What should I bee looking for in a Graphics Card?

T

Trio

New Member
I'm looking for an ATI PCI-E graphics card, but I'm not sure what I should be looking at.

I checked out the top ATI PCI-E card on the ASUS site and I found these specs for it, the EAH3870/G/HTDI/512M (I'll post what seems important):

Video Memory: DDR4 512MB
Engine Clock: 775 MHz
Memory Clock: 2.25GHz (1.125GHz DDR4)
RAMDAC: 400MHZ
Memory Interface: 256-bit
DVI Max Resolution: 2560x1600
Card Size: 4.376 inches x 9 inches


What specs should I be concerned about? And... The comp I'm planning on making will have an ASUS Rampage Formula, Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550, 4 GB DDR2 (not sure what brand though), and I haven't decided on a case, but I have a list of them to choose from (will have at least 3 120mm fans). Will the comp I'm building support this card? What really bothers me is the DDR4 spec for the graphics card, becaue the Rampage Formula mobo only has DDR2. Also, some of these ATI PCI-E cards have fans and heatsink, but I might use a GPU waterblock, so I'm wondering can I remove these fans and heatsinks? Thanks in advance for answering.
 
the numbers don't mean a whole lot, the best thing would be to look up reviews of different cards comparing them head to head. Pick the newest most graphically intense game you play and compare cards in your price range.

heatsinks can be removed and all the gpus (graphics cards) you will be looking at have HSF (heatsink & fans) and they will have to be removed to fit a waterblock on them.

Your best bet would be to research more on computers and building computers before you dive right in. In fact, if you want im sure there is a plethora of people that will find parts online for a build in your pricerange if you tell us what you will be using the computer for and what your budget is.
 
A gaming rig. Below $300 I guess, I don't mind going a bit higher, though I'm a newbie so I probably won't notice the extra performance boost. I might just upgrade later on, so probably just a card $300 or below lol.

So it doesn't matter that the card video memory is DDR4 and my mobo only supports DDR2?
 
below $300 for the card, ok that shouldn't be hard.

and the motherboard supports DDR2 system RAM, the video card has its own ram which doesn't really matter to what your motherboard supports.

Now to the $300 card, i'd suggest an 8800GTS on the lower end of your budget (around 220) or a 9800GTX towards the higher end of your budget. Another choice may be to go either crossfire or SLI.


For the rest of your system post in the desktop question thread and i'm sure the nice people at computerforum can actually improve the bang for your buck of your entire system, they often make similar systems to what you are looking for and people know what parts are worth it and what parts are over-rated.
 
Well I read that Crossfire is better than SLI, and SLI requires the graphics cards to be exactly the same, so I'm going with something crossfire compatible ( plus the ASUS Rampage Formula mobo uses an intel chipset, not an nvidia one, and the ASUS gaming mobo that does use the 790i is really expensive and only supports DDR3... it'll all come out to be really expensive so I can't afford it. Plus I read nvidia is a bit over-rated?), though I might not use that feature untill future games get really graphic intensive or something...

Well I've almost decided every peice for my rig, I just need to decide what cooling system, RAM brand, ATX case, and BDD. I'll be sure to post it before I start buying parts. Thanks.
 
X24 said:
Now to the $300 card, i'd suggest an 8800GTS on the lower end of your budget (around 220) or a 9800GTX towards the higher end of your budget. Another choice may be to go either crossfire or SLI.
Click to expand...

I'd say an 8800gts 512, forego the 9800gtx recommendation. It's no better, unless you count pricetag.
 
or wait for the new ATI cards, they are coming out in May

They might be as good as a 8800GTS, but the good thing is that you will be able to CF them....

if not, the 3870 is not that good alone but in CF it is. the 8800GTS is much better than a 3870, but not as good as them in CF

Wait till may....
 
Don't get the ASUS or Sapphire cards, get a Diamond. It has a much better PCB and heatsink.

I can't believe the price on these now! :eek: :mad: ..http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103050


Or your best bet, bang for the buck. The 3870X2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103052

But if thats too expensive, get a 8800GTS 512Mb, if you plan on a single card setup. I would recommend a 9800GTX, but they're not worth it. They are hardly above the 8800GTS, and no were close to 3870x2 performance.
 
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Computer_Freak said:
or wait for the new ATI cards, they are coming out in May

They might be as good as a 8800GTS, but the good thing is that you will be able to CF them....

if not, the 3870 is not that good alone but in CF it is. the 8800GTS is much better than a 3870, but not as good as them in CF

Wait till may....
Click to expand...

What are these cards called? And what manufaturer?


@ThatGuy16- Um... so what manufacturers are good...? I haven't delve into those yet, just the chipset manufacturers....
 
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Trio said:
What are these cards called? And what manufaturer?


@ThatGuy16- Um... so what manufacturers are good...? I haven't delve into those yet, just the chipset manufacturers....
Click to expand...

lol

they are the New ATI cards that will be coming out in May, and as for manufacturer, i guess all!!!
 
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