Advice on GPU, please.

Brett_md

Brett_md

Member
Hello,

I don't know much about GPUs. I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for as far as compatibility with my current PC. I'm not really into gaming, even though I've been thinking of starting. I watch a lot of movies though and would like to get the best picture I can.

Based on the system in my signature, could anyone help me find a compatible graphics card for around $100.00?

I think my mobo supports PCI express x16. Is that good? What else would I need to look at when considering a graphics card?

Thanks for any help with my confusion.
 
mx344 said:
something for gaming, would be like this.
This is the best card you can get for under 100$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127420


Mid-Level gaming, great for movies
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102794

Low-gaming, Good for movies
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162018
Click to expand...


Ok, cool. Thanks. A few follow up questions.
1) These say that they are DirectX 10. I currently have directX 9. Will they work with DirectX 9 or does it have to be 10?
2) If it has to be DirectX 10, is that something I can use with XP 32-bit?
3) These are also all PCI Express 2.0 x16. My mobe says it supports PCI Express x16. Is it reverse compatible? Will these cards run on a PCI Express x16 mobo?

Thanks for your help.
 
Brett_md said:
Ok, cool. Thanks. A few follow up questions.
1) These say that they are DirectX 10. I currently have directX 9. Will they work with DirectX 9 or does it have to be 10?
They will run DirectX 9, no problem.

2) If it has to be DirectX 10, is that something I can use with XP 32-bit?
No. Vista only, but they will work just fine on Dx9

3) These are also all PCI Express 2.0 x16. My mobe says it supports PCI Express x16. Is it reverse compatible? Will these cards run on a PCI Express x16 mobo?
No worries.

Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...
Answers in Red.
 
Very cool. Thanks!! I'm learning this stuff one piece at a time, and I'm loving it!!

I'd also like to ask your opinions about what it is you mainly look at, specs wise, when comparing graphics cards. I notice some differences when comparing them side by side, but I'm not sure what is causing the main price and performance difference. Any hints would be appreciated.
 
One more thing that has me baffled. Just playing around, I was going to put a spare graphics card in my mobo. It's a GeForce 6800. But when I looked at my mobo, there wasn't a slot for the graphics card.

I'm kind of confused. Are there multiple/different slots for graphics cards? Any idea as to what kind of graphics card would fit my mobo? Is this 6800 just too old for this mobo or does the mobo not support this type? Would the above suggested graphics cards work with this mobo? Hmmmmm.

mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131318&Tpk=m3n78-vm
 
Expansion Slots
PCI Express x16 1
PCI Express x1 1
PCI Slots 2
Click to expand...
Yes, the graphics slots are ever evolving to pass more data through the port.

The mobo you listed is PCI-Express x16, which is 16 times faster than the standard PCI slots (2 white ones). People used to put graphics cards in those slots! lol

Your 6800 is probably an AGP card.

AGP slots are either 4x or 8x
 
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PCI bus contacts will look like this and AGP contacts will look like this.
Here’s a good article about current GPU’s, and the hierarchy chart at the end of the article gives you an idea of how well a particular GPU will perform in comparison to other GPU’s.
 
Bodaggit23 said:
Yes, the graphics slots are ever evolving to pass more data through the port.

The mobo you listed is PCI-Express x16, which is 16 times faster than the standard PCI slots (2 white ones). People used to put graphics cards in those slots! lol

Your 6800 is probably an AGP card.

AGP slots are either 4x or 8x
Click to expand...


You're right, I finally found that my card is AGP. I should've guessed that it wouldn't have been so simple as to have a standard format on a PC. Just when I think I know what something is, there are twelve newer/different versions available. Oh well.

So, what's the difference between x16 and 2.0 x16? Are these different slot types? As I previously asked, would a card that is PCI Express 2.0 x16 work on a mobo that is PCI Express x16? It would seem to me that they are diffenent formats and wouldn't be compatible. What's the difference?

:confused:
 
jevery said:
PCI bus contacts will look like this and AGP contacts will look like this.
Here’s a good article about current GPU’s, and the hierarchy chart at the end of the article gives you an idea of how well a particular GPU will perform in comparison to other GPU’s.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the input. I just grow more and more confused. neither of the pin sets of these look like mine. Grrrrr!!
 

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Brett_md said:
I should've guessed that it wouldn't have been so simple as to have a standard format on a PC.
It is a standard slot, it's just evolving, like I said.

So, what's the difference between x16 and 2.0 x16? Are these different slot types?
Same slot, faster bus.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI_Express#PCI_Express_2.0

As I previously asked, would a card that is PCI Express 2.0 x16 work on a mobo that is PCI Express x16?
Yes, the older rev card would work fine, it just wouldn't run to the boards fullest potential.
Click to expand...
Answers in Red
 
Ok, I've actually been saving up to get a little something better here. At this point I'm just asking everyones opinions on these two cards. Both pretty close price wise. If you like, take a look at my sig to see what I'll be putting this card into/with. In your opinion, will these cards work alright with the system I have, or will they be too weak/strong/etc. Keep in mind, I'm not a HUGE gamer, but am wanting to get something in my system since I'm running off the onboard video right now.


EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 - $115 after rebate (plus shipping) (free CoD: World at War)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339


EVGA 512-P3-1150-TR GeForce GTS 250 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 - $120 after rebate (free shipping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130468


Please let me know what you think. Thanks!!
 
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Nevermind, I'm a freakin' tool. After a little more research, I quickly found that the 9800gtx+ and gts 250 are pretty much the same thing. I've gone with the GTS 250. Should arrive tomorrow. Thanks again everyone.
 
Brett_md said:
Nevermind, I'm a freakin' tool. After a little more research, I quickly found that the 9800gtx+ and gts 250 are pretty much the same thing. I've gone with the GTS 250. Should arrive tomorrow. Thanks again everyone.
Click to expand...

You shoulda got a 9800gtx+ for the cheaper price and free game:P
 
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