[DerekSymonds]

Would I be best off replacing the card with the same 9800GT? Do they even make them anymore?

Whats the modern equivalent? I was very happy with it so I want a graphics card that gives similar performance. I'll have to order it....which one should I go for? How much should it cost roughly?

Thanks.

Just out of interest...if I was to buy the GT430, is my PSU ok to run that?

What are the major differences I will notice between its performance and that of the 9800GT? Just more sluggish gameplay? Are there any drawbacks non-gaming related?

 

[Jupiter2]

Your current PSU is not good for anything except onboard vga. Continue to use that PSU and you will, eventually, fry up all the other hardware, one by one.

 

[koala]

The GT430 will give lower framerates when playing games. For general desktop work and games that are not too demanding, it should be ok though. See here for a comparison: GeForce 9800 GT 1GB vs GeForce GT 430 1GB – Performance Comparison Benchmarks @ Hardware Compare

I wouldn't trust your current PSU with a new graphics card. It's 4 years old, so has already lasted longer than the manufacturer expected. (Good quality PSUs come with a 3-5 year warranty, lower quality units only give 1 year)

If you're happy with the 9800GT's performance and you can find another one still available for sale, it's a great card that can handle most current games at decent settings. Otherwise, something like the HD5770 is reasonably priced and will out-perform your current card.

What's your budget for the new card and PSU, and what country are you in?

 

[DerekSymonds]

Ok so whatever happens I'm gonna need a new PSU even though my computer guy insists my one is fine. Now that I think about it I dont think its 4 years old...I'm pretty sure its a replacement from a coupla years back. Anyway I dont wanna risk damaging any more components cuz of the PSU so I'll get a 600W unit.

Now I need to go in there tomorrow and figure out which card I can order. I'm in Vietnam so the choices are limited.

My budget is flexible..so I just want one thats comparable with the 9800GT. I'll check the order list for the Radeon card you mentioned.

Other than that is there a modern nvidia card thats equivalent to the 9800GT? I'm told the 9800GT cannot be ordered so no chance of getting that again.

I guess this is all gonna run me about 2-300 dollars. dammit.

 

[koala]

If you want to go for an nvidia card, the GeForce GT250 gives the same performance level as the 9800GT, or the GTX260 is slightly faster.

 

[DerekSymonds]

I ended up going for a a quick fix.

Same PSU and replaced the GPU with the GT430.

2 days later, my hard disk has started malfunctioning. Cyclic redundency errors.

[sigh]

Will format and reinstall windows xp.

 

[spunk.funk]

my hard disk has started malfunctioning. Cyclic redundency errors.

CRC errors are caused by either a miss communication with the computer (Bad Data cable, not enough power) or more likely, bad sectors on the HDD.
When formatting the drive, do a Full Format (Not a Quick) and/or tests with HDD Diagnostic tool.

 

[DerekSymonds]

I'm doing a chckdisk on a different 500GB sata drive now spunk...via usb.

2 hours in.....halfway done.....

[sigh].

 

[spunk.funk]

2 hours in.....halfway done.....

This is not a good sign. This means there are a lot of Bad Sectors. This may fix it to be useable for a while but I wouldn't use it as a boot drive.

 

[DerekSymonds]

This is not a good sign. This means there are a lot of Bad Sectors. This may fix it to be useable for a while but I wouldn't use it as a boot drive.

It's just finished. I may have exaggerated a touch....it was probably 2 hours total.

Via a usb HD dock mind.....2 hours aint that bad is it?

 

[Jupiter2]

Ok so whatever happens I'm gonna need a new PSU even though my computer guy insists my one is fine

but does your PC guy know what GPU you are using or did he just test the PSU to see if it worked?

What resulted of your ChkDsk? Dd it show any bad sectors?

 

[DerekSymonds]

but does your PC guy know what GPU you are using or did he just test the PSU to see if it worked?

Oh he had my whole computer in his shop.

You gotto remember though this is vietnam. The quickest, easiest way is the way which usually happens.

What resulted of your ChkDsk? Dd it show any bad sectors?

It just said..."disk check finished" or words to such effect.

 

[Jupiter2]

Everybody has told you the PSU is below wattage for your PC so what more can we say?

 

[DerekSymonds]

I guess this thread is done then. My graphics card burnt out.

Thanks to everyone that helped.