Post subject: Needing advice for a new Graphic Card!
Posted: Sat 12-20-2008 10:57AM
Captain
Joined: Thu 08-23-2007 5:42PM Posts: 111 Location: the void
Source: Fidelity
Because I think a thirty dollar card (six months ago) doesn't cut it anymore, I'm looking for a new one. Of course, me being rather ignorant of such things, I would like some advice on what card I need. I would be happy to NOT spend over sixty bucks, please. I just want to play Spore and Neverwinter Nights 2 on nice settings, not run Oblivion/Crysis on its highest specs. Bonus points for extra monitor out/S-video when I'm not gaming.
Post subject: Re: Needing advice for a new Graphic Card!
Posted: Sat 12-20-2008 4:15PM
bertowned
Joined: Sun 08-20-2006 4:26PM Posts: 2118
Source: Off Campus
I'd personally go with a Radeon HD 4670, as it's basically a 4800series card that's been crippled. It's just over $60 if you shop around for the right one, but its only ~10 more than the 4650, and apparently worth every penny.
If you want to stick with nVidia for whatever reason (ex - driver/linux support, or since thats what you already have), then a 9600GT is pretty much the only thing under a hundred bucks that will tie with a Radeon 4600 card. This Gigabyte is also passively cooled (same as your current card), but its a 2-slot, cooler, and that is going to put out quite a bit of heat. The 9600 Cards also require a 6-pin power supply hookup. With your current PS, and computer - that's going to be pushing it.
Like I said - I'd go with the 4670. It doesn't require external power, and is a pretty good card. Some of them have integrated HDMI. Just make sure to pick one out with a decent HSF - a la - don't just spring for the cheapest one. A couple of those have heatsinks that look like they only cool the gpu core, and not the memory (which could lead to overheating), but that's just my personal opinion on picking out a card with a good HSF, and not anything bad reflecting on the 4670s. Once you've had to deal with bad cooling - you're always willing to pay just a little more to get a card with a quality cooler.
_________________
BigPeeOn wrote:
Here's the deal: chemistry is the devil. Anything beyond balancing an chemical equation is black magic.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 3 guests
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum