Best Graphics Card for Mid-to-High Gaming PC

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bikeman92

New Member
I just recently built a computer for a Home Theater system but have decided to upgrade the graphics in it. I bought the Gigabyte GA-MA780G-UD3H motherboard with onboard ATI Radeon HD 3200 graphics which has worked great so far, but does not perform well with games. I have read and heard from many places and people that Crossfirex is not as good as just buying a high-end graphics card. I am not sure which graphics card would be best since I am relatively new to gaming. I have 4 GB of RAM, an AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Dual Core processor overclocked to 3.14 GHz, a 500W power supply, and a 22" 720p Visio Television and a 1440x900 LG Monitor. Currently I run the TV with HDMI and the Monitor with RGB. Any cable setup will work, but I prefer keeping both monitors. Thanks in advance for any help.
 
What kind of power supply do you have as in what brand and model. If it is a good quality brand then you can probably go with a 4850 or 4870. If it is an off brand then you will probably have to get a lesser card or upgrade your power supply to.
 
oregon said:
Don't worry about the PSU, it should handle any single card. As for which card to get, look for a deal on a GTX260 216, or a 4870/4890.
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System Requirements Minimum of a 500 Watt power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 36 Amp Amps.)
Two available 6-pin Molex hard drive power dongles


500W is the bare minimum that can be used with this card, but its not always advisable to use the bare minimum when doing intense gaming. I have a GTX 260 216core and im using a 700W ABS PSU. Havnt had any problems, last card i had was a 7600GT so it was a nice and powerful upgrade. Its OC capabilities are awesome and im using stock cooling on it. Best bet is to stick with the 9800 series cards or upgrade your PSU if you get a great deal on a 260+ card. Thats just my two cents.

(PS the 260gtx is def worth the wait if you can get it and a new PSU in couple of weeks or even a month trust me!)
 
oregon said:
Don't worry about the PSU, it should handle any single card. As for which card to get, look for a deal on a GTX260 216, or a 4870/4890.
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My gts250 and my cpu as a dual core only popped a cheap Apower 650w cpu in 20 minutes of gaming. Giant spark flew out. A gtx260 consumes quite a bit more power. Thats dangerous to have a cheap power supply with demanding hardware, thats a good way to kill your motherboard and/or several other components.
 
87dtna said:
My gts250 and my cpu as a dual core only popped a cheap Apower 650w cpu in 20 minutes of gaming. Giant spark flew out. A gtx260 consumes quite a bit more power. Thats dangerous to have a cheap power supply with demanding hardware, thats a good way to kill your motherboard and/or several other components.
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Good way to blow out other expensive parts too ;)
 
I agree 4850 is faster.

If you have the cash though id look into a 4870/GTX 260 they are both superior and what I would consider "mid range" since the 4890/GTX 295 are considered high end. (mind you 4890x2 for SLI)
 
You will be wasting money getting high end card for 22' monitor, I assume you are running 1680/1050 and any decent card will play games in high settings at that resolution, go for GTS 250, worth every penny....
 
Matthew1990 said:
You will be wasting money getting high end card for 22' monitor, I assume you are running 1680/1050 and any decent card will play games in high settings at that resolution, go for GTS 250, worth every penny....
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Ew GTS 250 Urgh Yuck 275GTX Ftw or ATi 4890 like mwa :P
 
9800gt would be good. or maybe a 9800gtx. i got a xfx 9800gt and can play crysis on very high settings
 
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