Video Card--Which One To Buy?

Ricebug on 25/4/2010 at 13:05

Well, my computer decided to crash and burn. Of course, it did so as I'm putting the final touches on my new FM. It looks like the video card is the culprit. And the motherboard. (DOH!)

Before I go buy one, could someone provide some direction. Thief is old, so I don't need a liquid helium cooled super-card. I'm running XP. I've always been an nVidia fan, but have heard there are problems with the newer ones.

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this.

Yandros on 25/4/2010 at 13:19

After consulting with Bikerdude last year, I got an ATI HD4650 last year and it works fine. I had always been an nVidia user before that. They're currently $45-70 on NewEgg. If you play newer games too, though, you'll definitely want a more powerful card, but I don't so it was fine for me.

qolelis on 25/4/2010 at 17:27

I am in the process of getting a second up-to-date machine (my current machine is pretty old, but handles Thief very well at least) and I've decided to go for HD5870 (and Windows 7), which, among other advantages, can handle Thief (especially fog):
(http://www.ttlg.com/FORUMs/showthread.php?p=1921092) (thanks Bikerdude for testing)

I need my new rig to handle most newer games too and I don't mind HD5870's support for DirectX 11 (only for Win 7 and Vista), but if you are planning on running only Win XP, then this card may be overkill (and maybe a bit on the expensive side too)!? I'm not the one to upgrade very often, so I don't mind paying a little extra for a "future-ready" card (or as future-ready a graphics card can be).

bikerdude on 25/4/2010 at 21:38

Quote Posted by qolelis

* HD5870 can handle Thief (especially fog):
* don't mind paying a little extra for a "future-ready" card (or as future-ready a graphics card can

Hi there

As Si02 has fixed fog in DDfix 1.4.4, an ATi card isnt a specific requirement now. And Atm and without spending silly money the HD8570 is the fastest single gpu card you can buy.

HD5870 = £300 = $400
GTX480 = £450 = $520
HD5970 = £530 = $730

The best type of 5870 to get is the ones with custom coolers(the ones with the fans in the center), as they run quieter & cooler and will overclock better. For example the Vapor-X cooler on the Sapphire cards is one of the best custom gfx coolers bar water cooling, but you pay a little extra. $470 versus $400.

UK - (http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=56&subid=1502)
USA - (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Description=HD5870&bop=And&Order=PRICE)

:thumb:

qolelis on 25/4/2010 at 21:57

Quote Posted by Bikerdude

The best type of 5870 to get is the ones with custom coolers(the ones with the fans in the center), as they run quieter & cooler and will overclock better. For example the Vapor-X cooler on the Sapphire cards is one of the best custom gfx coolers bar water cooling, but you pay a little extra. $470 versus $400.

Thanks for the info, Bikerdude; I will definitely keep this in mind.

Ricebug on 28/4/2010 at 22:09

Well, it was definitely the video card (cooling fan died). The computer store had a 512 mb GeForce 6200 for $70. They installed it and I cranked up Thief before I handed over the cash.

Now I can finish my FM hopefully before the motherboard croaks. Thanks for the advice!

bikerdude on 28/4/2010 at 23:57

Quote Posted by Ricebug

The computer store had a 512 mb GeForce 6200 for $70.

Was the $70 just for the card or was it parts and labour. Otherwise the store ripped you off, that old slow 6200 dosent cost $70 more like $30-40. A quick look on newegg showed the following below....$70 would get you a ATi HD4670 or a nVidia 9600GT, both of which are 2 generations above and would utterly spank the 6200 - the 9600GT being the fastest. Or an extra $6 will get a you a gT240

7200 PCI-E - $30 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130098) NewEgg

6200 AGP - $40 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125249) NewEgg

9600GT - $69 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&Description=9600gt&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20) NewEgg

GT240 - $76 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261059&cm_re=gt240-_-14-261-059-_-Product) nEWeGG

I would take the card back for a refund and not go there again as they obviously don't give a toss about ripping a customer off.

:mad:

Ricebug on 29/4/2010 at 01:17

I didn't feel like waiting for 3-5 days for one to get mailed. The only other place in Boise that sells video cards is Wal-Mart, and I won't buy their crap. Considering I paid $500 for my last GeForce card, $70 is OK to me.

I needed it NOW!

Albert on 29/4/2010 at 02:00

Quote Posted by Ricebug

Thief is old, so I don't need a liquid helium cooled super-card.

Wow, you've taught me something new. I'll have to write this down...