Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > Best bet for a Mid-High Graphics card?- Upgrading

Best bet for a Mid-High Graphics card?- Upgrading

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - Best bet for a Mid-High Graphics card?- Upgrading

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zx matt   10-19-2008 at 01:03:30 AM

Hey guys, I'm new to the forums so bear with me. I have an Acer Aspire T180 (not exactly epic, I know) so first of all, here are main specs:

2 GB Ram
AMD Athlon 64 3800+
NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Integrated
Vista Premium
PSU=250W
MiniTower

I'm looking for a good graphics card, mid-high range and I have about £50-70 ($100-$140) to spare. I'd like to play games such as Medieval Total War 2, Mercinaries 2, Supreme Commander, Oblivion smoothly on mid settings (right now I can get 15 fps on all low settings on Obliv- not really playable). So I figured a new graphics card was in order...

My friend has recommended a 8600gt, 9500gt and Ive seen an ATI hd3850 getting good reviews and all have been fairly within my price range. But I'd like some expert help.

Based on what games I like to play, how much I've got to spend and what my pc can physically handle, can you recommend me a graphics card?

Will I need another/better power supply? If you do recommend a card how much memory should it have? Are there any good threads that I dont know of that might help me? Are the cards I have in mind a little overkill? Could it be something other than a graphics card that I need?

I have a spare full tower if a new PSU is needed as miniTowers are more difficult to upgrade, apparently.

Thanks,
matt

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rangers   10-19-2008 at 02:16:33 AM
- 0 +

i think youll have to upgrade ur PSU maybe this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139008

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371007

i would go with the antec 500w give's you a bit of head room

and i would stay away from 8600gt, 9500gt, go for a 9600gt or a 3850, better still the 4670. and under no circumstances go for the 8600gt its crap

Reply to rangers
zx matt   10-19-2008 at 03:21:30 AM
- 0 +

The antec 500w looks great, thanks for your advice!

Reply to zx matt
nrnx   10-19-2008 at 03:28:08 AM
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for $140 you can pick up a good 420 W PSU and a Radeon 4670. Its a discreet card (not passive) Requires no additional power other then PCI-E. Runs just shy of a Radeon 4850.

I have one in my second rig, it works great.

Reply to nrnx
zx matt   10-19-2008 at 03:46:09 AM
- 0 +

Yea the 4670 looks nice, I'm not sure where you get them from at that price though, links would be nice :)

Thanks!

Reply to zx matt
bobbknight   10-19-2008 at 03:51:01 AM
- 0 +

8800GT and a new PSU

Reply to bobbknight
nrnx   10-19-2008 at 04:05:55 AM
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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102792

$80.00 new at newegg.


Message edited by nrnx on 10-19-2008 at 04:06:08 AM
------------------------------ Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 @ 3.4ghz |2x2 GB PC1066 DDR2 (4gb total)|Palit Radeon 4850 Sonic|1 TB Sata Array|Mid-Range Comp ownage
 Reply to nrnx
zx matt   10-20-2008 at 12:09:05 AM
- 0 +

Thanks, Ill get a new PSU and I'm leaning towards a 3850 or an 8800gt, just need to decide on which one. ;)

Reply to zx matt
NewLCD123   10-20-2008 at 05:42:36 PM
- 0 +

You definately need a new psu. 250 watts? Thatll die on you with any upgrades. Get something like 500w. As for video card, buy a used one cheap. x1950pro appears to be the best for $50 or less. If you have $100, theres hd3850 or hd4670.

Reply to NewLCD123
nrnx   10-20-2008 at 09:02:26 PM
- 0 +

zx, you can get the 4670, performs better then the 3850 check the link I put above less then $100...

Reply to nrnx
NewLCD123   10-20-2008 at 09:23:41 PM
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^^^^^^ Both cards should perform equally

Reply to NewLCD123
mopman   10-20-2008 at 09:36:22 PM
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go for 4670

Reply to mopman
zx matt   10-20-2008 at 09:38:14 PM
- 0 +

newegg doesn't ship to the UK unfortunately. Im sure I can find a UK alternative somewhere..

Reply to zx matt
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