40 replies to this topic

[AnonymousFlash]

I'm going to be building a new computer for my birthday in March. I have a problem deciding which graphics card I am going to use. At first I was planning on getting a 7600gt, but then I saw the 7800gt. Newegg no longer carries retail 7800gt's but they do still carry refurbished ones from EVGA. At 125 bucks the 7800 gt looks pretty sweet, but I'm not sure that I want to take a risk with a refurb card. Which should I go for?

Thanks,

James

[Why Two Kay]

I don't usually recommend things like graphics cards or processors, because my views are not really set. But I will say, don't get any Nvidia card with a "GS" on the end of it. If you happen to go ATI at all, just get a "Pro" or "XT" card.

The 7800GT would be better than a 7600GT, and it would be worth it. Also make sure to compare cards of the same version (7600, 7800, etc) from different manufacturer's because they may differ still.

Get something with 256mb of memory, or 512 if you can afford it.
Make sure the memory interface is 256bit and not 128bit.

On the NewEgg site they almost always have this info for each card you look at.

Refurb is not necessarily bad, open box ones are better as they are usually returns because people did not have a PCI-Express slot and had to return the card. Also check your local Fry's Electronics if you have one, they can be cheap, but NewEgg is almost always your best bet, even with my history of them.

Price will come down over time. If you wait until March there will be more cards out, and the newer cards will drive down prices on the older cards. Also other DX10 cards from both Nvidia and ATI will come out, and that might be worth it if you wish to future-proof the machine.

[Stormy{CAN}]

All things considering, ask again in March. Between now and then ATI should have some of the new R600 cards out, and the mid-range Nvidia DX10 cards should be out (8300/8600).

[AnonymousFlash]

I have a 500 dollar price limit.(using a lot of parts from the old computer)
I am already over that at 626 + shipping, so I will have to pay the leftovers. Any 8 series card is going to send me too far over the limit unfortunately.

Hmm...I think I'm going to take my chances with the recert 7800gt. With that price tag, it's just too hard to resist.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130077

[Stormy{CAN}]

Expected prices and specs of the Nvidia 8 series mid and low range cards,

http://www.guru3d.co...tem.php?id=4834

[TheChozeLa]

I have a 500 dollar price limit.(using a lot of parts from the old computer)
I am already over that at 626 + shipping, so I will have to pay the leftovers. Any 8 series card is going to send me too far over the limit unfortunately.

Hmm...I think I'm going to take my chances with the recert 7800gt. With that price tag, it's just too hard to resist.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814130077

good choise the 7800gt is a good card

[AnonymousFlash]

Expected prices and specs of the Nvidia 8 series mid and low range cards,

http://www.guru3d.co...tem.php?id=4834

hmm...that 8600 ultra is intriguing...
hard to believe that a semi-budget card has 512mb and 256 bit interface


Alright, thanks stormy. I think that I'm gonna go with the 8600 ultra when it comes out.

Probable system:

Sunbeam Transformer Case------ http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811166004

BIOSTAR NF4UAM2G Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard- http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813138041

Geforce 8600 ultra 512mb and 256bit------ no link yet

HIPER HPU-4K580-MS ATX12V v2.2 580W Power Supply 100 - 120V- http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817128002

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ Brisbane 2.1GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor------ http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103774

Kingston 1gb DDR2 667 (to go dual channel with the same stick i already have + 2x256mb of default dell stuff for a total of 2.5gb)------ http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820134045

Western Digital 160gb------ http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822136062

Windows Vista home premium- http://www.newegg.co...N82E16832116202


SB Audigy 4 that I already have

19 inch Dell lcd that I already have

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The folks are paying 500. The total cost is going to be about 850 including shipping. I have 350 dollars to spend on the machine so it works out well.

I have to wait till the end of march.

