Need advice on a video card. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Stare At The Sun · 12-11-2009, 10:31 PM

Basically, I want to get my girlfriend a video card for x-mas. She plays a decent number of games. Mostly WoW, but also other RPG's like Dragon Age and Elder Scrolls, and Fallout 3.

However, we set limits for xmas presents this year, so I am limited to 100 dollars. Also, she only has a 375w PSU, with 12v.

Sooo, what are my options?

Any suggestions?

Ratman · 12-12-2009, 06:58 AM

Yeah, check out Lasereth's sticky video card buyers guide thread. In your price range the GeForce 9600 GSO is $60, and the Radeon 4850 is $99.

LoganSnake · 12-12-2009, 08:43 AM

Check the specs for each of those cards and see what power supply they require. I don't know what cards will run on 375W these days. When I had my 400W, I had GeForce 6600GT and it was no problems with that set-up.

LordEden · 12-12-2009, 09:29 AM

Yeah I got the Radeon 4850 and it runs Dragon Age at max detail settings. Lasereth's sticky thread about video cards is hand's down the best guide on the net about video cards. It's what I used to purchase my video card and I recommend it to anyone wanting to buy one.

LoganSnake · 12-12-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordEden

Yeah I got the Radeon 4850 and it runs Dragon Age at max detail settings.

At what resolution?

Baraka_Guru · 12-12-2009, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LordEden

Yeah I got the Radeon 4850 and it runs Dragon Age at max detail settings.

From what I've heard, this is no difficult feat. (I'm doing it with an NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT, 1600x1050, vsync enabled.)

But, yeah, check out Lasereth's sticky.

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/tilted-...ght=video+card

With what she's playing, the Radeon HD 4850 or 4870 512 MB would be more than enough.

Martian · 12-12-2009, 11:16 AM

A 9600 GT will also fit the bill. nVidia recommends 400 watts for power, but there's substantial overage built into that. It should be fine on 375, assuming a non-shitty PSU.

Lasereth · 12-14-2009, 05:11 AM

I would get the 4850. The PSU will probably be fine. Keep in mind that if it's an older PSU, you may need a molex to PCI-E power adapter. Some videocards come with them; some don't.

LordEden · 12-14-2009, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoganSnake

At what resolution?

1440x920? Wide-screen windowed mode. I don't run at full screen.

Stare At The Sun · 12-14-2009, 10:21 AM

I ended up getting the Newegg.com - Galaxy 98TFF6HXXEXZ Low Power Edition GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards.

We'll see how it goes!

Lasereth · 12-14-2009, 11:05 AM

That's a good choice even though it's less powerful than the 4850. But that uses less power and won't require a power rail going into it like the 4850.

12-11-2009, 10:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Stare At The Sun Eh? Location: Somewhere over the rainbow	Need advice on a video card. Basically, I want to get my girlfriend a video card for x-mas. She plays a decent number of games. Mostly WoW, but also other RPG's like Dragon Age and Elder Scrolls, and Fallout 3. However, we set limits for xmas presents this year, so I am limited to 100 dollars. Also, she only has a 375w PSU, with 12v. Sooo, what are my options? Any suggestions?

12-12-2009, 06:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Ratman Addict Location: Somewhere... Across the sea...	Yeah, check out Lasereth's sticky video card buyers guide thread. In your price range the GeForce 9600 GSO is $60, and the Radeon 4850 is $99. __________________ The difference between theory and reality is that in theory there is no difference. "God made man, but he used the monkey to do it." DEVO

12-12-2009, 08:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
LoganSnake We work alone Location: Cake Town	Check the specs for each of those cards and see what power supply they require. I don't know what cards will run on 375W these days. When I had my 400W, I had GeForce 6600GT and it was no problems with that set-up. __________________ Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing that you'll be an idiot in the future. Common sense is knowing that you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques

12-12-2009, 11:16 AM	#7 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	A 9600 GT will also fit the bill. nVidia recommends 400 watts for power, but there's substantial overage built into that. It should be fine on 375, assuming a non-shitty PSU. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

12-14-2009, 05:11 AM	#8 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	I would get the 4850. The PSU will probably be fine. Keep in mind that if it's an older PSU, you may need a molex to PCI-E power adapter. Some videocards come with them; some don't. __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

12-14-2009, 10:21 AM	#10 (permalink)
Stare At The Sun Eh? Location: Somewhere over the rainbow	I ended up getting the Newegg.com - Galaxy 98TFF6HXXEXZ Low Power Edition GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards. We'll see how it goes!

12-14-2009, 11:05 AM	#11 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	That's a good choice even though it's less powerful than the 4850. But that uses less power and won't require a power rail going into it like the 4850. __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert