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!
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!