Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Nvidia > Need Advice On A New Card
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CyberSteak   01-24-2009 at 05:23:48 PM

Hey there. Looking for some input on upgrading the graphics card I currently have. My computer is 4 years old so it's limiting my options on what I can get. But here are my current specs, and what I'd like from the next card.

Current System

System Information

Processor: Intel Pentium 4 CPU 3.4 GHz
Operating System: Windows XP Service Pack 3
DirectX version 9.0

Graphics Card Information

Processor: GeForce 6800
Video BIOS version 5.41.02.17.25
IRQ: 16
BUS: PCI Express x16
Memory: 256 MB
ForceWare version: 169.21
TV Encoder Type: NVIDIA Integrated

Power Supply

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v643/CyberSteak/PSU.jpg

Monitor/Projector

Dell W2600
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,1772583,00.asp

InFocus IN72
http://www.infocus.com/Support/Pro [...] /IN72.aspx

I'll be using the card for TV/Movie viewing, some home movie editing, and gaming. It's important that the next card have dual DVI outputs as that's how I plan to hook up the monitor and projector. I've been looking at the 8600GT and 8600GTS but am unsure if a 512MB GT would be any better then a 256MB GTS. Is there any other cards I should be looking at? Thanks in advance to anyone who steps in and offers there advice.

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falconhr92   01-24-2009 at 05:26:04 PM
- -1 +

In terms of those two GFX cards I am unsure, but i know for certain that your power supply will struggle with any of those cards.

Reply to falconhr92
CyberSteak   01-24-2009 at 05:57:20 PM
- 0 +

wait, your unsure about the two graphics card, but seem sure the power supply will struggle?

Reply to CyberSteak
Techno-boy   01-25-2009 at 11:30:38 AM
- -1 +

I think that it is time for you to upgrade your PSU. Your Dell PSU has only 350 Watts total? (Please correct me if Im wrong). Today, video cards require high amount of power depending on which model you gonna buy. However, it is not just your video card that needs power but also your motherboard, cpu, etc as well. Future PC Games will also get very heavy so it would be better if you future proof yourself with something like 1x Radeon HD 4870 1GB or 2x Radeon HD 4830 Crossfired which is cheaper and faster. You can also wait for DirectX 11 GPU which will be release in Q2 2009 so you will be more future proof.

Reply to Techno-boy
CyberSteak   01-26-2009 at 06:28:33 PM
- 0 +

Well my entire comp needs upgrading to tell you the truth. It's 4 years old. But that's not an option right now. What I'm trying to do is make the most (and get the most) out of what I have. My PSU is exactly as the specs show above. 350 Watts. But it has 28 amps on the 28 amps on the +12v rail and that suppose to be damn good according to a poster on the nvidia forums.

So I'm looking at the evga 8600GT 512 which only requires a 350 Watt power supply and it has 512 MB of DDR3 Ram. I'm only considering one other card and thats an XFX 8600 GT with 1 Gig of DDR2 Ram. To be honest I'm not sure which is better so if anyone could help out there, it'd be appreciated.

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ohiou_grad_06   01-26-2009 at 07:04:37 PM
- 0 +

DDR3 even with less ram should be the faster card. May want to bump your card choice up to at least an ATI 4670. Should smoke either of the cards you list, and also is good on the budget at around 80 bucks.

Reply to ohiou_grad_06
CyberSteak   01-26-2009 at 07:16:26 PM
- 0 +

Hmmm. Another option to consider. Will it need more then a 350 Watt PSU? And does it come with 2 DVI ports (brief look on google shows 1 DVI and 2 HDMI).

Reply to CyberSteak
diocesan   01-26-2009 at 09:03:59 PM
- 0 +

PSU is working fine, i mean, my friend is equipping 96GT with a SPI 350W PSU, truly i forget how many As' provided by its 12V, but obviosly 350W is enough for a decent pack with 1 harddisk drive cpu and ram, and a mid-level graphics card. btw i was having a 76GT with a 2xxW PSU and it worked perfectly.(lol that was a Dell machine too xD)
A little thing I concern is there ''may'' be a depreciation of ur PSU output since its already been using for a couple of years (maybe.... just a theory...)

Hmm about the graphics card, ever consider the 9500GT? Its slightly better than 86gt on performance but with a lower consumption and heat rate due to its core(95gt-g96, 86gt-g84) enhances from 65nm to 55nm. Always pick the ddr3, no matter the ddr2 has a 512mb or 1g ram.
Good Luck.

Reply to diocesan
coozie7   01-26-2009 at 10:17:29 PM
- 0 +

The 4670 looks like your best option,it`s almost as fast as the 9600GT but burns under 50 Watts under full load. just check the specs where you shop before making the decision.

Reply to coozie7
eclipseaudio4   01-27-2009 at 02:12:55 AM
- 0 +

Wait for the new cards to come out this year as they will be 45nm tech (smaller less power & heat) but to really game you are going to need at least a 650w PSU. By the way the 12v is not as important as the 5v rail. you only need about 20a on the 12v but you need twice as much on the 5v If you want a good GPU.

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ Asus M2N32 WS Pro
X2 5000+Blk @3.2 3.5 Max
4GB Pat Ext 800DDR2 @402/804 5-5-5-12 2T
512DDR3 8600GT 729, 1728, 771
Reply to eclipseaudio4
diocesan   01-27-2009 at 08:14:07 AM
- 0 +

eclipseaudio4 wrote :

Wait for the new cards to come out this year as they will be 45nm tech (smaller less power & heat) but to really game you are going to need at least a 650w PSU. By the way the 12v is not as important as the 5v rail. you only need about 20a on the 12v but you need twice as much on the 5v If you want a good GPU.



sry pardon me is the graphics card 6-pin plug any to do with the 5V? Isn' t it 12v or.....?
and 650w....for? and why 12v is not as important as 5v..on gpu?
recently i read a thread on toms' regarding the power consumption, I know u may already go through it but i find it useful.
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,2122.html

Reply to diocesan
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