Which Card to choose

[dylanchan1688]

Which card shall i choose

1. Gecube HD3850 256MB DDR3 256Bit
2. Power Colour HD3650 256MB DDR3 256Bit
3. Gigabyte 9600GSO 384MB DDR3 192Bit (Zalman Fan)

Does any of those card supports the AcBel 390W TruePower Psu?

And can i play crysis in the medium graphic detail level (Resolution 1650X1050)

 

[DarthPiggie]

scratch that 3650 off that list. It isn't 256-bit. when it comes down to it, i reccomend the 3850, just for the better bus. Also ATI needs the business really.
http://en.expreview.com/2008/01/25/review-xfx-geforce-8800-gs-384mb-ddr3-xxx/?page=6

 

[nvalhalla]

I'd go with the 3850, or wait for the 4850 if you can afford it's MSRP of $200 next moth.

 

[a 6pack in]

why not a 3870??

 

[aevm]

Try a HD 3850 512MB. 256 MB is a bit too small IMO for 1680x1050.

 

[Maziar]

agree with aevm
The extra memory will help in higher resolutions like 1680x1050

 

[nvalhalla]

Yeah, should have specified. The 512 MB version is the way to go.

 

[Onus]

Although apparently tier-3, your AcBel PSU may not be up to the task. How old is it, and how many amps on the +12V rails? Otherwise the HD3850 suggested by aevm would be a good choice.

 

[yman]

sooo confused! i've got £200 ($400) max to spend on a new card been lookin at HIS hd 3780 512mb gddr4 iceq3 turbo 851/2380 for £125 which i'm one click away from buying, but for another £50, places like ebuyer and microdirect are selling 8800 GTX 768mb, 8800 GT 1gb for around £170-£200 mark.
but when comparing core/memory clock speeds the ATI comes out on top, does it matter about the speeds or is it all about the memory bandwidth (GTX=384 bit to ati 256 bit) and the main memory (gtx=768mb, ati=512mb).

i would like to runs games on 1680x1050 with setttings upto max, games such as any tom clancy game, half life 2, fifa 08, PES 08, and call of duty but for as cheaply as possible.
the perfect card i'm looking for, if you were to combine the graphics of ps3 and xbox 360 what would be the card?
please recommend some cards and would you buy any of the cards mentioned

 

[nvalhalla]

3850<3870<8800GT<8800GTX

Take the 8800GT over the 3870 if the price is reasonable for you, it tends to be a little faster. Take the 8800GTX if you can afford that, it is a little faster than the GT. Look for an 8800GTS 512MB, it performs as well as the GTX and is usually a little cooler, a little lower power consumption and a little lower price.

 

[nvalhalla]

Or wait a month for the 4870. Should be ~$250 US and twice as fast as the 8800GTS. If you can stand to wait for a slipping launch date that might only happen on paper... That's always a risk.

 

[aevm]

sooo confused! i've got £200 ($400) max to spend on a new card been lookin at HIS hd 3780 512mb gddr4 iceq3 turbo 851/2380 for £125 which i'm one click away from buying, but for another £50, places like ebuyer and microdirect are selling 8800 GTX 768mb, 8800 GT 1gb for around £170-£200 mark.

If you can afford the 8800GTX and a new power supply then go for it. 390W won't be enough for this card. For example BFG recommends 475W and at least 32A on the 12V rails.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143080

Here's the cheapest power supply at microdirect that I would trust with an 8800GTX:
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(17482)OCZ-600SXS-StealthXStream-600W-PSU--3-year.aspx
OCZ 600SXS StealthXStream 600W, £47.58

Also, does your case have room for a 10.5" long video card? The 8800GTX may not fit if your case is smallish.

Asus 8800GTX, £176.24
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/(15913)Asus-Extreme-8800GTX-768MB-DDR3-PCIE-Dual.aspx

Can you afford £47.58 + £176.24 ?

 

[yman]

the size and the wattage are fine.
the 8800gtx's in my opinion are going for a bargin at the minute do u think its a good time to upgrade and do you know when there is going to be another price drop, i'm just looking for a really good card for as cheaply as possible,
and can u recommened some more retailers i only no of dabs, ebuyer microdirect and planet micro.

 

[aevm]

www.overclockers.co.uk
www.scan.co.uk

If you prefer to pay more and have the latest stuff, then now it's a bad time to upgrade for you and you should wait for the upcoming 4xxx cards from AMD and GTX 2xx from nVidia.

If you prefer to stay one generation behind and get better value for the money and mature drivers with most bugs fixed, now would be a good time. The 8800GTS G92 and the 8800GTX and the HD 3870 are all excellent value for the current prices IMO.

Personally, I'm in the second category, kind of. I got my 8800GTX when it was down to $650, from $900. The bugs were still there too, or at least lots of them. nVidia took about a year from the day 8800GTX was launched, to the day they released drivers that actually worked for me without any blue screens of death.