please recommend a video card for my upgrade

gta_bmx

August 29, 2008 1:38:27 AM

I have an Asus M2N-MX Se Plus mobo, Asus 7300GT 128 bit pci-e 256mb card, 2 gigs of RAM, with stock 350w PS and using Vista 32 bit. I am also going to upgrade to 4 gigs of RAM. Should I upgrade the PS?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Here's an 8600GTS for $41. There's also an Asus 8600GTS for $49 after rebate.

Or is there another even better card for the money with even more bang for the buck? I am a moderate gamer -- HL2, Peggle, Nintendo Emulation, etc., but would like to maybe get play some of the newer games at a decent frame rate.

Thanks.

More about : recommend video card upgrade

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dagger

August 29, 2008 1:44:17 AM

gta_bmx said:

I have an Asus M2N-MX Se Plus mobo, Asus 7300GT 128 bit pci-e 256mb card, 2 gigs of RAM, with stock 350w PS and using Vista 32 bit. I am also going to upgrade to 4 gigs of RAM. Should I upgrade the PS?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Here's an 8600GTS for $41. There's also an Asus 8600GTS for $49 after rebate.

Or is there another even better card for the money with even more bang for the buck? I am a moderate gamer -- HL2, Peggle, Nintendo Emulation, etc., but would like to maybe get play some of the newer games at a decent frame rate.

Thanks.

8600gts is certainly much faster than 7300, although still bad by today's standards. It's definately fine for nintendo emulation, but might struggle with hl2, and not nearly enough for more modern games (basically anything from the last 2 years). See frame rate charts for an idea on performance:
http://www.guru3d.com/category/vga_2/

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tim_tank

August 29, 2008 2:27:51 AM

I'd go with atleast 8800 or higher for a vid card, and with that card or most higher end cards you'll need a better PS obviously.

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jt350z

August 29, 2008 2:51:01 AM

go for ATI 4850 or wait for ATI 4650 and 4670

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dirtmountain

Graphics card Expert

August 29, 2008 2:53:52 AM

A decent PSU for a good price right now on newegg is this 500w SteathStream at $30 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
Decent graphic cards that will get you playability even with modern games
this 9600GSO (8800GS) at $75 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
this 9600GT at $90 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
this 8800GT at $100 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
or this 3870 at $100 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

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unatommer

August 29, 2008 2:55:27 AM

If you can swing it, another $25 will go a long way...in fact I would say skip the extra two gigs of ram if you can't afford to spend more than $50 on a video card with the ram purchase.

As a starting point look for an Nvidia 8800gs/9600gso (they are the same card more or less) this is a MUCH stronger card than the 8600 - you should be able to find one for atleast $75 after rebate on newegg - keep your eye open sometimes they have deals on those cards for less than that with free shipping. You may be able to find a good deal on one of these on ebay as well.

If you can jump up even higher go for a good deal on an HD3870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
or
an 8800gt/9800gt
Here's one with COD4 included... use coupon code VGA82520 to drop it down to $109 after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

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