Windows 7: I need your opinion: Upgrading To EVGA GeForce GT 430 1 GB DDR3 PCI-E?

Hello. I have a question with a sincere honest answer or opinion.

If I am going from my EVGA GeForce 512 MB DDR3 PCI-E 9600GT Overclocking video card (already 3 years old now since the release of the processor) to the newer EVGA GeForce GT 430 1 GB DDR3 PCI-E 2.0 Graphics Card (01G-P3-1430-LR) (released in October 2010) result in better graphics than what I have now???

I know the graphics card is more of EVGA 430 series's 'economy' line, but I hear that it is really not bad for the low price. I need to know if it will be a good fit? Will I actual be ahead?

Okay, my video graphics habit implications I know you're asking yourself...

A. I have Windows 7 Professional 64-bit. I have 8 GB of RAM.
B. Basically, I am not a true blood gamer. To be honest, I rarely play games with the inherent downloaded Microsoft Games in Windows 7 at times.
C. I am using the DVI connection cable for an (1) older 19 inch Samsung SyncMaster 930B LCD Monitor.
D. I do alot of photo and video editing with the latest Corel and Adobe professional products plus other like-products.
E. I use the "highest screen" resolution AT ALL TIMES (1280 x 1024). I never switch out to a lower resolution.

Okay, any issues you see here I may have with my habits?

Based on the EVGA GeForce 430 GT line compared to the GeForce 9600 GT line, where am I ahead? ...where am I regressing?

Please reply.

Thank you!

The only things the GT 430 really has over your current card is DirectX 11 and much lower power,

Video Card Comparison - GPUReview.com

for everything else it would be a downgrade. There aren't many reviews that have both cards in it but this one does (for most of the benchmarks),

ZOTAC GeForce GT 430 1 GB Review - Page 1/32 | techPowerUp

Hello there, the GT 430 is not greater than your 9600GT

On some level, the "decent" upgrade here could be a GT 440, which is an updated version of the GT 240, which at the same time is an updated version of the 9600GT

Newegg.com - gt 440

Although it has only 128-bits of memory interface, where the 9600GT has 256-bit.

Here you have Nvidia Specs:

GT 440: GeForce GT 440
9600 GT: NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT

Cheers

This is a handy site > Video Card Benchmark

According to Ciara's suggestion..

It actually corroborates what i've said.

9600GT --- 930 points
GT 440 --- 1,095 points.

Hello all!

Thanks for all your replies!!!

I have to agree now looking at this. You all make valid points about the GT430 would be a 'downgrade' from what I have now.

Thanks!!!

I have been doing some online comparisons myself now and I see the GT 440 would be a slight improvement from what I have now. THE BOTTOM LINE IS that I am NOT a gamer, so even 'slightly' an improvement is still "GOOD"! I just do intensive photo and video editing. That would be the most stress on the graphics card for me. My 9600GT during its dabute 3 years ago was the 'thing' for gamers and games at that time all games worked great with the 9600GT. Now, it can still do the job, but NOW it is slightly underrated for gamers. STILL, FOR ME, again I'm not a gamer (Even though I try to keep abreast of the latest hardware.) so even the slightest improvement grahics card would be better than I have now.

I called EVGA sales and asked them about the GT 440 to my 9600GT. He said he would opt me for the GTS 450. He considers the GTS 450 (at present) a hot little gem and a good bang for the buck! He said now I am getting my money's worth (*compated to what I have now*)! A *major* improvement to the 9600GT per him. BUT I never told him I was not a gamer. He may of changed his tune, but regardless; *knowing what he I have already*, he wanted to see me get the most bang for my buck. He said it is only $20-30 more than the GT 440.

So I have to think... ...base it on:
A. Improvement of *what I have now* (get the GTS 450)?
B. Improvement of what I have now *in relation to my computer habits (Importantly: not a gamer)*? I do not ever plan to be a gamer. (get the GT 440)?

The only thing I do NOT LIKE about the GTS 450 is that it is a two slot card. I want a one slot card because it would take up one of two of my PCI-E (x1) slots. I NEED THOSE PCI-E slots VERY BADLY!!! The GT 440 only has one slot, but some brands do extend into a second slot based on the heat sink thickness. The EVGA brand one does not extend into the second slot.

ALSO, I DO NOT want to spend a big amount of money. $100 is max.!!! Geese, it seems every Windows operating system that comes out, a new DirectX version arrives. 9600GT is DirectX 10 for Windows Vista. Any of the 400 series are DirectX 11 for Windows 7. If you want the latest OS, you have to keep buying a new graphics card???

Please reply.

Thanks!!!

100$ max, GT 440 is a no-brainer.

GTS 450 needs more power and as the EVGA salesman told you, it's 20$ more expensive, if you don't want to spend the 20 extra bucks, and you're not a gamer, GT 440 is the way to go.

But please buy the GDDR5 version. the GT 440 that's on Newegg is the DDR3 version.

Galaxy, on the other hand, has a GDDR5 version! but has 512MB of memory.

Zotac offers a 1GB GDDR5 version, but it's a 2-slot video card

All things considering if gaming isn't a consideration, then you haven't really given any reason for making the "upgrade",

Are you using anything that will take advantage of DirectX 11? If not, why spend the money.

Again, no you don't. As far as Windows goes while it may come with DirectX 11, it only requires a DirectX 9 card for things like Aero to function.

Even the lower power usage of the GT 430 doesn't make sense for the upgrade, as it will take a long time to make up what is spent on the card over the small cost savings in electricity (think 100W to 60W light bulb, and how little it is over the course of a year).

@ Punkster:

Thanks for your reply! YES, I will go with the GT440! I need to use LESS POWER!!!

I am looking at the EVGA brand one (a good brand), it "appears" to be one slot unit. See:

Amazon.com: EVGA GeForce GT 440 1024MB DDR3 PCI-Express 2.0 Graphics Card Video Card 01G-P3-1441-KR: Electronics

The only I have seen SO FAR that is a "1" slot. I know that black casing on one on the link above "appears" to be a 2 slot, but I am pretty sure it is not.

The only thing is that it is a DDR3 unit and not the GDDR5 version.

If you could find a GT440 that is a single slot, that is GDDR5 version, and that is atleast 1 GB memory; we have it licked!

I will be looking too. Please let me know. I appreciate that!!!

THANK YOU!!!

@ stormy13:

Hello. I don't mean to ignore you at all!!!

You do raise good questions in your post. Yes, there is a ***HUGE*** issue I am having with my EVGA 9600GT at this point and I have been bending over backwards trying to figure it out. I would easily write a novel here what has been happening, but with this thread, I have decided not to do that and overwhelm you. I have talked to many tech support people (online, telephone, and in person) and they can't figure this one out -- baffled!!! I have had a few hardware components replaced figuring they was defective, and it wasn't. I have been even thinking of leaving GeForce and going to ATI/AMD for entirely different programming and designed graphics card too. At this point, it is somewhere between 3 things: the 9600GT, the motherboard P5Q, and the latest nVIDIA driver that are not getting along here. I leave it at that.

I have learned from past experiences that using a different graphics card WILL solve issues. A lower power consumption graphics card, newer processor technologies, and similar to mine is what I need. I know people rant for nVidia over ATI/AMD as superior -- that is why I am still sticking with them... ...I think?!?!

Thanks!