Basic Graphics Card?

[elmuchachos]

I am building a new pc, something modest as I dont have any gaming neds. I pretty much need a card that allows me to watch vidoes on hulu and that's about it. The only game I play is Civilization 2 which anything today can cover. I may watch an occasional standard DVD.

The cards Im looking at are 9400GT 1gb for $79, 8600gt 1gb(which I keep hearing people say is crap) for $89, ATI 3650 1GB for $99 or 2 8500Gt x512mb for $130.

Like I said I do not need any gaming needs and I have read people reviews but its all about gaming this and gaming that and I pretty much dont need that.

Im going for AMD 64x2 6000+ cpu or may go with a 5200+ and my uses are listen to music while surfin the net with a few pages open and having outlook running in the background.

 

[rolli59]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127383
This is cheaper and better than the ones you are looking at. A 4650 would serve you as well.
Cards in this category do not benefit 1gb video ram so rule that out and SLI-ing 8500GT for 130 bucks is not worth it. You can pick a single card like 9800GT or HD4830 for about 100 after rebate that outperform that setup, since you don't game you don't need those.

 

[primalminds]

My recomendation is an onboard video card. Your motherboard's probably going to come with one anyway. Money constraints have had me running on an onboard video card for almost a year now. While it's not the best, i did run Supreme Commander on it. It's slow, but that's a pretty high end game, and i CAN run it.

 

[primalminds]

oh, and save some money. if you just want a desktop computer, you don't need to blow money on that 6000+ Cpu. Mine is the 5200, and i looooves it.

 

[elmuchachos]

i will not do onboard video, im willing to spend some money on a video card.

rolli59, with that 4670 will it be compatible with
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131096

I dont think there is a compatible issue but just want to make sure before i buy anything

 

[elmuchachos]

oh, and save some money. if you just want a desktop computer, you don't need to blow money on that 6000+ Cpu. Mine is the 5200, and i looooves it.

its only $30 more to get 6000+ instead of the 5200+ so just gonna spend the extra cash.

 

[primalminds]

okay, spend your money. You asked for basic ideas for a basic computer. I assumed you wanted to save money. If your willing to spend money because of personal hangup's, then why not spend money on actual performance?

FYI, i'm using a work computer right now, 2400mhz, onboard video, and it does everything you want yours to do.

 

[rolli59]

There are better options out there but if you all ready have that board it will work fine.

 

[elmuchachos]

There are better options out there but if you all ready have that board it will work fine.

i already have the board so thats why i asked...i dont want to spend money on a board unless i have to

 

[elmuchachos]

okay, spend your money. You asked for basic ideas for a basic computer. I assumed you wanted to save money. If your willing to spend money because of personal hangup's, then why not spend money on actual performance?

FYI, i'm using a work computer right now, 2400mhz, onboard video, and it does everything you want yours to do.

i want to save money on certain parts...like video card since i dont require a powerful video card. if there isnt a big difference then i guess i could just stay with 5200+ and use the $30 difference on something else.

 

[ohiou_grad_06]

If you want, you could spring for the 5400 retail chip. I have a 5200 x2 myself, but mine's the Windsor core, not the brisbane. However, it's not slow really. If you really look at the difference, the 5200+ chip is clocked at 2.7 ghz, the 6000+ is at 3.0 ghz.

The 5400+ is at 2.8 ghz, but is only 77 vs the 18-20 bucks more for the 6000+. So realistically, there might be some difference, but I don't know that you'd really see a lot. I think if I had your situation, grab the 5400+, get the 4670 video card you are looking at, and then use the rest on extra memory. Because if you are not heavy into gaming, I think ram will give you the biggest boost.

 

[elmuchachos]

If you want, you could spring for the 5400 retail chip. I have a 5200 x2 myself, but mine's the Windsor core, not the brisbane. However, it's not slow really. If you really look at the difference, the 5200+ chip is clocked at 2.7 ghz, the 6000+ is at 3.0 ghz.

The 5400+ is at 2.8 ghz, but is only 77 vs the 18-20 bucks more for the 6000+. So realistically, there might be some difference, but I don't know that you'd really see a lot. I think if I had your situation, grab the 5400+, get the 4670 video card you are looking at, and then use the rest on extra memory. Because if you are not heavy into gaming, I think ram will give you the biggest boost.

well im gonna go ahead and stick with the 5200+, and I got this memory as I agree that will give me the most boost. it may not be the greatest memory(i dont know much about what to look for on memory) but for the price after rebate, i couldnt pass it up
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

thanks for your help guys

 

[rolli59]

Great price, but I would match it with the 5400+ which will allow it to run at full 800 speed based on this thread.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/254749-28-processors-memory-divisor-question

 

[elmuchachos]

Great price, but I would match it with the 5400+ which will allow it to run at full 800 speed based on this thread.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/254749-28-processors-memory-divisor-question

interesting...i may have to spend the few extra buck then and be better off...
are you referring to this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103289
or this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103235

is there a difference? besides "black edition"

 

[rolli59]

No cooler included with the BE. BE only if you plan to overclock since it has a unlocked multiplier so easy to overclock.

 

[elmuchachos]

No cooler included with the BE. BE only if you plan to overclock since it has a unlocked multiplier so easy to overclock.

ok then i wont be going with the BE as i have no intentions of overclocking...thanks for your help.

 

[Peachykeen]

Somthing like a 6600 GT can be brought for around £10 ($20) on ebay, perfect for what you need, and if you decdid you wanted to play games would be good for anything 2005 down, hell you can even buy a 7900GTX for around £30 on eBay that will play the latest