7950GT is finaly toast...need suggestions on a new card

[Richasa23]

I need a new graphics card, but my computer is somewhat dated. I would like to know which card I should upgrade to so I do not create a bottle neck at the CPU. My specs are as follows:


ASUS M2N-E AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 Ultra MCP ATX AMD Motherboard

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5400+ Windsor 2.8 Ghz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2

4 x 1 GB Corsair DD2 RAM

ABS Tagan ITZ Series ATX12V/ EPS12V 700W Power Supply


I plan on getting a 22-24 inch monitor for Christmas


I use the computer mostly for gaming, video, music. So If you guys could recommend me a decent graphics card for this build I would appreciate it.

Thanks

 

[obsidian86]

budget?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-310-5970,2491.html

Here's the "winners" from THG's latest (December) GFX Roundup
Best Graphics Cards For The Money: December '09


$50 - HD 4650
$65 - HD 4670 / 9600 GSO
$85 - 9600 GT
$95 - 9600 GT / HD 4830
$110 - GTS 250 512 MB
$120 - GTS 250 1 GB
$155 - HD 5770 / GTX 260
$200 - HD 4890
$240 - 2 x GTS 250
$310 - No winner (HD 5850 Honorable Mention)
$330 - 2 x GTX 260 / 2 x HD 5770
$400 - 2 x HD 4890
$410 - No winner (HD 5870 Honorable Mention)
$465 - No winner (GTX 295 Honorable Mention)
$625 - No winner (HD 5970 Honorable Mention)

 

[Richasa23]

budget?

Well I really don't have a budget, my primary concern was that If I go for a top of the line GPU that my CPU would become a bottleneck. I would like upgrade to a ddr3 board and better cpu sometime in the next 1-2 years so I didn't want to go all out now. I just need something for now that will offer a decent upgrade from the 7950gt and last for 1-2 years before I do a completely new build.

 

[obsidian86]

5770 would be just bout the max i would take

 

[rolli59]

HD4870/90 GTX260 and HD5770 would be the max cards and will be good for your planned monitor upgrade.

 

[rolli59]

If you havent got a budget why do you not put a little bit of video card money aside for a new CPU?

You can pick up an Athlon II X3 + Nvidia GTS 250 together for less than $190.

No AM3 CPU support on his Motherboard list http://asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=NFlvt10av3F7ayQ9&templete=2

 

[obsidian86]

that leaves you with the ph2 940 or 920

 

[Aneesh@4GHz]

Which one do u like an nVidia or an ATi?

 

[Richasa23]

Which one do u like an nVidia or an ATi?

I'm prefer the ATI cards as I hear they are more efficient.

I didn't know I could run an AM3 CPU with this board. It is an option and I will think about it, but I am tempted to wait and do a new build in a year or so with the latest technology.

 

[seerwan]

sounds like an ATI HD 4670 should satisfy you; however, if u wanna go slightly further, u could do with a 4850 or a 4870, as they are quite cheap nowadays.

whichever u choose, they are all good cards at least quite a step up from the 7950 GT.

peace.

 

[hundredislandsboy]

Anything more than a GTS 250 or HD 4870 will cause your CPU to become a bottleneck.

 

[Richasa23]

Thanks for all the help guys I appreciate it. I have all the info I need, now some decisions to make. Have a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays.