Please help me choosing a GFX Card

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joe2122

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Mar 2, 2013
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Hello Everyone :hello:
My friend offered me a cheap desktop case but he took the GFX card, please I need your help to find the best card that the M.board can handle for gaming, I know its an old board but I got it cheap and want to get a High end GFX card if possible according to what u the experts think would be compatible, The board has only one PCIe 16x 2.0 slot.
Please give me two suggestions to what you think should be choosing, have no prefrence for ATi or Nvidia and if any components needs upgrading please don't hesitate to mention, I have no problem spending some extra cash.
Thanks
Joe

Spec
Case: all I know it's an ATX
OS: Windows XP SP3 32bit
HDD: seagate Barracuda 160GB SATA 3Gb/s
M.B.: Gigabyte GA EP45-UD3R http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3013#ov
Ram: Corsair 4GB (2 x 2GB) Two ( CM2X2048 - 8500C7) DDR2 1066 mhz
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 3.0 GHz Q9650 (12M Cache, 3.00 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB)
PSU: OCZ 700 watt GSX700 ( PCI-Express power Connector 2 x 6-Pin )
Display: Acer 27 inch S273HLbmii (1920 x 1080)
 
Solution


There is virtually no performance hit using pcie 2.0 vs. 3.0, even with today's strongest cards. You are good there.

As to graphics cards, do not sweat the decision. You will get what you pay for at every price point.
Your psu will support a card as strong as a $1000 GTX690.

AMD seems to win benchmarks, but Nvidia may play smoother.
Many like the NVidia drivers better. Put me in that camp.

But, really, buy the strongest card you feel comfortable paying for.
I would prefer the newer 28nm based cards because they run cooler and quieter, taking less power.
That is the GTX6xx and amd 7xxx...


my budget is $200 - $300
HD7870 or gtx 660 I think I'll be choosing between those two,
ndslite; what core2 u are reffering to, if it's the cpu then it's Quad core?
do you guys think hd7870 will be better than hd6950?


 
not any real measurable difference between 2.0/3.0.

i use a q9550 and a 6950 2gig and a gtx660. both are real good at 1920x1200.

I did find a small problem with the gtx660 and haven't yet had time to look into it. Maybe the 192bit memory interface or maybe a setting in the control panel or in game. only had the card for a few days. also game was FarCry2.

so, for sake of argument......... any 2gig card from AMD-- 6950 on up, or maybe a ti version of the 660? yet to be determined.

( 660 beats 6950 by a lot in benchmarks so not sure why I had that glitch )

 


There is virtually no performance hit using pcie 2.0 vs. 3.0, even with today's strongest cards. You are good there.

As to graphics cards, do not sweat the decision. You will get what you pay for at every price point.
Your psu will support a card as strong as a $1000 GTX690.

AMD seems to win benchmarks, but Nvidia may play smoother.
Many like the NVidia drivers better. Put me in that camp.

But, really, buy the strongest card you feel comfortable paying for.
I would prefer the newer 28nm based cards because they run cooler and quieter, taking less power.
That is the GTX6xx and amd 7xxx series.

The 7870 and GTX660 are somewhat comparable, and probably a good choice.

What was installed before?
It might be easiest to just drop in a similar amd or NVidia card and avoid a driver clean/install process.
 
Solution

Am not sure if it was amd or nvidia but I think Ill go with HD7870 seems very good to me.
Thanks man for your opinions. You helped me out here
Joe
 
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