Graphics card advice anyone???

[missc81]

Hiya!!

Would be really grateful if anyone could give me a bit of advice on purchasing a PCI-E graphics card for my pc. I've recently updated a few things on my computer but when i came to updating my current old card I did a lot of reading up on the internet but I'm not too up on the technical side of things yet, so I've just ended up confusing myself even more with all the choices. Especially whether Its worth the extra to get a 512 mb card instead of a 256mb. And whether it would be worth me spending £150-£200. I use my computer a hell of a lot, photoshop CS3 mainly and as i don't have a console currently I want to have a decent gaming pc to play the latest games and have them look good. I've been looking at 8600gt and 8800gt cards and realise there is a huge price difference, which I'm willing to pay but obviously only if It would be worthwhile for my system. Here's my specs...

OS - Windows Vista Ultimate 64

Motherboard - NEC Computers International G8-8TRC410M-NF

CPU - 2 processors running - Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz

Graphics - Nvidia 7200GS

System RAM -2GB

Monitor - 19'' widescreen 1400x900

Raidmax Ninja case

 

[Anon_F]

Check out those that are compatable with Vista first!
Click HERE or HERE

 

[missc81]

Yeah I've been doing that as I go along, It's more a case of whether It's worth me spending an extra £100 on an 8800 rather than a 8600, or would it not be needed as i'm not a hardcore gamer with a huge monitor

 

[floppybootstomp]

If you want your games to look good go for one of the 8800 series, the 8600's didn't really cut the mustard for some reason.

This 8800GT at £174.00 plus postage is a good buy if you don't want to spend silly money on an Ultra.

 

[Abarbarian]

Heres a alternative , performance a bit below the 8800 but good value .

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-079-PC&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=416

Heres a very good article that compares various cards its well worth a look .

http://www.hardwarezone.com/articles/view.php?id=2450&cid=3&pg=7

 

[nmbrod]

floppybootstomp, thta link you posted.

Is that not an incredibly good offer, £130 for one of the best 8800gt range?

Forgive me for saying whats the catch?

 

[missc81]

I ended up getting a card on Ebay in the end (a risk I know!). I got a FOXCONN 8800 GTS and i couldn't be happier with it, though i need to sort out some extra cooling on my PC because it heats up a hell of a lot after a lot of gameplaying. It's fab though and even new games look and play amazingly!! Picked it up for £120 including postage, which I think was a good price.

 

[nmbrod]

Looking at graphics cards bamboozles me

From the little i have read, i understand that 8800GT are very good, with 8800GTS are better if you have the money

Compatibility is also an issue

for £100-£150, whats the best out there, and how much does the brand name matter?

 

[floppybootstomp]

floppybootstomp, thta link you posted.

Is that not an incredibly good offer, £130 for one of the best 8800gt range?

Forgive me for saying whats the catch?

The 'catch' is that the 9800 range has just been introduced.

The 8800GT 512Mb is definitely the best bang for the buck atm.

 

[V_R]

The 'catch' is that the 9800 range has just been introduced.

The 8800GT 512Mb is definitely the best bang for the buck atm.

QFT

 

[nmbrod]

Ok, so i'm going to buy one

According to my manual, i need

Graphics card driver supports NVIDIA SLI technology
Power supply unit can provide at least the minimum power required by your system, how the fudge do i figure hat out?
Works with XP
PCI Express compatible

anything else i should be aware of?

Brand?

 

[nmbrod]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-052-BG&tool=3

Like you said that seems to be a great deal, great reviews anyway

I'm assuming that is compatible with my system

It does say its designed for Vista, is it compatible with XP tho?

My specs
Asus M2N-E SLI AM2 DDR2
AMD AM2 5200+DUAL CORE ATHLON 940PIN
KINGSTON 1GB DDRII KVR667D2n%/1G
SAMSUNG 250GB SATA 2

 

[floppybootstomp]

Yes it's compatible with your system.

 

[nmbrod]

Would just like to extend my thanks for your responses. Couldn't be happier with my card, its an unbelievable difference. Thank you, turned out piece of **** to install as well

 

[floppybootstomp]

Good stuff, glad we were of assistance

 

[Waynos_Face]

Wouldnt go with an 8600GT, had one of those, heats up real quick and doesn't have much power, when compared to 8800's.

 

[floppybootstomp]

Wouldnt go with an 8600GT, had one of those, heats up real quick and doesn't have much power, when compared to 8800's.

He didn't.

If you checked the link in the above post you'll note he purchased a BFG 8800GT 512Mb