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Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Triple Ace on October 01, 2006, 12:07:26 am

Title: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Triple Ace on October 01, 2006, 12:07:26 am
I got my new pc a few days ago and the intergrated GeForce 6100 just is not cutting it. Then again I never had anything good to say on any intergrated graphics that I have used. Anyway I was thinking of going with a Geforce 7600 GT. Anything higher is a bit out of my price range. Does anyone have any experience with that card?
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Kosh on October 01, 2006, 02:29:31 am
Make sure you have a good powersupply, both the new GeForce and Radeon cards are really power hungry.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Turey on October 01, 2006, 02:33:47 am
steal Goober5000's Apollo (with flux capacitor!), use it to go into the future, buy best graphics card that will still work with your machine.

Don't forget to return the Apollo.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Ashrak on October 01, 2006, 07:02:46 am
i got a x1600pro works peachy for me
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Fineus on October 01, 2006, 07:43:30 am
I'm running a 7600 GT now Triple Ace.

It works excellently for most if not all modern stuff. Half Life 2 runs like a dream with the graphics pack mod that someone made for it installed (beefs up all the textures etc. so the game looks much much better).

Battlefield 2 runs silky smooth with everything maxed out and FSAA on etc.

This card can take pretty much whatever you throw at it from todays games, and I reckon it'll last quite nicely (in a similar way to how the Radeon 9800 did).

Therefore I highly recommend it. It's not too expensive either so make sure you've got a rig that can compliment it well. I'm not sure what your specs are now but a decent amount of memory is a must have these days.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: neoterran on October 01, 2006, 10:10:52 am
Don't buy any cards before the direct X 10 cards come out. They're going to make all direct x 9 cards obsolete. Direct X 10 will be a quantum leap in graphics; just look at the DX10 version of crysis.....
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Triple Ace on October 01, 2006, 10:17:05 am
DX10 won't be available for another half a year as it will only work with Windows Vista. I also don't have 300 to 600 dollars to spend on a new card. I got to pay bills too. As for my system specs, they can be found here.

http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,42491.0.html (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,42491.0.html)
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: CP5670 on October 01, 2006, 12:33:47 pm
The 7600GT is a pretty solid card for its pricepoint. Just make sure you're not paying too much for it (you can get them for $100-120 now).

Quote
Don't buy any cards before the direct X 10 cards come out. They're going to make all direct x 9 cards obsolete. Direct X 10 will be a quantum leap in graphics; just look at the DX10 version of crysis.....

uh, sorry but you have no idea what you're talking about. :p
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Fineus on October 01, 2006, 12:40:30 pm
As for my system specs, they can be found here.

http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,42491.0.html (http://www.hard-light.net/forums/index.php/topic,42491.0.html)
Heh, that's a better system than mine (aside from the graphics). It'd suit a 7600GT just fine, I think you'll be happy with it.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Thorn on October 01, 2006, 12:57:41 pm
SLI two BFG 7950 GX2s :P
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Turambar on October 01, 2006, 01:00:20 pm
that would pwn Thorn.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Triple Ace on October 01, 2006, 07:24:55 pm
SLI two BFG 7950 GX2s :P
Anyone who can afford that has too much money. Hey CP5670, got a site that has a 7600 GT for $100 to $120 like you said?
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Thorn on October 01, 2006, 09:22:01 pm
My roomate would be one of those people.
He also just bought a 42 inch LCD and 1000 watt home theater setup
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Kosh on October 01, 2006, 09:31:58 pm
Oh yeah, I forgot that yours is an OEM. You really do need to look at the powersupply because often OEM's tend to underpower their systems.


Also check the airflow, some of the OEM's do not design their cases well and have big airflow problems.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: CP5670 on October 01, 2006, 10:19:34 pm
Quote
Hey CP5670, got a site that has a 7600 GT for $100 to $120 like you said?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130062 (assuming you're in the US)

