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What Graphics card do you recomend?

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grujam15   10-21-2009 at 04:29:03 AM

I have a gateway model dx430x with an intel core 2 quad, 400w PSU, and a Intel Corporation DG965OT Motherboard. I am looking to run most new games reasonably at 1680x 1050 resolution on a budget of about $150 US. What would be a good compliment for the Quad Core pross.

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Bronze Graphics badge EXT64   10-21-2009 at 04:32:14 AM

Do you know exactly what Intel Quad Core you have? Regardless, the real limiting factor in your system is the Power Supply. With that PSU, I think a 4670 or 4770 may be the highest you can safely go. Often OEM systems are designed with little headroom in the PSU area, which makes them a pain to upgrade. Also, do you know if that PSU even has a PCI-E six pin power? Would you be comfortable with upgrading the PSU as well?

------------------------------ Phenom II X4 940 BE 3.0GHz - 1.25V > GA-MA790GP-DS4H > XFX ATI 4850 1GB > 4GB OCZ Platinum 1066MHz 5-5-5-15-2T > PCP&C 610W
Athlon II X2 250 3.0GHz > GA-MA770T-UD3P > Sapphire ATI 4650 512MB DDR3 > 4GB OCZ Platinum 1600MHz@1066MHz > XP/Win7 Enter 64
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jerreece   10-21-2009 at 04:38:59 AM

If you could upgrade the PSU, I'd definitely go for an ATI 4870 in that budget. But I really doubt your PSU is going to be able to handle that. If it even has a PCI-E six pin like EXT64 asked about. :(

The 4870 would very easily play modern games @ 1680 x 1050 though.

------------------------------ 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
grujam15   10-21-2009 at 04:39:06 AM

First, I am partiall to nVidia. Second, i do not think i have any additional power wires, at least there are none hooked up to my nVidia 7500 LE. I have been looking at the nVidia geforce 8800 gt. really i want something that is not lacking compared to the prossesor. (2.40 gigahertz Intel Core2 Quad Q6600) I would rather not upgrade the PSU.

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jerreece   10-21-2009 at 04:41:14 AM

If you want to stay nVIdia, your best option for less than $150 is the GTS 250. Unfortunately, it's not as good as the ATI 4870 (which is equal to GTX 260). However, even the GTS 250 is going to require a PSU upgrade I'm afraid. The GTS 250 will require 1 6-pin power connector from your PSU.

 

The 8800GT / 9800GT is a good card for what it is, and I think you can get away without having the power connector. You can get a 9800GT for under $100. But you could get a better performing card from ATI for similar money if you were willing to switch. And that's coming from a guy who has 2 nVidia card's in SLI...


Message edited by jerreece on 10-21-2009 at 04:43:04 AM
------------------------------ 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
grujam15   10-21-2009 at 04:48:54 AM

An important note is that the dx430x case only has a single port opening. How would i exactly know if there are any extra power conectors from the PSU. I mainly would like to run the new Dawn of War 2 online with medium settings with the things i have.

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Bronze Graphics badge EXT64   10-21-2009 at 04:50:17 AM

Well, I'm not up on the NVidia mid range, but without a PSU upgrade you would probably want to stick with the equivalent of an ATI 4670. You can technically go from 2 molex to 1 PCI-E power (if you have extra of those) but I just think that anything much beyond the 75W range would be pushing your luck depending on the quality/age of the PSU. A 4670 or NVidia equivalent would still be a very nice upgrade from a 7500 LE (Huge, actually).

------------------------------ Phenom II X4 940 BE 3.0GHz - 1.25V > GA-MA790GP-DS4H > XFX ATI 4850 1GB > 4GB OCZ Platinum 1066MHz 5-5-5-15-2T > PCP&C 610W
Athlon II X2 250 3.0GHz > GA-MA770T-UD3P > Sapphire ATI 4650 512MB DDR3 > 4GB OCZ Platinum 1600MHz@1066MHz > XP/Win7 Enter 64
 Reply to EXT64
Bronze Graphics badge EXT64   10-21-2009 at 04:51:22 AM

To see the number of power connectors, you have to take the side panel off. Then just inspect what if any plugs are not in use.

------------------------------ Phenom II X4 940 BE 3.0GHz - 1.25V > GA-MA790GP-DS4H > XFX ATI 4850 1GB > 4GB OCZ Platinum 1066MHz 5-5-5-15-2T > PCP&C 610W
Athlon II X2 250 3.0GHz > GA-MA770T-UD3P > Sapphire ATI 4650 512MB DDR3 > 4GB OCZ Platinum 1600MHz@1066MHz > XP/Win7 Enter 64
 Reply to EXT64
grujam15   10-21-2009 at 05:03:32 AM

ok, i have one 6-pin connector not connected. What options does that open, if any.

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grujam15   10-21-2009 at 05:26:13 AM

lets simplify this. What would you recomend to do, with what i have now, to get a computer that will run most new games well for about $150

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