Ads

Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphics & Displays > Graphics Cards > [Solved] Upgrading Geforce 8800 GT- Need advice, please.

[Solved] Upgrading Geforce 8800 GT- Need advice, please.

Forum Graphics & Displays : Graphics Cards [Solved] Upgrading Geforce 8800 GT- Need advice, please.

I just recently began playing World of Warcraft again after a year and a half absence, and I noticed that the graphics don't look so good anymore (not that they were ever that great, but still, not as good as before). I concluded that I'm probably in need of a new graphics card, as my computer is almost 3 years old now. However, I am not well versed in such matters and would greatly appreciate the advice of people who are.

I'm just trying to figure out, based on my computer's specs, what my options are, or if I need to upgrade some other things in order to get the results I'm looking for.

I would like to stay in the price range of about $200 if possible. I don't think I need anything too extravagant. I would mostly just like to play WoW to it's fullest graphical ability if that is possible for me. I want a good, solid upgrade that will give me a noticeable difference and last me a while.

Anyway, here are my specs:

Operating System: Windows Vista 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6700 @ 2.66 GHz 2.67 GHz
RAM: 4GB
Screen Resolution: 1900x1200
Current Graphics Card: Nvidia Geforce 8800 GT
Power Supply: Cooler Master RS-500-PCAR-A3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817171031

I suspect that my power supply probably sucks. My old one went out when my computer was still under warranty, and this is what they replaced it with. Please let me know if I should get a better one, preferably $100 or less.

Here is a link to the exact machine that I have in case I left anything out that might be useful:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6883107517

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Reply to Hedu

Best answer

You really need a new PSU since coolermaster extreme series PSU are not that good.
GPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121391
PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139004

Reply to Tamz_msc

gts 450 would be my choice,get thiswith rebate in $99!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to mrjericho1991

mrjericho1991 wrote :

gts 450 would be my choice,get thiswith rebate in $99!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

That is very tempting. The price is wonderful. I read through the reviews and most people seemed to be completely happy with it. Excuse me for my ignorance, but would I be able to run WoW on the highest settings with that? Aside from a new PSU, it should work fine on my system, right?

Reply to Hedu

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814125333

this one... don't pick gts 450.. its not worth upgrade from your 8800gt... gtx 460 will be a worthy upgrade for you.... not only playing wow.. but you also can play other games at high settings....

Reply to phenom90

GTX 460 1GB all the way, if ur playing Blizzard games,
but if power supply is concerned, maybe a HD6850 would be lighter than the 460,

They perform roughly the same, depending on game
Nvidia wins in Blizzard games ( WOW )
AMD wins in frostbite engine ( BC 2 ) and some i cant classify

------------------------------ True Malaysia
Malaysian Fact
LittleGreg:Core i5-2500,8GB ddr3,MSI P67A-C45,Sapphire HD6950 1GB,3TB Total HDD,Xigmatek NRP-PC602
Lappy: Athlonx2QL62, 4GB ddr2, HD 3200 IGP
Reply to greghome

I would aim higher than the GTS 450 at your resolution. The GTX 460 would be a good choice, particularly the model Tamz linked which has very effective and quiet cooling. The PSU he linked is a bit pricey though. This one is actually a bit of overkill but it is a good deal with the rebate and promo code;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371015

Reply to jyjjy

1900x1200 is REALLLY pushing a gts 450 you would run WoW but not in ultra, i can run WoW in ultra on a 1080p tv at 50-60 fps on an asus top gts450 but thats overclocked well beyond the stock clock

a gtx 460 is a better match for your resolution as stated here

the parts tamz sent are top notch an asus 460 with a direct cu cooler and corsair psu are a winning combo if you have the cash

Reply to g00fysmiley

oh common now,gts 450 will be fine,if you can just turn resolution down to 1680 x 1080 to run it at ultra,its a good mid range gamers card,surely better than 8800gt and gts 250.if you are looking at something amazing then surely gtx 460 but but but gts 450 will be still my choice at that low price point!

Reply to mrjericho1991

Why buy a card you intend use for a while that is already insufficient for your native resolution? The GTS 450 is a fine card for the price but that doesn't mean it is an appropriate recommendation at all times.

Reply to jyjjy

^ +1 at his resolution gtx 460 really is a better match and well within his price range

Reply to g00fysmiley

Okay. Based on what everyone has said here, I think I will go with GTX 460. I would definitely like to play at 1900x1200, so it seems clear that this would be my best choice.

Thank you all so much for your help. I really appreciate it, as I would be completely clueless otherwise.

Just one more thing: Would I definitely need to get a new PSU before I even attempt to change my card?

Message edited by Hedu on 12-30-2010 at 01:15:31 AM

Reply to Hedu

^ I would say so, that's why I suggested an alternative

HD6850 = 126 watt TDP
GTX 460 = 160 watt TDP

But I would lean towards the GTX 460 if u're only ever gonna play Wow though

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by greghome on 12-30-2010 at 02:13:07 AM

greghome wrote :

^ I would say so, that's why I suggested an alternative

HD6850 = 126 watt TDP
GTX 460 = 160 watt TDP

But I would lean towards the GTX 460 if u're only ever gonna play Wow though

Okay. Understood. Thank you.

Reply to Hedu

Your PSU has 360w on the +12v rail supposedly... it may work but even if it does I wouldn't be surprised if it dies before too long. It really isn't a good PSU and doesn't even have active PFC. If you do try it on that PSU I wouldn't overclock the card and the overclocking ability of the GTX 460(often 30%+) is one of its best features.

Reply to jyjjy

don't save money by getting cheaper power supply.... paying more for a better model is always a good practice if you're in the long run.... cooler master has some models which are cheap than competition but still a good psu... i would suggest getting a 750watts psu if you're intend to upgrade in the future...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817171053

this model should outlast you couple of years but if you sure that you never use this much... below is the model you can take...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817171052

i hope this can help you... surely... if you want to buy new gpu... better get a new psu... bad idea if you stick with what you have now...

Reply to phenom90

gts 450 all the way,just try it,it will not let you down.

Reply to mrjericho1991

I will definitely be getting a new power supply. I'm not going to take any chances. Plus, if it's crap, it should be replaced.

Thanks again, to all of you, for your advice. It's been extremely helpful to me, and I greatly appreciate it.

Reply to Hedu

Best answer selected by Hedu.

Reply to Hedu

This topic has been closed by Maziar

------------------------------ The end is near...
Reply to Maziar

Related content

See all topics related to "Upgrading Geforce 8800 GT- Need advice, please."

Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphics & Displays > Graphics Cards > [Solved] Upgrading Geforce 8800 GT- Need advice, please.

Go to:

Help |
Forum rules

There are 1818 identified and unidentified users. To see the list of identified users, Click here.

Page generated in 0.701 seconds

Please mind

You are about to answer a thread that has been inactive for more than 6 months.
If you still wish to proceed, please ensure that your posting is original and does not duplicate or overlap any prior responses to this thread.

Add a reply Cancel