GeForce GTS 250 - Is it good?

[gamer2]

I would like to know what a GeForce GTS 250 1GB is capable of. Some people say it really sucks and can barely play Runescape. Other's say it's great and can handle games such as Crysis Warhead on max, GTA4, etc, even next-gen games.

This is the computer I plan on getting; http://ibuypower.com/Store/Configurators.aspx?mid=69

w/ 500GB hard drive added, and the Quiet and Overclocking Proof Fan & Heatsink.

+if your familiar with ibuypower, is it reliable? I don't want to get it and it to having missing stuff etc.

Thanks, please post.

 

[gamer2]

my system is an xfx gts 250
phenom ii 720 be
corsair 4gb 800mhz ram

i know about this stuff, and i know for sure that the xfx gts 250 512mb only requires one pci connector. It is the best graphics card on the market that works with one pci power connector, and most energy consuming for one pci power connector. That's why the 1gb version requires two pci connectors to make it stable to hold that much memory, but ultimately it is not faster than the 512mb version.

I know, I believe you.

But don't I need the 1GB for lower-res games such as Combat Arms or Soldier Front?

 

[gamer2]

If it's a good quality psu get a 550 true watt. Or 600watt is good because oyu have an upgrade futre. Just get the cheapest 4870 avialable which would be 512mb. Or get the GTS 250, over the ati 4850 since it is slightyl better. If not get the ATI 4850 is price of the gts 250 is not justified and you run out of funds. yes the phenom ii 550 be is good, do you want to save your money for the graphics card? i would buy the phenom ii 550 be as opposed to the e8400. I think it is almost as good as the e8400 and costs much less. You can overclock nicely with the 550 be as well, and it runs very cool. But try and go for the phenom ii 720, if you find it and buy it instead of the e8400, because it has 3 cores and you would be future safe.

http://ibuypower.com/Store/Configurators.aspx?mid=69

Whats the difference in getting a Triple Core 720 then an AMD athlon X2 245 dual-core?

 

[ewood]

I know, I believe you.

But don't I need the 1GB for lower-res games such as Combat Arms or Soldier Front?

No, the opposite. The higher resolution and more textures generally the more memory the game will use. With a single gts 250 you wont see any benefit from 1 gig over 512mb at a playable resolution. You may at super high resolutions but games will most likely be unplayable by the time there is a significant difference. I have a 9800gtx volt modded and ocd to 908 core and 1320ish mem and it plays crysis at 1680x1050 decent, but just doesn't have the processing power to do it well with all settings on high. Its not the lack of memory the card just cant pull it off.

 

[gamer2]

No, the opposite. The higher resolution and more textures generally the more memory the game will use. With a single gts 250 you wont see any benefit from 1 gig over 512mb at a playable resolution. You may at super high resolutions but games will most likely be unplayable by the time there is a significant difference. I have a 9800gtx volt modded and ocd to 908 core and 1320ish mem and it plays crysis at 1680x1050 decent, but just doesn't have the processing power to do it well with all settings on high. Its not the lack of memory the card just cant pull it off.

So basically, I don't have a huge montior so the 1GB is useless? Shouldn't I just get the 1GB now and get a big monitor later? Or would the current 1GB at a 17" not play some games?

I'm not so great with computers, btu I'm learning. 😗

 

[ewood]

learning is great! in my experience you dont need a more than 512 unless you are gaming OVER 1680 by 1050 AND and enough gpu power so that the memory becomes a bottleneck. So basically unless you play to sli two gts 250s in the future in my opinion you wont need the 1 gig. If you plan to sli and get a much larger monitor than by all means get a 1gig model.

If youre going to only use one card and game no higher than 1680x1050 I would spend the money on a 4870 512 not a gts 250 1 gig

 

[gamer2]

learning is great! in my experience you dont need a more than 512 unless you are gaming OVER 1680 by 1050 AND and enough gpu power so that the memory becomes a bottleneck. So basically unless you play to sli two gts 250s in the future in my opinion you wont need the 1 gig. If you plan to sli and get a much larger monitor than by all means get a 1gig model.

If youre going to only use one card and game no higher than 1680x1050 I would spend the money on a 4870 512 not a gts 250 1 gig

Okay thanks, but whats the difference between a ATI 4870 and a GTS 250 1GB? (and should I get the 512 mb or 1Gb for the aTI 4870)? I mean if theres not THAT much difference then theres no point.

 

[ewood]

I'm not sure if i understand your question... The 4870 is somewhat faster than the 250 in most games and slower in very very few. as for the 1g of 512 mb thats up to you. if you're going to sli/crossfire and play at a really high resolution then go for the 1gig if not going to do those things don't waste your money.

 

[lucuis]

And sorry I don't buy from dell monitors they're way overpriced.

