Upgrading The Video Card

Discussion in 'Gaming' started by Aukatrau, Mar 8, 2009.

  1. Mar 8, 2009 at 12:33 PM #1
    Aukatrau

    Aukatrau Well-Known Member

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    So the title says it all, I'm looking to upgrade my current video card in my computer. Right now, I have an ATI all-in-wonder x1900.
    Specs are: 256 mb gddr3, 256 bit interface. I can't find the exact clock speeds. Here is the newegg page with specs http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx...N82E16814102685. ATI's site for it is http://ati.amd.com/products/radeonx1900/aiwx1900/specs.html

    I would appreciate it if somebody could help me find a decent upgrade for under $200.

    My pci slot is only pci x16, not pci x16 2.0. I heard that the 2.0 cards work fine in the non 2.0 slots but aren't as powerful, can anybody confirm that to help with the video card selection?
     
  2. Mar 8, 2009 at 2:08 PM #2
    Bleak

    Bleak Well-Known Member

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    I would imagine 2.0 working in a 1.0, similar to USB?

    I'm not too up to speed with ATI now a days, but if your motherboard supports NVIDIA GPUs then the 8800 is nice for the price, my brother has it and it can run most games rather well.
     
  3. Mar 8, 2009 at 2:18 PM #3
    Red Alert

    Red Alert Senior Member

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  4. Mar 14, 2009 at 1:54 PM #4
    xlink

    xlink GR's Tech Enthusiast

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  5. Mar 14, 2009 at 2:09 PM #5
    scarletham

    scarletham Well-Known Member

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    Red Alert delivers ;p
     
  6. Mar 14, 2009 at 3:03 PM #6
    nategonewild

    nategonewild Well-Known Member

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    In all fairness I have had the 8800GT, my brother has a 9600GT, and currently I am using the ATI 3870 card that I paid $99 for. It's specs are almost, and in some categories, better than the 8800 card and cost half the price.

    http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Se...&CatId=3670

    there's the link from where I purchased mine.

    hope this helps a little bit
     
  7. Mar 14, 2009 at 3:59 PM #7
    xlink

    xlink GR's Tech Enthusiast

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    it's a better card until you start enabling antialiasing...

    the 4800s are notably better than the 3800s FYI.
     
  8. Mar 14, 2009 at 4:03 PM #8
    nategonewild

    nategonewild Well-Known Member

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    True but then again it all depends on what he is using it for, so far I haven't had any troubles with the 3870 and for the price I don't think I have seen much better
     
  9. Mar 14, 2009 at 4:11 PM #9
    xlink

    xlink GR's Tech Enthusiast

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    4830>3870 in most things and the price is comparable
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814127420
    $75

    the secret here is that the 4800s are made on a more advanced manufacturing process and are cheaper to make...
     
  10. Mar 14, 2009 at 7:54 PM #10
    inverse

    inverse Banned from GR

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    +1 for RA's 3 recommendations.

    BTW, US prices make me cry more than ever. NZ dollar is lower than it's been in a long time and my wallet screams everytime I enter my credit card numbers online.
     

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