Lasereth's Mega Videocard Buyer's Guide! - Page 10 - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

laconic1 · 12-30-2009, 05:46 PM

I just built a pc and am currently using the onboard ATI Radeon HD 4200 graphics. While I have not had any complaints for the uses I have tried it for I might want to upgrade if I start gaming. I was reading about the ATI Hybrid CrossFireX, which is supposed to allow a discrete card to work with the onboard graphics, a poor mans CrossFireX if you will. But it seems the card selection for the Hybrid CrossFireX is pretty minimal. Would I be better off performance wise with a sub $50 Hybrid CrossFireX card paired with the onboard graphics, or saving up for a bit to buy a $100 standalone card be it ATI or NVIDIA and just disabling onboard graphics?

Lasereth · 01-03-2010, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laconic1

I just built a pc and am currently using the onboard ATI Radeon HD 4200 graphics. While I have not had any complaints for the uses I have tried it for I might want to upgrade if I start gaming. I was reading about the ATI Hybrid CrossFireX, which is supposed to allow a discrete card to work with the onboard graphics, a poor mans CrossFireX if you will. But it seems the card selection for the Hybrid CrossFireX is pretty minimal. Would I be better off performance wise with a sub $50 Hybrid CrossFireX card paired with the onboard graphics, or saving up for a bit to buy a $100 standalone card be it ATI or NVIDIA and just disabling onboard graphics?

Standalone card would be way better.

---------- Post added at 11:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:50 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoganSnake

I have an 8800GT 512MB still going strong, but I've purchased a larger monitor with a native resolution 1920x1200 so I need a stronger card to support gaming at that resolution.

I don't want to spend more than $200, but from what I've researched, all the cards in that price range would only give me a 10-15 fps advantage over 8800GT. Are there any rumored price drops or new video card models coming out? I'm thinking of waiting another year where $200 will be worth a much larger upgrade.

Thoughts?

With the recent videocard price increases due to limited availability, I would wait until nvidia releases their newest generation of cards before buying. A GTX 260 Core 216 would be a decent upgrade but they're too expensive right now. They used to be $160ish which was totally worth it, but at over $200, forget it.

Radio Monk33 · 01-21-2010, 07:25 PM

Yeah the videocard market is really out of whack right now. ATI has yield issues..and absolutely nothing coming from Nvidia. So there's a real shortage of cards and prices are going up (crazy for high tech!). No one should be buying any cards now if they can help it.

pan6467 · 02-07-2010, 08:23 AM

Well, I bought a new (used) computer an IBM Thinkcentre. I have a geforce8400SE in but am thinking about getting a Radeon X1300 Graphics Card off a friend. Is it a better card?

Runningwater · 03-30-2010, 10:22 AM

What would be the best choice for better performance?

ATI Radeon HD 3870
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT (x2 via SLI)

I am pretty much asking from a gaming standpoint.

Would there be a huge difference?

Lasereth · 03-30-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Runningwater

What would be the best choice for better performance?

ATI Radeon HD 3870
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT (x2 via SLI)

I am pretty much asking from a gaming standpoint.

Would there be a huge difference?

There would be a gigantic difference. The 8800 GT alone is more powerful than the 3870 (though not by a lot).

---------- Post added at 03:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:58 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by pan6467

Well, I bought a new (used) computer an IBM Thinkcentre. I have a geforce8400SE in but am thinking about getting a Radeon X1300 Graphics Card off a friend. Is it a better card?

Bleh I missed this, sorry. They're about the same.

Runningwater · 03-30-2010, 11:32 AM

Thanks Lasereth,

A guy from work said he just got a 4770 and had the 3870 sitting there and gave it to me.

Figured since I have 2 8800's i could put them in one of the computers and put the 3870 in the other. I wouldn't notice much if any difference on a 1:1 ratio would I?

It's ridiculous that the 3870 is $99.00 (Tigerdirect) and just 1 8800 GT is $48.00 (newegg) - especially if the 8800 is the better card

Runningwater · 03-31-2010, 12:44 PM

Well forget it anyway...for some reason I couldn't get the Radeon to work in my computer...it would work fine til Windows booted then it would lag and flash on and off every few minutes.

And I couldn't get the other computer to recognize that they were in SLI configuration...even though i was trying to follow the steps...

oh well

TheProf · 04-09-2010, 08:10 AM

Hello,

How goes it? Hope all is well.

