gaming video cards

[AllStar1500bd 5,000+ posts]

well, i just upgraded my memory to 1.5gm RAM, so now its time to upgrade my video card as well. i am running a stock HP video card from the a630n system, so i'm sure anything will be an upgrade from this.

can anybody here suggest a good video card at a good price? i do a lot of gaming, and tired of running my games with graphics not fully accelerated. i was looking along the lines of a 6600GT

which one of these is the better deal. HDTV isn't needed.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130214

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814135185

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814122201

Any input would be appreciated. If there's a nice video card u know of at a good price, let me know.

Click to read more...

 

[wilzyx 5,000+ posts]

i would say step up to the 6800gt, amazing card, just go to tomshardware.com and look at the framerate comparisons, the 6800gt is constantly near the top below the 7800 and x850

 

[killahbean 10+ year member]

well, i just upgraded my memory to 1.5gm RAM, so now its time to upgrade my video card as well. i am running a stock HP video card from the a630n system, so i'm sure anything will be an upgrade from this.
can anybody here suggest a good video card at a good price? i do a lot of gaming, and tired of running my games with graphics not fully accelerated. i was looking along the lines of a 6600GT

which one of these is the better deal. HDTV isn't needed.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130214

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814135185

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814122201

Any input would be appreciated. If there's a nice video card u know of at a good price, let me know.

Yesss it is time to upgrade....

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[Moe Lester 10+ year member]

does your HP even have an AGP or PCI Express slot?

 

[GemaRastem 10+ year member]

what kind of powersupply do you have?

 

[killahbean 10+ year member]

yea make sure your motherboard can handle the newer videocards.....

 

[AllStar1500bd 5,000+ posts]

does your HP even have an AGP or PCI Express slot?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't I just replace my current video card with the upgrade? Here are the complete specs on my comp, and it says there is a PCI Express x16 slot but it is being used, I assume by my current video card. http://hardware.gamespot.com/HP-Pavilion-A630n-2878-S-1-2

 

[AllStar1500bd 5,000+ posts]

what kind of powersupply do you have?

power supply is 300 watts.

 

[skeptikal Premium Member]

Get a nice PCI video card and call it a day. I don't think that mobo has AGP inputs.

 

[AllStar1500bd 5,000+ posts]

The Nvidia 6800GS is the best bang for the $$$ out there right now and walks all over ATI's offerings in that price range. However, you're going to have to commit almost $200 for that. Definitely worth it, though.
In the

However, depending on what else you're running, that power supply may or may not be sufficient ... You may want to upgrade it in the future if it's a generic ATX power supply (pray you don't have a proprietary one because it'll cost a lot to upgrade).

I really wasn't looking to spend over $200, so I think I'm going to stay with the 6600GT. Also because my power supply may not be sufficient for a video card that recommends a 350 watt or higher power supply.
My mobo does have a x16 PCI Express slot but it is currently being used by my current video card. Is it safe to assume that I can take out my current card and just replace it with an upgrade?

 

[AllStar1500bd 5,000+ posts]

So, I decided on this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130214

This is my first time video card shopping, so thanks for the help you guys. Does this look decent?

 

[AllStar1500bd 5,000+ posts]

Other cards I'd consider:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130257[/URL]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102613

 

The Sapphire X800GTO Fireblade Edition looks to be the best one for $160 or less ... It was over $200 a few weeks ago ...

Wow, good eye. I didn't notice that. From the looks of it, I may just be going with that one. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/up2something.gif.dd110ecf3ae4b76050d87598f2f8de7c.gif

 

[Moe Lester 10+ year member]

Power supplies wattages are not the only thing you need to be looking at now. If you were to go with a 6800GT you NEED 28 amps minimum on the 12v rail. I bet that the PSU in your HP doesnt even have 20 amps. Power supplies can make an incredible difference if you cant give the components what they need.

 

[AllStar1500bd 5,000+ posts]

If you were to go with a 6800GT you NEED 28 amps minimum on the 12v rail. I bet that the PSU in your HP doesnt even have 20 amps.

Do you know of a way I can find out how many amps my PSU has?

 

[AllStar1500bd 5,000+ posts]

Looks like 19 amps @ +12v

So, this is my power supply: http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=HP-D3057F3R&cat=PWR

How much does this limit me if I purchase the Sapphire card? Also, would my power supply be upgradable?