Re-Giggling a PC for gaming

Hey

Hope everyone’s rosy, was wondering if I could pick your brains about something.

I’m in the process of upgrading a PC to get it close to (or better than) and XBOX 360, as I’ve found upgrading to be cheaper. I’ve already upgraded the CPU to a 5600+ & I’m looking at getting a new graphics card.

I currently have a 7900gt (that seems to artefact badly when getting too hot).

I was planning on getting either a 8800GT or 9600GT, or even a 7900 gtx (do they still hold up) these all seem available from eBay around the £50-£80 price mark ($110-160), just within my limits.

I was wondering if my PSU was enough it’s an FSP ATX 450 PNF with 12v1 =18a 12v=18a

I’ve looked around a lot, can’t seem to get a clear idea, I know I probably should upgrade it, but moneys tight so would rather not if possible, any ideas?

Any info would be hugely appreciated

SPECS (all upgraded from a cheep shop brought Compaq Pressio 5019UK)

Motherbored =ASUS M2N68-LA
450W FSP PSU
Amd 5600+ @89w
Graphics card 7900GT
One Sata drive one IDE
DVD

Thanks

Power consumption:

9600 GT = 60w
8800 GT 512MB = 79w
7900 GTX = 85w

Performance (lowest to highest)

9600 GT
7900 GTX *
8800 GT 512MB


* This is a DX9 card, not DX10. I am guessing it is slower than the 8800 GT 512MB card.

I have the Radeon X1900XT 512MB in my gaming PC and a passively cooled 9600 GT in my HTPC. Based on some benchmark comparisions, the 9600 GT seems to be round 5% - 10% faster than my old X1900XT. I have not personally benchmarked the two card because:

1. Different PC setup; C2D E6600 and Q9450.
2. Different monitors; 26" and 19"
3. Very reluctant to move my expensive 26" NEC monitor unless I have to.

Based on older benchmarks my X1900XT is about 25% - 35% faster than your 7900GT on average depending on the game. I remember a handful of games where the performance difference was only about 10%.

My recommendation is the 8800 GT 512MB, unless you are easily annoyed by fan noise. If so, then a passively cooled 9600 GT is up your alley, but you will probably take about 20% performance hit between the two (just a guess).

fantastic, thanks for your help. wow i didn't relsie the 7900gtx consuemd more power then the others, my main reason for getting it was if my PSU couldn't handle the others.

So my fsp 450w PSU should be fine then?

thanks again

FSP is a good budget PSU brand. If it has a 6 pin PCIE connector, it should adequately power any VGA card that needs only one connector. The 8800GTS-512 would be a very competent card. For what it is worth, I do not find the fan noise to be a problem. It spins up for a moment at boot time, but is otherwise ok.

For your system you need 19-21 amps on the 12v rails.
You are fine.

I have an 8800gt in my current pc and it idles at 52C under riva tuner at 60% fan speed, no louder than the other fans in my case. (Antec 900, 3 120mm fans on low, 200mm on low. Thermalright ultra 120 with two 120mm fans)

It spins up to 80% fan speed under gaming, but it still is not obnoxious just slightly noticable. At 100% fan speed (which it never spins up to) it is definately noticable.

I have the standard Evga 8800gt 512MB with single slot cooling. Under gaming it stays around 60C. A dual slot cooler would be even better, and may be advisable if overclocking.
I get almost 13000 in 3d mark06