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Thread ID: 92192 2008-08-01 06:11:00 A Replacement Video card advise curly (6655) Press F1
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694084 2008-08-01 06:11:00 An HP desktop running Vista Ultimate needs a replacement video card. It came with a PCIE Geforce 8400 GS (@$42.00 at present !!!).

I could replace it with either a 8800 GT, 256 mem @ $210.00 or a 9600 GT
512 mem at $175.00.

But which might prove a better performer with some of the latest games ?

Computer has 4 gig ram and a quad core Intel Q6600 processor running at
2.4 GHz.

Oh the video card is OK, but just want to try something better. And anything suggested other than the two listed above would be considered too, but dollars do matter.
curly (6655)
694085 2008-08-01 06:45:00 The 8400 is a pretty average card. Good for your everyday running of windows, but it doesn't really go with the rest of your hardware ae! :D

I'd go for the 8800gt, it's a significantly better performer, but make sure it's got the G92 chipset, and get a Gigabyte or Asus.

Don't know how much you are willing to spend, but the following is a damn nice card, for the $$$.

www.extremepc.co.nz
wratterus (105)
694086 2008-08-01 07:18:00 Check your PSU can handle the new card 1st! SolMiester (139)
694087 2008-08-01 08:37:00 Check your PSU can handle the new card 1st!

You reckon a Hipro 300 watt would do the job on any of the cards mentioned?

There does not seem to be any info relating to power requirements for any of the cards - so dunno.
curly (6655)
694088 2008-08-01 09:47:00 300Watts is nothing these days, you should definitely replace it if you want to upgrade your Video card. stormdragon (6013)
694089 2008-08-01 09:56:00 300Watts is nothing these days, you should definitely replace it if you want to upgrade your Video card.

Well OK, but upgrade it to what wattage ?

What brand of power supply is tops at the moment ?
curly (6655)
694090 2008-08-01 13:08:00 Go for more3 bang for the buck, I have a thernaltake 700 watt, its nice in winter!
I had to buy an aircon for summer.
zcc (50)
694091 2008-08-01 21:30:00 Well OK, but upgrade it to what wattage ?

What brand of power supply is tops at the moment ?

Don't go purely on Wattage, also look at the Amperage on the 12V rails.


Good brands:

Silverstone
Enermax
Cooler Master
Corsair

Also take into consideration an future upgrades you may want to do of this system and give yourself plenty of headroom.
stormdragon (6013)
694092 2008-08-01 21:57:00 [QUOTE=curly;699586]
I could replace it with either a 8800 GT, 256 mem @ $210.00 or a 9600 GT
512 mem at $175.00.
/QUOTE]

Neither.
But it does depend on what games you want to play.
The latest high end FPSs would need something better than that.


Look for a PSU with 500-600 watts, as many amps on the 12v as you can get.

Single rail is better than multi-rail too.

Stick with the brands Stormdragon has recommended.
pctek (84)
694093 2008-08-01 22:02:00 Don't get a 256mb.

9600GT at 175 sounds awesome

If your resolution is below 1680x1050 then a 9600GT will be perfect for even new games.

If its 1680 or above i would recommend an ATI HD4850
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