Suggestions for a new video card that is compatible with my current system?

JohnJSal

JohnJSal

Active Member
Well, I'm afraid the problem I'm having is a bad GPU, so I probably have to get a new one. The one I currently have is listed below and maybe there's some kind of warranty that I can take advantage of, I'm not sure.

Otherwise, I was wondering what I need to know to make sure a new GPU is compatible with my system. Is it basically anything that will fit into my mobo? I also don't want one that my PSU can't handle.

Finally, what are the latest chipsets that I should be looking at? I haven't kept up much since I got my 8800GT two years ago, so I don't know what might be better at this point, while still being fairly cheap given that the rest of the PC is two years old.

Thanks.

(Anyone know anything about EVGA's warranty/policy on bad cards?)

Edit: One specific question would be is 512MB still good, or should I look at a higher amount? I see http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339 as an option, but it's 512MB.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130440 is a 1GB option
 
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daisymtc said:
Best EVGA card within your budget would be GTS 250 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130538

Althernatively, $150 5770 would be an alternate choice to consider
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161317&cm_re=5770-_-14-161-317-_-Product

For brand wise, XFX is a good brand for its warranty.
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I think that EVGA Geforce GTS 250 is a good card. Personally, though, I would wait until March 26 for when Nvidia's new Fermi cards come out. They're not going to be in your price range, so you should probably wait until they come out with lower-end fermi cards, most likely around end-of-April, I'd say.
 
I'm considering this one for two reasons: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130435

1. It's basically identical to what I have now, and I'm mainly looking for something similar, not necessarily something much more powerful.

2. It's the same size, rather than the larger size of the GTX models.

Is there any difference between the 9800GT and my 8800GT? The specs really do seem identical, so I'm not sure what's different other than the model number.

(Btw, that GTS 250 seemed to get some pretty bad reviews! Is the 200 series supposed to be the latest chipset?)
 
If you do in fact just want to get the 9800 GT, then get this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&cm_re=Geforce_9800_GT-_-14-143-187-_-Product
It's got 1gb of memory, vs. the 512mb one you picked out. It's got a slightly lower GPU clock, but it'll use the same core as the one you picked out, so you can just OC it to the specs of the EVGA one when you get it. Plus, it gets great reviews just like the EVGA one. Of course, it doesn't have as many reviews. If you see the review saying that it can't overclock, that's only if you raise the voltage. You don't need to raise the voltage to still achieve a decent clock speed.
 
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spynoodle said:
If you do in fact just want to get the 9800 GT, then get this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&cm_re=Geforce_9800_GT-_-14-143-187-_-Product
It's got 1gb of memory, vs. the 512mb one you picked out. It's got a slightly lower GPU clock, but it'll use the same core as the one you picked out, so you can just OC it to the specs of the EVGA one when you get it. Plus, it gets great reviews just like the EVGA one. Of course, it doesn't have as many reviews. If you see the review saying that it can't overclock, that's only if you raise the voltage. You don't need to raise the voltage to still achieve a decent clock speed.
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Actually there is an EVGA model that's exactly the same as the 9800GT I linked above, but it's 1GB instead of 512MB. I may go with that one instead.

But I had a question about it. Given that all the specs (core clock, stream processors, etc) are identical and the only difference is the amount of memory, could that mean that the 1GB won't perform as well as the 512MB since it's twice as much memory but everything else is the same? Do the other specs somehow interact with the memory in such a way that they are enough for 512MB but not quite as good for 1GB? Or am I just thinking about it incorrectly?
 
512MB is still good
u can buy HD 4770 or HD 5770 with DDR5 memories it could be the greatest replacement for 8800
 
JohnJSal said:
Actually there is an EVGA model that's exactly the same as the 9800GT I linked above, but it's 1GB instead of 512MB. I may go with that one instead.

