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Upgrading old PC - what graphics card?

zilog_jones

I'm thinking of upgrading the graphics card in my old PC. Current specs are:

CPU: Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.8 GHz
RAM: 2GB PC2-6400 (might upgrade this too)
Motherboard: MSI 975X Platinum
PSU: Tagan TG480-U22 480W (30A on +12V rail)
Graphics card: GeForce 8600GT

My main limitation here seems to be the power supply. I think this limits me to a GeForce GTS 250 or 9800 GTX+, but I am clueless when it comes to ATI stuff - are there Radeon equivalents that will perform better than these with similar or lower power consumption?

I believe the PCIe 1.0 limitation will only be an issue with dual-core cards, but they're not feasible with that PSU anyway.

Also should I be concerned about the age of the PSU? Nvidia recommend a 450W PSU for the above two cards, and this comfortably exceeds the +12V current requirements according to the specs when new - but this is 5 years old now...

Thanks for any advice or suggestions.

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ShadowHearth

get 6870 + 4gb ram and you will be flying.

i have dell xps 420 similar spec ( 3gb instead of 2), but with 8800gt, so i just droped in 6870 and it did massive massive difference!

zilog_jones

Thanks, that looks much better than a GTS 250 but I think it may be pushing it power-wise and it's a bit over my budget. A 6850 sounds good though...

ShadowHearth

zilog_jones wrote: »

Thanks, that looks much better than a GTS 250 but I think it may be pushing it power-wise and it's a bit over my budget. A 6850 sounds good though...

i got 6870 on dells 375w psu, so you have waaaaaay more then enough. get 6870 and enjoy it.

i used that system for hardcore gaming for 4 months. i even oced that card a bit.

i am not using much that pc now as i got myself a brand new 2500k+gtx570, though that dell is hooked to TV at 1080p and every now and then i fire her up for some MW3 mindless fun. Stable and newer had any problems.

zilog_jones

That's interesting - does the Dell PSU say what the +12V rail is rated for, or if it has two separate rails? I've seen some saying like 34A for a 6870 which is more than what I have, though I guess these are very rough guides considering the many possible differences in CPU power requirements and other hardware.

ShadowHearth

you are over thinking it, i checked that psu you got and people are having good opinions about it. if 6870 runs on 375w dell, psu it will deffo run on your psu.

zilog_jones

Thanks, I think I'll go for a 6870. I guess I can always underclock if the PSU has trouble. Any recommendations for which one to go for? I'd like something quiet, especially when idle. I see some have two fans - are these quieter or just designed for overclocking?