Graphics Card Advice Needed.....CAG Style

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thetshell

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So I've recently purchased a new PC from Dell using one of the SD deals. I recognize that Dell can tend to overcharge for certain components. As such, I chose to take some of the components at their bare bones settings, i.e. integrated graphics. With the $$$ I saved doing that, I'm looking to invest roughly $100 in a graphics card for moderate gaming. I play mostly RTS style games (AOE3, C&C3, etc) and occasionally some FPS's. Since we're all CAG's here, I figured what better place to ask for some advice?

The system will be running an Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600 (8MB L2 cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB) with a 350W power supply and Vista Home Premium. I'd like to avoid upgrading the PSU if it can be avoided and since I'm not really upgrading much else I think it will be fine. It has 2GB of 800 Mhz RAM that I'll be upgrading to 3GB or 4GB (really 3.2-3.5 due to the 32-bit OS). I don't have much of a bias between the nVidia and ATI cards, but would probably lean ever so slightly towards nVidia since that's what I currently use and have had few issues with it. I'd also like DX10 support. With that in mind, I've been looking at the 8600GT and 2600XT cards thus far.


So to summarize, my criteria are:
- $100 or less
- 512Mb GDDR3 memory
- DX 10 support
- Can run with a 350W PSU


Here are some of the options I've been considering:

Diamond Radeon HD 2600 XT Video Card - 512MB GDDR3
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3212528&CatId=1826

SAPPHIRE 100218L Radeon HD 2600XT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102703

MSI NX8600GT-T2D512E OC GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127319

EVGA 512-P2-N757-TR GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130290

XFX PVT84JYDF3 GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150260


Does anyone have any opinions on these cards that they could share? Or have other suggestions on ones to look at? Thanks all!
 
I concur with 8600 - I got mine for about 60 bucks (with rebates) off of Newegg. To me, it seems more bang for the buck, as it plays all my previous generation game with no problems (Oblivion and Tiberion Wars plays great, I actually forgo the 360 version since it plays so well on my PC)
 
Thanks everyone for the thoughts and suggestions so far. Anyone have comments on the different brands available? Biostar vs. EVGA vs. XFX?
 
[quote name='thetshell']Thanks everyone for the thoughts and suggestions so far. Anyone have comments on the different brands available? Biostar vs. EVGA vs. XFX?[/QUOTE]

eVGA as a trade up program but it's within 90 days I think so I doubt that is very helpful. XFX has a 2 lifetime warranty which means you can sell it to someone and they still get the lifetime warranty.

I've not heard much about Biostar but I know eVGA and XFX are popular and good brands. My first 2 graphics card purchases were eVGA (6800 and 7900GS) and my current 8800 is XFX. Never had an issue with any of them.
 
Get the 8600. I got a 512mb PNY OC and the only game that I had issues with was Crysis. Everything else either at high or very high details and got good framerate. Whether it was Quake Wars or COD4, or Bioshock. I post this reply all the time but that cheaper 8600 can't be much lower then mine.
 
Dell Inspiron 530... Hey I am guessing that's what you got. As did I. For $480 right? Well that's what I got two weeks ago anyways. I have this system now and I'm currently running:

Q6600 2.4Ghz @ 3.0Ghz (Please look here: http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=58361)
4 Gigs of DDR2 800 Ram
MSI GeForce NX8800GT 512MB DDR3 Memory

Anyways, I know you're only looking to spend $100 on a graphics card. I spent $180 with shipping and after rebate and I need to tell you that the 8800GT is amazing. Although the box says 400 Watt MINIMUM, I read several posts at the Dell Forums saying that it will actually run with the stock 350 Watt PSU. And trust me, it works GREAT! (See here: http://www.dellcommunity.com/suppor...verclock&message.id=7158&query.id=57092#M7158)

I'm running my system currently at 1680x1050 and it looks amazing. It can run Crysis at High on all settings at a steady 40-50 fps. With games like Counter-Strike: Source, with everything turned up including AA set at 16x, I still get 180+ FPS.

And I really do recommend you do the tape trick since it's simple and it doesn't mess with the voltages and is safe. Anyways, I will be posting a video I made on youtube showing that this does indeed work with the video card and all.
 
[quote name='Pootie Thang']...Anyways, I know you're only looking to spend $100 on a graphics card. I spent $180 with shipping and after rebate and I need to tell you that the 8800GT is amazing. Although the box says 400 Watt MINIMUM, I read several posts at the Dell Forums (See here: http://www.dellcommunity.com/suppor...verclock&message.id=7158&query.id=57092#M7158)
...[/quote]

True, graphics cards don't consume as much power as people think. Those PSU numbers on the video card boxes are just rough estimates of total PC power consumption, based on that card manufacturer's assumption of your component setup. People mistakenly believe that that number is the card's consumption, then go out and buy 700 watt PSUs, lol.
 
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