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Need some graphics card advice :)

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  • 31-01-2010 6:01pm
    #1
    Ramza
    Registered Users Posts: 3,006 ✭✭✭


    Well lads, buying a new graphics card soon. The game I want to play says I need a nVidia geforce 8600 or higher (so thought I'd get that or a 9 series just to be sure). I have a 6600 atmo and the game runs but only on lowest settings =[

    Anyway, I was browsing adverts/Komplett for cards when I started getting a little confused. I am aware that after the 9 series comes the 100, 200 etc (right?). Anyway, when I was browsing Komplett I came across these

    http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=501411

    http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=500492

    Are these cards better than a 8/9 series? I was wondering why they were cheaper than an 8/9 series card (with the mentality that price = quality). I would be grateful if someone could explain this to me


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    #2
    C.D.
    Registered Users Posts: 670 ✭✭✭C.D.


    The key with the model numbers lies in the second digit- so a 210 is the entry level 200 series card while the 9800 is the high end 9-series card. There are of course additional digits or annotations such as GX2, GT, GTX etc.

    TBH, if you are not following the market it can all be a bit confusing so the easiest thing to do would be to use something like this:

    Tom's Hierarchy Chart

    The rest of the article is about what cards are the best value for money in certain price ranges. I would caution though that there are several things to make sure of:

    1) Your PSU can supply enough power
    2) Your PSU has the necessary connectors
    3) If buying a high end card, it will physically fit in your case
    4) Your case has adequate airflow (only an inssue when buying some of the bigger power hungry beasts)


  • Options
    #3
    C.D.
    Registered Users Posts: 670 ✭✭✭C.D.


    PS to answer your question (I did go off on a tangert), no. They are in fact worse than your current card.


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    #4
    Solitaire
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 18,377 Mod ✭✭✭✭Solitaire


    What's your monitor resolution? What's the specs of your current rig? Shape/size of case and all the ratings of your PSU (check sticker on its side for 12V amperage limits in particular)

    Most of all, what's your budget? A basic HD4650 will knock you back €35-40 but you could or should need something a bit more brawny, depending on all the above.

    Low-end nVidia cards include 8*00 below 8800, 9*00 below 9600, all G100 and G2*0 below G240 (avoid old cards below 8*00). Low-end ATi cards include HD2400, HD3*00 below HD3850, HD4*00 below HD4650 and HD5*00 below HD5670 (avoid the old pre-HD cards). None of them are any good for gaming. Avoid.


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