Best card for around $200?

Yes, I read the sticky. The thing is, that thread was last updated in 2008. Anyways, I haven't been on this site in a long time, ever since I finished my first build back when the Core 2's first came out.

Here's the story. I'll try to make it short. I recently moved, and UPS smashed my computer. My PSU doesn't work, and I can't test the other components. If my graphics card is damaged (I found that it popped out of the PCI-e slot when it arrived), what would be the best graphics card I could buy for around $200? :bounce:

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1. Two 8800GT/9800GTs in SLi or two 4830s in Xfire
2. 1 GTX260 216 Core or 1 4870 1GB
3. Two used 4850s or two used 9800GTX/GTX+ on ebay

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to Bluescreendeath

Bluescreendeath wrote :

1. Two 8800GT/9800GTs in SLi or two 4830s in Xfire
2. 1 GTX260 216 Core or 1 4870 1GB
3. Two used 4850s or two used 9800GTX/GTX+ on ebay

Hahaha wonderfully put

I would stick wit the 1st if the mobo supports crossfire else the 2nd Option...
Not sure abt the 3rd because it is difficult to get gud second hand cards...

Reply to gkay09

How are these going to run compared to an old evga 7600GT?

Also, when you say 216, do you mean 216 processing cores? Would it make a big difference if I get a GTX 260 with 192 cores? Thanks for replying guys. It helps to know that the first choice I had would also have been someone else's.

Message edited by qwazzy on 03-20-2009 at 08:03:37 AM

Reply to qwazzy

These cards are going to crush a 7600GT.
I would like to know what PSU you are planning on getting (or have gotten).

......oh and a 4870 with 1GB of RAM or the GTX 260 Core 216 are the best cards at $200.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to boudy

Well say if u are getting about 15 to 20 FPS in a current game with the 7600GT, u will be getting about 50 to 60 FPS with these above suggested cards ...
Take a look at these charts...
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts [...] A,799.html

And yes there is considerable difference bet the 192 and 216...
They perform better...but I am inclined to the 4870 1GB...they are better considering the price/ performance...

Reply to gkay09

You can get the Gigabyte HD4870 1GB with HDMI and DVI port for only $169 now, after rebate, from Newegg.
I am so tempted on getting a second one and crossfiring it, I just dont see the need yet, since all my games run perfectly well with my one 4870..

Cheers

Reply to Euphoria_MK

I got the XFX GTX 260 Core 216 (65nm in my case, some reviews report 55nm) for $198 (free shipping), not including the $30 rebate. It also came with a free copy of Far Cry 2 and Newegg threw in a free OCZ Rally2 4GB usb dual channel memory stick as well. The price went back up since Tuesday but theres always a good deal at the egg. Good luck

Message quoted 2 times

Reply to crowheart27us

I'm kind of hesitant to go with ATI, and I have no idea why.

I looked at the GPU charts. I almost got tired scrolling all the way down to find my old 7600GT. :kaola:

Euphoria, is it "true" HDMI from the actual card or is it from a dongle? I have yet to see one that is on the card for less than $200.

Reply to qwazzy

boudy wrote :

These cards are going to crush a 7600GT.
I would like to know what PSU you are planning on getting (or have gotten).

......oh and a 4870 with 1GB of RAM or the GTX 260 Core 216 are the best cards at $200.

I have no idea what PSU to get. I've been completely out of the parts market ever since I built my computer in the middle of '06. I had an Antec SmartPower 500w, which for some reason failed. Then I purchased another Antec PSU, this time the earth friendly one. I think it was the Earthpower..or Earthwatss. Something like that. With these cards, should I jump up to a PSU with 600w? Which ones would you recommend?

Reply to qwazzy

Here is a nice one with Free SHipping from Newegg.
Should be enough to power two cards in SLI or Crossfire.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817152036
Cheers

Message quoted 2 times

Reply to Euphoria_MK

crowheart27us wrote :

I got the XFX GTX 260 Core 216 (65nm in my case, some reviews report 55nm) for $198 (free shipping), not including the $30 rebate. It also came with a free copy of Far Cry 2 and Newegg threw in a free OCZ Rally2 4GB usb dual channel memory stick as well. The price went back up since Tuesday but theres always a good deal at the egg. Good luck

MSI GTX 260 Core 216 OCv2 (655Mhz Core)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 0gtx%20260
$189.99 - $30MIR = $159.99 + Free Far Cry 2

------------------------------ i5-750 @ 2.66Ghz / Gigabyte GA-P55-UD4P / Xigmatek HDT-S1283 (Waiting for Bracket)
2 x MSI GTX 260 Core 216 SLI (655Mhz) / 4GB GSkill DDR3 1600 9-9-9-24 @1.5v
2 x WD Caviar Black 1TB / Thermaltake Armor BWS8003
Win 7 64bit / Antec TPQ-850
Reply to jerreece

crowheart27us wrote :

