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Upgrade card that can also game

Tags:
  • Graphics Cards
  • Gtx
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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December 1, 2011 2:37:23 PM

Here's the info:

budget: $100* (I'll go up to $150-ish... if I try for $200, then I'll wait a while but I need to know why I should - the gaming is only occasional)

priority - video play.... it doesn't have to be a super low power HTPC since I don't think they're good value new

I was looking at these:

USED gtx 460, NEW HD Radeon 6850, gtx 460 1gb (if I can't find one used) and gtx 560 1gb

It's difficult to find a used gtx 460 1gb these days, for me, anyway. I am wondering if you think that's good value. It is, right?

I'm also a Linux user so my hesitation to consider AMD/Radeon cards over Nvidia is because of poor driver support and I notice in the charts here that Nvidia seems to do better with 2D (lower temps). AMD/ATI Radeon cards do better in power draw comparisons.

I guess it depends on the card, though?

Can someone recommend a card? I need to choose from Canadian vendors so if you recommend a card from newegg.com, please remember that the price will be different for me (most likely) or I might not even have the same card available to me.

Newegg.com doesn't sell to Canadians. They need to use newegg.ca.

With that said, I can probably cross check the card and compare Canadian vendors to see who has the cheapest price.

Many common cards include XFX, Powercolor, Sapphire for AMD brands and EVGA, MSI, PNY for Nvidia. I'd probably choose one of those brands since they are more available and thus, more potential to find it cheaper someplace.

I thought to choose either XFX (for warranty) or Powercolor if AMD (since Powercolor seems to be the cheapest regardless of model). I'm also skeptical/cynical of going AMD.

As for Nvidia, if I buy new, I'd probably choose PNY if I can find the/a card. It has lifetime warranty for me and is cheaper than comparable EVGA cards.

After saying all that, I would like to find a compromise so I've been searching (hunting?) for a used gtx 460 1gb which usually go for $100 to $130. There are more at the later price so is that a good deal or too expensive for that card, used?

The other thing I could do is get a new gtx 460 1gb since the MSI Hawk of that model sometimes goes for cheap but then after adding tax, is close to $150, I think.

Finally, some info about my build!: (I am sure you were waiting for this, RIGHT?!??? :-) )

Current: Q6600, Intel LGA 775, 4GB DDR2 RAM, 20" LG LCD monitor w/ DVI connection, ***GeForce 7950GT***

I don't think I'm getting upper scale video cards so I shouldn't have to worry about bottlenecks...

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680 X 1050

GAMES: no preference; just something that would work with the res and I'll also play open source games as well since after this card purchase and since I'm saving up for a laptop and perhaps upgrading my system to 1155, I can only buy one game for now... :-)

As you can notice, my current graphics card is super old so that should help in determining a good price/performance upgrade path, right? :-)

The new card might be a bit overkill at the moment but I would like it to have potential if I ever try other games and it needs to do quality video playback and be versatile for other tasks. I think the low price cards aren't too good at price/performance if I can find a good card used (e.g. gtx 460 1gb v.s. $100-new cards), right?

I think I gave some good info to go on so if someone wouldn't mind giving me their opinion and expert advice with all this info pertinent to my situation in mind..... any advice???? :-)

Thanks in advance for any suggestions/recommendations/advice..... for sending me a free card.... ok, not that one. :) 

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