Need a new video card

[gearjammer]

I need some advise on what new video card to get. I currently have a GeForce MX420 Nvidia 64MB. I would like to upgrade without spending more than $250.00 or so. Quite frankly being a lazy bastard I do not feel like taking the time to research this subject. Plus I always hear of people changing drivers and so forth and having problems with the game/display. I figured one of you fine people should be able to help me out

Is this one any good?? http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=716809&CatId=28


****edit - I see that this is AGP. I think I need a PCI? Maybe - well I would open my Dell up and look but I am just too lazy. Is there an easy way to tell?

[[TLB-HC]JARHEAD]

You will want AGP if your MoBo supports it, and I am very fond the card I run
ATI 9800 XT PRO 256MB

Haven't had a single problem with it at all even when it comes to updating drivers.

[[TLB-HC]BartBandy]

99% positive you'll have an AGP slot. Unless your video is built-in to the motherboard. What's the Dell model?

If you're computer is a couple of years old, you're bound by the law of diminishing returns. That is, your video performance will be limited by the CPU and memory, so a $400 card may not show any improvement over a $200 card.

Quick solution: Buy top-of-the-line of the previous generation. I'd try to find an ATI 9800 series card. If that's too much, I make do ust fine with my ATI 9600XT, but I'm not playing SWB yet.

[[TLB]Corsair]

If you have AGP you can get a refurb ATI Radeon 9800 Pro for $175. free shipping + tax.

Crucial.com link

Refurb 9800 Pro 128MB (http://www.crucial.com/store/PartSpecs.asp?imodule=CTRFBV9800P128&cat=)


Either the Radeon 9600 or 9800 series are pretty good. There might be a sale somewhere on a new 9800 Pro. I've seen 9800 Pro's new in the $225-$250 range online. 9600 XT (128MB) in the $190 ballpark.

The ATI Radeon 9800 XT (256MB) is over $350 at least last I checked.

the nVidia based cards are pretty good but I don't know that line too well.


The best I could on a PCI PC I have (kids use it) is a GeForce 5200 PCI (128MB). The sell for about $100.


If your Dell is a 2300, 2350 or 2400, you don't have AGP.

[gearjammer]

I have a Dimension 8250 P4 2.4 Ghz with 768 meg of RDramm. I do not have onboard graphics

[[TLB]Corsair]

gearjammer']I have a Dimension 8250 P4 2.4 Ghz with 768 meg of RDramm. I do not have onboard graphicsLooks like you have AGP 4X on your MoBo. (vs 8X). All video cards should drop down to 4X transfer rate. I've read of problems with intermittent system lock ups until the video card was set to 4X rate. Just FYI in case you have issues.

and the 4X vs 8X thing is not that big of a deal.

[[TLB]iampatrick]

This looks like a good deal Gear

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=783582&CatId=933

[moolkov]

get this one. Could be a few bucks cheaper at www.newegg.com, but their site seems to be down:

http://www.computerhq.com/ATI_RADEON_9800_PRO_Graphics_100_435002_7274194108 61/hardware/partinfo-id-32924.html

[vonkemp]

Drive to the Waukesha Best Buy and buy 2-3 different cards...$150 - $500 each on you plastic...install them on your rig and run benchamarks like ....AquaMark http://www.aquamark3.com/

Then you will be able to guage your performance increase/$$...you can even play some BF too to get the feel.

Then return cards and get the same/similar series card off newegg or ebay. I have never had a problem returning video cards to BestLye. Kind like a free rental. :mrgreen:

BB is selling the 9600XT now for $150. Probably an excellent card for your system and mega cheap. That is probably all you need for now. Here is the link

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1064607240763&skuId=6033883&type=product&cmp=++

VK

[gearjammer]

Drive to the Waukesha Best Buy and buy 2-3 different cards...$150 - $500 each on you plastic...install them on your rig and run benchamarks like ....AquaMark http://www.aquamark3.com/

Then you will be able to guage your performance increase/$$...you can even play some BF too to get the feel.

Then return cards and get the same/similar series card off newegg or ebay. I have never had a problem returning video cards to BestLye. Kind like a free rental. :mrgreen:

BB is selling the 9600XT now for $150. Probably an excellent card for your system and mega cheap. That is probably all you need for now. Here is the link

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1064607240763&skuId=6033883&type=product&cmp=++

VK\


Thanks VK - Hey Christmas is coming maybe you'll draw my name this year :)

[Doolittle]

Im still running an ATI 9700pro. If you can find one of these, they are pretty good. Mines starting to show its age though.

