Whats my best choice?

Discussion in 'Video Cards, Displays and TV Tuners' started by eltoro1999, Jan 8, 2009.

  1. eltoro1999

    eltoro1999 Geek Trainee

    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Hello,
    I need help deciding which card to buy as i have an integrated video card which can not even run GTA 3 smoothly.

    this is my system:
    HP Pavilion Media Center TV m8000n PC specifications - HP Home & Home Office Products

    with 3GB memory instead of 2

    These are the the two cards im looking at:

    1-
    http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...o=3738460&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#productresources

    2-
    http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4283328&CatId=2306

    Would you give me your opinion? My main thing so far is that card #1 supports Dual Monitor and i dont see that in card #2's specs. Any other choice you may have for a similar price would be welcomed too.

    ty
     
  2. gazaway

    gazaway Geek Trainee

    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Both of those are the GDDR2 version of the 8600GT. I would recommend that you look for the GDDR3 version of that card. The performance difference is quite large and the price is comparably the same.

    Also, 1GB is far too much memory for such a bottlenecked card. The GDDR3 512 card would be your best bet if you're looking only at 8600s.
     
  3. eltoro1999

    eltoro1999 Geek Trainee

    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Ok ill take a look at that, im sorry, video cards are not my best subject, i thought the more memory the better...
     
  4. gazaway

    gazaway Geek Trainee

    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Not when it's being bottleneck by a tiny interface. 512 is tops needed for a 8600GT, and make sure you get the GDDR3 version and you'll be golden.
     
  5. eltoro1999

    eltoro1999 Geek Trainee

    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
  6. gazaway

    gazaway Geek Trainee

    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    The 9800GT and the 9600GSO are your two best choices there.
     
  7. eltoro1999

    eltoro1999 Geek Trainee

    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
  8. gazaway

    gazaway Geek Trainee

    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    That is just a renamed 8600GT GDDR2. It's the same as you started. If you can get the 8800GSO/9600GSO then go with that.
     
  9. eltoro1999

    eltoro1999 Geek Trainee

    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
  10. gazaway

    gazaway Geek Trainee

    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
  11. eltoro1999

    eltoro1999 Geek Trainee

    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    I know i know but is it a good card for the money or no?
     
  12. gazaway

    gazaway Geek Trainee

    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    It's a very solid performer for the price. You won't be disappointed at all.
     
  13. eltoro1999

    eltoro1999 Geek Trainee

    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    ty so much, one last thing, i know this isnt the place but while we're at it, i ran cpu-z and it said my ram was pc2-5300, is it ok if i use pc5400 ram with it?
     
  14. gazaway

    gazaway Geek Trainee

    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    You don't want to mix RAM. even if you are using one of the Asrock board that support DDR1 and DDR2. Stick with the frequency ram you are currently running.
     

Share This Page