Looking for advice on upgrading my video card

[PMS Genevieve]

Ok so I recently purchased a new computer for a very good price. However, it comes with a very crappy video card. I somewhat of a newb when it comes to video cards, so looking for some helop on what to purchase.

Here are the specs:

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ca/en/ho/WF06b/12132708-12133156-12133158-12133158-12133158-80230858-80451103.html

It was suggested to me (considering my budget) to throw in a Geforce 8600 GTS, as I probably wouldn't have to upgrade my power supply (I think it's 350w).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! :D

[Vindicator]

Depends on how much you want to spend. A 8600 GTS costs around $140-$170 and a 8800 GT is running around $250-$300 but is pretty hard to find since it just came out. Considering the performance boost from 8600 GTS to the 8800 GT I find it a better value and one of my top choices for my lan fragbox I`ll be building this winter.

Since your computer is a media center removing your current TV-Tuner card and replacing it with a better non TV-Tuner video card may cause you to lose some of your media center functions.

[H2O Snake]

8800 GT all the way. Nothing before that can actually handle DirectX 10 properly and is just a waste of money. More RAM if you can afford it, get 4 if you can. Vista is very good at taking advantage of RAM and the more you have the better it will perform.

[Arbee H2O]

I suppose it really depends on your budget lol. Like snake says, if you got the $250-280 or so the 8800GT is the card to go, its been benched higher than the GTS (which is supposed to be a step up from the gt) and will be an awesome gaming card for some time (dx10 very important!). One thing that may save you if you look at different versions, is you don't have to worry about getting anything sli-capable as your system does not support it anyways. If this is not in your budget, then what is your budget and what do u REALLY want to do with it?

btw- these prices are un US$

[PMS Genevieve]

I want to make it in my budget........it's just Christmas is coming, so I was looking for something in the $150 range....which is why I was looking at the 8600GTS.

Thanks for the help. Just wishing Christmas was over with already lol.

[Rip]

8800 GT all the way. Nothing before that can actually handle DirectX 10 properly and is just a waste of money. More RAM if you can afford it, get 4 if you can. Vista is very good at taking advantage of RAM and the more you have the better it will perform.

Assuming you're running vista 64 bit though. XP 64 bit also can take advantage of 4+ gigs.
I'd also suggest the 8800GT as well.

[Arbee H2O]

Trust me, I feel your pain! It is one expensive time of the year lol.

For that budget, I would go with the MSI NX8600 GTS Diamond Plus card. It comes with a built on HDMI port AND HDMI cable which is definitely important with a media center pc, and the cable itself is a very expensive retail purchase. It has benched very well with 512mb memory and even better than the ati 2900 cards at times lol. I found a good article for your viewing pleasure, but that probably is your best bet at that price.

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/11/12/six_graphics_cards_with_luxury_trimmings/index.html

I would also consider looking into a higher end nvidia 7950 card, although I'm not sure you will find a higher end version in your price range. You may if you shop around a bit

[PMS Unique]

Depends on how much you want to spend. A 8600 GTS costs around $140-$170 and a 8800 GT is running around $250-$300 but is pretty hard to find since it just came out. Considering the performance boost from 8600 GTS to the 8800 GT I find it a better value and one of my top choices for my lan fragbox I`ll be building this winter.

Since your computer is a media center removing your current TV-Tuner card and replacing it with a better non TV-Tuner video card may cause you to lose some of your media center functions.

The video card and the TV tuner card are separate, if I read the specs right. It would be highly unusual in this day and age to combine the two. I don't think there will be a huge difference in the power needs of your old VC and a new VC. Get the best one you can afford. Make sure to get your 360 set up as a Media Center extender ASAP, if you haven't already. It's hella cool.

[PMS Genevieve]

The TV Tuner is separate.

Ok so update. I did end up going with the 8600GT considering my budget and that it will only be a temp thing. I also upgraded the power supply......it was only a crappy 300W. I now have 700W which will be good for future upgrades. My system rating went from 3.4 to 5.5 with the upgrade. I called around. The 8800GT is hard to find indeed.............here in Canada anyhow. Maybe when tax return time comes around I'll be able to do it.

I can play Crysis in DX10 on medium, and I'm pretty damn happy about that! :D. All the games I play look great......well, considering that I had a crap card before and never really experienced pc gaming with anything but a old laptop :D

With this, I have a feeling my 360 will be collecting dust for a bit while I experience these pc games I've been dying to play but couldn't!

And Unique. That was the first thing I did when I got this PC. I love the media centre extender!!

Thanks again everyone for your help :D

[H2O Raiden]

Gah.

A tip for everyone looking at hardware and such, for the future, speak to me.
I do this for a job on the side of school for a little bit of $$.. no matter your budget, I can help you.


Good looking video card you got yourself there, just make sure you have adequate airflow in your case.
Genevieve you should come on msn more often :(

[Arbee H2O]

So which version of the 8600 did you end up going with? Did you go with the GT or GTS? Did you go with the diamond plus? Curious what other games you have run on there and how its looking... I am hoping to build a new system soon, and may not be able to get the 8800 I hope to get so just curious...

[qwikstrik3]

when you buy a new video card, make sure you go into the BIOS and disable the current video card. yours is built in so you wont be able to take it out.

your computer (looking at the specs) can definitely hold the next card up (same kind) so the 8800.


hope i helped ;)

[PMS Unique]

And Unique. That was the first thing I did when I got this PC. I love the media centre extender!!

Thanks again everyone for your help :D

Sweet! There are a few add-ons you can look into as well now that you have media center. There is a browser by Anthony Parks. It's not very functional, but will do in a pinch if you REALLY want to browse something from your XBox. Also look into Transcoder 360; that will allow you to watch video files that aren't normally supported in Media Center.

[Rip]

Imo the 8600 is hardly worth it, when compared to the price / performance one can get out of the 8800GT. Yes availability will be tight this holiday season, but there's plenty of places online that will sell it for a reasonable price. Still, if you are happy with the 8600, then the more power to ya :)

[Arbee H2O]

Yes, no doubt the 8800 GT is the best value/performance of a vid card out there. It has even compared to the 8800 GTS.. Unfortunately, not everyone can just shell out near $300 for a video card. Still hoping to go that way myself if I can find the funds to build a new system. Been a long time waiting now....

[PMS Genevieve]

I am very happy with this upgrade, considering I've come from a laptop that I couldn't even play Half Life 2 on. Does the job, and I can play Cryis and pretty damn happy about that! And considering I'm just starting to expand to pc gaming, this is perfect!

If I had the extra $$, I would have a better card in there But I've got my little girl to think of.......Santa has to have something under the tree!!! Thinking that maybe she might want a video card........ what 7 year old girl wouldn't love an 8800GT? :D

And Raiden, work and daughter keep me busy busy!! Rarely on MSN anymore....

Thanks again for all the help.

[H2O Raiden]

The 8800GT can out-do the 8800GTX any day in the hands of an experienced overclocker. The things are pretty much identical in most aspects, the GT is only lacking in the Number of ROPs and the Memory bus width, but other than that, it kicks serious ass. When overclocked properly, it can outdo a stock or even moderately overclocked GTX.. easily. With all the money saved by going GT instead of GTX, most people can easily afford to get a decent after-market cooler, allowing overclocking beyond that of the stock cooler.



PS: I just RMA'd my 7900GT 256mb due to heat and artifact issues, just been told I'll be getting a 7900GTO 512mb back. That thing, when overclocked slightly, can match up with a 7900GTX EASILY! I'll be putting a sweet zalman cooler on it, with some additions of my own, and overclocking the heck out of this card. Apparently it can run Crysis (stock, no overclocking at all) on 1600x1200 with medium/high settings, ~50fps.

eVGA is, hands down, the best nVidia card manufacturer ever. RMA an older card, and get a newer, more expensive one? Awesome.
Lifetime warranties are win.

[Nakashige H2O]

ya im about to call up bfg and see if they will RMA a 7800 gtx that im having a heat and artifact problem with any idea if i have a chance and what i may get back

[Rockstar]

The best buy would to go with the 8800GT for around $270 your getting the performance of a 8800GTX which runs well over $300 the GT overcomes any obstacles they people are left with when they buy the GTS... the GTS a good card for its price but compared to the GT and its price its a 6:1 in performance in the GT favor and a 2:1 in price, I went with the GT considering i had the money and i don't want to deal with my hardware when I'm the last person standing and there is a title on the line.

The HEAT factor
GTS Vs. GT
the GTS runs a lot cooler then the GT, if you don't have a well ventilated case you with have some overheating with both cards... I ordered a new Cooler Master 830 + 9 new fans all moving 78 CFM [air flow] its going to be a wind tunnel but i don't have to worry about overheating... a decent case with 3 fans moving a lot of air will be fine for the cards, a Lan box will never work for the 8800GT/GTS/GTX/Ultra its just not possible at this time.

Last:
you will want to think about the upgrade factor, do you want to upgrade big now and not be so tempted to upgrade again soon, if so go with the GT, if you don't mind paying for another card soon go with the GTS i waited a extra months so i had enough money for the GT, i have waited longer to buy a better card

PS: Brands to look for!
EVGA
XFX
PNY Technologies

EVGA and XFX being the most common and loved by the majority of gamers!
other brands besides these 3 are not trusted for there quality of there products, they may be cheaper in price but it comes with cheap quality...

[H2O Raiden]

UPDATE:

OH MY GOD. I GOT TWO eVGA 7900GTO's INSTEAD OF 1!!!! AHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA
/die.

On a more serious note, these cards are extremely overclockable I've found out. I can volt mod them both, and put the memory clocks on each of them past 2 Ghz. Yeah. 2000 Mhz. Kick. Ass.

Edit: Oh come on, what's with filtering "arse", just the other form..?