Is this video card a good deal?

[Arkanos]

My old video card died, and I am on the prowl for a new one. It was an ATI Radeon X700 Pro, and performed extremely well on the games I was playing (WoW, Counter Strike: Source, Garry's Mod, Half Life, etc). It could handle all these games with the detail and such maxed out.

Anyway, I'm looking at this video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062

Just wondering if any computer junkie can tell me if that's a good buy, or suggest to me another card (looking for one $100 or less).

Thanks in advance.

[Tenelen]

If you can afford it, since I noticed you were looking for a low price. Get this (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150197) one, it's what I have and it runs most games on high to max settings.

[Owned]

If you want your next video card to last, I'd definately pick up a DirectX 10 card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130085

Also I'd suggest eVGA cards, they really have good customer service.

[rand0m]

Get a geforce 8800gt

they're new, run amazingly well and cheap.

[Tenelen]

If you want your next video card to last, I'd definately pick up a DirectX 10 card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130085

Also I'd suggest eVGA cards, they really have good customer service.

Shit, yeah your probably right. Go with that one.

eVGA has awesome customer service. My card was running, idle, at 70 degrees Celsius and would hit about 100 when I gamed and then my PC would crash. I RMA'd it and sent it in, got it back about 6 days later, 3 for the ship in 3 for the ship back. No problems with it now.

[Arkanos]

If you want your next video card to last, I'd definately pick up a DirectX 10 card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130085

Also I'd suggest eVGA cards, they really have good customer service.

Yeah, I was already looking towards eVGA. That card looks pretty decent- another one that caught my eye was http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130285

[Owned]

Well, I'd suggest getting a DECENT card with Dx10. Don't find the cheapest Dx10 card you can find because it's not gonna run it well. But I do suggest getting a Dx10 card.. so whatever you do you might end up spending more than you wanted, but it'll be worth it.

[h4z4rd]

I'd say definitely get a Geforce 8 series, because even if you don't have Vista (DX10) you will always have the option in the future to upgrade and take advantage of DX10. Also, games nowadays are taking advantage of the new features of DX10.

As for which one to get it depends on your budget. I would say pay a little more and get better performance...if you're looking for a card around 100 bucks maybe get a 8600gts for around $150?

[CSPope]

My old video card died, and I am on the prowl for a new one. It was an ATI Radeon X700 Pro, and performed extremely well on the games I was playing (WoW, Counter Strike: Source, Garry's Mod, Half Life, etc). It could handle all these games with the detail and such maxed out.

Anyway, I'm looking at this video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062

Just wondering if any computer junkie can tell me if that's a good buy, or suggest to me another card (looking for one $100 or less).

Thanks in advance.

That's the exact card I have. Runs everything you can throw at it with good framerates. If you don't mind not having DX10 then get that card.

I plan on using mine till next spring/summer and then upgrading to a nice, maybe sli, dx10 setup.

[elliott678]

I've got that exact card too, I'm not a huge gamer though, eVGA's customer support is awesome, I am on my 3rd card...first one died at my own fault, not sure what happened to the second, just died, never went above 55C.

[Rapex]

I got that card too. really reliable. It runs a lot of my games on maxed out graphics, like half life 2. But if you plan on getting the newest games and want to play them with the best possible graphics, get a DX10 card for just a little bit more money. Right now I'm happy with my 7600, but in the future I'll probably upgrade to an 8600 at least.

[Arkanos]

So if I have Vista, I will need a DX10 card? I don't have it, so that's not a requirement for me at the moment (however, I am looking at some new computers).

[h4z4rd]

No, DX10 (Vista) is backwards compatible with DX9 cards...meaning DX9 cards will work in Vista. Also, DX10 cards will work in XP, which is natively DX9.

[Arkanos]

No, DX10 (Vista) is backwards compatible with DX9 cards...meaning DX9 cards will work in Vista. Also, DX10 cards will work in XP, which is natively DX9.

Alright, thanks.

I'm caught between these two cards:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130285

I'm more than a casual gamer, but not hardcore (I do a fair amount of gaming). The games I own can be ran on pretty I detail (take CS:S, for example), and would like to capture that. I am aware that a more expensive card would be better, but like I said, I am not looking to spend more than $100.

Given that, which of those two cards (or another card in that price range) would be the best choice?

[h4z4rd]

Skip the 8500gt and get a 8600gt here (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130297)...even if the memory is only 256mb vs 512mb, the performance should be better.

Also, the 8600gt performs a tad better than the 7600gt...plus it has DX10.

[Arkanos]

Should I be worrying about the power supply? I'm not sure how to check this.

Minimum of a 350 Watt power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 18 Amps.)

[dialamo]

Should I be worrying about the power supply? I'm not sure how to check this.

Minimum of a 350 Watt power supply.
(Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 18 Amps.)
The only way to check is to open up your case and check the side of your power supply for a sticker with all the PSU's info. If you don't understand what it says, take a picture of it and post it here.

You should definitely be worried about your power supply. If it is not powerful enough, it can lead to random crashes/restarts or hardware failure when you insert new hardware that can't support it. Your new GFX card may also require a PCI-Express plug and you will have to check if the card you want to buy requires one and if your PSU has one. A good power supply is not that expensive if you are willing to spend $60 to $80 for a new one. The brand Antec is recommended.

Also just to double check, your GFX card slot is PCI-Express right? Need to know.

[Arkanos]

It's PCI Express x16, that's what my last card was before it pooped out on me.

I'm assuming it's 300 watts. I'll just type everything I see.

AC INPUT(47-63Hz): 100-127V/8A
200-240V/4A

DC OUTPUT: +5V = /25A, +12V = /19A
+3.3V = /18A, -12V = /0.9A
+5VSB = 2/A
MAX. OUTPUT POWER: 300W

[dextersmom]

If you want your next video card to last, I'd definately pick up a DirectX 10 card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130085

Also I'd suggest eVGA cards, they really have good customer service.

yea dude seriously wait a month or two or whatever it takes for you to earn ur allowance it'll be worth it in the end.....i just picked up an 8600 gts and i'm thinking about upping to the 8800 cuz evga has that upgrade / pay the difference deal.

but if you plan on buying a card thats gonna last do not go with the 7600 and if u really want it i'll sell you mine for 20 bucks

[dialamo]

It's PCI Express x16, that's what my last card was before it pooped out on me.

I'm assuming it's 300 watts. I'll just type everything I see.

AC INPUT(47-63Hz): 100-127V/8A
200-240V/4A

DC OUTPUT: +5V = /25A, +12V = /19A
+3.3V = /18A, -12V = /0.9A
+5VSB = 2/A
MAX. OUTPUT POWER: 300W

You definitely need a new PSU. Your assumption was right. It is 300W. (Max output power is the amount of wattage you PSU can put out) The +12v line seems quite decent at 19Amps (the +12v line is the most important part of a PSU, the higher amperage, the better) but it is not worth taking the risk.

Here is a decent power supply from Antec:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371004

Has everything you need, with 2 +12v rails (18A each = 36A total) and a PCI-E connector.

Although compare with some other PSU's before you buy one.

[Arkanos]

This computer is several years old, it's almost not even worth upgrading =/

Might just start looking into new computers. Thanks for your help, you saved a potential headache :)

[tonythetiger]

Anyone got a suggestion for an upgrade from a Geforce7600GS? AGP btw.