Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > [Solved] Need help choosing my first GPU???

[Solved] Need help choosing my first GPU???

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - [Solved] Need help choosing my first GPU???

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Best answer from Bluescreendeath.

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I am looking to spend $60-$100 on a graphics card at newegg.com
This is pretty much the best game i will be running http://www.totalwar.com/empire/?t=EnglishUSA

This is the mother board i have......
http://www.gigabyte.us/Products/Mo [...] 785GM-US2H

I have picked out these GPU's they seem to be pretty good??? The second one seems to have faster speeds and its cheaper...
(is there a way you can check if the card is compatible with the MOBO or does it just need to be a PCI Ex16)
Radeon HD 4830 512MB -- $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102822
Core Clock 575MHz
Memory Clock 900MHz/1800MHz
Memory Size 512MB
Memory Interface 256-bit

Radeon HD 4670 512MB -- $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814125244
Core Clock 750MHz
Memory Clock 2000MHz
Memory Size 512MB
Memory Interface 128-bit

Also does anyone know what the sound lvl of these GPU's are?? My computer is pretty quiet so i need a GPU to match it.. (if possible)
I play mostly strategy games..!! (controlling tons of troops and stuff like that)
resolution is 1680x1050
Right now with the on board video (ATI Radeon HD 4200)

Empire: Total war - (need more graphic power) -- Release Date: March 03, 2009
Rome: Total war - (runs OK) can have 18,000 troops in one battle without lag at med graphics -- Release Date: September 27, 2005
Blitzkrieg 2 (runs GREAT) full settings -- Release Date: February 20, 2007
Stronghold 2 (runs GREAT) full settings -- Release Date: April 19, 2005
Gettysburg (runs GREAT) full settings -- Released Date: April 28, 2005

my powesupply
[img]http://i777.photobucket.com/albums/yy57/kyloooo/DSCF0196.jpg[/img]


Message edited by kylo on 10-10-2009 at 07:51:05 AM
------------------------------ CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz
RAM: 4GB DDR2
GPU: ----
HDD: 500gb Sata, 32mb cache, 7,200RPM
The 4830 will be enough for your gaming needs. I do not believe the card is powerful enough to use 1GB on higher resolutions, so just stick with he 512mb version.

However, here is a better choice, a 4850. The 4850 is a tier above the 4830 and equal to a 9800GTX/GTX+/GTS250:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102824

On newegg it's $99, and $89.99 after MIR
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What power supply do you have? That is likely to be a limiting factor. Graphics cards require a power supply with one or two PCIE power cables.

Reply to dndhatcher

i have a 4830 in my media center its pretty quiet, im fairly confident that my 120mm fans are louder than that if you leave the fan at stock settings.

Reply to ik694

Once you start using the fan control in CCC it could get louder but still no where near intolerable like my 4870x2


Message edited by ik694 on 10-09-2009 at 11:58:44 PM
Reply to ik694

Also might want to look at the 1gb variant too its only like 2 or 3 bucks more, or at least that was the case when i got mine

Reply to ik694
Best answer

The 4830 will be enough for your gaming needs. I do not believe the card is powerful enough to use 1GB on higher resolutions, so just stick with he 512mb version.

However, here is a better choice, a 4850. The 4850 is a tier above the 4830 and equal to a 9800GTX/GTX+/GTS250:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102824

On newegg it's $99, and $89.99 after MIR

Reply to Bluescreendeath

The 4850 requires a single PCIE power cable and a 500W power supply. If the power supply is cheap junk he wont be able to add a good graphics card like that.

Reply to dndhatcher

A 4830 also requires a single PCIe. The 4850 uses slightly more power, but if he can run a 4830 then he can most likely run a 4850 as well.

Either a name brand 400watt PSU or a cheap-o 500watt PSU should do the trick.

Reply to Bluescreendeath
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