Looking for an AWESOME videocard

  • Thread starter Thread starter Year.Zero
  • 34 comments
  • 1,427 views

Year.Zero

(Banned)
Messages
383
Well, it's been a few years since my last build, and since then I've really paid zero attention to the industry. I lost interest.

But now, the time has come again, and I need to find a sweet bloody graphics card—preferably ATI. Something that can play basically everything out there, and play it well: FEAR, BioShock, Oblivion, OJ Box, (are those even the graphics intensive games?), the upcoming GTA4.

Budget: $400ish.
 
There is the all new ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 for around $450.
It outperforms the Nvidia Geforce 8800 Ultra on most games (mostly just), and is much cheaper.
Reviews can be found everywhere on the internet.
 
Better make sure your PSU has the right power connector first or you'll need a new one of those too. I believe I see 2 on that board!

radeon_3870x2_power.jpg
 
I can't see how you can go wrong with any of the top cards from nVidia or ATI. Over the years I have used both, in single card and dual card modes. Can your motherboard support PCI-e graphics or AGP? GT3mich is right about the power supply. These new cards coming out are POWER HUNGRY, and in a big way.
 
Cool! Are you sure 500w is enough? :) So what's your total upgrade looking like? Motherboard, graphics card(s)....what about processor, ram, etc....?
 
The new 8800GTS 512Mb

Price performance atm, it looks like a no brainer - to me, at least..
 
The 8800 is a long card and when attempted to install it, the damn thing didn't fit. Make sure you have plenty of clearance before you buy it, mine got hung up on a capacitor. Also the 9000 series is due out this month supposedly so you might want to wait, they are slated to have HDMI support as well as being more powerful.
 
The 8800 is a long card and when attempted to install it, the damn thing didn't fit. Make sure you have plenty of clearance before you buy it, mine got hung up on a capacitor. Also the 9000 series is due out this month supposedly so you might want to wait, they are slated to have HDMI support as well as being more powerful.

Although I somewhat agree with Joey on waiting, there comes a realization that if you waited for the next best thing, you will always be waiting. After the 9000 series, the 9100 series will be available after that, and the OC versions, and the....and the....and the....

But yeah, the 8800's are monster cards. I had an issue with it fitting in my first case of choice. The drive bays got in the way of the card. Also with the bigger cards, make sure you have good air flow, these cards crank out some heat.
 
Although I somewhat agree with Joey on waiting, there comes a realization that if you waited for the next best thing, you will always be waiting. After the 9000 series, the 9100 series will be available after that, and the OC versions, and the....and the....and the....

But yeah, the 8800's are monster cards. I had an issue with it fitting in my first case of choice. The drive bays got in the way of the card. Also with the bigger cards, make sure you have good air flow, these cards crank out some heat.

Very true since a new series pretty much comes out yearly from the GeForce camp. However, if you waited just a little while longer you probably could get one heck of a deal on the 8800 once the 9800 hits (which is supposed to be in March now). Even then you can get a 8800 for $259 through Newegg which is a decent deal for an awesome card.
 
Very true since a new series pretty much comes out yearly from the GeForce camp. However, if you waited just a little while longer you probably could get one heck of a deal on the 8800 once the 9800 hits (which is supposed to be in March now). Even then you can get a 8800 for $259 through Newegg which is a decent deal for an awesome card.

For sure...

The first time I felt a need to wait on a card was during the DX9 to DX10 transition, and before that was the AGP to PCI-e transition. I'd say when there is major upgrades in next gen cards if you, the wait might be beneficial to you. Then you will be on the bleeding edge of technology. They call it the bleeding edge because it will bleed your savings and all financial resources dry. :)
 
For sure...

The first time I felt a need to wait on a card was during the DX9 to DX10 transition, and before that was the AGP to PCI-e transition. I'd say when there is major upgrades in next gen cards if you, the wait might be beneficial to you. Then you will be on the bleeding edge of technology. They call it the bleeding edge because it will bleed your savings and all financial resources dry. :)

I thought that referred to people going suicidal when their bleeding edge technology has a major flaw that was corrected in the second batch? :lol:
 
Cool! Are you sure 500w is enough? :) So what's your total upgrade looking like? Motherboard, graphics card(s)....what about processor, ram, etc....?

It bloody well better be enough!

I haven't picked an exact mobo/processor model combo yet, though I'm looking at quad-core.
 
Just so long as you have a 80 plus certified PSU, and about 35+ amps on the 12V rails, you should be fine with either a 8800GTS(640 or 320) or an 88000GT

I have the antec earthwatts 500 and its rated at 500 watts and 34A on both 12V rails
 
I've been down both roads, nVidia vs. ATI. I can honestly say I like both cards but as of late, prefer nVidia's driver support and SLI configuration. My first dual card setup was with crossfire with two X1900XTX ATI cards. When it ran, it was pretty good for the day, but I had driver issues like you wouldn't believe. The reason I when with ATI back then was because I could switch in and out of crossfire mode with just the software, nVidia's SLI still had to remove or install the video card bridge to switch modes ( a pain in the butt). I'm now running a SLI system and nVidia has figured out how to enable/disable via software now.

There will always be a faster cards with more features right around the corner. Some important considerations might be DX-10 support. ATI is starting to use 6 layer boards for their cards now instead of 9 or 12 layer boards. They do this to save on cost but makes the graphics card flimsy. Nvidia graphics cards makers are starting to follow suit and are trying to compete with ATI's lower cost cards by going cheap on the boards as well. Not really a performance issue, but it's nice to know a card isn't flexing, especially if you're going to mount aftermarket cooling parts on it....

Have you decided what you're getting?
 
I'd say go with an 8800 series as well. Yes, its nVidia, but it also can be had for just a bit north of 200 dollars.

And there drivers honestly make me happier, along with their config tools. Especially when you run dual monitors, the hotkeys you can setup in the nForce control panel is extremely handy. I had to go between an ATI powered system at work on dual displays to my home system running nVidia on dual displays, and I can say I preferred the nVidia setup more for getting stuff done.
 
Hmm...

I believe I'll wait until I've got the motherboard. The suggestions have been handy, tho.

Isn't DX10 already in implementation, though?
 
So the 9800s are only due in March now? Damnit I just want to be able to play Crysis on max settings, is that too much to ask?
 
So the 9800s are only due in March now? Damnit I just want to be able to play Crysis on max settings, is that too much to ask?

Yes. God knows I've tried. :guilty:
 
Hmm that's just the 9600, I wonder when the 9800's are due out. And that's not a bad price for those.
 
Ive never really looked into crysis until I saw this thread and I now can see why you guys would want to play it with full settings! :crazy:

This pic just says it all! Hope this comes to consoles but it wont looks this pretty!

crysis.jpg


Robin
 
what can play Crysis on max settings?

I saw a Tri-SLI system that played it at 1920x1200 Full Settings with an average of 42-45 FPS.

You would only have $1800 in video cards alone.....
 
Be sure to post up a review on that, I'm in the market to start another computer again.
 
Back