Biz needs video card advice.

[Bizkitkid2001]

Back in the day, I use to know a lot about video cards. However, I have been out of the loop since the Geforce 5XXX days as I never had the money to even consider looking at any new video cards.


I know enough to where I know which cards are faster, but I don't know by how much and more importantly, how much faster they are than my current 5900.


I have decided after finding a Best Buy gift card tonight with $50 still on it, that I plan on going shopping for a video card tomorrow.

I looked on the Best Buy website and found a couple cards that are cheaper than on Newegg and am having a hard time deciding on which I should go with for my system.


Opteron 144 64bit Venus 1.8ghz
1.5mb System Ram
Geforce 5900 NU
1.17TB Drive Space
Thermaltake 420watt PSU

Basically, out of this list, I would like to know which card is the best Bang for the Buck. I also want to know if these cards are overkill for my Opteron 144 so that I know if I should also do a CPU upgrade in the future as well. (I can upgrade from 939 to AM2 on this motherboard)

Also, how much faster is the slowest card on this list (7600GS) than my 5900 NU in World of Warcraft. Would I see a very noticable increase in performance if I went with just the 7600 or the 8500? (The two slowest cards listed below)

The cards I am looking at are these:

BFG 7600GS OC edition $149

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1177112455542

BFG 7800GS OC Edition $179

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1130987962424

BFG 7900GS OC Edition $167

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1177718060522

BFG 7950GT OC Edition $199

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1166235297937

BFG 8500GT $149

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1177112416236



My motherboard supports both AGP8x and PCI-E 16x, so I don't care which format I choose.

And these cards are from the Best Buy website, and they usually have more kinds in the store which I will also be looking at tomorrow.

Thanks,
-Biz

[DallasDon]

I really like THG's interactive vid card guide for those comparisons.

Unfortunately, they only go back to 2005, and don't list WOW for a benchmark.

Here's a close comparison, the selected cards are in blue, showing a comparison against a wide variety of cards.

Play around with the drop down boxes, and you'll have a pretty good idea.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphi...2=297&chart=88

[JPMiller]

You better figure in a new power supply as well
Most of those cards draw alot more power than your current one, and I'm guessing your already straining that Thermaltake...
Those are decent power supplies overall, but kinda weak on the +12V rail...

[Bizkitkid2001]

Originally Posted by JPMiller

You better figure in a new power supply as well
Most of those cards draw alot more power than your current one, and I'm guessing your already straining that Thermaltake...
Those are decent power supplies overall, but kinda weak on the +12V rail...

Yes, the amperage on the rails are weak, but in your power supply thread you said that with my current setup, the Thermaltake 420watt is not close to its limit. I remember asking because of having so many HDs and you said its fine.


Now, with the new video card, like you said, it draws a lot more power. I will also look at power supplies as well at Best Buy and altex and see what prices they have.

I know that Best Buy's top PSU brand is Antec and Altex sells FSP.

[Bizkitkid2001]

Originally Posted by DallasDon

I really like THG's interactive vid card guide for those comparisons.

Unfortunately, they only go back to 2005, and don't list WOW for a benchmark.

Here's a close comparison, the selected cards are in blue, showing a comparison against a wide variety of cards.

Play around with the drop down boxes, and you'll have a pretty good idea.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphi...2=297&chart=88

I did have a look at that, but THG uses the latest C2D processor which does not really tell me if my CPU is going to bottleneck any of these video cards I am looking at or not.

I know that all of these cards are faster than the 5900 NU and that they all play WoW just fine, but I really want to know if upgrading to a faster video card will net me a big enough performance increase with my current CPU to justify the $150-$200 price.

If I buy a new video card and still get a slideshow when walking through Shattrath City because my CPU is a bottleneck, then I just wasted my money.

[Bizkitkid2001]

Ok, this may help a little bit.


I read a comparison a while back and found out that the Opteron 144 is about equal to a X2 3800+ in games.


Would a X2 3800+ bottle neck any of these cards?

[Atomic Rooster]

The best bang for your buck would be the 7900GS OC.

Upgrading to Vista and DX10 in the very near future, the 8500GT would be the one to get.

Best performer, 7950GT OC.

Your Opty will be fine with any of these cards.

[Bizkitkid2001]

Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster

The best bang for your buck would be the 7900GS OC.

Upgrading to Vista and DX10 in the very near future, the 8500GT would be the one to get.

Best performer, 7950GT OC.

Your Opty will be fine with any of these cards.

Thanks AR!

If I can get the 7900GS at the store for the internet price, I will have money left over to get a new PSU right away

[Bizkitkid2001]

Ehh, called Best Buy and they said the 7900GS is on clearance and most likely not going to be sold anymore.(They were sold out) They then said that the 7950GT is only sold off the best buy website.


He did say that the only video card they have comparable to the 7900GS under $200 is the 8600 GT for $199.


Hmm, I'll call some other local places and try the other best buy store.

[carl33p]

Out of the cards you listed, the 7900GS or the 7950GT are the best for the money. But both are overkill for WoW.

If you go to newegg, you can grab a 7600GS for 80$ and then spend that 50$ Gift Card on something else.

Your CPU is fine.