graphics card compatibility with current system

CharlotteN

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Jan 8, 2015
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I want to replace the graphics card in my PC (NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT) with something similar or better, is there anything I should watch for? As long as I pick up a card with the same interface (PCI Express x16), will every card work with the current system (providing the size will fit the case)? If not, what else affects whether it might work or not?

If anybody would care to make a recommendation, I'd be interested. I'm looking for something that can handle playing Second Life fairly smoothly and I do a fair amount of graphic work. What would be a good card at various budget points (say $50, $100, $200)? And why the differences in price, what is it that I get in a $200 card vs a $50 card?

Thanks in advance.
 
Ok, there are no good $50 graphics cards for graphics work. there is the 750 ti, which is around $105-130, or you could get a R7 260X which is about the same price, and in terms of video work should be better. the best to get for price would be a R9 270 ($155-190), as it can play almost all games smoothly, and should be powerful enough for standard graphics work. BUT, what is second life? (fps? something else?), and what graphic work do you do? In general, a $200 dollar graphics card will have more, and better ram (GDDR5 vs. DDR3, and higher bit numbers, 256-312 vs, 64 bit), run faster, and be more powerful by a large margin, when compared to a $50 dollar card.
 
Thanks, I'll have a look at the R9 270.
Second Life is a virtual world and it's pretty graphics intensive.
In terms of graphic work, it's mostly working with GIMP and Photoshop Elements, using a fair amount of layers and high resolution images. I can definitely tell my current system is struggling.
I'll go for the best card I can afford, I just hope it won't die like the original did!