Help Choosing a Video Card.

[doje1999]

Hey guys, need some help picking out a video card. These are my current specs.

cpu: Intel e5200 @ 2.5
mobo: Gigabyte GA-G31M-ES2L
memory: G.skill 4 GB DDR2 800 mhz
case: Antec 300
psu: Corsair CMPSU-400CX 400W
os: Windows XP Service Pack 2

I'm looking to spend under $100 and heard the 4830 would be my best buy. I wanted to know if there is a drastic improvement for the 4850 that it'd be worth spending another $50 on it. Or maybe a GTS 250. Also, I'm looking to OC to about 3.2-3.5 and was wondering what cpu cooler would be good with my current setup. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[fullmetall]

with that psu, a 4830 is your max or your going to need to look into a bigger psu.

+1 on sapphire 4830.

 

[doje1999]

I guess I should just go with the sapphire 4830.

 

[doje1999]

with that psu, a 4830 is your max or your going to need to look into a bigger psu.

+1 on sapphire 4830.

Really? I looked at the customer reviews on this psu on newegg, and many of them are running SLI and Crossfire on it...And I'm sure I saw builds with GTS series and 4850 powered by this psu.

 

[Helloworld_98]

yeah but intel chipsets hog power compared to amd and nvidia chipsets.

even the uATX one's.

 

[fullmetall]

Yea i saw the 4670 being cross fired and a puny 9600gs.

those cards probably use up barely 10a a peice, or less.

the 4830 + 400cx is recommended.

 

[doje1999]

yeah but intel chipsets hog power compared to amd and nvidia chipsets.

even the uATX one's.

I see, well looks like I'll just pick up the sapphire 4830. Can you recommend a good cpu cooler for my rig?

 

[doje1999]

Yea i saw the 4670 being cross fired and a puny 9600gs.

those cards probably use up barely 10a a peice, or less.

the 4830 + 400cx is recommended.

Not too sure what 400cx is? Is that your recommendation for my cpu cooler? Do you think the psu can handle 4830x2? Thanks.

 

[Helloworld_98]

no it's a psu 😛

 

[doje1999]

no it's a psu 😛

haha makes sense? any recommendation on cpu cooler?

 

[fullmetall]

400cx is the corsair 400w.

idk why they cant just put 400w its always cx or vx or tx, hx on and on.

You have a big enough case for a s1283 xigmatek + arctic silver 5 compound

 

[doje1999]

400cx is the corsair 400w.

idk why they cant just put 400w its always cx or vx or tx, hx on and on.

You have a big enough case for a s1283 xigmatek + arctic silver 5 compound

Thx! What does the arctic silver 5 compound do?

 

[fullmetall]

Arctic Silver 5 is thermal compound that goes inbetween the Heatsink and CPU.

It's a heat spreader to cool temperature's.

If you decide to Overclock, this is recommended usage of any tower.

The stock cooler that comes with the cpu should be good enough for a low/mid Overclock.