Good GPU choice for my Desktop

[Arc_90]

This is a great site and has been very informative.
My question is: I have a new desktop en route via shipping, Q8300 2.5 ghz, 4mb-L2, 4 gigs ddrII, 750 gig hd and adding another HD from a previous computer. It's basically an HTCP system with a 300 watt PSU. I am considering upgrading the PSU but then learned I can run a 240GT as a plug and play. I use the computer for internet and entertainment, do some video editing, and some gaming.

I've narrowed it down to either pop in the gt240 and be done and save more ambitious specs for the next system which I'd like to build or upgrade PSU so I can go with GTX260 and get the most out of the computer.

My question is, I dont plan to OC the 8300, would the 8300 be fast enough for a single GTX260 or would it at some point bottleneck in the pairing without overclocking it?

I dont have an SLI board so running a dual is not an option and of course I'm assuming the GTX260 would fit which is still tbd.

Thanks in advance.

 

[saaiello]

IMO i would go with a 9800GT instead of the gt240 i had a 9800 GT in a box with a 300 watt power supply and it ran fine for me.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130435&cm_re=9800gt-_-14-130-435-_-Product

When looking for your card i would look for a card with a 256bit memory bus all the gt240 i saw were 128bit plus the gt240 is a slower card. I SLI with these 9800 gt and they are awsome i ran a single 9800gt for a long time i just recently went 2 sli because i started gameing at higher res and needed the power.

 

[Arc_90]

Interesting. From what I read I was under the impression a 9800gt would require a psu upgrade from 300watt psu.
If I upgrade the PSU, it appears a single card best performer would be gtx260 at $200 roughly price point, seems like the best card for the price, though some of the reviews on the 9800gt i just read claim its just as good as gtx260.
I considered some ATI options but just seems to be so many complaints about driver issues, I had a 8600gt as my first ever gpu and it was rock solid for the modest performance it provided so prob gonna stick with Nvdia but get the impression that while a 9800gt would run on the 300watt psu it might not be the most prudent thing. Thanks for your input.

 

[Arc_90]

anybody, any thoughts here?

 

[Arc_90]

IMO i would go with a 9800GT instead of the gt240 i had a 9800 GT in a box with a 300 watt power supply and it ran fine for me.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130435&cm_re=9800gt-_-14-130-435-_-Product

When looking for your card i would look for a card with a 256bit memory bus all the gt240 i saw were 128bit plus the gt240 is a slower card. I SLI with these 9800 gt and they are awsome i ran a single 9800gt for a long time i just recently went 2 sli because i started gameing at higher res and needed the power.

Gt240 is ddr5 though, so it actually keeps pretty good pace with the 9800 till ya get to highest resolutions.


Not 9800, the 9600 gt is what I meant to say.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-graphics-card,2544-2.html

The GeForce 9600 GT is a great performer, thanks in part to its high-end 256-bit memory interface and speedy DDR3 memory. It's a great choice on an $80 budget, even if the architecture on which it centers is showing its age.

While the GeForce GT 240 is beginning to encroach on this card's price territory, the 9600 GT remains a bit faster than even the GDDR5 version of the newer card, and its recommendation remains secure for the time being. It remains to be seen whether the new Radeon HD 5670 will drop in price to give the 9600 GT some real competition.

 

[megamanx00]

Is it a low profile (slim line) PC? If it is, then for now your best options are a low profile Radeon 4650

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102829

or a radeon 5570

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131341

 

[Bluescreendeath]

GT240 performs between a 9600GT and a 9800GT anyways. If you want something that uses low power and performs good, go ATI.

The 5670 uses less power than a 9800GT but performs equal to a 4830 or 9800GT.

 

[Arc_90]

5670? so it's power consumption would be comfortably harnessed by a 300 watt psu?

I kinda like the fact the 240gt is 45nm just like the q8300, makes for an efficient pairing.

I'll take a gander at the 5670, thanks gents.

 

[Arc_90]

Best answer selected by Arc_90.