Video Card

[Amminidabtree]

I'm going to be upgrading to a new video card and I'm not quite sure which type or brand I am going to buy. My budget I have to get a new one is between $175-$225, maximum I'd pay is $250.

I'm not sure which brand to get after reading around some reviews from websites. I have read that Nvidia's warranty is iffy being that cards would be registered but then the company has no record of the registration so that if your card breaks and needs to be replaced you aren't able to go through the process easily. I've also read that ATIRadeon cards could need to be replaced within months after buying them because the cooling fan breaks down or it isn't performing as it should and it would probably take 2-3 cards before you get a good one that lasts.

so...

I ask that I could get some input from other people who know what they're talking about since I hardly know anything about video cards other than the more expensive ones should run betterer.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Fuck you in advance if you're Obzen.

[Abscynth]

I just bought a Radeon 5750 from Best Buy, and its rocking some socks, I think I paid 170 for it, I was an nVidia fanboy for the longest time but I think I'm about to cross back over!

5750 would be my recommendation for a decent midrange card.

[Sterne1140]

The 5750 is a very good card. The next step above the kind of performance that you get from a card like this will cost you >300 dollars.

Also, what kind of system are you putting this into? If it is older than a year, you probably don't want to invest a huge sum of money.

[Amminidabtree]

I bought my computer about 2 months ago, so I'm pretty sure it would be a PCI-E.

[cnospam]

2 month old system,
*Did your current card break in some form?
*What card are you running now?
*What are your other system specs(AMD/Intl xxx, Motherboard brand/model)and mmm
*Making sure whatever new card you choose will be compatable with your overall system set up is another big one and mmm
*Cooling capabilities, are you runnin a micro form atx box? or a mid/full size tower.
*Air or water cooling?
Cooling wise its only gonna be big concern if you were to say buy a dual/quad core card like the 400series nvidia for example and then shove it into a cramped case not designed for upgrades(I.E. you bought one of the budget dell systems, they are terrible about making their cases barely large enough for what they stick in them)
Last question is
(related to the previous one)
*Will the new card physically fit the slot your gonna stick it in?
The graphics cards have grown in size and a lot of the newer high end cards stick out pretty far and/or cover multiple slots even though they are only plugged into one slot soo size MAY be a big consideration. Don't wanna blow 200 bucks only to figure out you can not even fit the thing into your case.

I am not a computer engineer but I have been building my own system and systems for others since I was younger and when I first came into the navy I was an eletronics engineer so to speak(weapon systems electronics). If you find no one else to assist you ( I am sure there is an IT tech around here somewhere) I'll be more than happy to get with you here or offline to talk about it V/R John (Saurial)

[Abscynth]

Since he's looking for a mid card I don't think cooling/fitting the thing into his case will be a huge deal. I was running an 8800GTX before this card and it BARELY fit in my case. The 5750 is a tight little card - as long as your computer is older than 5 years you'll be fine. All the "current" hardware in my machine is 4+ years old right now and I haven't run into any problems.

If he was talking about blowing 600 bucks on a new card I would be asking about other hardware is his machine, but for an entry level card just knowing that its PCI-E is fine :P

[cnospam]

Just covering the basis. I like asking stuff that may seem irrelevant up front rather than going back later and having to do rework. Just trying to be helpful If someone is less hardware savy they may have info that is relevant that they didn't consider before asking the question in my experience. No worries

[AbstractThought]

I did not take the time to read this whole thing, but I just wanted to laugh at you for a moment... XFX, lifetime warranty 5750,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150448&cm_re=5750-_-14-150-448-_-Product

And you paid... 170? xD Woooo Newegg! Poor Abs D:

Mini, ATI > Nvidia, and no matter what anyone says, SLI/Crossfire isn't worth it, unless you are a gaming fanatic that plays all the latest and greatest, because newer games are generally compatible, still not worth it IMO.

[Abscynth]

Meh, I really don't care, I didn't have to dick around with shipping, I walked into store, grabbed box, paid, left, installed card. Done.

Side note. My new computer kicks all kinds of ass. Its so fast >.>

[GM Fright]

Abscynth wrote:

Side note. My new computer kicks all kinds of ass. Its so fast >.>

I'm sure once you get a couple gigs of your cosplay, hentai and animal porn all loaded up it'll be right back to normal speed.