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Which graphics card?

Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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Im thinking of upgrading my graphics card from my current 8500GT to something better since my one just got burned.

I know that PCI-e and PCI-e 2.0 are interchangeable but I'm thinking what should I get if i have a PC with:

System Bus 2
Type : PCIe 1.00 x16 2.5Gbps
Multiplier : 3x
Bridge : VIA P4M890 PCI to PCI Bridge Controller
Device Connected to Port : Giga-Byte GeForce 8500 GT
And a 250W PSU but I will change that according to the GFX card I get.

Should I get MSI NX8600GTS-T2D256E-HD-OC CUDA 256MB PCI-E or ASUS EN9600GSO CUDA MAGIC/HTDP 512MB PCI-E, which one will give higher performance in games, and is it actually wise to put a PCI-E 2.0 card into a PC that only supports PCI-E 1.0?

And also final question, changing a PSU from 250W to something like 400-450W is it posing any risks to the motherboard or any components in a PC?


My full system info if needed:
Spoiler
SiSoftware Sandra

System
Model : Packard Bell BV iXtreme X2711
Workgroup : WORK
Host Name : Zeden-PC
User : Zeden

Processor
Model : Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
Speed : 2.4GHz
Cores per Processor : 4 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)
Type : Quad-Core
Integrated Data Cache : 4x 32kB, Synchronous, Write-Thru, 8-way, 64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache : 2x 4MB, ECC, Synchronous, ATC, 16-way, 64 byte line size, 2 threads sharing

System
Mainboard : Packard Bell BV PT890-8237A
BIOS : Phoenix Technologies, LTD PBSFC2MB.P07 (11/19/2007)
Bus(es) : ISA X-Bus AGP PCI PCIe IMB USB FireWire/1394 i2c/SMBus
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
Multi-Processor Advanced PIC (APIC) : Yes
Total Memory : 2GB DDR2

Chipset
Model : NEC Standard Host Bridge
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 266MHz (1GHz)
Total Memory : 2GB DDR2

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Micron 8HTF12864AY-53EE1 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-4300U DDR2-534 (4-4-4-12 2-16-4-2)
Memory Module : Micron 8HTF12864AY-53EE1 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-4300U DDR2-534 (4-4-4-12 2-16-4-2)

Video System
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT (16 SM4.0 1.7GHz, 256MB DDR2 2x468MHz, PCIe 1.00 x16)

Graphics Processor
Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT (16SP 1GHz, 256MB 2x468MHz Integrated Graphics)

Storage Devices
ST3320820AS (320GB, SATA300, 3.5", NCQ, 8MB Cache) : 298GB (C:) 
HP Photosmart C4180 (USB) : N/A (F:) 
Generic-Compact Flash (USB) : N/A (H:) 
Generic-SM/xD-Picture (USB) : N/A (I:) 
Generic-SD/MMC (USB) : N/A (J:) 
Generic-MS/MS-Pro (USB) : N/A (K:) 
Optiarc DVD RW AD-5170A (ATA66, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (D:) 
MB7820N FLD005C (SCSI, DVD+-R-DL, CD-R) : N/A (E:) 

