what video card?

D

djennings

Geek Trainee
I just recently built a new system (midrange system) to play some of those new games out there. I was looking for a opinion on a video card to buy ($200-300 range). My system spec are as follows:
Processor: Athlon 64 X2 3800+ (AM2)
Motherboard: Asus M2V
Memory: 512MB ddr2 Kbyte (upgradeing to a gig soon prob Kingston HyperX 1GB PC2-5400)
Videocard: shitty geforce4 pci I got just to surf the net until I can buy my card.
HD: WD 80GIG
Case: Xblade w/450w PSU

Thanks
 
hello there i seriously suggest gettin the gforce 7800GT, very fast for its price, if you look on amazon or some rip-off auction sites you can find some very good deals, i've played the latest games like Pray, HL2-E1, absulootly no problem, full-frames keeps in sync, I am very pleased with performance vs price A1 card

edit: coz it is SLI-compatible you are able to buy a second card in the future to keep up with fps for newer future games, saving you buyin a new card for more price
 
ill check that out.. another question: I have asus probe running it tells you temps and volts etc... I dunno what this means but when I start games it has a alert saying something about the +12 dropped down to abnormal levels.. and the log shows it going back and forth between normal/abnormal levels... does that mean I need a new PSU b4 I get this graphics card? if so any suggestions?
 
djennings said:
ill check that out.. another question: I have asus probe running it tells you temps and volts etc... I dunno what this means but when I start games it has a alert saying something about the +12 dropped down to abnormal levels.. and the log shows it going back and forth between normal/abnormal levels... does that mean I need a new PSU b4 I get this graphics card? if so any suggestions?
Click to expand...

oo dearey me what is the peak -/+ voltages
 
sits at 11.47 when on desktop/web.. here is the log from when I went in game...

[09/05/2006 at 04:00 am] +12 Voltage Abnormal, 10.70 V
[09/05/2006 at 04:00 am] +12 Voltage become normal, 11.07 V
[09/05/2006 at 04:01 am] +12 Voltage Abnormal, 10.64 V
[09/05/2006 at 04:01 am] +12 Voltage become normal, 10.82 V
[09/05/2006 at 04:01 am] +12 Voltage become normal, 10.82 V
 
hmm im not sure what the safety thresholds are but it should switch off automatically if they reach 10% of the voltage its most likely caused by ya psu or mobo the only logic way to find the problem would be to replace the powersupply with a known good one - if possible borrow one temporarily if you can
 
I just went to a local shop and found a MSI NX7600 GT. They want $200 for it I found it online for $170 at cheapest but I live in Alaska so with shipping its about the same. Does anyone have any objections to going with this card? and if so give me your opinoun on what you think I should get
 
5% give or take is what your rails should be. So for the 12v rail between 11.4 and 12.6 is good. Obviously Asus probe thinks otherwise but I know I'll replace my psu when I get those kind of numbers. Also, considering you're getting a new gaming card, the rail will start to move even more so I suggest you start looking at a psu.

As for your card
ATI Radeon X1800XT 100-435840 CrossFire Video Card - Retail at Newegg.com
Open Box: ASUS Radeon X1800XT EAX1800XT/2DHTV/512M Video Card - OEM at Newegg.com
XFX Geforce 7900GT PV-T71G-UDF7 Video Card - Retail at Newegg.com
BFG Tech Geforce 7900GT BFGR79512GTOCE Video Card - Retail at Newegg.com

X-bit labs - Articles - Seven Games and One Week: Games vs. GPUs

I'd grab the x1800xt, 512mb if possible.

EDIT: DO NOT get that 7600gt, unless you're really tight on cash. That x1800xt will kill that card.
 
djennings said:
ill check that out.. another question: I have asus probe running it tells you temps and volts etc... I dunno what this means but when I start games it has a alert saying something about the +12 dropped down to abnormal levels.. and the log shows it going back and forth between normal/abnormal levels... does that mean I need a new PSU b4 I get this graphics card? if so any suggestions?
Click to expand...

If its dropped down to abnormally low levels, means your PSU cant handle powering all the hardware, if your going to be buying a new card i would highly suggest buying a new PSU.
 
I would definatley concider a new powersupply as from what I gather that PSU came with your case, and is therefore not going to hold up to a lot of stress. A got Antec, OCz, Hiper, Seasonic, or Thermaltake unit with at least 24amps on the 12v rail (16amps each or better if it has dual 12v rails) and around 500+ watts.
As for the video card the 7900GT and X1800XT are pretty similar, depends on the game, but I give a nod to the 7900GT as its' a good bit cheaper. If you're not able to spend that kind of cash on a video card and powersupply (if you bought a 7900GT and good PSU you'd be over the $300 mark most likely) then yeah the 7800GT is a good choice. The 7900GS is also a slick card in that price range along with the X1800GTO2.
Newegg.com - Once You Know, You Newegg
Oh and just so you know Harrack, I dig you list but the first X1800XT link is broken.
 
Exfoliate said:
Oh and just so you know Harrack, I dig you list but the first X1800XT link is broken.
Click to expand...
Hmm, right now it's not broken but it links to something else. I've read reports of items being moved around a lot today on newegg's website. Something's happening ;)

I guess that deals off, sorry !
 
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