First post, so forgive me if I've messed up with this...
Also, I'm really a complete tech noob, so my bad if I've done something stupid or am missing something that should be obvious (maybe blatant compatibility clashes or something).
Well, here goes.
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Sometime before the end of August, unless, a.) Labor Day sales are prevalent and worthwhile, or b.) it's worth it to wait for either prices to drop even further or new cards to release
BUDGET RANGE: USD ~$180-250 after rebates
USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Relatively high-end gaming is most important
CURRENT GPU: Integrated graphics using nVidia GeForce 6150SE
CURRENT POWER SUPPLY: 300w, though I plan to upgrade to at, the very least, a 600w power supply. Considering:
"CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020
OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01742890&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=3978592#N197
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com
PARTS PREFERENCES: Based on what friends say, Nvidia is preferable, but if ATI provides considerable competition... Also, I've been told that EVGA is probably the best way to go with Nvidia, while XFX, Gigabyte, and Sapphire are generally good for ATI. Open to all suggestions, though.
OVERCLOCKING: Only factory overclocking (assuming that it won't affect warranties)
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe (I think I will need a new motherboard if I ever go down this route, though)
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Cards with high quality warranties are preferred that can run most modern games at respectable settings (maybe ~40+ FPS with minor 2-4x AA, etc.) Higher graphical quality and "future-proofness" is better, naturally.
There were a couple cards I was considering:
"EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1563-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130610
"EVGA 02G-P3-1568-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130683
"XFX Double D FX-785A-CDFC Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150609
"GIGABYTE GV-R785OC-2GD Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125419
While these cards may have caught my eye, I'm not unflinchingly set on getting one of these in particular, and will gladly take any and all suggestions.
One other thing.. How important is the memory? That seems to be one of the things that could influence my decision.
Thank you!
Also, I'm really a complete tech noob, so my bad if I've done something stupid or am missing something that should be obvious (maybe blatant compatibility clashes or something).
Well, here goes.
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Sometime before the end of August, unless, a.) Labor Day sales are prevalent and worthwhile, or b.) it's worth it to wait for either prices to drop even further or new cards to release
BUDGET RANGE: USD ~$180-250 after rebates
USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Relatively high-end gaming is most important
CURRENT GPU: Integrated graphics using nVidia GeForce 6150SE
CURRENT POWER SUPPLY: 300w, though I plan to upgrade to at, the very least, a 600w power supply. Considering:
"CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020
OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01742890&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=3978592#N197
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com
PARTS PREFERENCES: Based on what friends say, Nvidia is preferable, but if ATI provides considerable competition... Also, I've been told that EVGA is probably the best way to go with Nvidia, while XFX, Gigabyte, and Sapphire are generally good for ATI. Open to all suggestions, though.
OVERCLOCKING: Only factory overclocking (assuming that it won't affect warranties)
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe (I think I will need a new motherboard if I ever go down this route, though)
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1280x1024
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Cards with high quality warranties are preferred that can run most modern games at respectable settings (maybe ~40+ FPS with minor 2-4x AA, etc.) Higher graphical quality and "future-proofness" is better, naturally.
There were a couple cards I was considering:
"EVGA SuperClocked 01G-P3-1563-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130610
"EVGA 02G-P3-1568-KR GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130683
"XFX Double D FX-785A-CDFC Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150609
"GIGABYTE GV-R785OC-2GD Radeon HD 7850 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125419
While these cards may have caught my eye, I'm not unflinchingly set on getting one of these in particular, and will gladly take any and all suggestions.
One other thing.. How important is the memory? That seems to be one of the things that could influence my decision.
Thank you!