Video card suggestions

My video card clearly sucks right now. It's a decent part, but it's DDR2, and can hardly handle 3D, or even two monitors. I've tried every other solution. Updated RAM, all sorts of drivers, overclocking, extremely efficient and high voltage PSUs, setting 3D game resolutions extremely low, even cutting down to one monitor... I've been avoiding this, but I think it's time for a new video card. (By the way, it's not a fouled part, a local computer expert assured me it was in perfect working order, and if that weren't weird enough, they couldn't even replicate the flickering/freezing problem I was having............) So anyway..

Here are the specs for my computer I built:
http://pastebin.com/uasd3NaT

What card would you suggest for under 200 dollars, preferably closer to 100 -- from WWW.NEWEGG.COM ONLY please -- that will be compatible with my machine.

Here is a complete list of parts that I have right now:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131609
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103681
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150450
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227346
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341018

among other stuff that probably wouldn't really help you any.

Thanks if you have any ideas. Post the links here if you would.

 

Hey buddy,

I'd say go for this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150436

It's ready to support dual screens already with two DVI outputs, so no need for a splitter. Should be a descent boost from what you are using at the mo.

Tbh though, that PC is going to get out dated pretty quick. I'd consider getting a new rig before spending much more on it, I'd also double your ram at some point as well (yes I know it will only read 3 - 3.4gb on a 32bit OS)

 

You're probably referring, in part, to the fact that I have dual-core instead of quad-core. To that I say; the day any game requires a full 4 cores to operate is the day I'll update, haha

By the way, thanks for the link, I'll look it over:]

 

I wasn't so much refering to the Dual instead of Quad core, but the older style DDR2 ram.

That processor supports DDR3, so why not get that? Chances are the FSB on the mother board will be faster, and you can get up to 2000Mhz Ram for DDR3.

Also have you considered getting a 64bit OS? Your system will be able to support a lot more ram then. Can't say I know too much about AMD, I have always been more of an Intel man myself.

It looks like a nice budget gaming rig so far though ^_^

 

The RAM is DDR3:
"OCZ Gold Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1066"

Also, yeah I was considering that. I HAVE a CD for 64bit, I just haven't gotten around to see if it was worth installing.

 

Awww ok, Well the RAM won't help with the graphics but it may reduce game play lag at times.

Unfortunatley pc's are always restricted by there slowest part, Graphics cards just tend to be one of those things you have to spend a descent amount on. Personally I always go Nvidia, there new 200 series is a lot cheaper then the previous 9000 series while being faster at the same time.

If at all possible I'd try to find $100 extra and spend $250+ on a graphics card.

I just had to buy a Nvidia Quadro NVS 450 for my work PC, which has left a pretty large hole in my wallet for the month!

 

I might look into something like that Nvidia quadro soon when my work hours are a little more bountiful, I know it would definitely be worth the purchase, but at the moment, I'm just looking to make my computer functional again haha;]

I was thinking this is a decent video card for the price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339
The down side; it's HUGEEE.

Thoughts? Right now it's between your suggestion and this one

 

The Quadros aren't really built for gaming, If you want to game on 4 screens then you are better off running 2 graphics cards in SLi / Crossfire.

I run a 9800 GTX on my Q6600 system, they aren't exactly new but I can still play stuff like Eve online, MW2 at there highest settings

If you don't mind getting the older 9000 series then I bet you could get some bargains on ebay.

 

Like this, 15min left under $100 dollars and it's the 1GB version.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BFG-Tech-Nvidia...tem&pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item2307ca766a

Looking at ebay it seems you will struggle to spend more then $100 on a 9800 GTX, I'd seriously consider getting one off of there. The things are tough as houses and the jump from GT to GTX is well worth it at this price IMO.

 

I'm not an avid gamer, I'm more into 3D modeling with a bit of WoW and The Sims on the side. Two screens is good enough for me;]

I'll look into the 9000 series also, I honestly don't mind how old it is, as long as it's DDR3 and runs well;]

EDIT: Is that better than the ones we've already found? Or rather, is it worth buying?

 

In my opinion yes, it is better then all the other ones that we looked at.

If you can go a little over your $200 budget, I would suggest the GTX 260. They're getting a lot cheaper now with the mega powerful 400 series out, plus the 200 series works very well in SLi, so if you did at some point want to go quad screen, you can just buy another 200 series and get them going pretty easily.

If not, for $100 you really can't go wrong with a 9800gtx.

 

I bought it, there's no return policy, but if worse comes to worse and it doesn't fit, or it doesn't help, I can always just resell it. Thanks for the advice, I'll definitely look into installing the 64bit OS here in the next few days once I dig up my W7 CD.

I'll let you know if this part is quality when it comes and I get the chance to test it out.

Thanks again:]

 

Ok good luck, although I don't think you'll really need it.

It may say no returns but if it is faulty you're still entitled to your money back so don't sweat it.

 

Shit mohtasa, too late

That 9800GT isn't great for the price range, you could've gotten a 4850 which is like a 9800GTX+ for $5 more.

Oh well if all you do is play WoW and Sims 3 at medium resolutions you're np.

 

Make a new thread in the right section if you need any more advice.

 

Thanks sindre and finn, I was trying to find a forum like this, but I couldn't immediately find it:[

Gump; ah well, anything is better than what I have now, if I need to upgrade AGAIN, I'll just try to resell and look for a better one:]

 

It was of absolutely NO help to my problem. I guess the next step is a new mobo.