Help with a video card

[rooster73]

Hello,
Lets start with I dont know jack about computers. I need a video card for my son to run Medal of Honor. I can spend $200-$300. Can some one please give me a simple answer as to which card to buy. Thank you and I appreciate it

 

[gidgiddonihah]

Do you know your current CPU? Otherwise i would recommend a card and you could end up with 50% of what that card would do...

A universal card i can ALWAYS reccomend is the ATI 5770. Its a great card for the price (130-170$). If you want me to link you one, would be happy to do so.

If you computer is within two years old, and you don't mind blowing 250sih then the ATI 5870 is a spectacular card, and has been falling in price. I prefer this model since its XFX (This perticular card doesn't overclock well but i don't think that would be a good idea if you dont know what your doing :lol: ).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150476&cm_re=ATI_5870-_-14-150-476-_-Product

I LOVE XFX service . They have always been good to me. :lol:

 

[gidgiddonihah]

The 5870 would be somewhat more of a futureproof card... Will last a lot longer, but costs almost double without rebates.

 

[plznote]

Do figure out your CPU download GPU-Z then run it.
http://www.cpuid.com/downloads/cpu-z/1.56-setup-en.exe

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Without knowing your current power supply there is no way to recommend any card. Open the case and post what is written on the PSU sticker. It may be fine for a ~$200 card or it might not run an $80 card. The only way to know is ask your son ( if he knows ) or open the case.

 

[gidgiddonihah]

Without knowing your current power supply there is no way to recommend any card. Open the case and post what is written on the PSU sticker. It may be fine for a ~$200 card or it might not run an $80 card. The only way to know is ask your son ( if he knows ) or open the case.

Great thought, :lol: cant believe forgot to get that down on my post . So

1.) Get your CPU Model
2.) Get your Power Supply Wattage/Manufacturer

You would need at LEAST 500-550 Watts to power the 5870. To comfortably use the 5870 I would make sure you have at least 600 Watts, I would go 650 depending on the price... If you don't have 550+ Watts in his computer, then you can get the ATI 5850 and couple it with 500 watts. Though even with the 5850 you would WANT 600. I like to give my power supply room to breath if my budget allows. With power supplies, the more wattage, the better (As long as it is from a reputable company ie: Corsiar).

 

[gidgiddonihah]

Does anyone know of a link with a toms test of some 5870's/5850's? Just wondering what they got for the global power usage... I ran a PSU calc and if you want some room to breath it said 638 without PSU aging...

Also I got the GTX 460 1GB with a Corsair 500 watter, and it should be fine unless I want to SLI in the future (But since my mobo only supports Crossfire, most likely not going to do that with the 460)

 

[gidgiddonihah]

Haha here we go . The review:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-480,2585.html

The power consuption:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-480,2585-15.html

mmmm Its talking that the 5870's system power draw was only 317... I guess don't listen to my wild stories of lies Still would stick with 500 Watt +...

 

[rooster73]

My CPU is an Intel Core2 Duo E6850 @ 3.00 GHz, and I believe my power supply is made by Dell with a DC output of 375W. Thank you guys for all you help and hope you have a Merry Christmas.

 

[rooster73]

Also, If I need to upgrade my power supply what recommendations would you give? Thanks again.

 

[gidgiddonihah]

It depends on how much you want to spend on the power supply and what card you decided on (How much you have left on your budget...)... I could recommend a 250$ PSU or a 70$ PSU... :lol:

Yea, i would get the 5870 or the 5850 with that... You would be squeezing on the power, but you MIGHT be able to make it work... I wouldn't recommend it though...

Since i recommend getting a power supply, i say that you would get the:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150477&cm_re=XFX_5850-_-14-150-477-_-Product

and get a nice 500 watt power supply.

Merry Christmas (A little late )

 

[gidgiddonihah]

But that would be pushing right close with the 300$ limit of your budget.

For the 500 Watter, anything made by Corsair or Seasonic would be a great choice. They are a little more pricey, but in most cases worth it .

 

[rooster73]

Thank you so much, you have been a great help, and I have learned a little in the process. I think with your recommendations I can make this work at budget or a little over which is no big deal. Ill be back in the future, because I am sure I will have more questions. Thanks again.

 

[rooster73]

Best answer selected by rooster73.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey