Buying new video card help

[lightfyre]

Need something to replace my old 7600GT. It was nice but I frankly got tired of listening to its fan sounding like a jet engine in my room.

I'm not an heavy gamer who plays any of the really demanding FPS games, but maybe for older games like Team Fortress 2 and something like the new starcraft 2 when it comes out.

Looking to spend around $100-150, relatively powerful in that range but also quiet. Either ATI/Nvidia is fine.

There are some limits though, I have an older 400w PSU with no pcie connector so I think it rules out some of the newer cards like ATI 4850 or even a 9800GT.

Getting a new PSU isn't impossible but I don't know if it's worth the money just to get something pretty average now like a 4850 or even a 4870.

thanks for the help.

 

[coozie7]

Give us more details: CPU, motherboard, monitor resoloution and, critically, the PSU specs; Take the side off to see and post the +12v output or outputs as well as maker.

 

[lightfyre]

My PSU is this:
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171007

+3.3V@25A, +5V@32A, +12V@19A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@2.0A

CPU is an older e6400 core 2 duo.
Monitor is just a regular 1680x1050 LCD
Motherboard is GIGABYTE GA-965P-DS3 LGA 775 Intel P965

I now know cooler master is pretty bad PSU but didn't know three years ago when my friend suggested it.

 

[Onus]

That PSU is overrated. You could probably safely run a 4670 on it. A budget of up to $150 will allow you to replace the PSU (e.g. with an Antec Earthwatts 430) and still get a 4850, but if you'd rather keep it to $100 or less, go with the 4670.

 

[indigoataxia]

I would at the very least suggest an ATI 4670 like this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161252

or a 9600GT, like this low power model here

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130485

those are to be on the safe side. if your feeling lucky you can try a 4830, 4850, or 4770. whatever you feel like spending, you cant go wrong with either. i think a gts 250 or 9800GT might be pushing it with 19A and a cooler master brand.

if it were me i would get this 4850, for $100 its a steal

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770

 

[Onus]

19A total on +12V is probably not enough for a 4850, especially considering the true limit on that PSU is probably closer to 15A.

 

[lightfyre]

4670 it is then, think I'll go the ATI route this time. thanks for the quick replies.

 

[pb7280]

id go with the new 4770, since it runs on 40nm (as opposed to 65nm in every other card availible today), it is cool, quiet, and less power consuming. dont try to get the very most power consuming card your psu can handle, because, depending on your cpu, it may not be enough to hold up your whole system.

BUT wait until next month, ati is supposed to be releasing their new rv800 gpu, which will all be 40nm, more stream processors (good), and it will run ms new directx 11. also it will generally be faster. i was gonna buy a 4870x2 but decided to wait until the new series comes out.

EDIT: sorry current cards run 55nm, some older ones like the gtx 260 runs 65

 

[boulard83]

If you wait DX11 its your choice. Not a bad one.

If you still want to upgrade now cause this computer isnt the top of the line, si it wont really use DX11, i would consider buying a NEW PSU and a 9800GT or HD4830 and then have sime fun.

You can find a 9800GT or HD4830 for way under 100$ and a good 500 PSU. Just take a look at Newegg or NCIX. here in canada that the 2 site im looking. Newegg is often the cheapest.