what mid-range card to get?

jhick · 01-05-2008, 10:09 AM

I am running vista, so I want a DX10 capable card. Price under $150 but would be willing to go up to $175 if it is a higher end card for a very good deal. Not willing to break that $175 mark so don't bother saying 'an 8800gt is the solution to all your problems'. A 512mb card would be preferable since I will be running a couple big monitors off of it. I will be doing some light gaming. Not trying to max out crysis or anything but maybe some COD4 and supreme commander(s). I am not huge into gaming. Noise is also a big factor. I just returned a diamond 2600xt that was very noisy. I want something that will not be the loudest item in my system. Since I will be running vista in aero, I am concerned that the card will be running hard all the time since it is in 3D mode? I am not sure on this though. The problem I have found with mid-range cards is that it could be hit or miss with fan rpm control and I dont want to end up with another card that cannot let me sleep at night.

So far I have looked at the 2900pro for $175 but it is apparently very loud. I have also looked at the HD3850, but to get a 512mb version you have to hit that $200 mark. I have also checked out various HD2600s and 8600GTs, but have not been able to find one where I Am assured a quiet fan that revs down when not being used a lot.

Thanks.

**emosun** · 01-05-2008, 11:20 PM

I use the 2600 xt 512 by HIS. The fan on it is pretty quiet and doesn't go to full speed unless its under heavy use. Its a exaust fan style cooler so it can run at low speeds and still cool the card very well. Here is a link for it.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...198&CatId=1826

Thats the only one I can garente from experience will be quiet and fast. It also doesn't use much power and doesn't require a extra power cable.

01-05-2008, 10:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
jhick Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 15 OS: vista x64	what mid-range card to get? I am running vista, so I want a DX10 capable card. Price under $150 but would be willing to go up to $175 if it is a higher end card for a very good deal. Not willing to break that $175 mark so don't bother saying 'an 8800gt is the solution to all your problems'. A 512mb card would be preferable since I will be running a couple big monitors off of it. I will be doing some light gaming. Not trying to max out crysis or anything but maybe some COD4 and supreme commander(s). I am not huge into gaming. Noise is also a big factor. I just returned a diamond 2600xt that was very noisy. I want something that will not be the loudest item in my system. Since I will be running vista in aero, I am concerned that the card will be running hard all the time since it is in 3D mode? I am not sure on this though. The problem I have found with mid-range cards is that it could be hit or miss with fan rpm control and I dont want to end up with another card that cannot let me sleep at night. So far I have looked at the 2900pro for $175 but it is apparently very loud. I have also looked at the HD3850, but to get a 512mb version you have to hit that $200 mark. I have also checked out various HD2600s and 8600GTs, but have not been able to find one where I Am assured a quiet fan that revs down when not being used a lot. Thanks.

01-05-2008, 11:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 7,034 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: what mid-range card to get? I use the 2600 xt 512 by HIS. The fan on it is pretty quiet and doesn't go to full speed unless its under heavy use. Its a exaust fan style cooler so it can run at low speeds and still cool the card very well. Here is a link for it. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...198&CatId=1826 Thats the only one I can garente from experience will be quiet and fast. It also doesn't use much power and doesn't require a extra power cable. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list Last edited by emosun; 01-05-2008 at 11:22 PM.