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What graphics card to buy?

  • 07-01-2013 04:05PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 151 ✭✭


    as the title suggests i want to get a better card for my pc
    i'll try and put i all the info, but i'm not very familiar with this stuff
    the pc is a dell studio with a q9400 proccessor and current card is a nvida gforce 9800gt
    i mostly use it to play warcraft and in low settings (with ultra on view distance for farming mats and seeing other players etc) it does well, if i up the setting it works ok (except in raid it's laggy) but fan noise is annoying

    budget would be about €200-300, i might be able to stretch a bit, but money isn't as easy as it once was
    i don't mind buying online as long as it's a reputable place, as thing are usually ok when you buy them, it's if you have an issue afterwards that trouble can arise

    so can anyone suggest anything makes and models etc?

    i recently put in a ssd, one of the best things i ever did :)


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,594 ✭✭✭Deano12345


    Well at the higher end of your budget (290 or so) you'd be looking at either a 660Ti from Nvidia or the 7950 from AMD, both excellent cards provided you have the power supply to run them. Since WoW isn't the most graphically demanding of games, you could get away with the 230~ euro 7870.

    You may want to look into a CPU/Motherboard upgrade in the future as WoW can be very CPU intensive in parts


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 151 ✭✭ancuncha


    how do i know what power supply i do have?
    would it be written on the power pack?

    in that case let me ask where am i better to spend my money, on a graphics card or mother board? (with a view to some time down the line upgrading the other)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29,930 ✭✭✭✭TerrorFirmer


    I think a 660ti or 7950 is absolutely radical overkill for a Q9400.

    I would say just get a 7850 and you have a good match, it's a great card for most modern games at maximum settings.

    Not sure if the Dell PSU is up to it, if you check the wattage on the side of your PSU and model number we'll let you know. In fact, taking a photo would be perfect.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭aN.Droid


    I think a 660ti or 7950 is absolutely radical overkill for a Q9400.

    I would say just get a 7850 and you have a good match, it's a great card for most modern games at maximum settings.

    Not sure if the Dell PSU is up to it, if you check the wattage on the side of your PSU and model number we'll let you know. In fact, taking a photo would be perfect.

    This^ you will be bottlenecked by the CPU if you go any higher than that. Could probably dip into last years cards too for cheaper.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 151 ✭✭ancuncha




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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,594 ✭✭✭Deano12345


    ancuncha wrote: »
    how do i know what power supply i do have?
    would it be written on the power pack?

    in that case let me ask where am i better to spend my money, on a graphics card or mother board? (with a view to some time down the line upgrading the other)

    Well upgrading the motherboard would require getting a new CPU so you would have to factor that into consideration. I'd say your best bet is to pick up a 7850 and then upgrade your motherboard/cpu if you find the performance still isnt up to par


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 10,093 Mod ✭✭✭✭marco_polo


    No harm to check PSU although I suspect the power draw of a 9800 GT probably isn't a million miles behind the 110W or so of the HD7850.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭aN.Droid


    ancuncha wrote: »

    You have 300W on the 12v rail. Should run just fine with a single 7850 and you will be able to play wow on ultra settings even in raids I would say.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 151 ✭✭ancuncha


    ok that sounds good, but i have one more question, does the make of card like asus, saphire, msi make a difference?
    if not which is a decent make or has a good back up service


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭aN.Droid


    ancuncha wrote: »
    ok that sounds good, but i have one more question, does the make of card like asus, saphire, msi make a difference?
    if not which is a decent make or has a good back up service

    The branding usually just means different warranties and RMA procedures and the cooler used. Saying that ASUS is my favourite vendor.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,521 ✭✭✭runawaybishop


    ancuncha wrote: »
    ok that sounds good, but i have one more question, does the make of card like asus, saphire, msi make a difference?
    if not which is a decent make or has a good back up service

    Yes, it makes a difference. MSi have a great slightly overclocked version of the 7850 1gb out that compares favourably to the 2gb version but this depends on the resolution you require - if its 1900*1200 you are sorted

    edit: reviewed here - http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2012/11/05/msi-radeon-hd-7850-1gb-review/1


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭aN.Droid


    Yes, it makes a difference. MSi have a great slightly overclocked version of the 7850 1gb out that compares favourably to the 2gb version but this depends on the resolution you require - if its 1900*1200 you are sorted

    edit: reviewed here - http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2012/11/05/msi-radeon-hd-7850-1gb-review/1

    You can also overclock any other vendor versions. 1gb would be ok up to 1080P or 1200P

    If you want to go higher than that you will need more graphics ram.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,521 ✭✭✭runawaybishop


    Limericks wrote: »
    You can also overclock any other vendor versions. 1gb would be ok up to 1080P or 1200P

    If you want to go higher than that you will need more graphics ram.

    Yes you can but this is OCed and warranted already and the same price as the stock versions. The branding does make a difference some times, as is the case here.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭aN.Droid


    Yes you can but this is OCed and warranted already and the same price as the stock versions. The branding does make a difference some times, as is the case here.

