NVidia 8800GT died, looking for replacement advice

[trickycoolj]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ASAP

BUDGET RANGE: Under $250 Before Rebates

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: HD video, gaming (Starcraft II, Rift, L4D, L4D2, Portal2, would like this to work well for future titles in the next few years), some video editing such as converting home movies from Hi8 tapes to digital formats

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: PNY XLR8 GeForce 8800GT (Died yesterday borrowing 8500 GT until I get a new card), Antec EarthWatts 650W

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS:
Win7 64bit
Intel i5 750
GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD4 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX
8GB G.SKILL ECO Series 4GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
LITE-ON Blu-ray Burner with 3D Playback
Antec mini P180 (room for about 10” length card, lots of fan power)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg (Amazon charges tax in WA)

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: nVidia only (family works at Intel not supporting competitors)

OVERCLOCKING: Unlikely, maybe after a year or two when trying to squeeze a bit more performance out in the future

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: SLI compatible, but no room for it on mATX

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920 x 1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Card died yesterday, was just 3 years old and was a reputable brand. It was my only recycled part in my new build a year and a half ago. I suspect airflow/placement in my new case caused it to suck up too much dust between facing and heatsinks causing early wear. Was a bit ashamed I never thought to check inside the graphics card when doing my semi-annual PC dusting. Lesson learned.

 

[iam2thecrowe]

gtx560ti would be your best option, i dont think you can get a gtx570 for under $250.

 

[Inkiad]

I also think GTX560TIi will be good.

Here is the review
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nvidia-geforce-gtx-560-ti-gf114,2845.html

 

[trickycoolj]

Thanks for the tips. I have a few additional questions before I pull the trigger on a card. I'm also looking at the GTX560, since according to the review article the specs seem really close to the 560Ti. My biggest concern is that I have an Antec EarthWatts 650W power supply. 650W seemed like it should be plenty to run either GTX560 cards but I don't really understand the amperage ratings for the 12V rails.

I'm looking at:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130623
Which says "Minimum 500W or greater system power supply (with a minimum 12V current rating of 30A)"
And
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130660 (450 Watt or greater power supply (Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 24 Amps.)



My power supply has 3 12V rails but rated lower at 22A, 22A and 25A (if I'm reading the Antec chart correctly). From what I understand from Antec's PSU myths busted article (http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/PSU/index.php) the GPU is going to draw from all the rails and that if any one surges it would be turned off by OCP (set at 30A for my PSU).

So I guess I just want to make sure I'm safe with my power supply, not that it crashes and I should have just ordered a PSU too.

 

[Supernova1138]

Your power supply is fine for either card. The GPU manufacturers tend to overstate the power supply recommendations for their cards due to all the really crappy power supplies out there. You have a good quality 650 Watt Power Supply, enough to run any single GPU setup, you'll have plenty of power for either card.

 

[nforce4max]

When it comes to choosing a gtx 560 ti be sure to get one that has the mid plate that cools the power vrm and vram. If it does not better be sure there is something there to keep these areas cool or the card will slowly degrade over time.