Quote
SLI two BFG 7950 GX2s :p

Actually, those are often slower than a single one on the current drivers. :p
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Ulala on October 01, 2006, 11:24:40 pm
Not to derail the thread, especially since TopAce's question seems to have been answered, and I thought it better than making another whole thread, but I'm planning on upgrading my entire system in the near future. Granted, there will always be something bigger and better and cheaper on the horizon, but I'm wondering when the best time to upgrade would be in the next year or so. I'm saving up for it, and was thinking of doing it around when Vista arrives but to be honest, I'm not really sure of anything when it comes to this. Anyone have any insight? :)
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Turey on October 01, 2006, 11:30:04 pm
Not to derail the thread, especially since TopAce's question seems to have been answered, and I thought it better than making another whole thread, but I'm planning on upgrading my entire system in the near future. Granted, there will always be something bigger and better and cheaper on the horizon, but I'm wondering when the best time to upgrade would be in the next year or so. I'm saving up for it, and was thinking of doing it around when Vista arrives but to be honest, I'm not really sure of anything when it comes to this. Anyone have any insight? :)

the best time is always right after the point in time when you can't return the parts you just bought.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Ulala on October 01, 2006, 11:31:19 pm
D'oh.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Triple Ace on October 07, 2006, 09:32:17 pm
I found some cheaper than $100.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000G6Y4A0/sr=8-15/qid=1160273687/ref=sr_1_15/104-8803777-9381526?ie=UTF8&s=pc (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000G6Y4A0/sr=8-15/qid=1160273687/ref=sr_1_15/104-8803777-9381526?ie=UTF8&s=pc)
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Taristin on October 07, 2006, 09:48:42 pm
Amazon = Bad.

I purchased books from them 2 months ago, and still havent gotten one, got the rest last week. Horrible service.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Nuke on October 07, 2006, 09:55:10 pm
im gonna get me a geforce 7950 gx2 here in mid november. its gonna be sweet :D
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Triple Ace on October 07, 2006, 10:33:06 pm
Amazon = Bad.

I purchased books from them 2 months ago, and still havent gotten one, got the rest last week. Horrible service.
Really? I have never had a problem with Amazon. I got my copy of FS2 from Amazon. And Nuke, you have too much money. Mind sharing some?
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: BlackDove on October 07, 2006, 10:39:47 pm
Don't buy any cards before the direct X 10 cards come out. They're going to make all direct x 9 cards obsolete. Direct X 10 will be a quantum leap in graphics; just look at the DX10 version of crysis.....

I'd go with that actually.

Everyone who's fairly smart is going to use the Windows Vista Ultimate Edition after it's been released for a month or two and patched with initial bugfixes. After all, it'll be free, like every other Windows in existance was.

Most gamers will probably be updating to Vista just for the DX10 deal. If you plan on doing that, which is probably the smartest thing to do, I'd suggest holding off on graphic card purchasing and wait for the ones released to be pre-approved by DX10 standards and whatever new mangled drivers Vista dishes out in lieu of compatability that'll be superior to what's out now.

Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Freespace Freak on October 07, 2006, 10:41:18 pm
I have two 7600GT's SLI'd.  Works great.  :yes:
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Triple Ace on October 07, 2006, 10:45:57 pm
Don't buy any cards before the direct X 10 cards come out. They're going to make all direct x 9 cards obsolete. Direct X 10 will be a quantum leap in graphics; just look at the DX10 version of crysis.....

I'd go with that actually.

Everyone who's fairly smart is going to use the Windows Vista Ultimate Edition after it's been released for a month or two and patched with initial bugfixes. After all, it'll be free, like every other Windows in existance was.

Most gamers will probably be updating to Vista just for the DX10 deal. If you plan on doing that, which is probably the smartest thing to do, I'd suggest holding off on graphic card purchasing and wait for the ones released to be pre-approved by DX10 standards and whatever new mangled drivers Vista dishes out in lieu of compatability that'll be superior to what's out now.



This is still at least half a year away. And again, I do not have that kind of money to buy something like that. Unlike some of you it seems, I am kind of poor.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: BlackDove on October 07, 2006, 11:39:46 pm
Same here. Doesn't stop me from waiting and seeing though. I have an X550 PCIe, and while Half Life 2 runs 95% smoothly with all the **** on and high except the AA, there are two games that will necessitate the next leap in hardware where my current card won't cut it.

One is Crysis and the other's Bioshock (I'm talking a 3D FPS engine vein, so those two are the obvious choice as an example). Right now I'm certain if I bought an X1900 or a 7600, it'll be enough to run those two games, but considering any future updates made specifically for the DX10 and whatnot, I'd like to make sure I'm all set with the least amount of troubles when it comes to drivers, support and functionality between my hardware and the software I want to run on it.

