesn't believe you, than send him this way. Many, many, many people here on this site will back me up on the good customer service that Newegg offers. Yeah your going to have a few, but that is always the case with any establishment.

As was mentioned, those figures are over-inflated.

The HD2600Pro DDRII sips 30W under load, the HD2600XT and GF8600GTS both consume 48W under load, so the difference is about the same as 2 Harddrives or a few case fans. And whatever you're going to save on a GF8600GT (which consumes closer to the GTS/XT) isn't going to be much.

So along with price you can consider that.

And to back upt Lunyone, yeah NewEgg's got a good rep, and everyone I know who uses them returns, I just wish I could buy from them more often (as they don't ship to Canada I restrict my buying to when I'm going to the states or when friends are coming up here).

I think you've got most of the info you need to have a discussion with your dad, from here on out it's going to be up to you to weigh your options.

And I'd say regardless of which brand or model you buy, saving $50+ at NewEgg is worth it (essentially a free game, memory or harddrive, or simply more beer for dad ).

I'm going to be paying for it, with either ca$h or my Debit Card, and I'm not using my Debit Card on the Internet + last time I checked, you can't pay for stuff on the Internet with ca$h lol
So which is going to be the best, for sure to work fine, and within $200 WITHOUT buying a new PSU.

www.frys.com

Your kinda stuck with a choice then, either the Diamond HD2600Pro or the Diamond HD2600XT.

Based on the performance you see in the links for the games you play, is the XT worth that extra $45 of your money? Unfortunately there is no GF8600 reprive because their selection and prices are equally bad, and unless you have another distributor near you that isn't Fry's then you're stuck with that choice, and since it's your money only you know if it's worth it.

As for the PSU it shouldn't be an issue, but if you're worried and want to get the XT, just be sure they will let you replace it with the HD2600Pro or GF8600GT if you have a problem with it.

Be sure to clean out your old drivers when you install any new card.

Well Best Buy would be better if everything weren't "Online Only";

They have a 3850 for $159;
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspag [...] 4053242019

And you can get a 2600XT for the same price;
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspag [...] 8558965846

and knowing BestBuy's return policy I'd get the HD3850, try it in your system, if it doesn't work then return it.

See what BB can do for you in store, that 'Online Only" thing is a pain.

I agree with GrapeApe try the HD 3850 first from Best Buy since it is vastly superior to any other card mentioned so far and if it doesn't work return it for the 2600XT.

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/5 [...] IN_RSLT_PG

Can you absolutely guarantee me that this one will work with my computer? With at least 100% confidence.

Here's the right one

http://shop1.outpost.com/product/5 [...] IN_RSLT_PG

Same question as before.
Can you absolutely guarantee me that this one will work with my computer? With at least 100% confidence.

Your dad needs to read up on the importance of a power supply. They are simple to put in and a very important (but too often overlooked) part of the system.

Pick up one of these Antec earthwatts 430W (made by seasonic) from fry's for $60 and put the rest of your budget into a video card. http://shop2.outpost.com/product/5 [...] IN_RSLT_PG


I can't give you a video card link though as their prices are horrible. Fry's has good mobo/cpu combos, good case and power supply deals, used to have good HDD deals, but rarely are competetive in graphics cards apart from short lived amzing deals(none I know of now). You'll find a HD2600XT for about half the price at newegg compared to frys. They have an 8800GT for $280 in stock, which is about their best deal yet out of your budget. $125 AR is way more for a GDDR2 pro than you can get a HD2600XT for at newegg without rebate.

I agree with everyone that says up the power supply. Don't even try and go the 8600GT/2600 Pro or better route with a 300W PSU. The best you can hope for is a Nvidia 7300 GS or possibly the 8400GS. Otherwise, your system will crash. I had a bad experience trying to run a 7800 GT with a 300W PSU. Could load older games but everytime I tried playing LOTR BFME2 or CandC it would lock up or crash the system. Mind the Specs.

Here is the PSU I'm looking at, if my Dad lets me buy one.
CoolerMaster eXtreme Power 500w ATX Power Supply
http://shop1.outpost.com/product/5 [...] IN_RSLT_PG
This one is the same size (dimensions) as my current one.
I've taken the dimensions (size) on my current PSU
[W x H x L]
[150 x 86 x 140mm]
[5.90" x 3.39" x 5.51"]

Can you give me links to NewEgg of the 3850, 2600xt, 8600gts, 2600pro, and a 8600gt (at least two of each if possible please)

Those are the best cards I can pick up, right?

8500 GT or 2400 PRO = not good for gaming.

If you want to play games, get the 2600 XT or 8600 GT.

If those look too expensive for you, get a 2600 PRO at the VERY least.

The only place to find the wattage of the cards is in Xbit reviews like the ones above, they measure at the slot, others simply average a total system power draw (even if it's different MoBos), check the Xbit reviews for the draw of the actual card and not the guess of the card on a different system.