[SOLVED] $300 Budget for a video card. Can you help?

ervand · 01-11-2009, 09:50 PM

Hello people! I need help!

I am looking for a video card. I will be using it to play games and do video editing. Actually I am happy with my recent video card if only it could play my games at highest settings.... I can play latest games, but at lowest resolution possible.

My system characteristics are:

Quote:

-Western Digital Raptor X WD1500AHFD 150GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 1.5Gbs Hard Drive
-COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
-2x Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gbs Hard Drive
- GIGABYTE GA-EX38-DS4 LGA 775 Intel X38 ATX Intel Motherboard
-SILVERSTONE ST85ZF 850W ATX 12V 2.2 & EPS12V SLI Certified Power Supply 90V ~ 264V (Auto Range)
- Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor
- CORSAIR DOMINATOR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

I have $300 to spend on my video card and my preference is that you give me a direct link to newegg.com. I would really appreciate it!

PS: By the way. I do have $300 to spend, but if you think I need to add 50-70 more because there is this one video card I should really-really get - I am down for it. One more thing, I won't overclock it, so if it I guess factory superclocked edition is a good choice for me.

~~Laptoper~~ · 01-11-2009, 10:10 PM

Personally I like the nVidia GeForce 9800 GX2 if your mostly gaming, Graphic comparator link.

http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards....=566&card2=560

ervand · 01-11-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laptoper

Personally I like the nVidia GeForce 9800 GX2 if your mostly gaming, Graphic comparator link.
http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards....=566&card2=560

I see it isn't sold on newegg. Can you give me a link to a place where it is sold? Also what manufacturer?

Anyone has any other suggestions?

**grimx133** · 01-11-2009, 11:42 PM

The 9800 GX2 is being phased out by nVidia, and they just released their flagship dual gpu card, the GTX295. That's a tad over the top though, you'd be better off with a GTX260 or GTX280. Something like this EVGA superclocked edition. It's one of the new 55nm. editions, though they cut down on the cooling for the new core, and it gets about the same temps as the 65nm version. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130433
At any rate, it's a great card. You don't say what you are using now, be interested to know to see how much of a jump it would be for you.

On the ATI side, the HD 4850 x2 is 300 bucks. Not many of them made yet, just sapphire.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...HD%204850%20X2

ervand · 01-12-2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grimx133

The 9800 GX2 is being phased out by nVidia

I'd like to go with nVidia...

So ummm... you are saying that GTX 260 is better then 9800 GX2?

groudon185p · 01-12-2009, 12:37 AM

the 260 is better but the 4850x2 would slaughter any nvidia card. Well not the gtx295 but a 4870x2 would beat it.

ervand · 01-12-2009, 12:42 AM

I think I will go with this GeForce GTX 280. I could have waited and spend a little more for $150, but as far as I seen from customers feed back it isn't worth for the $ difference.

It is on $100 sale right now. Making it $325 instead of $425.

Now I have two questions:

1. What do you think?! Your final word? =)

2. Will I be able to connect this video card to my hardware? I had some bad experience buying stuff that I couldn't connect because the slots or connecters were different....

**grimx133** · 01-12-2009, 12:48 AM

That is a great card. The GTX280 is the fastest single gpu video card at this time. There is a 55nm version that just came out that evga (don't know about the others) calls the GTX285, not sure the pricing on that, and it isn't at newegg yet, at lwast I haven't seen it. I had an email from evga yesterday morning and it was in it. I prefer nVidia in general myself, and evga for a manufacturer, well known for excellent customer support. Make sure you register the card within the first 30 days for the lifetime warranty.

edit - would of put in a link to the 280 the first time around, but thought it was too much over your budget. If your willing to part with the coin, that's the card that I'd choose.

ervand · 01-12-2009, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grimx133

That is a great card. The GTX280 is the fastest single gpu video card at this time. There is a 55nm version that just came out that evga (don't know about the others) calls the GTX285, not sure the pricing on that, and it isn't at newegg yet, at lwast I haven't seen it. I had an email from evga yesterday morning and it was in it. I prefer nVidia in general myself, and evga for a manufacturer, well known for excellent customer support. Make sure you register the card within the first 30 days for the lifetime warranty.

Does dual gpu make a lot of difference in gaming or in video editing/3d?