I got the XFX GTX 260 Core 216 (65nm in my case, some reviews report 55nm) for $198 (free shipping), not including the $30 rebate. It also came with a free copy of Far Cry 2 and Newegg threw in a free OCZ Rally2 4GB usb dual channel memory stick as well. The price went back up since Tuesday but theres always a good deal at the egg. Good luck

Euphoria_MK wrote :

Here is a nice one with Free SHipping from Newegg.
Should be enough to power two cards in SLI or Crossfire.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817152036
Cheers

Only problem with that PSU (other than brand) is it only has 2 x 6-pin GPU power connectors. If the OP goes with a GTX 260, that card alone requires 2 x 6-pin connectors. So no way the OP can do SLI with that PSU.

Message quoted 1 times

------------------------------ i5-750 @ 2.66Ghz / Gigabyte GA-P55-UD4P / Xigmatek HDT-S1283 (Waiting for Bracket)
2 x MSI GTX 260 Core 216 SLI (655Mhz) / 4GB GSkill DDR3 1600 9-9-9-24 @1.5v
2 x WD Caviar Black 1TB / Thermaltake Armor BWS8003
Win 7 64bit / Antec TPQ-850
Reply to jerreece

jerreece wrote :

Only problem with that PSU (other than brand) is it only has 2 x 6-pin GPU power connectors. If the OP goes with a GTX 260, that card alone requires 2 x 6-pin connectors. So no way the OP can do SLI with that PSU.

Most of the GTX 260 come with an adapter 2 1x4pin to 1x8pin

Cheers

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to Euphoria_MK

Euphoria_MK wrote :

Most of the GTX 260 come with an adapter 2 1x4pin to 1x8pin

Cheers

The manual for my GTX 260 Core 216 says it requires 36A @ the 12V rail.

I suppose one could use a 4pin to 8pin adapter, so long as the 8pin is actually a 6+2pin.

Having just installed my GTX 260 last night, I recall having to separate the 6/2pins from the 8pin plugs. Otherwise two 8pins would not connect beside one another on my GPU.

Message edited by jerreece on 03-20-2009 at 09:38:58 PM

------------------------------ i5-750 @ 2.66Ghz / Gigabyte GA-P55-UD4P / Xigmatek HDT-S1283 (Waiting for Bracket)
2 x MSI GTX 260 Core 216 SLI (655Mhz) / 4GB GSkill DDR3 1600 9-9-9-24 @1.5v
2 x WD Caviar Black 1TB / Thermaltake Armor BWS8003
Win 7 64bit / Antec TPQ-850
Reply to jerreece

This is a good power supply.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139006

There is nothing wrong with ATI....or Nvidia for that matter. They are both good companies.

Reply to boudy

Euphoria_MK wrote :

Here is a nice one with Free SHipping from Newegg.
Should be enough to power two cards in SLI or Crossfire.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817152036
Cheers

I thought I had somehow skipped ahead to April Fool's Day.

That PSU is crap.

I'm not looking into SLI or CrossFire. I don't play that many games because there aren't a lot that come out that interest me all that much. :ouch:

I'm also looking for a modular PSU. I don't want all the cables to be in my case.

Also, how many amps would I need on the 12v?

Reply to qwazzy

Here is a modular power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139001
.....anything else? lol

Reply to boudy

That looks pretty good. Thank you.

That should be OK for the two cards we talked about, right?

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to qwazzy

qwazzy wrote :

That looks pretty good. Thank you.

That should be OK for the two cards we talked about, right?

That PSU also only has 2 6-pin PCIe connectors.

This one has the required connectors and is modular.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817163109

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Either 2 okay video cards or GTX 280.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to mamw93

mamw93 wrote :

Either 2 okay video cards or GTX 280.

In that case go with the HX520, but I wouldn't bother with a GTX280 since GTX285 is only a few dollars more.

I don't have money for those two cards. I'm talking about cards that are around $200.

theAnimal, how many 6-pin PCI-e power cords do I need?

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to qwazzy

qwazzy wrote :

I don't have money for those two cards. I'm talking about cards that are around $200.

theAnimal, how many 6-pin PCI-e power cords do I need?

HD4870 or GTX260 is 2 6-pin connectors per card.

HD4830/HD4850 or 9800GT/9800GTX+/GTS250 is 1 6-pin connector per card. So 2 if run in CF/SLI.

theAnimal wrote :

That PSU also only has 2 6-pin PCIe connectors.

This one has the required connectors and is modular.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817163109

He said he is not looking into SLI or Crossfire (Read the post above mine )

Reply to boudy

Hm. I went to get an Antec 900 and an Antec Earthwatts 650w. It boots up, but it won't post. The motherboard won't beep with, or without, memory. I'm thinking the board is toast. $250 board. Ahhhhhhhh.

Reply to qwazzy

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Best card for around $200?

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