How are they overpriced? Paying money for high quality is not overpriced. Also, you could wait for sales. Dell has them every week it seems. I got my S2409W for $249 Canadian, it's a 24".

 

[gamer2]

I'm not sure if i understand your question... The 4870 is somewhat faster than the 250 in most games and slower in very very few. as for the 1g of 512 mb thats up to you. if you're going to sli/crossfire and play at a really high resolution then go for the 1gig if not going to do those things don't waste your money.

Okay thanks, now that's over with. I'm just going to stick with the 1GB so I don't have to update it a few months from now when I have a 20". Caus' I'd probably have to buy a whole new graphics card.

;

http://ibuypower.com/Store/Configurators.aspx?mid=69

So I take;

• AMD Athlon™ II X2 245 CPU
• 4GB DDR2-800 Memory
• nVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 1GB
• 320 GB HARD DRIVE
• 22X Double Layer DVD+/-RW

And turn it into;

• AMD Phenon II X2 550 Black Edition Dual-Core CPU (or 720 triple core)
• 4GB DDR2-800 Memory
• nVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 1GB (I want 1GB for games other then Crysis)
• 500 GB HARD DRIVE
• 22X Double Layer DVD+/-RW

= Crysis on max etc. (does the 550 II phenom/720 phenom make that much of difference from 245 II athlon?)

 

[gamer2]

How are they overpriced? Paying money for high quality is not overpriced. Also, you could wait for sales. Dell has them every week it seems. I got my S2409W for $249 Canadian, it's a 24".

Well that's on sales, if you happen to come by one please let me know 😀. I think I'll get this 20.1" LCD monitor ($167, sale) from ibuypower? Good deal ?

 

[gamer2]

If you could answer those that would be great, and I'd be done here.

Thanks.

 

[lucuis]

Well that's on sales, if you happen to come by one please let me know 😀. I think I'll get this 20.1" LCD monitor ($167, sale) from ibuypower? Good deal ?

Is there a link to said monitor you're looking at? Either way i'd suggest stalking the Dell deals page for while until there's a sale you can afford.

 

[gamer2]

Is there a link to said monitor you're looking at? Either way i'd suggest stalking the Dell deals page for while until there's a sale you can afford.

http://ibuypower.com/Store/Configurators.aspx?mid=69

Go to software & accesories.

Scroll down to monitors.

The ones shaded green are on sale.

+Please answer others thanks

 

[lucuis]

I wouldn't get any of those. Keep an eye out on Newegg.com or similar. Check reviews, my first picks would be Dell, LG, Samsung.

With the GTS 250 you should be able to max Crysis at low resolutions. But since you're planning on getting a new monitor, oyu might not be able to max it. Close though.

 

[gamer2]

I wouldn't get any of those. Keep an eye out on Newegg.com or similar. Check reviews, my first picks would be Dell, LG, Samsung.

With the GTS 250 you should be able to max Crysis at low resolutions. But since you're planning on getting a new monitor, oyu might not be able to max it. Close though.

Err yeah ibuypower is known for their horrible monitors.

What the hell do you mean crysis low res.. people say it max's it, low res can be played at like an ATI 4550, which is far behind GTS.

I don't think you know what you're talking about when you say it plays it on low res, it's not like crysis is a very high-end game, and with a 17" or 19" I could max it out. I've seen REAL LIFE proof that crysis has been played low res on a 10" monitor with an ATI 4350. It was like an 1980s monitor.

GTS is capable of crysis, mirrors edge, and loads of other games on high res or itleast medium.

And you went way off topic on what I was asking, and talked about the monitors.

I am taking my questions elsewhere, Tomshardware isn't full of helpful advice etc.

 

[lucuis]

Believe me, i know what i'm talking about.

Let's first clarify my meanings. By low res i meant lower res, 1680x1050 or lower. I should have been more clear, since i run a higher res at 1920x1080. Check this out, http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gts-250,2172-6.html

At MAX settings, minus AA, the GTS250 pulls an average of 21.3 FPS at 1680x1050. That's hardly playable, actions scenes will drop the frame rate into the teens, it will be choppy.

Now there's configurations to get the game to look and feel very much like max settings, but run smoother. Perhaps that is what you're referring to. Clearly at 1680x1050 the GTS250 cannot perform well enough for most to consider the game playable. At 1280x1024, it'd probably be fine. I find Crysis to become annoying below ~20 FPS. MAX settings, keep in mind.

And WHAT are you asking? All i'm seeing is inquires on a monitor that's cheap and shitty. I have advised against it. What else is there? If you mean your projected processor upgrade, it should be obvious. And if it isn't, yes the Phenom II are a big difference over the Athlon. And to be fair your last post was in response to my question about your first question about the monitor for $167.

Well that's on sales, if you happen to come by one please let me know 😀. I think I'll get this 20.1" LCD monitor ($167, sale) from ibuypower? Good deal ?

So don't tell me i went off topic.