But I had a question about it. Given that all the specs (core clock, stream processors, etc) are identical and the only difference is the amount of memory, could that mean that the 1GB won't perform as well as the 512MB since it's twice as much memory but everything else is the same? Do the other specs somehow interact with the memory in such a way that they are enough for 512MB but not quite as good for 1GB? Or am I just thinking about it incorrectly?
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No, a memory increase will never make it slower. Why would you bay $40 more for the Evga one, though, rather than get the BFG one. They're not a bad brand. Especially with the kind of ratings that specific BFG one gets, I would never pay $40 more for a brand that just might be slightly better.
 
dude go with a 5770. it is WAYYYY better than the 8800GT, is cheap, gives u dx11, is futureproofish, and is ati so u get better oc ability
 
jarlmaster47 said:
dude go with a 5770. it is WAYYYY better than the 8800GT, is cheap, gives u dx11, is futureproofish, and is ati so u get better oc ability
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The OP DOESN'T WANT TO PAY A HUGE AMOUNT FOR ONE OF THE BEST VIDEO CARDS OUT THERE!!!! He just wants a card to replace his dead 8800 GT. He's not upgrading, he's just finding a good, reliable replacement.
 
Oh I am SOOOO sorry for suggesting a great budget video card. Everyone wants something better. No one wants to settle or krap. Chill out spynoodle and hop off
 
spynoodle said:
No, a memory increase will never make it slower. Why would you bay $40 more for the Evga one, though, rather than get the BFG one. They're not a bad brand. Especially with the kind of ratings that specific BFG one gets, I would never pay $40 more for a brand that just might be slightly better.
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Well, I want a card that's at least as good as my current one, so the lower clock speed makes me hesitate on that one, even if it's not much of a difference.

Also, I don't quite understand the "Low Power Design"...does that mean it doesn't need the PSU? Can a card that powerful really not need extra power? Or if it does need the PSU, what is the whole low power thing?
 
jarlmaster47 said:
Oh I am SOOOO sorry for suggesting a great budget video card. Everyone wants something better. No one wants to settle or krap. Chill out spynoodle and hop off
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Heh heh, don't fight over little ol' me, guys. ;)

TBH, I am of the "replace, not upgrade" mindset, but it did cross my mind that since I'm replacing it, maybe I could get something a little better.

However, I don't want to spend more than $150 max (and not even that much) on the replacement, especially since some new nVidias will be released soon (but not soon enough to wait -- I'm already having WoW withdrawal!).

So basically I'm considering the 9800GT, which seems to be the twin brother of my 8800GT. :)
 
spynoodle said:
If you do in fact just want to get the 9800 GT, then get this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&cm_re=Geforce_9800_GT-_-14-143-187-_-Product
It's got 1gb of memory, vs. the 512mb one you picked out. It's got a slightly lower GPU clock, but it'll use the same core as the one you picked out, so you can just OC it to the specs of the EVGA one when you get it. Plus, it gets great reviews just like the EVGA one. Of course, it doesn't have as many reviews. If you see the review saying that it can't overclock, that's only if you raise the voltage. You don't need to raise the voltage to still achieve a decent clock speed.
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What about this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133279

It seems identical to the BFG one, but even cheaper. Aside from the specs, I don't know what I should be looking for in these cards.

Edit: and yet another one like your suggestion: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130535
 
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Well, I went with a GTS 250. Definitely a solid (and slightly better) replacement card. Hopefully it won't be too loud. After a minute in WoW, it definitely got a little louder than my 8800GT ever did...but at least I can play WoW now! :)

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and advice. I'm thrilled to know it was something worse, like the PSU (at least, so far it seems not!).
 
JohnJSal said:
Well, I went with a GTS 250. Definitely a solid (and slightly better) replacement card. Hopefully it won't be too loud. After a minute in WoW, it definitely got a little louder than my 8800GT ever did...but at least I can play WoW now! :)

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and advice. I'm thrilled to know it was something worse, like the PSU (at least, so far it seems not!).
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Good chocie, the Geforce GTS 250 is a pretty good card for its price. I would give it my :good:

P.S. Sorry to start an argument Jarlmaster. Guess I was a bit harsh....
 
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