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
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.
Ok ill take a look at that, im sorry, video cards are not my best subject, i thought the more memory the better...
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.
Ok how about between these ones: #1 EVGA GeForce 9500 GT Video Card - 1GB DDR2, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Support, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, VGA Support 01G-P3-N959-TR at TigerDirect.com 2# XFX GeForce 9800 GT - 512MB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0, (2) Dual Link DVI, HDTV, VGA Support PVT98GYDLH at TigerDirect.com 3# XFX GeForce 9600 GSO Video Card - 768MB DDR2, PCI Express 2.0, Dual Link DVI, SLI Ready PVT96OSDFH at TigerDirect.com 4# EVGA GeForce 9500 GT Video Card - 512MB DDR3, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Support, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, VGA Support 512-P3-N956-TR at TigerDirect.com 5# XFX GeForce 9500 GT Video Card - 512MB DDR3, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Support, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, VGA Support PVT95GYDF3 at TigerDirect.com please can you tell me best to worst in order, also to take into consideration the price. my goal is to be able to play gta IV decently and also have dual monitor so i can watch movies on my tv str8 from the pc with good quality. ty
How about this one right here? EVGA GeForce 9500 GT Video Card - 1GB DDR2, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Support, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV, VGA Support 01G-P3-N959-TR at TigerDirect.com sorry for asking so much..
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.
Ok last one, i think i will buy this one, what do u think? EVGA GeForce 9800 GT Superclocked Video Card - 512MB GDDR3, PCI Express 2.0, SLI Ready, (Dual Link) Dual DVI, HDTV 512-P3-N976-AR at TigerDirect.com
You are jumping tiers man. Going from extremely weak/cheap to upper midstream/strong cards. I'm thinking that a 9600GT would be perfect for you. Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P3-N860-TR GeForce 9600 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards
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?
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.