    Allot of vendors allow you to overclock without voiding your warranty. This includes ASUS, XFX and evga. I do not know if that extends to changing voltages or not but I doubt any card that comes pre overclocked would have the voltages changed anyway.


  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 10,093 Mod ✭✭✭✭marco_polo


    Yes you can but this is OCed and warranted already and the same price as the stock versions. The branding does make a difference some times, as is the case here.

    A 40MHz bump to 900MHz doesn't really count as an decent overclock though, most HD7850 with a decent cooler will easily go to 1050 and beyond.

    Most GPU vendors are bundling overclocking software with the cards nowadays so warranty is not an issue either.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 151 ✭✭ancuncha


    hmm, it's getting a little bit over my head now, this overclocking how is it done?
    is it via software or doing something to the card it's self


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭aN.Droid


    ancuncha wrote: »
    hmm, it's getting a little bit over my head now, this overclocking how is it done?
    is it via software or doing something to the card it's self

    You do it via software.

    Very easy to do and you can get about 10%-20% increase in performance on your card. You will probably be bottlenecked by your CPU before that though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 151 ✭✭ancuncha


    ahh ok, so i think i've enough info now to buy
    i have it in the head to at some point do a custom build (with a bit of advise!)
    the card should keep me happy in the meantime

    thank you very much for the help


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭aN.Droid


    ancuncha wrote: »
    ahh ok, so i think i've enough info now to buy
    i have it in the head to at some point do a custom build (with a bit of advise!)
    the card should keep me happy in the meantime

    thank you very much for the help

    If in the future you want to upgrade and build a new PC you can just add another 7850 to your system. That is unless you want super high resolutions or multi screen as 1gb won't be enough graphics memory.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 151 ✭✭ancuncha


    not that i am into super res or multi screens, but i'm looking at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-Radeon-DirectCU-Graphics-Express/dp/B008RW0R10/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1357580250&sr=8-5
    which is 2gb??
    there are probably cheaper places than amazon, but there are other reasons to shop with them ;)


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭aN.Droid


    ancuncha wrote: »
    not that i am into super res or multi screens, but i'm looking at http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-Radeon-DirectCU-Graphics-Express/dp/B008RW0R10/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1357580250&sr=8-5
    which is 2gb??
    there are probably cheaper places than amazon, but there are other reasons to shop with them ;)

    You don't need a 2gb version unless you are at very high resolutions.

    save some money and get this one:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Asus-DirectCU-Graphics-Express-Technology/dp/B008RW3WTY/ref=sr_1_7?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1357580539&sr=1-7


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 151 ✭✭ancuncha


    cool didn't see that one, thanks


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 354 ✭✭RoverZT


    I think 7850 is a little too expensive for a few year old Q9400, ddr 2 setup.

    6870 for 125 euro is a much better investment imo.

    http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/11391849/art/amd/radeon-hd-6870-oem-1-gb-g.html

    Not that much between the two cards.

    Edit: Didn't realise 7850 are so cheap now.

    160 euro.

    http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/12687749/art/vtx3d/radeon-hd-7850-x-edition.html

    Tough choice.

    How much ram do you have?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭aN.Droid


    RoverZT wrote: »
    I think 7850 is a little too expensive for a few year old Q9400, ddr 2 setup.

    6870 for 125 euro is a much better investment imo.

    Not that much between the two cards.

    OP said he would like to do an upgrade down the road and if he does he would be able to just swap the 7850 in and maybe get another one in crossfire.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 354 ✭✭RoverZT


    Limericks wrote: »
    OP said he would like to do an upgrade down the road and if he does he would be able to just swap the 7850 in and maybe get another one in crossfire.

    You can't really upgrade dell studio's though?

    Don't they use custom motherboards, cases etc.

    Leaving you no chance to go get a new mobo, cpu, ram combo for 250 euro etc.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭aN.Droid


    RoverZT wrote: »
    You can't really upgrade dell studio's though?

    Don't they use custom motherboards, cases etc.

    Leaving you no chance to go get a new mobo, cpu, ram combo for 250 euro etc.

    Sorry meant he wanted to do a new build not an upgrade :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,188 ✭✭✭uncle_sam_ie


    This thread is talks about the warranties( the list is updated). It seems EVGA, Gigabyte and MSI are recommend. AUSU is low on the list.
    http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18231329


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭aN.Droid


    This thread is talks about the warranties( the list is updated). It seems EVGA, Gigabyte and MSI are recommend. AUSU is low on the list.
    http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18231329

    If OP buys from Amazon and something goes awry then they will sort you out sharpish. They are great for customer support.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,188 ✭✭✭uncle_sam_ie


    Limericks wrote: »
    If OP buys from Amazon and something goes awry then they will sort you out sharpish. They are great for customer support.

    I agree they have great customer service but, will Amazon cover you for the full 3 years?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,911 ✭✭✭aN.Droid


    I agree they have great customer service but, will Amazon cover you for the full 3 years?

    They should. Your statutory consumer rights mean they have too. They have an Irish presence so they would have to abide by our rules.


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