Advice - video card

[Chorizo]

I believe we have a few hardware guru's here so might aswell ask for advice :).


Currently I have two NVidia GeForce 9800GT cards in SLI mode. Now it appears one of them has died on me (crashes in any game I play). I disabled SLI and my primary card still appears to work fine. Though I have a bad feeling about it and I guess I better be prepared when the shit hits the fan.

Do you guys have some suggestions for a decent card (say 350 euro's max) with which I can still play my games on high settings.

I have looked at the ATI HD5870 and the NVidia GTX470 (which are around my price limit) but to be honest there is a lot on the market and I have only limited hardware knowledge so some expert opinions would be welcome!

[Feday]

I got a 5750 or 5770 - not sure, but that one was about 140-150 euros. More then fine for the current crop of games, but I don't know what your upgrade path is. If your other hardware is fine for the coming years I reckon you might idd go for a top-of-the-range card.

[Smeg]

Also consider Chorizo plays on a 22" monitor, isnt it? It's quite big diff. for a card to supply a 17" or a 24" with a descent framerate.

[Feday]

Ah true, a 1920x1080 will require a somewhat more beastly gpu to play BFBC2 and the likes at full eyecandy.

[Myca]

I have a ATI 5770 and play BF:BC2 with max options on 1920x1080 with ease. :)

[Feday]

I have a ATI 5770 and play BF:BC2 with max options on 1920x1080 with ease. :)

Yeah it might be fine, I play at max settings on 1280*1024 - need a new monitor.

Chorizo is an old-skool competitive fps player, aka a demanding type, though. Occasional framerate drops to 20fps are not acceptable, I reckon.

[Chorizo]

Yeah it might be fine, I play at max settings on 1280*1024 - need a new monitor.

Chorizo is an old-skool competitive fps player, aka a demanding type, though. Occasional framerate drops to 20fps are not acceptable, I reckon.

Yer .... getting killed because of that would seriously freak me out :). Standard resolution i play on is 1650:1024 or something.

I don't have a serious upgrade plan ... rest of my comp is still pretty good (costed me 1500 euros about 1.75 years ago) and I seriously hope I don't need any other upgrades soon.

A good card that will get me through some of the newer MMO's and FPS games for the comming two years (with the 1920x1080 resolution - i expect to upgrade my screen before the end of the year) will be good enough for me.

[Noekoe]

Doesnt really matter any more wich brand you take. Just take the one you have best feeling with. the 58xx serie is as fine as the 4xx serie from Nvidia.

Ask me for the price first though before you buy. You pay 350 for those cards i pay 250. So hook me up if you need anything. I can dropship to home adresses np.

[Chorizo]

Thanks for the advice.

I will probably go for the HD 5870. I will make sure to contact Noe when I decide :D

I will first check how well my 1 remaining card holds up through the weekend

:scared:

[Maloko]

Ah true, a 1920x1080 will require a somewhat more beastly gpu to play BFBC2 and the likes at full eyecandy.

I play BC2 on a HD4870/1GB (currently can be bought for a mere 90 euros or some) on highest setting + AAx8.. runs still smooth.
That on a 24 inch @ 1920*1080, supported by a Q6600 Quadcore 2,4ghz.

So for that 350 euro you want to spend on a card you can buy something thats good for a long time :D

[Chorizo]

I play BC2 on a HD4870/1GB (currently can be bought for a mere 90 euros or some) on highest setting + AAx8.. runs still smooth.
That on a 24 inch @ 1920*1080, supported by a Q6600 Quadcore 2,4ghz.

So for that 350 euro you want to spend on a card you can buy something thats good for a long time :D

Well, it doesn't HAVE to cost 350, cheaper is also good :). But i don't want to buy something that wil fail me (in the sense of not being able to play new cool, demanding games at best settings) within a year.

[airith]

i understand u maloko brother helped me little bit but we forgot to watch how much we can improve my comp that now my power is failing about hardly my graphic card needs minimiun 450wats and my power core is 400wats so kinda fail improve coz now i need to buy new power core to my comp:first:
only try to note u that remember ur old parts of ur computer :D

[Chorizo]

i understand u maloko brother helped me little bit but we forgot to watch how much we can improve my comp that now my power is failing about hardly my graphic card needs minimiun 450wats and my power core is 400wats so kinda fail improve coz now i need to buy new power core to my comp:first:
only try to note u that remember ur old parts of ur computer :D

Thanks for the advice :)

I have 750W power supply and currently support 2 cards (as to only one later) so I recon power wise all will be ok ^^

[Noekoe]

i understand u maloko brother helped me little bit but we forgot to watch how much we can improve my comp that now my power is failing about hardly my graphic card needs minimiun 450wats and my power core is 400wats so kinda fail improve coz now i need to buy new power core to my comp:first:
only try to note u that remember ur old parts of ur computer :D

Just connect 1 disk and a vid card than 400w might make it untill you have a new psu.

[Myca]

Ofc Watts aint all that counts.... I mean.. you can have a 550 Watts PSU that will kick the ass of a 700 Watts PSU if the rails are poor. Allways make sure the rails of your 12V is able to support the load. :)