Logical Storage Devices
Hard Disk (C:)  : 298GB (NTFS) @ ST3320820AS (320GB, SATA300, 3.5", NCQ, 8MB Cache)
Optical Drive (D:)  : N/A @ Optiarc DVD RW AD-5170A (ATA66, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)
Optical Drive (E:)  : N/A @ MB7820N FLD005C (SCSI, DVD+-R-DL, CD-R)
Removable Drive (F:)  : N/A @ HP Photosmart C4180 (USB)
Removable Drive (H:)  : N/A @ Generic-Compact Flash (USB)
Removable Drive (I:)  : N/A @ Generic-SM/xD-Picture (USB)
Removable Drive (J:)  : N/A @ Generic-SD/MMC (USB)
Removable Drive (K:)  : N/A @ Generic-MS/MS-Pro (USB)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : NEC Standard PCI to ISA Bridge
LPC Legacy Controller 1 : ITE IT8718F
Audio Device : NEC High Definition Audio Controller
Audio Codec : Realtek Semiconductor 888 High Definition Audio
Disk Controller : NEC Serial ATA Controller
Disk Controller : NEC VT82xxxx EIDE Controller (All VIA Chipsets)
USB Controller 1 : NEC VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (All VIA Chipsets)
USB Controller 2 : NEC VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (All VIA Chipsets)
USB Controller 3 : NEC VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (All VIA Chipsets)
USB Controller 4 : NEC VT82xxxxx UHCI USB 1.1 Controller (All VIA Chipsets)
USB Controller 5 : NEC VT6202/12 USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller
FireWire/1394 Controller 1 : NEC VT6306 VIA Fire II IEEE-1394 OHCI Link Layer Controller
SMBus/i2c Controller 1 : VIA VT823x SMBus

Printers and Faxes
Printer : Microsoft XPS Document Writer (600x600, Colour)
Printer : HP Photosmart C4100 series (1200x1200, USB, Colour)

Scanners and Cameras
Scanner : HP Photosmart C4100 (USB)

Network Services
Network Adapter : Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC (Ethernet, 100Mbps)

Power Management
Mains (AC) Line Status : On-Line

Operating System
Windows System : Microsoft Windows Vista Home 6.00.6000 (Service Pack 3)
Platform Compliance : x86

Windows Experience Index
Current System : 4.1

Performance Tips
Tip 2546 : Large memory modules should be ECC/Parity.
Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip.

More about : graphics card

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Definitely go with at least a 9600. If funds are available go with a 9800GTX+. Here's a pretty good deal. $110 after rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

If I am right the 9600 goes for around $75 so just a little more would give you a little more flexibility at higher resolutions. The 9600 would still be an upgrade though. It really depends on what you play at what resolution.

Using a 2.0 PCIE card on a 1.0 slot will make no difference with your system.

In regards to upgrading the PSU , I strongly recommend that you do go with a quality psu of at least a 450watts.
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P.S.
Only thing I do on this PC is play COD4, and a small amount of overclocking. PC is minimalistic, Q6600 processor, ASUS EN9600GSO CUDA MAGIC/HTDP 512MB PCI-E gfx Card that I'm going to get, 1 DVD drive, 2GB DDR2, 1 320gb Hard-Disk, one video-in card that I never ever used, no fans except from CPU one and GFX one.
Graphics card Master

The 9600GSO is way faster than a 9600GT. As far as low end GPUs the order is

8600GT/GTS/9500GT < Radeon 4650 < Radeon4670 < 9600GSO < 9600GT < Radeon 4830


If you actually want to play any games then get at least a Radeon 4670. You should also be aware that there are different versions of the 9600GSO. The original one has a 192-bit interface and is a cut down G92/G92b chip. That version can run as fast as the 9600GT since it has more shader power while having less memory bandwidth. The second version appears to be a cut down G94 witn a 128-bit bus and is slower. That version is probably a little below the Radeon 4670.
Graphics card Master

megamanx00 said:
The 9600GSO is way faster than a 9600GT.


I think what you wanted to type was the 9600GSO (or 9600GT) is way faster then the OP's 8500GT. :hello: 
Graphics card Master

Yeah, I laughed as he wrote that, then put the 9600GSO where it (might) properly belong. Stock, the 192bit GSO is nearly as fast as the 9600GT. Its only faster if you overclock it. All other GSOs are slower, with the worst being the one with only 48SP. All other GSOs have 96. If you are buying that 192bit GSO, thats fine of low/mid range gaming. If you are buying any other GSO, you should look elsewhere.
Graphics card Master

Neither of those two PSUs would be great, but the Hiper would probably be better, if only because its design is modern enough to include full-range Active PFC (note no voltage switch). The Thermaltake is an older, inefficient design, which is overrated at best. If available and in your budget, find a PSU that has Active PFC and is 80+ certified. You shouldn't need anything over 400W-450W.
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