I am looking to build this machine: $1,000 i7 Desktop Computer | Telovation.com

In it, they talk about the video card as: "The included 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400 GS video card is also pretty entry-level. In our case, we replaced it with two GeForce 9500 GT (dual) 1GB video cards (about $55 each from Tiger Direct) to support the four monitors we run on this machine. They both fit in the two available PCI Express 2.0x16 slots on the MSI X58M motherboard, and still leaves one available PCIe 2.0x4 slot and one standard PCI slot."

My question is two-fold:
1) This machine is being built for video-editing -- would you have a preference between either of those two cards?
2) The machine is going to be running Linux as the Operating system -- I have had issues with nVidia cards and Linux before, is there another video card you would recommend that I can put in that works with Linux and still provides the ability to have two monitors (or two cheaper cards I can put in)?

Thanks!

Lasereth · 04-13-2010, 11:41 AM

Updated the guide to reflect the current clusterfuck of a market the industry is in right now.

---------- Post added at 03:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:40 PM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheProf

Hello,

How goes it? Hope all is well.

I am looking to build this machine: $1,000 i7 Desktop Computer | Telovation.com

In it, they talk about the video card as: "The included 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400 GS video card is also pretty entry-level. In our case, we replaced it with two GeForce 9500 GT (dual) 1GB video cards (about $55 each from Tiger Direct) to support the four monitors we run on this machine. They both fit in the two available PCI Express 2.0x16 slots on the MSI X58M motherboard, and still leaves one available PCIe 2.0x4 slot and one standard PCI slot."

My question is two-fold:
1) This machine is being built for video-editing -- would you have a preference between either of those two cards?
2) The machine is going to be running Linux as the Operating system -- I have had issues with nVidia cards and Linux before, is there another video card you would recommend that I can put in that works with Linux and still provides the ability to have two monitors (or two cheaper cards I can put in)?

Thanks!

I don't know enough outside of the realm of video cards in gaming to help you, sorry.

Cynthetiq · 04-13-2010, 01:22 PM

Las, I was waiting until you answered, just in case there was something I wasn't aware of.

I would not suggest the GeForce series if you are using them for video editing. It isn't optimized for video editing. The Quadro FX line is built just for that reason. If you are going to be doing video editing.

Check out this link as it has the basics for DIY NLE systems.

Videoguys Blog - Videoguys' System Recommendations for Video Editing

Quote:

Why we recommend a dual head graphics cards
It's all about real-estate. With two monitors you can stretch your timeline across the bottom of both screens and you can have more windows open at the same time. This means you spend less time opening and closing windows or scrolling through the timeline. As a result, you are more productive. Adobe, Avid & Sony all have optimized preset screen layouts for dual monitors.

We recommend nVidia Quadro based graphics cards for video editing because of their superb Open GL support. Adobe Premiere Pro, Photoshop & After FX, Avid Media Composer, Red Giant Magic Bullet & Boris FX all take advantage of Open GL. You will see more and more video editing software take advantage of Open GL GPU power as new versions of NLEs get released. This is the key the reason why we recommend Quadro cards over less expensive 3D gaming cards. While you can do fine with a 3D gaming card, Quadro cards are designed and engineered for this kind of work - and the NLE engineers are optimizing their applications to take advantage of this GPU Open GL power.

Cynthetiq · 05-04-2010, 11:30 AM

Newegg.com - EVGA 015-P3-1482-AR GeForce GTX 480 (Fermi) SuperClocked 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

I just got a pair of these monsters, one for me and one for the wife. My new systems are now 100% complete.

Lasereth · 05-04-2010, 11:47 AM

Lucky!!!!!!

I need a new card bad. Bad Company 2 puts my 8800 GT to shame.

StanT · 05-05-2010, 11:06 AM

Thanks again for having this thread. It's minimized the number of places I need to check when my video cards fry 1 month out of warranty (again).

I went with a Sapphire 5870 Vapor-X

I have no loyalty when it comes to video cards. I wanted something fairly quiet this time around.

Silverbrain · 05-16-2010, 08:22 PM

Thank you for continuing to update this thread Lasereth, my first stop when da wife ok's an upgrade!

Radio Monk33 · 09-01-2010, 10:45 PM

Heh upgraded my melting 4850...artifacting/black screening especially in the last 6 months of it's 12 month life. Went to a 470gtx! Yep the fermi is just as hot as it's made out to be...but daaamn a lot of power behind that card. Running everything on high at 1080p.

