Video Card [Recommendation]

ceraf · Post by **ceraf** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:47 pm

I'm building up a new system, and I need a recommendation for a video card. I've been looking for something at the performance level of a Geforce 7600gs or 8500gt. I want to avoid buying aftermarket coolers....are there any quiet (or passive, for that matter) video card offerings?

also, any ATI performance/power consumption equivalents to those two mentioned nvidia cards?

thejamppa · Post by **thejamppa** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 2:59 pm

There are fanless HD 2600 Pro, bit above GF 8500 in terms of gaming power. But where do you need that card? If you want something like 8500 GT then you do not want to play much.

elephants · Post by **elephants** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 5:37 pm

basically same question. i do moderate gaming and won't be playing anything new until starcraft2. primary concerns are noise (while idle, listening to and recording music, but gaming not a concern), lifetime, handling high resolutions, and not ATI (so Linux doesnt break). i'm eyeing the 8800GT 512mb. I don't care how big it is. Lower power consumption would be nice.

johnniecache7 · Post by **johnniecache7** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 6:53 pm

I believe the ATI Radeon HD 3850 256MB or 512MB has Lower power consumption and quieter stock VGA cooler then Geforce 8800 GT 512MB not mention better price. The ATI Radeon HD 3850 256MB or 512MB would be prefect for you. I would recommend going with Sapphire Radeon HD 3850 256MB or 512MB to keep cost down.

ceraf · Post by **ceraf** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:33 pm

i don't play much, but i'd like to be able to run some games at playable framerates....maybe something somewhat better than my current radeon 9700 pro (yes, quite old)

I've also been looking at 6800s, but couldn't find anything passive.

Lawrence Lee · Post by **Lawrence Lee** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:47 pm

I think the best choice for you would be a passive 8600GT.

If you want some more oomph, the HD3850 is actually very quiet in 2D mode and performs fantastic. When I got my HD3850 I thought I would have to swap the stock cooler out, but I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't add any noise to my system. My system is already very quiet - the whoosh from my suspended WD5000AAKS (AAM) is by far the loudest thing inside.

johnniecache7 · Post by **johnniecache7** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:48 pm

For todays games the geforce 6800 series is useles does not support directx 10 and is awful under powered for modern games. You will not be able get any playable frame rates out anything less then Geforce 8600 GT and you can forget playing Crysis with it. Your best bang for the buck is ATI Radeon HD 3850 256MB hands down. It also the lowest priced playable video card.

porkchop · Post by **porkchop** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 12:20 am

http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1140/11
power consumption of the 2600 pro xt, 8600 gt and gts.
also performance tests etc.

stay away from the 8500gt, simply because the 2600pro trumps it at everything for the about same price.

the 8600gt looks good, and also consumes less power.

the 3850 is a great card, but at 2x the price of a 8600gt(aud 112 vs 222)- it's not worth it unless you game alot.

i've never been a pc gamer, but i'm considering buying a 8600gt so i can grab the orange box

EDIT:
the prices quoted are from the local shop and for the cheapest cards, the 8600gt for 112 is the generic nvidia card- the plan is to bolt a cpu heatsink onto it