Video Card Recommendation

[Frioniel]

Hello! I was hoping if anyone had the time they could recommend a graphics card based on my specs and desired, and any help is greatly appreciated.

Specs

I linked the product page as I am unsure what info is/isn't needed. The only thing different is I have XP SP3 installed and 3gb of memory vs 1.

I'd like to not have to spend TOO much over $100, $150 is too much unless it's ABSOLUTELY needed.

Anywho as for what games I want to play at what settings, I'll keep it simple

I'll give one older baseline game as an example, I'd like to be able to play Republic Commando (2005/2006 star wars game that looked great at the time) at high settings with a very solid FPS. Anything above that is a bonus but welcome. Another older game I want to be able to play at high settings with at least good fps is Morrowind

I'd also like to be able to play today's most graphically demanding games, like BF3 and Skyrim, etc. etc. to the extent where it's at least playable on lowest settings (10fps at most times is fine, maybe even slightly less) however this a bonus and not required but would be nice.

I really appreciate any advice given, thank you

PS I know I should get a new computer, which I will eventually but I need something to hold me over till then. Also I'm new to the forums and couldn't find the rules, is there anything special I need to know or is it the standard set of rules? Thanks again

[ShyguyXPC]

I'd also like to be able to play today's most graphically demanding games, like BF3 and Skyrim, etc. etc. to the extent where it's at least playable on lowest settings (10fps at most times is fine, maybe even slightly less) however this a bonus and not required but would be nice.

Huh? 10fps or less? Are you kidding, how the heck can ANYONE play a game at that speed, especially those games. Thats hardly playable at all, even on lowest settings.


Getting a Card for the older games isn't a problem, though you will probably have to use a chunk of the money for a new Power supply as well, rather than risk running a new card on the old PSU, overload the PSU and potentially fry the entire system.


Newegg.com - HIS H667F1GD Radeon HD 6670 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card with Eyefinity

Newegg.com - Antec Basiq BP350 350W ATX12V v2.01 Power Supply

Subtotal: $109.98

That should hold you over a bit.

Anything more than that GPU wise is going to be bottlenecked or limited in max performance by your CPU.

Even this card might be limited a bit.

but with out going much over $100 this is about best you can do right now.

PSU, is only 350W, but its a better trusted brand than most junk that is included in prebuilt PC's.

Though before grabbing it, check your actual PC, open it and take a look.

Find out what Brand of Power supply it is, its Wattage Rating, and look for the +12V Amp Rating on the label.

Reason I say this, is I know some HP's actually included some decent 350W FSP or Fortron Source Power Supplies, which is a good brand.

otherwise, if its some other unknown brand, the Antec would be your best bet for a new one.


here's some other PSU's from another retailer site as well:

Computer Hardware-Best Computer Online Store - Buy with Discount Prices from Houston Texas-Directron.com

Computer Hardware-Best Computer Online Store - Buy with Discount Prices from Houston Texas-Directron.com

either one of those units would be fine as well.

[Frioniel]

haha I know it's barely playable, that's the point I'd just like to be able to at least barely play them so I can try them out, see if they're worth upgrading for and just so I can try out new games

And as for the rest, thanks! I really appreciate it and I'll take your advice on all of it! I'll report back when I've manged to upgrade and how it went and etc. but I'm glad I can get something to hold me over.

[ShyguyXPC]

thats what I'm saying 10fps is utterly atrocious in frame rate to even determine if a game is worth it.

some games, it is completely unplayable period, so how can anyone even base their decision on whether to upgrade for that game if its not playable.

This is also why you pay attention to a games system requirements and go off of that, if your hardware specs are below the minimum required, you simply just don't run the game, as it will be unplayable.

usually the Minimum specs are lowest settings at playable (24 or more fps) frame rate for a game.

if you want to try a game out, you should always upgrade to at least minimum specs to give it an honest try.


Its also why, when you buy or build a new system, you don't buy the bare minimum specs, you actually invest some money into a respectable up to date list of hardware.

a GOOD current gen hardware gaming PC, will run you around $750 or so, not including a monitor. Most budget range systems, will be between $400-600 range at least.

anything around $1000 or so, or more, will be good for a couple/few years at least, for most games.

this is all based on custom build systems, prebuilt like Dell, HP, etc, will cost more usually than self built, as you usually get less for your money.

[Chuckiechan]

I'm going to be putting my GTX 460 SC on E Bay maybe today... You can get a good deal at Ebay.

Video cards don't get burned out that easy. I've never wrecked one.

So a used card might be a good choice for you.

[ShyguyXPC]

agreed, unless the user abused the card with heavy overclocking, or physically abused it, they should be fine. Doubt Chuckie would do such a thing to his cards though, I know I don't, may get a bit dusty, but thats it.

But buying used is a good idea too, its why I lurk in the forums I'm on, in their market sections, Mainly Overclock.net, but also Anandtech, HardOCP, and others.

see what goodies I can pick up for cheap on those forums if I'm looking, like my Core i7 940, and some other parts.

Currently looking at a GTX 560 Ti someone is selling on OCN, as well as a GTX 570 another user is selling. waiting to see if there's any price drops. Though will probably be sold before next paycheck.

[ShyguyXPC]

Should also add, check out Newegg's Refurbished and Open Box deals, as well as EVGA's website, they sell B-stock (refurbished) hardware, I know right now they have a GTX 460 for $90.

not sure which model Chuckie has, but this one is a 2nd revision 192-bit Memory Bus model, and I think... spoke too soon, was still in stock an hour ago, now no longer there, someone must of bought the last one in stock.

Scratch that idea I guess.

but the GTX 460 WILL be bottlenecked by the Older Core 2 Duo you have, though with it being that powerful, it could be an investment as well, if you upgrade your system to a newer one, you could simply avoid buying a video card, and migrate the 460 or whatever to the new system, unleashing its full performance potential.

[Chuckiechan]

Dusty? It looks like it's under a grey wool blanket!!
(Actually, it's as clean as Mother Superior's conscience!) Well, nearly...

Mine is the:

768-P3-1362-RR

And should be this:

http://www.evga.com/products/pdf/768-P3-1362.pdf

[ShyguyXPC]

ah, I see, one of the 768MB models. Still not bad as its factory OC'd quite a ways, stock clock is 675MHz, yours is a good 88MHz OC.

The 2nd revision cards have the full 1GB models specs, but the 768MB models 192-bit Memory bus. most are usually clocked higher (over stock 675) as well to compensate.


Comparing the 256-bit 1GB model to the 192-bit 768MB model, the only differences besides memory and bus width is the 768 has 8 less Raster Operators: Video Card Comparison - GPUReview.com