And for 270$ (Cdn) after rebate too!

settie · 10-15-2010, 01:48 AM

Just saying thanks to Lasereth for keeping this thread alive and accurate.
I was in here over two years ago and grabbed the 9600 gt, its held up pretty well.
But now, with an i7 processor, I am currently nowhere near my computers potential. Its time to unleash the beast!
I'm going to grab 2x Radeon 4850 cards.

I checked this thread a few months ago, and sadly, theres no change in my price range.
I find it kind of amusing that I can do more/better with two $100 cards, than I could with one $300 card. And there's no way I'd spend $300 on a video card. a processor, maybe, but never a video card. (not until I'm rich ^_^ haha)

high_jinx · 10-15-2010, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Just saying thanks to Lasereth for keeping this thread alive and accurate.

amen!

Lasereth · 11-17-2010, 06:07 AM

I'll be updating this shortly.

Lasereth · 11-17-2010, 09:23 AM

Updated

Willravel · 11-17-2010, 12:36 PM

I'm loving my overclocked 5770, Lasereth. 32 fps average in Crysis Warhammer at 1920x1080 and full specs. Thanks for the recommendation!

Lasereth · 11-18-2010, 07:31 AM

I bought this last night after finding a 10% off coupon on techbargains.com. The 8800 GT will finally be put to rest!!!!!!!!!

Willravel · 11-18-2010, 12:24 PM

I suggest a viking funeral.

Almirschuch · 04-16-2011, 01:54 PM

What's a good video card that's just good in general, I don't need a crazy one like the gamers cards.

Spartanx9 · 05-03-2011, 02:38 PM

Looking to upgrade my 8600GT for sub 100 if i can, any suggestions for it?

01-21-2010, 07:25 PM	#363 (permalink)
Radio Monk33 Psycho	Yeah the videocard market is really out of whack right now. ATI has yield issues..and absolutely nothing coming from Nvidia. So there's a real shortage of cards and prices are going up (crazy for high tech!). No one should be buying any cards now if they can help it. __________________ "Punk rock had this cool, political personal message. It was a bit more cerebral than just stupid cock rock, you know" -Kurt Cobain

02-07-2010, 08:23 AM	#364 (permalink)
pan6467 Lennonite Priest Location: Mansfield, Ohio USA	Well, I bought a new (used) computer an IBM Thinkcentre. I have a geforce8400SE in but am thinking about getting a Radeon X1300 Graphics Card off a friend. Is it a better card? __________________ I just love people who use the excuse "I use/do this because I LOVE the feeling/joy/happiness it brings me" and expect you to be ok with that as you watch them destroy their life blindly following. My response is, "I like to put forks in an eletrical socket, just LOVE that feeling, can't ever get enough of it, so will you let me put this copper fork in that electric socket?"

03-30-2010, 10:22 AM	#365 (permalink)
Runningwater Tilted Location: North Carolina	What would be the best choice for better performance? ATI Radeon HD 3870 NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT (x2 via SLI) I am pretty much asking from a gaming standpoint. Would there be a huge difference?

05-04-2010, 11:30 AM	#372 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	Newegg.com - EVGA 015-P3-1482-AR GeForce GTX 480 (Fermi) SuperClocked 1536MB 384-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card I just got a pair of these monsters, one for me and one for the wife. My new systems are now 100% complete. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

05-04-2010, 11:47 AM	#373 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Lucky!!!!!! I need a new card bad. Bad Company 2 puts my 8800 GT to shame. __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

12-30-2009, 05:46 PM	#361 (permalink)
laconic1 Junkie	I just built a pc and am currently using the onboard ATI Radeon HD 4200 graphics. While I have not had any complaints for the uses I have tried it for I might want to upgrade if I start gaming. I was reading about the ATI Hybrid CrossFireX, which is supposed to allow a discrete card to work with the onboard graphics, a poor mans CrossFireX if you will. But it seems the card selection for the Hybrid CrossFireX is pretty minimal. Would I be better off performance wise with a sub $50 Hybrid CrossFireX card paired with the onboard graphics, or saving up for a bit to buy a $100 standalone card be it ATI or NVIDIA and just disabling onboard graphics?