[JJ]

I have a 7800GT and it does just fine, I run everything on high settings and have no problems...JJ

[King of the Squirrels]

Hey Everyone

When buying a new video card. Read the minim power requirements most require 450 watts and above. Some high end cards have minim of 550 watts. Alos read the minim for power supply requirement if going to upgrade to sli or crossfire. Also the voltage on rails is important. So do a little rad and prevent a lot of headaches.

[Why Two Kay]

Hey Everyone

When buying a new video card. Read the minim power requirements most require 450 watts and above. Some high end cards have minim of 550 watts. Alos read the minim for power supply requirement if going to upgrade to sli or crossfire. Also the voltage on rails is important. So do a little rad and prevent a lot of headaches.

I have a 300 watt power supply and run fine... and my card is massive. They usually say things like that to get you tot buy a new power supply.

[TheChozeLa]

Hey Everyone

When buying a new video card. Read the minim power requirements most require 450 watts and above. Some high end cards have minim of 550 watts. Alos read the minim for power supply requirement if going to upgrade to sli or crossfire. Also the voltage on rails is important. So do a little rad and prevent a lot of headaches.

I have a 300 watt power supply and run fine... and my card is massive. They usually say things like that to get you tot buy a new power supply.

7900gt in sli need 550watt!!same for the 7800gtx in sli!!!and i said IN SLI and 2 HDD.....!! witch mean that a 500watt is enough if you dont use sli and have only 1-2-3 hDD!!

[AnonymousFlash]

New issue, I need help determining if that mobo will fit in the case. Case says its compatibility is ATX, the mobo is microatx.

[Why Two Kay]

New issue, I need help determining if that mobo will fit in the case. Case says its compatibility is ATX, the mobo is microatx.

MixroATX means it's smaller. I would guess that MicroATX will fit, albeit much smaller form factor. My case's manual says it supports both (and a few really old types).

However, MicroATX is usually smaller on features, and might be more expensive because of small size. Why not go for a different mobo?

[AnonymousFlash]

New issue, I need help determining if that mobo will fit in the case. Case says its compatibility is ATX, the mobo is microatx.

MixroATX means it's smaller. I would guess that MicroATX will fit, albeit much smaller form factor. My case's manual says it supports both (and a few really old types).

However, MicroATX is usually smaller on features, and might be more expensive because of small size. Why not go for a different mobo?

Any mobo you recommend? I'm looking for under 100 bucks, AM2, and maybe some slight overclocking abilities. I had originally looked at this: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813138041

However, Mac told me that it was an "iffy" board.

Thanks in advance.

Obviously a better a choice would be conroe, but I am on a VERY tight budget that AMD fits well.

[Why Two Kay]

Any mobo you recommend? I'm looking for under 100 bucks, AM2, and maybe some slight overclocking abilities. I had originally looked at this: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813138041

However, Mac told me that it was an "iffy" board.

Thanks in advance.

Obviously a better a choice would be conroe, but I am on a VERY tight budget that AMD fits well.

I would go with a popular namebrand board over something like that.

I assume DDR2? If so then this:

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128321 (even offers SLI!)

NewEgg doesn't have much of a mobo selection as far as AM2 right now, when I bought my 939 a year ago there were at least 3 pages to pick from.

[AnonymousFlash]

Wow, that looks great. Thanks!

[TheL3gend]

You could just get a cheaper Intel board and a Core 2 Duo. Pretty much better than anything AMD has right now.

[AnonymousFlash]

Obviously a better a choice would be conroe, but I am on a VERY tight budget that AMD fits well.

[Santano]

[quote name='AnonymousFlash' post='299054' date='Jan 21 2007, 05:13 PM'][quote name='Stormy{CAN}' post='299021' date='Jan 21 2007, 05:08 PM']


AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor------ http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103747[/quote]
AMD Athlon 64 x2 3800 is a much better buy in my opinion.

[AnonymousFlash]

That was what I originally intended to buy, but I was told that it might bottleneck the 8600ultra I plan on getting. Besides, I have just enough cash to squeeze up to the 4200 so I might as well.