**grimx133** · 01-12-2009, 01:23 AM

In games it may or may not make a difference, it really depends on the game and if it is optimized for dual gpu's. I don't know about video editing, looked around a bit, but nothing definitive. Tom's Hardware might have some gpu comparisons for editing programs. They do for games, but these work machines have a problem with the site and crash, so I can't check. You can try going to www.tomshardware.com and look at their gpu comparisons, see if they do have anything for editing.

ervand · 01-12-2009, 05:44 AM

I see. I am getting GTX 280 tomorrow. Thanks for your suggestions. Let's continue this topic solved, but I will only mark it as "SOLVED" only when I actually order my card. Till then I'll accept any suggestions!

Thanks again in advance.

ervand · 01-12-2009, 12:25 PM

I got the video card, as well as several other things. Thanks for everybodies help.

01-11-2009, 10:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
~~Laptoper~~ Troubled Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 450 OS: Vista 32bit My System	Re: $300 Budget for a video card. Can you help? Personally I like the nVidia GeForce 9800 GX2 if your mostly gaming, Graphic comparator link. http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards....=566&card2=560

01-11-2009, 11:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,137 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: $300 Budget for a video card. Can you help? The 9800 GX2 is being phased out by nVidia, and they just released their flagship dual gpu card, the GTX295. That's a tad over the top though, you'd be better off with a GTX260 or GTX280. Something like this EVGA superclocked edition. It's one of the new 55nm. editions, though they cut down on the cooling for the new core, and it gets about the same temps as the 65nm version. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130433 At any rate, it's a great card. You don't say what you are using now, be interested to know to see how much of a jump it would be for you. On the ATI side, the HD 4850 x2 is 300 bucks. Not many of them made yet, just sapphire. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...HD%204850%20X2 __________________

01-12-2009, 12:37 AM	#6 (permalink)
groudon185p Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 288 OS: Vista Ultimate Sp1 My System	Re: $300 Budget for a video card. Can you help? the 260 is better but the 4850x2 would slaughter any nvidia card. Well not the gtx295 but a 4870x2 would beat it.

01-12-2009, 12:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
ervand Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 212 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 My System	Re: $300 Budget for a video card. Can you help? I think I will go with this GeForce GTX 280. I could have waited and spend a little more for $150, but as far as I seen from customers feed back it isn't worth for the $ difference. It is on $100 sale right now. Making it $325 instead of $425. Now I have two questions: 1. What do you think?! Your final word? =) 2. Will I be able to connect this video card to my hardware? I had some bad experience buying stuff that I couldn't connect because the slots or connecters were different.... __________________ http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1...ridezj1ig3.png Last edited by ervand; 01-12-2009 at 12:45 AM.

01-12-2009, 12:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,137 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: $300 Budget for a video card. Can you help? That is a great card. The GTX280 is the fastest single gpu video card at this time. There is a 55nm version that just came out that evga (don't know about the others) calls the GTX285, not sure the pricing on that, and it isn't at newegg yet, at lwast I haven't seen it. I had an email from evga yesterday morning and it was in it. I prefer nVidia in general myself, and evga for a manufacturer, well known for excellent customer support. Make sure you register the card within the first 30 days for the lifetime warranty. edit - would of put in a link to the 280 the first time around, but thought it was too much over your budget. If your willing to part with the coin, that's the card that I'd choose. __________________ Last edited by grimx133; 01-12-2009 at 12:50 AM.

01-12-2009, 01:23 AM	#10 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,137 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: $300 Budget for a video card. Can you help? In games it may or may not make a difference, it really depends on the game and if it is optimized for dual gpu's. I don't know about video editing, looked around a bit, but nothing definitive. Tom's Hardware might have some gpu comparisons for editing programs. They do for games, but these work machines have a problem with the site and crash, so I can't check. You can try going to www.tomshardware.com and look at their gpu comparisons, see if they do have anything for editing. __________________

01-12-2009, 05:44 AM	#11 (permalink)
ervand Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 212 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 My System	Re: $300 Budget for a video card. Can you help? I see. I am getting GTX 280 tomorrow. Thanks for your suggestions. Let's continue this topic solved, but I will only mark it as "SOLVED" only when I actually order my card. Till then I'll accept any suggestions! Thanks again in advance. __________________ http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1...ridezj1ig3.png

01-12-2009, 12:25 PM	#12 (permalink)
ervand Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 212 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate SP1 My System	Re: $300 Budget for a video card. Can you help? I got the video card, as well as several other things. Thanks for everybodies help. __________________ http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1...ridezj1ig3.png