19 réponses à ce sujet

[philcozz]

Hi all,

Would like to run Dragon Age on as high of graphics as I can. Here's what I've got:

Intel Core2 CPU
6400@2.13GHz
2.00 GB of RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS

Now, I'm not willing to do more than upgrade that video card. I'm not going through the expense of a new motherboard, CPU, RAM, etc. The slot I have is a PCI-E x16, 1.0. So, what's the best bang for the buck to get my graphics more up to speed? Or, is that not possible? 

Thanks for any advice!

EDIT: Oh, I'm running XP and have a 500W power supply.

Modifié par philcozz, 28 octobre 2009 - 09:49 .

[SheffSteel]

NVidia 260 GTX.



Not too expensive, a lot cheaper than the 285 (which is only a bit faster) and quite future proof.

[Baelin Firestorm]

With only a 500W PS, you might have issues with the connectors on some of the more recent offerings. Maybe stick to the ATI 4000 or nVidia 9000 series.

[flem1]

Didn't we already give you advice in the other thread?



The answer is: depends which "500W" PSU you have.

[flem1]

Baelin Firestorm wrote...

With only a 500W PS, you might have issues with the connectors on some of the more recent offerings. Maybe stick to the ATI 4000 or nVidia 9000 series.

You realize that the 5850 actually uses *less* power than the 4870, right?  (Same TDP but less real-world draw.)  And the 5770 and 5750 use *way* less.

[Xonze]

It really depends on what your budget is. It also depends if you care whether it's an ATI or Nvidia card. I have a gtx260 216 core card and I've had no problems with any games (www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx <-- A little different than the card I have, but just style wise)

ATI cards have a lot of power to them and in some cases are more powerful than their Nvidia counterpart.  I'm not very well up on ATI's cards so someone who knows more will hopefully chime in.

Mostly what I do when looking for a new card is read some reviews, and go to Newegg to see what the top sellers are and read the reviews on those.

Good luck

[Baelin Firestorm]

flem1 wrote...

Baelin Firestorm wrote...

With only a 500W PS, you might have issues with the connectors on some of the more recent offerings. Maybe stick to the ATI 4000 or nVidia 9000 series.

You realize that the 5850 actually uses *less* power than the 4870, right?  (Same TDP but less real-world draw.)  And the 5770 and 5750 use *way* less.

Actually, I was also pointing to the fact that many 500W PS do not possess the connectors for some recent cards. If a card requires 2 8 pin connectors and the PS only has 1.. ..well, you get the idea. Just saying that he needs to take more into consideration than just the power draw.

[GT-500]

Throw in 3 GTX380's and you will have no problems



Just let me know where you got them.

[flem1]

At this point, the only Nvidia card that's price-competitive is the low-power 9800GT (which I recommended to him in the other thread).

Cheaper than that, you should get the 4670. More expensive, in ascending price order:
4850 (if you have a good PSU)
4770 (actually a touch slower than the 4850, but less power)
5750
4870 1gb (if you have a very good PSU)
5770 (not actually faster than above, but uses less power and does DX11)
5850

That's it, really. I'm sure Nvidia's next-gen cards will be great, but they aren't out yet.

Modifié par flem1, 28 octobre 2009 - 10:06 .

[flem1]

Baelin Firestorm wrote...

flem1 wrote...

Baelin Firestorm wrote...

With only a 500W PS, you might have issues with the connectors on some of the more recent offerings. Maybe stick to the ATI 4000 or nVidia 9000 series.

You realize that the 5850 actually uses *less* power than the 4870, right?  (Same TDP but less real-world draw.)  And the 5770 and 5750 use *way* less.

Actually, I was also pointing to the fact that many 500W PS do not possess the connectors for some recent cards. If a card requires 2 8 pin connectors and the PS only has 1.. ..well, you get the idea. Just saying that he needs to take more into consideration than just the power draw.

Actually, no, you can use 6-to-8 pin adapters.  If that fails, it will be for insufficient wattage, not connectoritis.

Furthermore, your advice didn't match your point.  The 4000 series is, on the whole, much *more* power-hungry than the true recent offerings (the 5000 series).

[Angel Of Death 1982]

It may not be a matter of insufficient wattage, it may be insufficient Amperage on the 12V rail... I had a 550W (good brand) PSU which couldn't run a Phenom II X4 920 + Radeon HD4850 due to lack of amperage.

On another note, however, the 5750/5770 look to be decent cards which would probably work well with your system without destroying your PSU.

Modifié par Angel Of Death 1982, 28 octobre 2009 - 10:09 .

[MrGOH]

I like my 4850 - it was relatively cheap (under $100) and it plays all my games like gangbusters. But I have a decent 500w PSU from Antec - you should really post your PSU specs because, as flem1 has indicated, the 4000 series from ATI, though great values, do tend to draw a good deal of power.

[Craig McDermott]

flem1 wrote...

At this point, the only Nvidia card that's price-competitive is the low-power 9800GT (which I recommended to him in the other thread).

