In need of a new graphics card

thefabe · 26 Apr 2010

wickedout said:

I'd look at the GTS 250 as well and make sure you have at least 512KB or 1GB. I own the EVGA GTS 250 great card. But I upgraded to the XFX 5850. Here's the link for you to check it out. I know it's over your budget by like $10. Anyways it's a solid card for gaming and anything else you throw at it.:)

Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1158-TR GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

And it's from a company with great customer support. Don't forget if you were to purchase it to register it within 30 days for the lifetime warranty. You might also check on Evga's site and see if it qualifies for their setpup program which would be another bonus. Fabe

SirWeegee · 27 Apr 2010

smarteyeball said:

What games do you play and what sort of performance are you hoping for?

The games I play the most are all versions of The Sims and Spore, but I also play others such as The Movies and CSI. However, If I get an awesome graphics card, I'm hoping to get a few different games. I don't have any in mind at the moment, but I'll think of a few. I'm also wanting a new one so that I can play online games such as Bloons Super Monkey (if you haven't heard of it or aren't interested in playing it I'll just go ahead and say that later on in the game there's a ton of balloons on screen to pop, meaning slowdown) without any slowdown whatsoever.

I'm hoping to find one that allows me to play all of my games on high settings and still get the maximum (it doesn't matter if I get a few under, as long as it runs smoothly) frames per second. Of course, I know this will be hard to find when I'm wanting to play a huge game such as The Sims 3, so I guess I can settle for a bit less.

Either way, I appreciate all of the suggestions, guys.

Heroxoot · 27 Apr 2010

You could rock it easily on a 5770 for some time then. 4800 series is still a king. So its all about that budget.

4850 = 100USD
5770 = 160ish USD

SirWeegee · 27 Apr 2010

I'm curious about two things. First of all, what 5770 are you talking about, Heroxoot? I searched and it came up with a few different things...or, are you talking about the series? (I know it's kind of obvious due to the fact that you stated that the 4850 series is still good, but I want to be sure.) Second, once I get a graphics card, where will I put it in my computer?

Joshatdot · 27 Apr 2010

SirWeegee said:

I'm curious about two things. First of all, what 5770 are you talking about, Heroxoot? I searched and it came up with a few different things...or, are you talking about the series? (I know it's kind of obvious due to the fact that you stated that the 4850 series is still good, but I want to be sure.) Second, once I get a graphics card, where will I put it in my computer?

Here PCI and PCI Express Cards - Dell™ Inspiron™ 560/570 Service Manual

Dell doesn't say if its PCI-E 2.0/2.1 or not...so I assume its 1.0

Also when you upgrade the PSU

Power Supply - Dell™ Inspiron™ 560/570 Service Manual

As for PCI-E 1.0 cards, looking at Newegg, there is a GF 9800 GT from Zotac and a HD 5670 from Diamond

ZOTAC ZT-98GES5P-FDL GeForce 9800 GT

DIAMOND 5670PE51G Radeon HD 5670

With either card, you'll need atleast a 400w PSU, which is about $50 to $60 for a decent one, also at Newegg

CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified

for $10 cheeper FSP Group SAGA+ 400R 400W ATX12V Power Supply

SirWeegee · 28 Apr 2010

Wouldn't inserting a new PSU require me to open my computer, though?

ThePizzaMan · 28 Apr 2010

yes it would, although its not to hard to do just make sure you have the right connections

blackroseMD1 · 28 Apr 2010

Joshatdot said:

I too am kinda looking for a new GFX card. I've heard/read some driver issues with 57xx series, GSoD and wonky Aero support...any of this true?

I've kinda narrowed it down to 4770 or GT240, but willing to look into a 5750 or GTS250

I'm using a GTS250 HDMI right now, and it allows me to run Assassin's Creed II at 1920x1080 with all settings on high and 8X multisampling. It's a good card, for not a lot of money.

thefabe · 28 Apr 2010

SirWeegee said:

Wouldn't inserting a new PSU require me to open my computer, though?

Your going to have to, to install a new Graphics card anyway. Fabe

SirWeegee · 28 Apr 2010

Well uhh...I can't open it for three reasons, one being the fact that my mom really doesn't want me to (yes, I'm not old enough to move out yet), the second one being the fact that if I do it'd void the warranty and the third one being the fact that I'd be scared to death of killing it, and if I did, I'd have to pay another $800 or so on a new computer. Any suggestions? <:[