looking at new video cards

[pixiestyx]

so my birthday is coming up, and my lovely wife said i could get a new video card, but obviously, can't break the bank

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4683604&CatId=3669

i found that while wandering around.  I know some of you will have something to say about it, but something  i want to know, do you guys think this is a good card?  I know ding will cause it's bfg.....

If you have a suggestions for another card, keep in mind, i have a small case, i've looked at an evga geforce 260, but it was too long to fit in my case due to placement of HD mounts and such, so this card is only 9 inches long, and would fit.  I currently have a xfx 9600 gso, which is 8.4 inches with about 1 1/2 inches to spare, so a 9 inch card would do fine.

my cases specs

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2337810&Sku=ULT33178

just wondering opinions, and wish i could just win the lottery and purchase a brand new everything....


current system specs:

Asus M3N78-Pro MOBO
AMD Phenom 9500 2.2ghz Quad
4GB Corsair DDR2 Memory 800MHZ
600W Ultra Lifetime PSU
XFX GeForce 9600 GSO Video Card
Seagate 250GB Sata HD X 3  (750)
Ultra X-Blaster Case

[Ban Em All]

If you can, get the gtx 260. Make sure to use our links to at our homepage to!

[pixiestyx]

If you can, get the gtx 260. Make sure to use our links to at our homepage to!

like i said, that card won't fit, too big.  Although moving my HD cage around isn't the worst option.  I've been reading more about this case, and people have done it, just drilled new holes for the screws to mount, and shoved the HD cage up almost an inch, which would give me the space i need.  I don't even need an inch, just about 3/4.

The other option i'm looking at is a new mobo, my current mobo, Asus M3N78-Pro, has only 1 pci-e x16 slot, no sli.  Picture below



but, found this motherboard, Asus M3N72-D which is nearly the same as my current, but allowing for sli



don't have the money now to purchase to large video cards, but in the future i could.  because for a little more than what i'd spend on one of those video cards, i could roll out with a new mobo and a 2nd 9600 gso, the video card does well, and from the reviews of an SLI'd pair say it can handle nearly anything. so people who know computers better than me, please give your opinion, i'm not going to be buying anything for at least a month or 2.  I've got time to research for my best options.

[trooper is j]

Get a 9800gt made by evga, it is what I have in this box.

[Ban Em All]

maybe the second mobo, this way you dont block your SATA ports.

[pixiestyx]

maybe the second mobo, this way you dont block your SATA ports.

Yeah, if i got a bigger card i would block them....., didn't think of that, see this is why i am getting outside opinions.

[Ban Em All]

That is always a constant problem for me and my customers, the gamer customers that is.

[pixiestyx]

your costomers, what do you do?

[Ban Em All]

your costomers, what do you do?

computer work. some times build customers brand new computers, repair, antivirus. what your avg company does.

[Glox]

Id love to have you 9600. I have a 7800 atm. Dont know if it would work on my board though. I'm computer retarded when it comes to mobos.

[pixiestyx]

here's a question, if i go for a new board, will i need to reinstall windows...?

i've heard you can replace a motherboard with out completely reinstalling, but i haven't done that.  the drivers have to be similar.

[Ban Em All]

here's a question, if i go for a new board, will i need to reinstall windows...?

i've heard you can replace a motherboard with out completely reinstalling, but i haven't done that.  the drivers have to be similar.

great, let tech support begin. It depends if your windows is genuine or oem. If oem, which most likely it is, your windows wont even work with it. And yeah its possible. http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?s=a5c1190d0f4a41e88dd62d4d205bf338&p=682609#post682609

[pixiestyx]

great, let tech support begin. It depends if your windows is genuine or oem. If oem, which most likely it is, your windows wont even work with it. And yeah its possible. http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?s=a5c1190d0f4a41e88dd62d4d205bf338&p=682609#post682609

 

well according to that i could do the install w/out completely redoing my windows in stall, i do have vista home premium "system builders edition" so i'm guessing that's oem....

[Heuchler]

I would to advise you to the 250GTS, because 2 Cards produce more heat and needed more power, your PSU is nothing special and your case is small.
Not all games understood SLI !
For SLI you needed the same Card as you used.
I would buy the GTS250 and in the Future you can buy a  greater Case, that brings you more.

System Builder are always OEM without Microsoft Support.
When you change your MOBO and get the same Chipset you dont need to reinstall, but new activated Vista.
When you have not the same chipset you do better reinstall Vista!

The GTS brings you 50-60% more Graphicspower as your old Card and this would be comparable to an 9600 SLI.
The GTS 250 is a newer one of the 9800GTX+, a better option is the 260, but when you dont find a fit Card, buy the 250.

I have a GTS250 1GB and i be satisfied with this card, DOD works fine


Greets

[fury]

who of you dicks is gonna be the lucky buyer of my ATI x1600?

one at a time..dont fight for it

[Ban Em All]

who of you dicks is gonna be the lucky buyer of my ATI x1600?

one at a time..dont fight for it

OH OH OH OH, ME ME, PICK ME!

[pixiestyx]

I would to advise you to the 250GTS, because 2 Cards produce more heat and needed more power, your PSU is nothing special and your case is small.
Not all games understood SLI !
For SLI you needed the same Card as you used.
I would buy the GTS250 and in the Future you can buy a  greater Case, that brings you more.

System Builder are always OEM without Microsoft Support.
When you change your MOBO and get the same Chipset you dont need to reinstall, but new activated Vista.
When you have not the same chipset you do better reinstall Vista!

The GTS brings you 50-60% more Graphicspower as your old Card and this would be comparable to an 9600 SLI.
The GTS 250 is a newer one of the 9800GTX+, a better option is the 260, but when you dont find a fit Card, buy the 250.

I have a GTS250 1GB and i be satisfied with this card, DOD works fine


Greets

thank you for that informative segment from Heuchler, i'll probably go after that, i'm also looking at liquid cooling as a possibility for my cpu.... not sure yet.

[Ban Em All]

thank you for that informative segment from Heuchler, i'll probably go after that, i'm also looking at liquid cooling as a possibility for my cpu.... not sure yet.

again, buy through our links.
http://keagaming.com

[pixiestyx]

well, i may be buying the card sooner that i though because it went on sale