Cheaper than that, you should get the 4670. More expensive, in ascending price order:
4850 (if you have a good PSU)
4770 (actually a touch slower than the 4850, but less power)
5750
4870 1gb (if you have a very good PSU)
5770 (not actually faster than above, but uses less power and does DX11)
5850

That's it, really. I'm sure Nvidia's next-gen cards will be great, but they aren't out yet.

There are also 4870 X2's and 5870's

[smjones23]

http://www.tomshardw...-4870,1964.html

The Radeon HD4870 is great and has shown to be superior to the 260 GTX. I just bought one from newegg last week and it runs Crysis with everything maxed out. It is also about 30 dollars cheaper than one of the lower priced 260 gtx models.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814150436
$144 with $20 rebate for a total $122!

Update:

Funny, I was looking up information and links for this and then when I posted saw all the responses lol

I would agree with what the rest have said about having a decent power supply for the 4870. It does run a little hot, but as long as you don't fry it by overclocking it, it does have a lifetime warranty on parts and labor so no worries.

Modifié par smjones23, 28 octobre 2009 - 10:18 .

[Baelin Firestorm]

flem1 wrote...

Baelin Firestorm wrote...

flem1 wrote...

Baelin Firestorm wrote...

With only a 500W PS, you might have issues with the connectors on some of the more recent offerings. Maybe stick to the ATI 4000 or nVidia 9000 series.

You realize that the 5850 actually uses *less* power than the 4870, right?  (Same TDP but less real-world draw.)  And the 5770 and 5750 use *way* less.

Actually, I was also pointing to the fact that many 500W PS do not possess the connectors for some recent cards. If a card requires 2 8 pin connectors and the PS only has 1.. ..well, you get the idea. Just saying that he needs to take more into consideration than just the power draw.

Actually, no, you can use 6-to-8 pin adapters.  If that fails, it will be for insufficient wattage, not connectoritis.

Furthermore, your advice didn't match your point.  The 4000 series is, on the whole, much *more* power-hungry than the true recent offerings (the 5000 series).

I lose, you win; happy now?

[flem1]

Craig McDermott wrote...

flem1 wrote...

At this point, the only Nvidia card that's price-competitive is the low-power 9800GT (which I recommended to him in the other thread).

Cheaper than that, you should get the 4670. More expensive, in ascending price order:
4850 (if you have a good PSU)
4770 (actually a touch slower than the 4850, but less power)
5750
4870 1gb (if you have a very good PSU)
5770 (not actually faster than above, but uses less power and does DX11)
5850

That's it, really. I'm sure Nvidia's next-gen cards will be great, but they aren't out yet.

There are also 4870 X2's and 5870's

True, true, but I figure anyone wanting to drop $500+ on a bleeding-edge card + hefty PSU won't be asking about it in this thread. 

[AngelofDeth99]

Baelin Firestorm wrote...

flem1 wrote...

Baelin Firestorm wrote...

flem1 wrote...

Baelin Firestorm wrote...

With only a 500W PS, you might have issues with the connectors on some of the more recent offerings. Maybe stick to the ATI 4000 or nVidia 9000 series.

You realize that the 5850 actually uses *less* power than the 4870, right?  (Same TDP but less real-world draw.)  And the 5770 and 5750 use *way* less.

Actually, I was also pointing to the fact that many 500W PS do not possess the connectors for some recent cards. If a card requires 2 8 pin connectors and the PS only has 1.. ..well, you get the idea. Just saying that he needs to take more into consideration than just the power draw.

Actually, no, you can use 6-to-8 pin adapters.  If that fails, it will be for insufficient wattage, not connectoritis.

Furthermore, your advice didn't match your point.  The 4000 series is, on the whole, much *more* power-hungry than the true recent offerings (the 5000 series).

I lose, you win; happy now?

Telling someone to get a new PSU or they can't run a certain card because the PSU has no 6 or 8 pin connectors really isn't sound advice. If the PSU has the 12v
amps, it will work. My PSU has no 6-pin connectors and it runs a 4850
just fine.

[GhoXen]

flem1 is right. Don't try argue with him. He really knows what he's talking about.

[Baelin Firestorm]

GhoXen wrote...

flem1 is right. Don't try argue with him. He really knows what he's talking about.

 I know, but if I genuflect any more, I'll be brown-nosing myself.

[philcozz]

flem1 wrote...

At this point, the only Nvidia card that's price-competitive is the low-power 9800GT (which I recommended to him in the other thread).

Cheaper than that, you should get the 4670. More expensive, in ascending price order:
4850 (if you have a good PSU)
4770 (actually a touch slower than the 4850, but less power)
5750
4870 1gb (if you have a very good PSU)
5770 (not actually faster than above, but uses less power and does DX11)
5850

That's it, really. I'm sure Nvidia's next-gen cards will be great, but they aren't out yet.

Just want to chime in and say I ran out and got a 9800GT per flem1's suggestion and installed it about an hour ago. Running like a dream and feel much better about DAO on my PC. Thanks for all the help, folks!!