Which Card?!

JKL

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I'm planning to purchase a brand new computer but I'm having quite a bit of trouble with component selection (Note: I'm not really the brightest in computer)! I got down to choosing graphic card for my new computer, and I'm planning to make my purchase within the next week or so.

1) Right now I'm bouncing between 4850 1GB or 4870 512MB, because they seem to be within my budget and from what I've read, they're not too bad on performance either.

Here are a few that I've been looking through:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121278
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161245
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150337
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161268
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161236

Does choosing which brand matters, performance wise? or does it all just come down to which brand has better warranty and customer service?

2) Are there any cards that you guys might be able to suggest to me? The purpose is mainly for gaming and it will have to last for a couple of years, let's say 5 years and around $170 price range.

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks

 

JKL

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Here's a rough idea of what the other components will be:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3L LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128372

RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

Power Supply: OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010

OS: Windows XP SP3
 

JKL

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I'm currently using Samsung SyncMaster 226BW with 1680x1050 res.
 

JKL

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So the 1GB and 512MB on 4850 and 4870 respectively won't matter much in terms of performance? and in my case, I should go with 4870 because its newer and should be able to handle future os/program/games better than the 4850 (at least from what I understand :pt1cable: ).

I've looked into XFX cards as well, but for the same card.. it's out of my budget. Anyone have experience with HIS or Sapphire warranty and customer service? Please fill me in on those if you can. I've had my computer for 8 years already, and pretty much with no upgrades besides moving to Windows XP. So I'm a bit lost when it comes to choosing parts. :sweat:
 
@JKL: The 4850/4870 are based on the same core and were released at about the same time.
I`d stay away from the cards on your first and fourth links, their coolers do n`t get rid of the heat properly and this can cause problems by overheating other components nearby.
From your list the second one down would be my choice.
 

theAnimal

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What's your current card? Do you play any newer games?
 

JKL

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The main reason im planning to get a new computer is because I want to play new games and my current computer will not allow me to do that. lol

my current card is ATI Radeon 9800 Pro.
 

theAnimal

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Get a Q9300 for $170 @ microcenter right now. It's faster and cooler running. (Q6600 is $240 now BTW)

Change the RAM to DDR2 800, save another $20-25.

And change the PSU to PC Power & Cooling Silencer 500W, better quality and $60AR.

Then you should be able to up your video card to HD4870 1GB or GTX260 Core 216, both around $200.

 

JKL

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It was my mistake for posting the Canadian pricing.. cause I realized that all the components were from newegg.ca and the video card prices were from newegg.com.

I'm live in Canada so I think the shipping is gonna kill the deal at Microcenter if they even ship to Canada. But, I'd definitely get the Q9300 if its $170US and available at that price here. I checked most places, and Q9300 is still at a higher price than the Q6600.

that's another question I wanted to ask about PSU... I'm really not sure with my rig, how much power I need. As you have suggested, I'm assuming a 500W PSU is more than enough?

If I can save up a few bucks here and there, I'd definitely up my card as to GTX 260! Never been with nvidia before, but I've read some good things.

 

theAnimal

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Q8200 CA$199 bestdirect.ca

GA-EP45-UD3L CA$118 onhop.ca

2x2GB Mushkin DDR2 800 CA$49 newegg.ca

OCZ 600W StealthXStream CA$70AR ncix.com

I'd recommend getting everything from ncix.com if possible. They pricematch, the shipping should be less than newegg.ca, and no PST (unless you're in BC).