Need Help buying new Video Card - GT 240 ?

[Pj94z]

I've been using a 7900GS PCI-E for about 3 years now and in the past 3-4 days, it overheats and shuts down my PC when playing COD 6. (No hardware changes)
So, I'm attempting to re-apply thermal paste in order to fix the card...but I may just have to go out and buy a new card.

My power supply is 285 W max.

PC is Gateway E machine
CPU Type DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2200 MHz (11 x 200) 4200+ with 4GB DDR2 RAM.


I am not an extreme gamer but I do play cod6 on medium settings. I am happy if I can find a card to play cod6 med settings and run 2 monitors (one dvi and one vga)
I use 2 monitors - 1 24" dvi and 1 20" VGA.


I was looking at the PNY - GeForce GT 240 512MB GDDR5 PCI Express Graphics Card for $100.


1. Is the GT 240 an upgrade vs my 7900 GS ? (gt240 is 128 bit vs my 256 bit)

2. Are there better/cheaper suggestions for my situation?

Thanks

 

[wa1]

Your PSU is just too small, before u upgrade your card, better upgrade PSU first, choose a quality one like Corsair, Antec, OCZ, Seasonic, SilverStone, get 500W minimum...

If u want to upgrade and want to stay with nvidia then get GTS250 or higher.

Also how much do u want to spend?

 

[Pj94z]

I want to spend as little as possible, $100 max.

My PSU was able to handle 7900gs for 3 years. Including 3 hard drives.

According to my research... the GT240 max watts is LOWER then 7900gs.
Doesn't this mean I should be fine with my existing setup ?

I do not want to upgrade PSU or other items....b/c I'd rather not spend $200-300 on this old computer.... If I must spend money... I'd rather just buy a new desktop for $700 ish...rather than dump money into this old one.


I don't care to stay with nvidia ...I have no brand preference.

I want something as cheap as possible...that's NOT a downgrade from 7900gs

 

[wa1]

Take a look at this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133306

I'm not sure about it's power consumption, but if your PSU can handle 7900GS then it might can handle GT240...

 

[shadow187]

Get an HD5670. It uses less power than the above mentioned cards, and performs better. It's also $90.

 

[Flightsimluke]

I have two computer's, one running an Nvidia GT240 1gb, the other running an Ati HD5670 512mb.
On my better system: Athlon X2 240, 3gb 1066mhz ram, 400w ocz psu etc
At 1680x1050 I got:
Cod6:GT240 Avg 31fps, HD5670 avg 37fps

I would highly advise
1) A HD5670
2) A better power supply

Hope this helps!

 

[abhishekk89]

get a 5670 as someone already mentioned over the gt240... its a much better choice will less power consumption.. higher performance... cooler... cheaper...

 

[Pj94z]

I have a 5670 near at my local Frys store for $109 ... but its a 512 MB DDR5 and not 1 GB DDR5 ...

So, $109 for 5670 vs $99 for GT 240...both have 512 mb GDDR5.

So, go with 5670 still?

 

[Pj94z]

I found a 5670 with 1 GB DDR5 , locally for $130.

Hmmm...not sure which I should go with....or If I should go newegg

 

[Pj94z]

So...I've decided to cough up the $130 and buy the XFX 5670 (MSI 6750 also avail at same price...but heard xfx was better?)

Question:

I have 3 LCD monitors...all with DVI/VGA ports. Will 5670 connect all 3 ?

 

[shadow187]

For 3 monitors you need one to be displayport. The adapter is expensive though.

Also, you paid a bit too much for that card.

 

[king game]

its a little too much actually

even a GTS250 is lesser than that

 

[Pj94z]

Yes...I knew newegg has the card for $110....but with shipping and 3-day delay...I'd rather pay an extra $20

The GTS 250 is also $100...but has a 150w rating... 5670 is only 70w.. My PSU is 285w ... otherwise, i would get gts250

I purchased the 5670 XFX from microcenter....but I have not yet opened the box... I can still return if I find better deal.


So, Does it make more sense to:

1. Buy GTS 250 (150w rating) + Buy 400w PSU ($20 bucks?) = total $130

2. Keep XFX 5670 - 1GB DDR5 PCIE - $130

3. Noticed I can buy a 5750 for $150 locally.. so, this is not too far off $130.

 

[shadow187]

A PSU is $50, to run a GTS250.

 

[Pj94z]

A PSU is $50, to run a GTS250.

HMM...so that would be $100 + $50 = $150 total vs $130. I'm wondering if it's worth the extra effort and performance?

The 5670 I have is 1 GB DDR5

 

[megamanx00]

Go to Newegg, and get a Radeon 5670. Game, be happy.

HIS H567Q512 Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) IceQ 512MB $83.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161319

 

[shadow187]

The $100 GTS250 is 512MB, just grab this HD4850.

A Corsair 450Watt will be fine for a PSU.

The performance between an HD4850/GTS250 and an HD5670 is very noticeable.

 

[senvae]

I would have just spent the 100$ buying a 5-600 watt quality PSU and saved my money for a better GPU next year, but looks like I'm too late for that advice.

 

[shadow187]

A $60 Corsair 550Watt can handle an HD5770 crossfire, or an HD5850.

 

[Pj94z]

Go to Newegg, and get a Radeon 5670. Game, be happy.

HIS H567Q512 Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) IceQ 512MB $83.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161319

I can get this same card for $99 at a local store.... which is the 512 MB version.

The 1 GB xfx version I got cost me $130. Is it worth $30 bucks for the extra 512 mb ?


I have not yet opened the 5670 ..still in box.. so I can still return/exchange if I find better deal soon.

 

[Pj94z]

Found a ASUS 5670 1 FB for $119 ...going to xchange my XFS 1GB for the ASUS.

It's $10 less and I think ASUS is better than XFX ?

 

[shadow187]

There's no point. You might as well keep the IceQ edition so you can overclock it better.

 

[Pj94z]

Well - I went back and got the Asus 5670 for $119.

Also, got a 400w PSU for $25.


Reason why I got 5670 vs GTS250?

1. asus 5670 has dvi + vga + hdmi (I can hookup my existing dvi lcds without need to buy extra connectors)

GTS250 has DVI, HDMI, DHCP ...so in order for 2 dvi lcds to work..I'd have to buy a $15 converter to convert HDMI TO DVI ... extra cost and more hassle.

2. asus 5670 requires NO PCI E power supply connector from PSU - self powered thru PCI E slot

GTS250 requires 450W PSU + requires Power connector from PSU (which my new 400w PSU does not have !)

 

[shadow187]

You got a 400W PSU for $20?

I smell burning plastic..

 

[Pj94z]

OK - Installed the 5670 and a 400w PSU.

PC boots up fine and works as normally..until..... I do anything graphic intensive...I get a BSOD.... saying"check memory etc bla bla bla"


This is the SAME error I was getting with my OLD 7900gs.


* fixed the pc restart problem