Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > Need Video Card Suggestions
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Mr Liopleurodon   07-11-2008 at 07:09:02 PM

Hello everyone,

I am looking to purchase a new video card to upgrade from my gateway's on board video. I need suggestions for a cheap, but stable, video card. I mainly play World of Warcraft and ocassionally Sim City or The Sims 2. I just need something that will run these very well, nothing newer. I'll be building a new PC for that. I have PCI-E x1 and x16 slots available. Any help is appreciated. Thank you all.

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huron   07-11-2008 at 07:20:10 PM
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Any idea about power supply? Any idea about the motherboard too?

I would think an 8800 GT, a 9600, or a 4850 would be good as long as you have a 6-pin PCI-E connector on your PSU.

You're going to need to make sure you have enough power to run it too.

Reply to huron
Mr Liopleurodon   07-11-2008 at 07:37:01 PM
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Here are some specs for you:

Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 2.20 GHz
2GB DDR2 SDRAM
Vista 32-Bit
300-Watt PSU

Like I said I am not looking too high end. Just want to be able to run atleast WoW on high. I want to go as cheap as possible without compromising stability.

Reply to Mr Liopleurodon
jtt283   07-11-2008 at 07:38:08 PM
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Given your stated requirements, which are not that great, I think you would be very happy with an 8600GT. That would be a flying leap over your on-board, and would not require a PCI-E power connector. When you build your new rig, then you would want one of the cards huron mentioned, and would select all of the parts accordingly.

------------------------------ There is ALWAYS a drone. Exactly where, or how many drones you will encounter may vary, but that there will be at least one will not.
 Reply to jtt283
dirtmountain   07-11-2008 at 07:59:24 PM
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Toms handy dandy graphic card hierarchy chart
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 965-6.html
2 graphic cards that don't require additional power from your GPU
8600GT 512 $70 after rebate, the DDR3 version of this card runs appreciably faster then the DDR2 version
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130290
Sapphire 2600XT $75 and no rebate to screw with
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102703
It may pay off for you to get a power supply and an upgraded graphic card that can be moved into your build in the future. These 2 choices don't require a PSU upgrade and are decent.

Reply to dirtmountain
jzsang   07-11-2008 at 08:02:48 PM
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If you go with the 8600 GT, make sure you get one with GDDR3, not GDDR2.

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Mr Liopleurodon   07-11-2008 at 08:12:22 PM
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So far this is pretty good. Is there anything cheaper I can purchase for my power? I don't need a video card that can move into a new build because I will purchase a whole new GPU at that time, as the GPU I am purchasing now will stay in this computer for my wife's gaming.

Reply to Mr Liopleurodon
einstein4pres   07-11-2008 at 08:26:55 PM
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Any recent mid-range graphics should suit you fine. 2600/8600 or 3600/9500. Or anything that performs better than those.

But I might consider a 8800gs (aka 9600gso), which can be picked up for under $80, and outperforms the other by a large margin.

Reply to einstein4pres
Mr Liopleurodon   07-11-2008 at 08:41:18 PM
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I am willing to range up near $100 but just want to get a cheap, reliable, card to mainly run WoW. Around $50 if I could. Are these my only options?

Reply to Mr Liopleurodon
aevm   07-11-2008 at 08:58:36 PM
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Antec Earthwatts 500W $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371007
It's small, and I'm sure it will fit. (WxDxH): 5.9 x 6.1 x 3.4

HD 3850 512MB, $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814103051

This is about twice as fast as the 8600GT.

Reply to aevm
Mr Liopleurodon   07-11-2008 at 10:24:30 PM
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I've gotten a lot of really good suggestions but does anyone have anything more to my budget I would like to spend?

Reply to Mr Liopleurodon
bdollar   07-11-2008 at 11:07:04 PM
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Dirtmountain posted the link for 8600gt for $70. that is more than $50 but for $20 it makes a pretty significant difference. If you only want to spend $50 you can get something cheaper that would probably work but the 8600 should not only work for you now but when it is your wife's computer it should be good enough for quite awhile. it is in my opinion a pretty good buy at $70. again it comes down to how long you want it to last for (for your wife) and how often she gets a new game. 20 or 30 bucks now or a new card later. of course i know how it is. you then get ok with 70 bucks and realize "hey for 10 more bucks i can get an 8800gs and so on. :) there is always something better just a few buck more. :) :)

Reply to bdollar
Mr Liopleurodon   07-11-2008 at 11:12:58 PM
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So then, I am looking at either the 8600GT or the 2600XT. I can dish out the 20-30 more. My question now is, which would be the better bang for my buck? Or is the difference pretty minimal?

Reply to Mr Liopleurodon
Mr Liopleurodon   07-11-2008 at 11:40:51 PM
- 0 +

Nevermind. I am going to go with the Sapphire 2600XT. I don't feel like waiting 8 months for a MIR. So thank you everyone for the help. It's just what I needed.

Reply to Mr Liopleurodon
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