That's me though. You might wanna take one of the two or somewhat inferior cards mentioned above, and then in six months be semi-ready for the new games, and in a year be completely obsolete again.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Ulala on October 08, 2006, 01:23:04 am
Save up money for half a year. It's what I'm doing.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Nuke on October 08, 2006, 08:42:04 pm
does anyone have one of those geforce 7950 gx2 cards? im curious does it suck or blow? air i mean, does it suckint out of the case and blow it out the tale pipe, or does it suck it in through the back and blow it into the case? i need to know in order to decide if i need more cooling now.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Taristin on October 08, 2006, 08:52:27 pm
Would be a rather stupid idea to blow hot air into the case, wouldn't it? Then again.... smart ideas arent often the ones used...
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Scooby_Doo on October 08, 2006, 09:24:49 pm
Well buying a 7950 or a 1900tx is a waste of money right now, with the 8800 very near release and with r600 coming soon next year.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Nuke on October 08, 2006, 10:01:00 pm
Would be a rather stupid idea to blow hot air into the case, wouldn't it? Then again.... smart ideas arent often the ones used...

it seems just as bad to blow hot air into the case as it does to use heated air off the psu to cool the video card.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Taristin on October 08, 2006, 10:12:34 pm
Truth.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Ford Prefect on October 08, 2006, 10:15:34 pm
I have a GeForce 6600 that serves me quite well. But I don't know much about computers so maybe my input isn't worth much.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Nuke on October 08, 2006, 10:16:36 pm
the way my case is, if its a blower im pretty sure i can get away without an extra cooler, otherwise lm gonna need to get some pusher fans up front.

I have a GeForce 6600 that serves me quite well. But I don't know much about computers so maybe my input isn't worth much.

thats about what i have now, its a decent card so long as its not an mx series. i got the one with 256 meg shough.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Ford Prefect on October 08, 2006, 10:24:03 pm
Yeah mine is 256 megs. It's the 6600 GT. I dunno exactly what that means, but I know I can run HL2 and BF2 with the settings maxed.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Nuke on October 08, 2006, 10:45:55 pm
gts are the high ind, so you have a better card than me. im depressed now,
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: CP5670 on October 08, 2006, 10:55:49 pm
Quote
Well buying a 7950 or a 1900tx is a waste of money right now, with the 8800 very near release and with r600 coming soon next year.

The GX2 is not a bad choice if it's an EVGA model, since you can use their step-up program to get an 8800 for only a little more than you paid. Although if you choose the right time to sell, you can actually buy either of those cards now and still make most of your money back. There tends to be about a week's delay between a new product release and the people on ebay finding out about it, which is ample time for an auction to go through. I have taken advantage of that more than once. :D

Quote
does anyone have one of those geforce 7950 gx2 cards? im curious does it suck or blow? air i mean, does it suckint out of the case and blow it out the tale pipe, or does it suck it in through the back and blow it into the case? i need to know in order to decide if i need more cooling now.

The air is blown into the case, although towards the rear. Just look at any pictures of that card. The cooler actually rather sucks and uses those whiny 40mm 7900GT fans. The 8800 cooler will blow air out of the case and is set up similar to the X1950 cooler.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Nuke on October 08, 2006, 11:10:30 pm
sence my case is tiny and wierd, i dont have room for anything but the stock cooler. so il just get me a 5.25 bay fan kit. all the ones ive found look rather gay, so i think im gonna paint the face with chrome model paint and put glowey blue fans in it instead.
Title: Re: Need help deciding on a new graphics card
Post by: Sandwich on October 09, 2006, 04:04:08 am
I'm running a 7600 GT now Triple Ace.

It works excellently for most if not all modern stuff. Half Life 2 runs like a dream with the graphics pack mod that someone made for it installed (beefs up all the textures etc. so the game looks much much better).

Linky? :)

Oh, and using HL2 as a benchmark never made sense to me... I run it with everything on max except AA (and without running at the highest resolution, 1920x1200) on an old Radeon 9800 Pro. :p

...just look at the DX10 version of crysis.....

Would you mind showing us the DX10 version? I've not seen any screenies yet. I had thought that was because DirectX 10 wasn't even OUT yet, but...