Thinking about video cards next

[jkhonea]

OK, bought the processor, considering tinkering with the video card next. Have a base level upgrade but looking at taking it up a notch. Considering somthing along the lines of an NVidia 9800 or an ATI Radeon 5770 series or so. I notice the ATI is specifically mentioning Direct X 11 while the NVidia seems to just mention 10. Both are dual output 1 GB memory setups on the card. So would the ATI be the better? Honestly, what's the difference between the ATI and NVidia setups? What's your thoughts?

[jkhonea]

By the way, wanting to keep under $180 if possible. Don't want to get dumb on pricing.

[PlayfulGod]

mainly just personal preference. I tend to use nvidia myself but dont have anything against ATi really. What are your planned uses for it? You can get a very capable card for around $80 that will do HD etc.

[jkhonea]

The main thing I do is architecture and 3-D renderings. Those renderings are really pushing the hell out of the system especially since it is also doing the framing details. I also play Flight Sim X. But the heavy renderings are the primary concern. That is why I was wondering about getting one with heavier onboard memory.

[wallypiper]

FWIW, I think the renderings are not so much graphics load as processor/memory load. That is, the actual display output isn't that tough, its the heavy duty calculations that go into creating it. I could be wrong, but that's what I think. That said, I have a EVGA GeForce GTS 250 1024MB DDR3 (Nvidia chipset) which has been trouble free and is sort of middle of the road, price-wise. $132 in stock at Microcenter Marietta.

[everyday3]

I use a Nvidia Quadro Fx 3500 I got off ebay 2 years a go. Works great. I do know The quadro fx cards are made for cad graphics. Dont know the exact details but there is a a differance in how the cad cards prosses 3d models and renderings Vs the gaming cards. Good luck.:up:

[Calimus]

I use a Nvidia Quadro Fx 3500 I got off ebay 2 years a go. Works great. I do know The quadro fx cards are made for cad graphics. Dont know the exact details but there is a a differance in how the cad cards prosses 3d models and renderings Vs the gaming cards. Good luck.:up:

The Quatro's are where it's at for CAD. Can they be pricey, you bet, but many of the cad programs are made to look for them and are optimized for them. If that is more then you want to spend, look at Nvidia's GeForce GTS 250 1GB. It's a much better card than the 9800 (I currently have 2 9800 GT's in SLI). However, I don't know your system, so make sure you have a PCIx 2.0 video card slot so you can utilize it.

[jkhonea]

Let me look at my specs again. I have the Dell XPS 420 and about positive I have all of those slots available. Will double check. By the sounds of it, I'll lean towards the NVidia GTS line. Pretty sure I saw some good pricing on those. Man I'd forgotten how hard it is to get back up to speed when you've been out of computers for awhile. Not inclined to make this mistake again.

[jkhonea]

This NVidia looks to have pretty good specs, especially for the price. Have to e-mail my CAD software to make sure the card will be 100% compatible with the software. Almost positive it will be, but want to make sure. Not a bad price, either, doesn't look like. Going to check Fry's, Newegg and TigerDirect also.

GeForce GTS 250 1024MB DDR3 PCIe 2.0 Graphics Card

http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0307890

[jkhonea]

Better yet, this MSI looks stout. I'm understanding why its more fun building your own system now. But the good thing is, I'm updating a 1 to 1 1/2 year old computer to excellent specs at a fraction of the price of getting a new computer.

MSI N250GTS TwinFrozr 1G OC GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127445

[Calimus]

Nothing wrong with upgrading an OEM system where it can be. For most folks, I reccomend OEM systems for the main fact, it comes with a warrenty and they can wake someone else up at 2am when they can't play solitair. Building your own is where it's at though. Control over every aspect and you can change on a whim if your wallet can keep up.

[jkhonea]

Nothing wrong with upgrading an OEM system where it can be. For most folks, I reccomend OEM systems for the main fact, it comes with a warrenty and they can wake someone else up at 2am when they can't play solitair. Building your own is where it's at though. Control over every aspect and you can change on a whim if your wallet can keep up.

That's what I'm going to look at doing the next time around. Now that I'm finally remembering how to do things, building a system is doable. At this point, I'm just REALLY happy that I have the areas to upgrade in this, especially the processor. Can't wait to do that one. I know it only takes a few minutes but I'm making myself get some projects down first so I'll have time to tinker and concentrate when I do it. Plus, makes me actually work better. :D

[Gmoney]

nvidia - if it was an AMD cpu I would say ATI..

[jkhonea]

Looking like NVidia will be the winner. I really appreciate the advice about the 250 being more geared towards architectural renderings, too. That's hugely important. Doing some online shopping for them now. May have to slide this one under the radar since Mary has been extremely forgiving about the hard drive, Window 7, the Dinovo keyboard and the processor. :D

Hey, at least there shouldn't be much left after this. Aside from a sounds card. :lol:

[jkhonea]

Now just checking to see if the motherboard will handle PCI Express 2.0. Not positive about that part. It does have PCI-Express x16 but not sure about the latter.

[2ToeRacing]

You also need to look at you power supply ,these new video cards need extra power . Most of the time the pre-built computer company only give you enough power for that comp and nothing more. You have to look at the Watts and volt out put of the PSU.