What Graphics card do you recomend?

[grujam15]

I have a gateway model dx430x with an intel core 2 quad, 400w PSU, and a Intel Corporation DG965OT Motherboard. I am looking to run most new games reasonably at 1680x 1050 resolution on a budget of about $150 US. What would be a good compliment for the Quad Core pross.

 

[EXT64]

Do you know exactly what Intel Quad Core you have? Regardless, the real limiting factor in your system is the Power Supply. With that PSU, I think a 4670 or 4770 may be the highest you can safely go. Often OEM systems are designed with little headroom in the PSU area, which makes them a pain to upgrade. Also, do you know if that PSU even has a PCI-E six pin power? Would you be comfortable with upgrading the PSU as well?

 

[jerreece]

If you could upgrade the PSU, I'd definitely go for an ATI 4870 in that budget. But I really doubt your PSU is going to be able to handle that. If it even has a PCI-E six pin like EXT64 asked about. 🙁

The 4870 would very easily play modern games @ 1680 x 1050 though.

 

[grujam15]

First, I am partiall to nVidia. Second, i do not think i have any additional power wires, at least there are none hooked up to my nVidia 7500 LE. I have been looking at the nVidia geforce 8800 gt. really i want something that is not lacking compared to the prossesor. (2.40 gigahertz Intel Core2 Quad Q6600) I would rather not upgrade the PSU.

 

[jerreece]

If you want to stay nVIdia, your best option for less than $150 is the GTS 250. Unfortunately, it's not as good as the ATI 4870 (which is equal to GTX 260). However, even the GTS 250 is going to require a PSU upgrade I'm afraid. The GTS 250 will require 1 6-pin power connector from your PSU.

The 8800GT / 9800GT is a good card for what it is, and I think you can get away without having the power connector. You can get a 9800GT for under $100. But you could get a better performing card from ATI for similar money if you were willing to switch. And that's coming from a guy who has 2 nVidia card's in SLI...

 

[grujam15]

An important note is that the dx430x case only has a single port opening. How would i exactly know if there are any extra power conectors from the PSU. I mainly would like to run the new Dawn of War 2 online with medium settings with the things i have.

 

[EXT64]

Well, I'm not up on the NVidia mid range, but without a PSU upgrade you would probably want to stick with the equivalent of an ATI 4670. You can technically go from 2 molex to 1 PCI-E power (if you have extra of those) but I just think that anything much beyond the 75W range would be pushing your luck depending on the quality/age of the PSU. A 4670 or NVidia equivalent would still be a very nice upgrade from a 7500 LE (Huge, actually).

 

[EXT64]

To see the number of power connectors, you have to take the side panel off. Then just inspect what if any plugs are not in use.

 

[grujam15]

ok, i have one 6-pin connector not connected. What options does that open, if any.

 

[grujam15]

lets simplify this. What would you recomend to do, with what i have now, to get a computer that will run most new games well for about $150