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Newbie needs help upgrading graphics card!!!

Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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Currently I have a system running AMD Phenom II X6 1035T, OCZ ModXtreme Pro 700W PSU, and single slot ASUS mobo. I want to upgrade my GT 430 in order to play lately games. My monitor res. is 1600x900. And I'm not an overclocker.

My budget is $150, a bit higher is okay. I like nVidia but I don't mind giving AMD cards a try. I'm looking at these:

MSI R6850 Cyclone PE/OC Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $157.99 after rebate
Here is the stock version http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

GIGABYTE Ultra Durable VGA Series GV-R685OC-1GD Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $129.99 after rebate.

XFX HD-687A-ZHFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $149.99 after rebate. This one has some bad reviews and doesn't have warranty so I doubt it.

Any other recommendations at the same range are welcome. Thank you!

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Graphics card Master

I have a question. Can a 2.1 card fit in a 2.0 slot on the MOBO? I know a 2.0 will work on a 1.0. But I don't know for sure that a 2.0 will fit in a 2.1 or the other way around?

I like Nvidia cards my self. The GTX 560 Ti Fermi would be my pick.
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Graphics card Master

A 2.1 card will fit in a 2.0 slot, as well as 3.0, 2.1,1.1, and 1.0a.

There is a very rare issue were a 2.1 card will not WORK in a 1.1 or a 1.0a slot because, in this rare case the motherboard manufacture needs a bios update, in even rarer cases those bios updates never come out. Thus is it generally regarded as safer to purchase a 2.0 card if you only have a 1.1 or 1.0a slot instead of a 2.1 card.

DM186, as I read in Wikipedia, a 2.1 card will work in a 2.0 slot. They say that it's backwards compatible. And a 2.0 card also works in a 2.1 slot. Likewise, it's forwards compatible. There is almost nothing to worry about the slot, I just heard from somebody that some mobos with 1.0 slot have issues with 2.1 cards, 2.0 card is okay.

Anybody else has recommendations for those cards above?

As you guys can see, my system is running with Phenom X6 1035t and it's a bit dated. I think that it will bottleneck the GTX 560 Ti and that would be a waste. Anyway, I try bidding on eBay for a lower price. But I have question: if I buy one from eBay, do I have the manufacture warranty for my card?
Graphics card Master

The Phenom X6 will definitely not bottleneck the 560Ti. I have a 965BE and it does not bottleneck my Radeon 6950, which is near the performance of a 560Ti. It would definitely not be a waste.
Graphics card Master

Helltech said:
A 2.1 card will fit in a 2.0 slot, as well as 3.0, 2.1,1.1, and 1.0a.

There is a very rare issue were a 2.1 card will not WORK in a 1.1 or a 1.0a slot because, in this rare case the motherboard manufacture needs a bios update, in even rarer cases those bios updates never come out. Thus is it generally regarded as safer to purchase a 2.0 card if you only have a 1.1 or 1.0a slot instead of a 2.1 card.


Hey Thank you very much for taking the time to explain that and you to iknowit
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