03-30-2010, 11:32 AM	#367 (permalink)
Runningwater Tilted Location: North Carolina	Thanks Lasereth, A guy from work said he just got a 4770 and had the 3870 sitting there and gave it to me. Figured since I have 2 8800's i could put them in one of the computers and put the 3870 in the other. I wouldn't notice much if any difference on a 1:1 ratio would I? It's ridiculous that the 3870 is $99.00 (Tigerdirect) and just 1 8800 GT is $48.00 (newegg) - especially if the 8800 is the better card

03-31-2010, 12:44 PM	#368 (permalink)
Runningwater Tilted Location: North Carolina	Well forget it anyway...for some reason I couldn't get the Radeon to work in my computer...it would work fine til Windows booted then it would lag and flash on and off every few minutes. And I couldn't get the other computer to recognize that they were in SLI configuration...even though i was trying to follow the steps... oh well

04-09-2010, 08:10 AM	#369 (permalink)
TheProf Crazy	Hello, How goes it? Hope all is well. I am looking to build this machine: $1,000 i7 Desktop Computer \| Telovation.com In it, they talk about the video card as: "The included 512MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8400 GS video card is also pretty entry-level. In our case, we replaced it with two GeForce 9500 GT (dual) 1GB video cards (about $55 each from Tiger Direct) to support the four monitors we run on this machine. They both fit in the two available PCI Express 2.0x16 slots on the MSI X58M motherboard, and still leaves one available PCIe 2.0x4 slot and one standard PCI slot." My question is two-fold: 1) This machine is being built for video-editing -- would you have a preference between either of those two cards? 2) The machine is going to be running Linux as the Operating system -- I have had issues with nVidia cards and Linux before, is there another video card you would recommend that I can put in that works with Linux and still provides the ability to have two monitors (or two cheaper cards I can put in)? Thanks!

05-05-2010, 11:06 AM	#374 (permalink)
StanT © Location: Colorado	Thanks again for having this thread. It's minimized the number of places I need to check when my video cards fry 1 month out of warranty (again). I went with a Sapphire 5870 Vapor-X I have no loyalty when it comes to video cards. I wanted something fairly quiet this time around.

05-16-2010, 08:22 PM	#375 (permalink)
Silverbrain Addict Location: Nor Cal	Thank you for continuing to update this thread Lasereth, my first stop when da wife ok's an upgrade! __________________ Over Thinking, Over Analyzing Seperates the Body from the Mind - MJK

09-01-2010, 10:45 PM	#376 (permalink)
Radio Monk33 Psycho	Heh upgraded my melting 4850...artifacting/black screening especially in the last 6 months of it's 12 month life. Went to a 470gtx! Yep the fermi is just as hot as it's made out to be...but daaamn a lot of power behind that card. Running everything on high at 1080p. And for 270$ (Cdn) after rebate too! __________________ "Punk rock had this cool, political personal message. It was a bit more cerebral than just stupid cock rock, you know" -Kurt Cobain

10-15-2010, 01:48 AM	#377 (permalink)
settie Junkie	Just saying thanks to Lasereth for keeping this thread alive and accurate. I was in here over two years ago and grabbed the 9600 gt, its held up pretty well. But now, with an i7 processor, I am currently nowhere near my computers potential. Its time to unleash the beast! I'm going to grab 2x Radeon 4850 cards. I checked this thread a few months ago, and sadly, theres no change in my price range. I find it kind of amusing that I can do more/better with two $100 cards, than I could with one $300 card. And there's no way I'd spend $300 on a video card. a processor, maybe, but never a video card. (not until I'm rich ^_^ haha)

11-17-2010, 06:07 AM	#379 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	I'll be updating this shortly. __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

11-17-2010, 09:23 AM	#380 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	Updated __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

11-18-2010, 12:24 PM	#383 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	I suggest a viking funeral.

11-17-2010, 12:36 PM	#381 (permalink)
Willravel ... a sort of licensed troubleshooter.	I'm loving my overclocked 5770, Lasereth. 32 fps average in Crysis Warhammer at 1920x1080 and full specs. Thanks for the recommendation!

11-18-2010, 07:31 AM	#382 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	I bought this last night after finding a 10% off coupon on techbargains.com. The 8800 GT will finally be put to rest!!!!!!!!! __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

04-16-2011, 01:54 PM	#384 (permalink)
Almirschuch Banned	What's a good video card that's just good in general, I don't need a crazy one like the gamers cards.

05-03-2011, 02:38 PM	#385 (permalink)
Spartanx9 Crazy Location: Tucson	Looking to upgrade my 8600GT for sub 100 if i can, any suggestions for it?