[[TLB]Sinister]

I'm still plugging away with an ATI 9700 pro as well and have yet to have a problem with it (other than the first one frying, which ATI replaced). SWB runs great on it, as does JO, Doom3, etc.

I do plan to upgrade before BF2/HL2 comes out though.

[moolkov]

NEGATIVE......If you are going to spend up to $200, get the 9800 PRO. Trust me on this, I have over 600 games for the pc.....

go to www.newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com) In the search window, search for "radeon 9800 PRO". This will bring up about 10 different 9800 pro cards priced from 190-230. The MSI card for $199 is nice.

BTW, I'm a Dell certified Tech, give me the service tag # of your Dell computer and I'll tell you for sure if you have an AGP slot. The service tag # will be on a sticker usually on the back and will be something like HBZ5901 (usually by a barcode).

[[TLB-HC]BartBandy]

He won't be able to find a 9700 Pro anyway, unless it's used or on eBay. The 9800 Pro or XT is probably the "sweet spot" in cards right now, in terms of price/performance.

[[TLB]iampatrick]

I am looking for vidio card too for my new computer. What do you guys think is better radeon 9800 w/128mb, or a radeon 9600 w/256mb?

Also what do you think about this card?.... http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-383&depa=1

[Sgtpoe]

if i bought a video card in the states would it work on my pc due to the difference in electical voltage,

[[TLB-HC]BartBandy]

9800 w/128MB, hands down.

I often buy OEM cards like the Sapphire in your link. Mine is a Sapphire 9600XT. The 9800 non-Pro is clocked lower than the Pro model, but is still more capable than any 9600 model.

I've not yet seen any game that required 256MB. I could be wrong.

Watch also the rated speeds of the GPU and the memory. The 256MB model in your link has crippled memory @ 580 MHz. I'd rather save some money and get the Powercolor 128MB model for $159: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-406&depa=1

Watch for Powercolor models that use "EZ" Their 9800 Pro EZ might as well be a non-Pro. They're trying to confuse you.

What I would do is go with a model with no fan - just two large heatsinks and a heatpipe like this one for $224:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-299&depa=1

Then again, I really like a quiet computer. If your other fans are loud anyway, there's no point. Save $20 and get a regular 9800 Pro.

The 9800 XT isn't worth the premium, imo.

The 9600 XT, at $133 - $157, pales in comparison to the 9800 non-Pro, and is only $20 cheaper. Don't consider it.

To recap, I suggest:

1. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-406&depa=1
$159 Best bang for the buck.

2. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-299&depa=1
$224 If you want to go "all out" and avoid a potentially noisy fan.

3. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA=1
~$200 Any number of regular 9800 Pro cards. If the fan goes, you can always get the silent Zalman heatsink later.

VK's method is crafty, but I wouldn't have the patience.

[[TLB]iampatrick]

wow Thanks for all the info Bart. That clears things up, cant get clearer. I think I will go with the middle of the road one. I dont care about noise. Hopefully its loud enough to drown out my screamin kids in the background.:roll:

[[TLB-HC]BartBandy]

poe, the input voltage is different in EU, but the voltage on the motherbpard will be exactly the same. The only thing I don't know about is NTSC vs. PAL for any TV-out ports. I think they can be changed in software, but I'm not sure.

[[TLB]Milito]

I agree 9800 Pro. If you want to look to the future in gaming 256mb. The new battlefield may need it to run smooth, who knows?

Doom 3 is suppose to run the best on highest setting with the upcoming 512MB cards. That is what is was designed for at the highest settings I read.

[SQUEAK]

9800 over 9600 every time, no contest. Also consider breaking the bank and upgrading your motherboard at the same time. The 8x AGP of a newer board will make a difference, plus you'll likely get a better ping from a newer on-board chipset.
Poe, no worries. The power supply sorts out teh 240V to all teh different voltages that the actual bits and bobs work on, and they are all standard [12V for the graphics card] All modern cards will sort out PAL versus NTSC without any bother. Tax and stuff may make things a bit pricier than appears on the US site though, so do your homework before you buy from across the pond. EU suppliers are already tad-paid, so what you see is what you pay.