Any recommendations for a card?

nighthawk3001 · 09-09-2008, 06:18 PM

I recently built my own computer but my current graphics card is beginning to physically fail. I'm trying to get it replaced but just in case I decide not to get a replacement from the manufacture, does anyone have any recommendations for a good card for my computer that is powerful but will not heat up badly and kill my computer.

My computer's hardware specs are at the following: http://myweb.wit.edu/lombardij/my_desktop_info.html

I prefer one with a Nvidia chipset, but any other suggestions are welcome.

nighthawk3001 · 09-09-2008, 06:21 PM

Also in case anyone is wondering, that other card listed on the computer's specs was apparently defective which is why I am getting another one.

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 09-09-2008, 06:26 PM

i would say an 8800 gt

akedm · 09-09-2008, 06:57 PM

I don't know much about Intel motherboards but I'd also upgrade the CPU, if you can for that slot-type. From what I know a Celeron is not a real gaming-oriented CPU. I second what OWNED says about the 8800GT, and unless I'm wrong about the Celeron, it will become the "weakest link" in your system. You certainly have everything else for a great system - the RAM and the power supply being real important.

Back to the graphics card : I second the 8800GT recommendation cause it's widely supported and at the moment only around $100+ at newegg.com, and is currently considered the best price-to-performance card in this Aug 29, 2008, article at Tom's Hardware.

nighthawk3001 · 09-09-2008, 07:21 PM

ok, thanks on the suggestion for the GPU. But what kind of processor would you recommend?

Also, I have a really stupid question, if I change out the CPU, do I have to reinstall windows? I'm only asking because I've never changed a CPU before and I know you have to do that when you change the motherboard.

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 09-09-2008, 07:23 PM

not normally if all goes well it should just boot let me check out your specs before i recommend somethign

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 09-09-2008, 07:24 PM

i'd say play it safe and get a q6600

nighthawk3001 · 09-09-2008, 07:32 PM

ok, thanks. I'll need to save up a little but I'll go for it.

now with the 8800 GT GPU, which card would you consider to be a good idea to go for?

nighthawk3001 · 09-09-2008, 08:01 PM

as in what brand and what specific card?

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 09-09-2008, 08:30 PM

evga are nice =D

nighthawk3001 · 09-09-2008, 08:45 PM

ok, one last question, when I looked up that type of graphics card and the ones made by evga, newegg.com says the interface type is PCI Express 2.0 x16, will my motherboard run it? I looked it up and it only says it has a PCI Express x16 port. I think it should be able to run it considering how new the motherboard is.

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 09-09-2008, 09:16 PM

it should
normally its only really bad chipsets that dont

nighthawk3001 · 09-09-2008, 09:19 PM

ok, thanks 0wn3d and akedm

I really appreciate the help :-)

**1 g0t 0wn3d** · 09-09-2008, 09:58 PM

your welcome..

akedm · 09-10-2008, 12:03 PM

you're welcome :)

09-09-2008, 06:18 PM	#1 (permalink)
nighthawk3001 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eastern Massachusetts, USA Posts: 95 OS: Windows XP Pro SP 3, Windows 7 Professional x64 My System	Any recommendations for a card? I recently built my own computer but my current graphics card is beginning to physically fail. I'm trying to get it replaced but just in case I decide not to get a replacement from the manufacture, does anyone have any recommendations for a good card for my computer that is powerful but will not heat up badly and kill my computer. My computer's hardware specs are at the following: http://myweb.wit.edu/lombardij/my_desktop_info.html I prefer one with a Nvidia chipset, but any other suggestions are welcome.

09-09-2008, 06:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
nighthawk3001 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eastern Massachusetts, USA Posts: 95 OS: Windows XP Pro SP 3, Windows 7 Professional x64 My System	Re: Any recommendations for a card? Also in case anyone is wondering, that other card listed on the computer's specs was apparently defective which is why I am getting another one.

09-09-2008, 06:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Any recommendations for a card? i would say an 8800 gt __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

09-09-2008, 06:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
akedm Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska, USA Posts: 336 OS: Win XP Media Center SP2	Re: Any recommendations for a card? I don't know much about Intel motherboards but I'd also upgrade the CPU, if you can for that slot-type. From what I know a Celeron is not a real gaming-oriented CPU. I second what OWNED says about the 8800GT, and unless I'm wrong about the Celeron, it will become the "weakest link" in your system. You certainly have everything else for a great system - the RAM and the power supply being real important. Back to the graphics card : I second the 8800GT recommendation cause it's widely supported and at the moment only around $100+ at newegg.com, and is currently considered the best price-to-performance card in this Aug 29, 2008, article at Tom's Hardware.

09-09-2008, 07:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
nighthawk3001 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eastern Massachusetts, USA Posts: 95 OS: Windows XP Pro SP 3, Windows 7 Professional x64 My System	Re: Any recommendations for a card? ok, thanks on the suggestion for the GPU. But what kind of processor would you recommend? Also, I have a really stupid question, if I change out the CPU, do I have to reinstall windows? I'm only asking because I've never changed a CPU before and I know you have to do that when you change the motherboard.

09-09-2008, 07:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Any recommendations for a card? not normally if all goes well it should just boot let me check out your specs before i recommend somethign __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

09-09-2008, 07:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Any recommendations for a card? i'd say play it safe and get a q6600 __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

09-09-2008, 07:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
nighthawk3001 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eastern Massachusetts, USA Posts: 95 OS: Windows XP Pro SP 3, Windows 7 Professional x64 My System	Re: Any recommendations for a card? ok, thanks. I'll need to save up a little but I'll go for it. now with the 8800 GT GPU, which card would you consider to be a good idea to go for?

09-09-2008, 08:01 PM	#9 (permalink)
nighthawk3001 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eastern Massachusetts, USA Posts: 95 OS: Windows XP Pro SP 3, Windows 7 Professional x64 My System	Re: Any recommendations for a card? as in what brand and what specific card?

09-09-2008, 08:30 PM	#10 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Any recommendations for a card? evga are nice =D __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

09-09-2008, 08:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
nighthawk3001 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eastern Massachusetts, USA Posts: 95 OS: Windows XP Pro SP 3, Windows 7 Professional x64 My System	Re: Any recommendations for a card? ok, one last question, when I looked up that type of graphics card and the ones made by evga, newegg.com says the interface type is PCI Express 2.0 x16, will my motherboard run it? I looked it up and it only says it has a PCI Express x16 port. I think it should be able to run it considering how new the motherboard is.

09-09-2008, 09:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Any recommendations for a card? it should normally its only really bad chipsets that dont __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

09-09-2008, 09:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
nighthawk3001 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eastern Massachusetts, USA Posts: 95 OS: Windows XP Pro SP 3, Windows 7 Professional x64 My System	Re: Any recommendations for a card? ok, thanks 0wn3d and akedm I really appreciate the help :-)

09-09-2008, 09:58 PM	#14 (permalink)
1 g0t 0wn3d TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Sedona, az Posts: 6,528 OS: Vista basic 32bit My System	Re: Any recommendations for a card? your welcome.. __________________ Bench Test \| PC Wizard \| System specs \| PSU info \| PSU calculator \| Memtest86+ \| Speedfan

09-10-2008, 12:03 PM	#15 (permalink)
akedm Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska, USA Posts: 336 OS: Win XP Media Center SP2	Re: Any recommendations for a card? you're welcome :)