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Guest
Guest
Hello Everyone,
This morning my graphic card (8800GTX) decided to burn itself out, causing it to display vertical red lines all over the screen. After searching a bit people seem to suggest that cooking the card in an oven would sometimes solve the issue, but i think i will just replace it as it is several years old already, meaning that it might be good to take this occasion to upgrade as well. Besides, figured that i could always try cooking it once i have a new card, as i can at least access the system for now. And no, unfortunately it is not a software / driver related issue.
I have been looking around at the current offers and the GTX 260 - 295 has caught my fancy so far, even though i still have to go trough ATI's current offers. And this is really where my problem starts: Most cards that would count as an upgrade state they should be used together with a 550W+ PSU, while my own is 475W, just reaching the minimum of my current dead card. I think i have these options:
1. Replace the card with a GTS 250 or similar model, as it would perfectly meet the power requirements, though it is less of an upgrade then i would like. (I'm not even sure it it would be an upgrade at all, still researching that)
2. Replace the card with a GTX 260 or similar card. It's minimum power is 25 watt more then my PSU states, but i guess that can be neglected mostly - and it would be more of an improvement then option 1.
3. Replace BOTH the PSU and the Graphic card. If i would replace the PSU with a 550 watt version it would allow me to go up to an GTX 285 in terms of power (The 295 requires 680 watt so i think it is just to much of a hog). Added advantage would be that i don't need to replace my current PSU fan with one that makes less noise; I have delayed doing that for ages . Another part thinks it is a waste though, as the 475 watt one i have now works fine.
A lot of text, but finally the questions:
- What would be the best option in your opinion? The system is mainly a gaming \work system and when i bought it, it was a high / top end system meaning it can still last a while based on the other components. For the record - everything is stock, no overclocking whatsoever.
- I didn't specify a budget because i didn't think it trough yet; However, would replacing the PSU together with a better graphics card be really worth the extra cash? I'm fairly certain i will keep this system for at least two more years - possibly even longer if i keep upgrading it.
- And last - Would the 25 watt power difference for option 2 really impact performance a lot? And what about the 75 watt difference if i would get one of the more powerful cards without replacing the PSU?
Thanks in advance for your assistance!
~XRF
This morning my graphic card (8800GTX) decided to burn itself out, causing it to display vertical red lines all over the screen. After searching a bit people seem to suggest that cooking the card in an oven would sometimes solve the issue, but i think i will just replace it as it is several years old already, meaning that it might be good to take this occasion to upgrade as well. Besides, figured that i could always try cooking it once i have a new card, as i can at least access the system for now. And no, unfortunately it is not a software / driver related issue.
I have been looking around at the current offers and the GTX 260 - 295 has caught my fancy so far, even though i still have to go trough ATI's current offers. And this is really where my problem starts: Most cards that would count as an upgrade state they should be used together with a 550W+ PSU, while my own is 475W, just reaching the minimum of my current dead card. I think i have these options:
1. Replace the card with a GTS 250 or similar model, as it would perfectly meet the power requirements, though it is less of an upgrade then i would like. (I'm not even sure it it would be an upgrade at all, still researching that)
2. Replace the card with a GTX 260 or similar card. It's minimum power is 25 watt more then my PSU states, but i guess that can be neglected mostly - and it would be more of an improvement then option 1.
3. Replace BOTH the PSU and the Graphic card. If i would replace the PSU with a 550 watt version it would allow me to go up to an GTX 285 in terms of power (The 295 requires 680 watt so i think it is just to much of a hog). Added advantage would be that i don't need to replace my current PSU fan with one that makes less noise; I have delayed doing that for ages . Another part thinks it is a waste though, as the 475 watt one i have now works fine.
A lot of text, but finally the questions:
- What would be the best option in your opinion? The system is mainly a gaming \work system and when i bought it, it was a high / top end system meaning it can still last a while based on the other components. For the record - everything is stock, no overclocking whatsoever.
- I didn't specify a budget because i didn't think it trough yet; However, would replacing the PSU together with a better graphics card be really worth the extra cash? I'm fairly certain i will keep this system for at least two more years - possibly even longer if i keep upgrading it.
- And last - Would the 25 watt power difference for option 2 really impact performance a lot? And what about the 75 watt difference if i would get one of the more powerful cards without replacing the PSU?
Thanks in advance for your assistance!
~XRF