Card help!

[Coco15]

I currently have a NVIDIA Geforce 6600. It's done the job and still going but I'am thinking about an upgrade. I'am not a fan of ATI so I'am looking at NVIDIA and the gaming Geforce series. I have a Mid range gaming PC and want to keep it this way. I like the look of the 9600GT Version. It's a BANG-FOR-BUCK card. Anyone agree to get this or do I need more or less power.

Later I would like to turn this PC into a decent mid range High Defenition/Gaming computer for watching Blu-Ray movies and Gaming.

 

[Darryl Licht]

I currently have a NVIDIA Geforce 6600. It's done the job and still going but I'am thinking about an upgrade. I'am not a fan of ATI so I'am looking at NVIDIA and the gaming Geforce series. I have a Mid range gaming PC and want to keep it this way. I like the look of the 9600GT Version. It's a BANG-FOR-BUCK card. Anyone agree to get this or do I need more or less power.

Later I would like to turn this PC into a decent mid range High Defenition/Gaming computer for watching Blu-Ray movies and Gaming.

Since you say HD/gaming/BluRay I'd make sure whatever card you get has 1 GB (or more) of video RAM and both DVI and HDMI output ports. There are plenty of great cards out there for $100-$200, what's your budget?

The Nvidia vs ATi battle is very much like Ford vs Chevy... they both make fine products. Mainly it boils down to what you like and what you can afford.

IMHO

 

[Kipper]

And which games you are going to be playing????

 

[rvbfan]

I used a BFG 9600GTOC with my machine until
I went back to ATI and was happy with the card.
It was a long card though and just fit in my box.
It is running in my youngest son's machine now
and he is quite happy to have it.
I played @1680x1050 with all the candy turned on
in games like LFD1&2,Wolfensein,Bioshock,TF2 etc...

 

[Coco15]

My Budget is allways is limited I say $100-$150 and that's it. Now reading the recommendations for Blu-ray support you need at least 256MB and 512 Recommended. This is buget talking about here (Not High end or very High end).
512MB is going to do me.

So any cards you recommend for $150.00 or less and with 512MB Video RAM.

 

[rvbfan]

My Budget is allways is limited I say $100-$150 and that's it. Now reading the recommendations for Blu-ray support you need at least 256MB and 512 Recommended. This is buget talking about here (Not High end or very High end).
512MB is going to do me.

So any cards you recommend for $150.00 or less and with 512MB Video RAM.

Don't forget, your monitor has to be HDCP compliant as well.

 

[Coco15]

And which games you are going to be playing????

Battle Feild 2
Starcraft
Alien Areana 2009
Warzone 2100
Left 4 Dead 2
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2

And others (I have too many to list now)!!

 

[Coco15]

"Don't forget, your monitor has to be HDCP compliant as well". Yes my monitor is HDCP Compliant got all that stuff. not long bought the monitor. I can use either VGA, DVI and HDMI.

 

[rvbfan]

I'm guessing the resolution you have listed for your Dell
is a typo. At 1920x1080 you could play those games with a 9600Gt
but you would have to turn off most of the eye candy.

 

[Wishmaster]

512MB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824&cm_re=hd4850-_-14-102-824-_-Product

OR

1GB:
Newegg.com - XFX HD-485X-ZNFC Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

If your running at 1080P resolution, the 1GB would off an advantage.

If 1680X1050 or lower, the 512MB will do just fine.

These are good performing cards for the money, Both offering a HDMI out.

 

[Sanvean]

You can get a new GTX 260 for around $150.
Checking eBay just now I found this:
896MB XFX NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 260 576MHZ GX260NADF9 - eBay (item 110509384778 end time Apr-19-10 02:03:28 PDT)

Nine left

Opps! you are in Oz... guess this won't help, sorry about that!

They do ship international tho!

 

[Coco15]

I'm guessing the resolution you have listed for your Dell
is a typo. At 1920x1080 you could play those games with a 9600Gt
but you would have to turn off most of the eye candy.

How do you mean?? the DELL S2209w has a native resolution of 1920X1080. Now I'am Confused!!

 

[Coco15]

What about the NVIDIA Geforce 9800GT??

 

[Darryl Licht]

512MB:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102824&cm_re=hd4850-_-14-102-824-_-Product

OR

1GB:
Newegg.com - XFX HD-485X-ZNFC Radeon HD 4850 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

If your running at 1080P resolution, the 1GB would off an advantage.

If 1680X1050 or lower, the 512MB will do just fine.

These are good performing cards for the money, Both offering a HDMI out.

Whether it's video memory or system mem... generally more is better! A GB of DDR3... your games and eyes will be happy!

You have many choices... http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048%201068320729%205007%201320923120%201320022195&bop=And&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Order=PRICE

 

[ZaLiTH]

If I may add my 2cents worth here; your system reminds me of what I used to have not too long back. I was running an unbranded GeForce 6600 as well, 256mb / 128-bit, right? I managed to get my hands on a 6800GS by some miracle (I was unemployed at that stage) and the 256mb / 256-bit made a massive difference.

Looking at your CPU (5000+) there's not really that much difference to my system (5400+), and RAM is still decent for your current needs. If you want something to match your current system specs nicely, an 8800 / 9600 / 9800 range would be just fine.

But if you want something really decent that will last you quite a while, what about a GeForce GT-240? One of my friends has one of these and it handles itself really well! It runs games like an absolute dream (Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising, L4D2, Modern Warfare 2, Crysis, etc), and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Here's a quick search I did at ShopBot.com.au.

Note: Be careful when shopping for this; it's easy for people to confuse the GT-240 with the GTS-240. The GT has the HDMI output while the GTS does not. I'd suggest for your intended use, the GT-240 would be a good choice.

 

[RST101]

I echo ZaLiTHs sentiments. You will be quite happy with a 88/96/9800 GT. The 800 version is slightly more powerful than the 600 but only just.

I recently sold a 9600gt for £40 and if you want value for money and want to stick with nvidia then you won't go wrong with a 96/800.

Just my two pence.