Upgrading from 8500 GT to 9500 GT or better

[ForsakenScuba]

I did some research a few months ago on upgrading my GPU but I didn't record any of my findings and what basis I made my decision upon. All I remember is that I decided on a GeForce 9500 GT. From my current findings, it's probably not, but is this the best for me? I have no specific links to any cards as I'm not sure what combinations of manufacturers, RAM quantities, RAM types, etc. are best. This card is just a stepping stone to keep from being left behind before I actually break down and build or buy a new gaming pc.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Unknown

BUDGET RANGE: USD $100?

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming (Steam Games and many others)

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT 2GB DDR2 and Delta Electronics DPS-350AB-8 A:: 350W PSU

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.100608-0458); System Manufacturer: HP-Pavilion System Model: GG756AV-ABA m8100e; Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+ (2 CPUs), ~2.6GHz; Motherboard: M2N68-LA (Narra2); Memory: 3582MB RAM; Case/Cooling: Standard/Stock

PREFERRED WEBSITE FOR PARTS: No Preference

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: Preferably NVIDIA GPU, No preference on PSU

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Motherboard only has one PCI-E 16

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280 x 1024 (Subject to change)

OTHER INFO: There is a tv tuner on a PCI-E 1 beside my GPU.

 

[ForsakenScuba]

If I've made some sort of mistake please let me know.

 

[55Range]

Hello..
Well you have have pci e 16, then its wise to get a low/middle range gpu.
What psu do you currently have ?
Bear in mind the 9500 gt is not a card for gaming/.

 

[ForsakenScuba]

Delta Electronics DPS-350AB-8 A:: 350W PSU, but this info is in the OP.

 

[Dominaz1]

9500 gt is a bad choice
This GT 240 will be a cheap upgrade for just 35 $ after rebate (its performance goes between 9600 gt and 9800gt).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261060

Also I would recommend you to buy a new psu, since yours seems weak (could you tell us the AMps in the 12 V rails of your psu?)
A cheap and good psu would be this Corsair for just 25 $ after rebate

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139017

 

[UniqueName]

A 9500GT is 2 generations behind and outdated.

GT430 is the best choice for around $55.
Galaxy 43GGS8HX3SPZ GeForce GT 430 (Fermi) 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card

 

[jaguarskx]

The GT 240 will be fine with the current 350w PSU.

Delta Electronics is one of the better OEM power supply manufacturers.

 

[UniqueName]

Ouch. Fire sale on GT240's. GT240 for $35 is a great deal.

 

[ForsakenScuba]

So, the consensus is to just buy the GT 240? Could I get some reasons for doing so?

 

[UniqueName]

GT440 > GT240 > GT430 > GT220 > 9500GT > 8500GT
Tom's 5670/GT240/5570/GT430/GT220
Tom's 4670/GT220/9500GT
GT220 is the glue that allows comparison of GT240 to GT430 to GT220 to 9500GT

Power consumption 69W versus 45W 8500GT

$35 GT240 > $55 GT430 > $50 9500GT

40nm GT240 > 55nm 9500GT

 

[Dominaz1]

The GT 240 will be fine with the current 350w PSU.

Delta Electronics is one of the better OEM power supply manufacturers.

True I´ve been done some research and I´ve found the Amps in the 12 V rail

+3.3V 15A, +5V 13A, +12V1 18A, +12V2 18A, -12V 0.8A, +5VSB 2.0A .

This PSU would handle easily a GT 240.

 

[ForsakenScuba]

I have 2 questions about the GT 240. Is the $30 rebate card good anywhere or just Palit or Newegg.com? Will the GPU fit on this board with a tv tuner in the PCI-E 1 as shown here? I suppose I can remove it and save it for when I replace the computer and use it as a media server or something.

 

[UniqueName]

Aww that's too bad. It won't fit with PCIe x1 being used. The Palit is a dual slot card and will take up both back panel slots.

 

[ForsakenScuba]

I think I'll just remove the tuner, its not being utilized currently anyway. My biggest concern now is about how the rebate works.

 

[UniqueName]

Looks like Palit sends you a AMEX debit card. See here.

 

[ForsakenScuba]

I installed it yesterday and I've noticed a considerable increase in performance. Thanks for having your eyes peeled for that seemingly perfect card for my machine. Now all I have to do is wait on my rebate or perhaps look into a new cpu.