If you want clear conclusive advice, provide clear meaningful questions.

Why are you even on here if you seem to know the answers anyway?

 

[gamer2]

What the hell happened to my post? It got screwed up...

 

[gamer2]

Anyways whats the point in getting a phenon 720, new processor to it, etc, when GTS 250 so called can't play crysis on a 19" or 17" (19" preffered)...

You're the one who went off-topic. Your second post here was about getting a good deal on monitors so I wouldn't talk.

What the hell? I reply to everyone? ....?

 

[lucuis]

I never said to get the phenom 720, i just said it's be an upgrade over what you have. This all comes back to clear questions, clear answers.

The point of getting an upgraded processor is to power a better graphics card, in this case the graphics card in question is the GTS 250. Since the GTS 250 is inadequate to your needs, as you have observed, different options emerges. Those options would be to purchase a more powerful graphics card, or not upgrade your monitor.

That being said, i don't think you'll need to upgrade your processor. It should be able to push a GTX 275, or ATI 4890/5850. Which is what i recommend for what you want to do. The 4890 being the cheapest, the 5850 being the most expensive. Performance reflects their price points.

I sincerely hope that answers your questions. If not please restate them in a response post. And be glad i'm still responding to your posts. Most people would just ignore you, like they already are. Demanding behavior doesn't get you polite answers, if any.

Enjoy

 

[sparky13]

i thought the GTS 250 aka the 9800GTX+ was better than the 8800GTS. And i thought it was only the 8800GTX and the ultra that were better. But those aren't on the market anymore and they wouldn't perform well in new games because they are getting outdates and their drivers aren't being updated?
But for Crysis yeah i am unsatisfied, would need something liek a ATI 4890 but then that costs alot more. Or Nvidia equivilant, i would like 2 ATI 4890s though to be honest. In a way i am really happy about my XFX GTS 250, it is actually a really small card, compared to all of the cards above it, it basicly is the 9800gtx+ put onto a smaller board, and with one pci power connector should be PSU friendly. It's a sensible gpu as well, while gaming it doesn't actually spin it's fan to 100 % and so i don't here massive noise while playing my game. It stays relatively cool as well even though it doesn't spin it's fans to 100% and it looks pretty cool, http://my.hardwarezone.com/img/data/nnews/2009/12906/Image/GTS%20250%20GS250XYDFC%20Box+Card.JPG http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/df7f04907e.jpg

GTX 260>HD 4870>GTS 250>HD 4850>9800GT (possibly about the same the 4850 and GTS 250, the 4850 is a good card)

I have the exact same card XFX GTS 250 and would echo these statements except the bit about noise. When the fan spins to anything above 70% it sounds like a hoover to me. The fan noise on this card really bugs me (I mess around with Rivatuner to shut it up a bit) but if it gets a bit hot it will make some noise. It's not a deal breaker by any means and I think you can get one for around 120.00 now which imho is a good deal. I play on a 19" monitor @ 1440 x 900 and everything except crysis I can max out w/frame rates in the 80-120 fps range. If noise doesn't bother you I'd say go for it. Anything above it would be a wase of money unless you plan on buying a larger monitor down the road. Peace.

 

[BassBallz]

The fan noise can sometimes be attributed to the heat sink cover. Some people have modded the card by removing the cover, that reduces fan noise significantly. I have one of those MSI GTS250 512mb OCv2 i just bought off new egg last month. Personally I love it. I play Halo 2 at max settings on my 19" monitor and it doesn't even hiccup or distort. Very smooth.

The fan noise at higher speeds does make a bit of noise, but i removed the heat sink cover and it actually lowered the temp by 4-5 degrees and lowered the volume by half i'd say.

Out of all the cards out right now, I personally like the GTS250 because the value/price ratio is hard to beat. The particular card i have is factory overclocked to 760mhz, but i can get it to run stable at 825mhz with no additional cooling beyond removing the heat sink cover.

 

[sparky13]

It's safe to leave the heat sink exposed without the cover? I'll try that out and see if it makes a difference. Like I said above it's the only complaint I have about the card. Thanks for the tip!

 

[BassBallz]

The only thing to consider is if you have animals in the house (cats, dogs). Just clean the card as well as the rest of your computer regularly with can of air, NOT A VACUUM!

 

[sparky13]

The only thing to consider is if you have animals in the house (cats, dogs). Just clean the card as well as the rest of your computer regularly with can of air, NOT A VACUUM!

It won't work. I took the plastic housing off but the fan sits in the housing, they're connected together. I would have to ditch the fan all together and I don't want to run it passively. Perhaps I'll look into an aftermarket cooler. I saw a Zalman GPU cooler at FRY'S last time I was there for about 20 bucks.

 

[BassBallz]

It all depends on who made your GTS250. Mine is made from MSI and the fan was not a connected piece to the cover. Sorry about that!