Hows this Graphics card

tkim113

tkim113

New Member
i am willing to spend about $150 on a graphics card. Hows this one?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8894057&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1212192380309

Anything better that you can suggest me?

EDIT: How much wattage will i need to run this graphics card?

This is the pre built computer that i am trying to change to a gaming rig http://www.gateway.com/systems/product/529668184.php

Will that 300 watt power supply be able to handle it? or do i need to switch it?


you know i heard recently that pre built computers tend to last longer then custom built computers.

Is this just due to people who eff up and did not build their computer correctly?

how long have you had your custom computer working?
 
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That's a good price being onsale compared to the $189l.99 seen at newegg. The 4870s are running for about twice as much as the mid range model seen there.

If you don't mind open box there's an MSI, Asus, and Powercolor version of the same model seen for the same price at http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201305520549%20106792627%201067940677%204017&name=%24100%20-%20%24200

I haven't been hearing complaints about the VisionTek brand while MSI is generally one of the better performers as well as BFG and eVGA. If you wait for a good period of time eventually the 4870s will come down under $200 like previous series.
 
PC eye said:
That's a good price being onsale compared to the $189l.99 seen at newegg. The 4870s are running for about twice as much as the mid range model seen there.

If you don't mind open box there's an MSI, Asus, and Powercolor version of the same model seen for the same price at http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201305520549%20106792627%201067940677%204017&name=%24100%20-%20%24200

I haven't been hearing complaints about the VisionTek brand while MSI is generally one of the better performers as well as BFG and eVGA. If you wait for a good period of time eventually the 4870s will come down under $200 like previous series.
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You do know that you were talking about ATi cards and you do know that BFG and eVGA only make Nvidia cards....
 
Intel_man said:
You do know that you were talking about ATi cards and you do know that BFG and eVGA only make Nvidia cards....
Click to expand...

Those are still the better brands regardless of NVidia or ATI chips on them. Brand wise you are looking at quality and performance for the most part. The reference was simply to point out the better brands not any specific model.
 
tkim113 said:
Will that 300 watt power supply be able to handle it? or do i need to switch it?
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1) I would never get a pre built PC, you could build your own with better components for cheaper.

2) 300 watt's isn't good enough for that Card.

So with the cost of replacing the power supply and buying that graphics card, makes the case for building your own PC look better by the minute.

Encryptor
Linux rocks the planet...
 
Encryptor said:
1) I would never get a pre built PC, you could build your own with better components for cheaper.

2) 300 watt's isn't good enough for that Card.

So with the cost of replacing the power supply and buying that graphics card, makes the case for building your own PC look better by the minute.

Encryptor
Linux rocks the planet...
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Not always, the entry level computers by HP, Gateway, Dell, etc. are DIRT cheap compared to building your own.
 
pre-builts can be cheaper due to the fact they bulk buy.

However homebuilts are cheaper in the long run as they are standardised components.
 
Intel_man said:
Not always, the entry level computers by HP, Gateway, Dell, etc. are DIRT cheap compared to building your own.
Click to expand...

Pre-Built PC's are full of really cheap rubbish in my opinion and for the same price here in the UK, I can build a PC of far greater specs for the price of a pre-built/branded PC.

Encryptor
Linux rocks the planet...
 
The main thing about prebuilds is that everything is prefitted to work with the low powered supplies they use on them. When custom building you can end up with a great tail whooping pc or end up throwing a bunch of junk in yourself if you are not a smart shopper.

When looking at video cards for instance it's not so much whether it's NVidia or ATI as it is who makes the card itself. There are cheapy brands as well as some good ones. I've run both NVidia and ATI cards alike but simply have stayed with ATI on the last few builds. I also have stayed with MSI for both NVidia and ATI models.

For a single high end card the average supply requirement is about 450w simply since the larger wattage supplies also tend to see more amps on the rails as well as the extra power feed often required with the top models. For a low to mid range model you would be surprised at how small a supply will work on a basic build seeing one or two hard drives, an optical naturally, maybe a sound card as well.
 
you know i heard recently that pre built computers tend to last longer then custom built computers.

Is this just due to people who eff up and did not build their computer correctly?

how long have you had your custom computer working?
 
Intel_man said:
Not always, the entry level computers by HP, Gateway, Dell, etc. are DIRT cheap compared to building your own.
Click to expand...

they're dirt cheap because the rest of the parts are low quality. if you wanted to upgrade it with a new video card.. yea it might have the pci-e x16 port you need, but it won't have any case airflow and it would overheat.

plus, his came with a 300watt power supply. LOL that's proof.

they are good for internet users though, most people that i know barely even do that with their computers. i couldn't live without mine though :D

tkim113 said:
you know i heard recently that pre built computers tend to last longer then custom built computers.

Is this just due to people who eff up and did not build their computer correctly?

how long have you had your custom computer working?
Click to expand...

my old X2 3800 is still running, with a 7900gtx. i sold it for $1000 when it was worth a bit more than that new.

actually, i custom built my aunts computer's, and my uncles computers too. hers was an athlon 64 3200+ with 512mb of ram and a radeon 9550se graphics card and it currently is still up and running. its 5 years old. (first i EVER built).

my uncle also had one built with the same specs and it still runs today.
 
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fade2green514 said:
they're dirt cheap because the rest of the parts are low quality. if you wanted to upgrade it with a new video card.. yea it might have the pci-e x16 port you need, but it won't have any case airflow and it would overheat.

plus, his came with a 300watt power supply. LOL that's proof.

they are good for internet users though, most people that i know barely even do that with their computers. i couldn't live without mine though :D



my old X2 3800 is still running, with a 7900gtx. i sold it for $1000 when it was worth a bit more than that new.

actually, i custom built my aunts computer's, and my uncles computers too. hers was an athlon 64 3200+ with 512mb of ram and a radeon 9550se graphics card and it currently is still up and running. its 5 years old. (first i EVER built).

my uncle also had one built with the same specs and it still runs today.
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My HP isn't low quality. I got mine for $500 a year ago and it came with a lot of interesting stuff and don't judge about computer's airflow. My video card idles at 45-50 degrees and I'm just using a regular HP case.

The only thing I bought with my video card was my power supply which was $50.
 
tkim113 said:
you know i heard recently that pre built computers tend to last longer then custom built computers.

Is this just due to people who eff up and did not build their computer correctly?

how long have you had your custom computer working?
Click to expand...

I recently reassembled an old Socket A build I ran here 4yrs. ago to see 98SE on it being the last board found with drivers for the old version. That was setup for an 18yr. old for a basic starter. Some older builds are simply awaiting a user just sitting around.

It's not whether it's a custom or prebuild since new pcs can also see problems right off. You go out and buy a new Dell, HP, Gateway and suddenly find yourself using the warranty due to some problem with a newer model that comes out! Likewise if you make a goof when setting a custom case up or simply end up with a mismatch like buying the wrong memory or even receive a bad board you have a problem there.
 
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