Stock graphics vs. older card?

bluesoul · 04-02-2008, 07:07 PM

I'd consider myself up on technology in general but I'm not sure what to do here. I picked up a new HP desktop in December, specced thus:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz
3GB PC2-5300 DDR2 RAM
2x320GB 7200RPM HDD
nVidia GeForce 7350LE (256? Probably?)

I picked this up to replace a system I lost to lightning, which I had built and was running dual 6600GTs in SLI (at the time of building, the best bang-for-the-buck setup you could really do). I've still got both cards, and I've considered sticking one of them in the system and forgoing a video card upgrade for a while longer. I don't do terribly much gaming on it, but enough that I like to stay with the times. I don't do the ridiculous high-end GTX'es or anything like that, but I'm willing to go with the "above-average" pick.

So would the slightly-dated 6600GT be an improvement over the stock 7350LE? I can't seem to find benchmarks for the 7350LE. Also, what would be the current champ in the $150-200 range?

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: If the 6600GT is an improvement, is it enough of an improvement to put the stability of the system at risk? I know of the conflicts between nVidia and Vista and I have no way of downgrading to XP short of using a lot of homebrew drivers.

zaknafein72 · 04-02-2008, 08:31 PM

In that price range, 8800gt definitely gives the best bang for the buck, imho. I'm not sure about your other question. If you decide to get an 8800, however, you have to make sure that your PSU is up to the job. It quite possibly isn't.

bluesoul · 04-02-2008, 08:55 PM

Didn't think about that, I've got a 500 watt Antec laying about here somewhere I've never used, should fit fine as the inside's surprisingly standard for an HP rig. Thanks for the recommendation.

Jolt · 04-03-2008, 08:36 AM

Just to jump in (hope its not too late!!) I made the jump from an OC'd 6600 up to a 8800GTS and of course I'm seeing an improvement in FPS in games, and it is true I never used the 6600 in Vista, but I would say that with my current card all of the 'nvidia vs vista' problems that dogged Vista users early on seem to have gone away.

So, I'd say whack in the 6600 and see how it does, the worst that happens is you have to take it out and the system will default back to the onboard GFX. On the other hand, you could get yourself a more graphically powerful system for no extra outlay.

04-02-2008, 07:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
bluesoul Zooey loves you. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Paducah, KY USA Posts: 137 OS: Vista Home Premium SP1, XP Pro SP2 My System	Stock graphics vs. older card? I'd consider myself up on technology in general but I'm not sure what to do here. I picked up a new HP desktop in December, specced thus: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.4GHz 3GB PC2-5300 DDR2 RAM 2x320GB 7200RPM HDD nVidia GeForce 7350LE (256? Probably?) I picked this up to replace a system I lost to lightning, which I had built and was running dual 6600GTs in SLI (at the time of building, the best bang-for-the-buck setup you could really do). I've still got both cards, and I've considered sticking one of them in the system and forgoing a video card upgrade for a while longer. I don't do terribly much gaming on it, but enough that I like to stay with the times. I don't do the ridiculous high-end GTX'es or anything like that, but I'm willing to go with the "above-average" pick. So would the slightly-dated 6600GT be an improvement over the stock 7350LE? I can't seem to find benchmarks for the 7350LE. Also, what would be the current champ in the $150-200 range? Thanks in advance. EDIT: If the 6600GT is an improvement, is it enough of an improvement to put the stability of the system at risk? I know of the conflicts between nVidia and Vista and I have no way of downgrading to XP short of using a lot of homebrew drivers. Last edited by bluesoul; 04-02-2008 at 07:08 PM.

04-02-2008, 08:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
zaknafein72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 136 OS: xp	Re: Stock graphics vs. older card? In that price range, 8800gt definitely gives the best bang for the buck, imho. I'm not sure about your other question. If you decide to get an 8800, however, you have to make sure that your PSU is up to the job. It quite possibly isn't.

04-02-2008, 08:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
bluesoul Zooey loves you. Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Paducah, KY USA Posts: 137 OS: Vista Home Premium SP1, XP Pro SP2 My System	Re: Stock graphics vs. older card? Didn't think about that, I've got a 500 watt Antec laying about here somewhere I've never used, should fit fine as the inside's surprisingly standard for an HP rig. Thanks for the recommendation.

04-03-2008, 08:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
Jolt Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 71 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP2 My System	Re: Stock graphics vs. older card? Just to jump in (hope its not too late!!) I made the jump from an OC'd 6600 up to a 8800GTS and of course I'm seeing an improvement in FPS in games, and it is true I never used the 6600 in Vista, but I would say that with my current card all of the 'nvidia vs vista' problems that dogged Vista users early on seem to have gone away. So, I'd say whack in the 6600 and see how it does, the worst that happens is you have to take it out and the system will default back to the onboard GFX. On the other hand, you could get yourself a more graphically powerful system for no extra outlay.