Author Topic: want to upgrade my video card (Read 1061 times)

Charge · « **Reply #15 on:** December 12, 2007, 08:01:09 AM »

"You need to check your facts, the HD3850 draws 15 watts less power than the most energy efficient nvidia card today, 8800GT. The GT draws 110 watts."

HD3850 is done in 55nm process where as 8800GT is done in 65nm process. The smaller manufacturing process the smaller power consumption. The 8800GT is roughly 16% faster than HD3850.

AFAIK the older Radeons did consume more power than contemporary GFs so the capacity of the PSU may be a problem if you decide to invest in a fast but older technology graphics card. I'm not sure what the power consumption figures are in midrange where Rad and GF may be more equal.

This might help too:

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2007.html (pointed out earlier but in case you couldn't find it...)

If you blow up your PSU it is very much possible that it will break a few other components too, so IMO 300W may be enough but it was meant to supply only the original load of your comp and depending on the graphics card you decide to get it may not be safe to run it at its peak power.

-C+

Getback · « **Reply #16 on:** December 12, 2007, 08:14:25 AM »

Falcon! We've been following you and you been using onboard video Yikes!! Well, it must be fairly good onboard video. I think what ever you get will be a vast improvement. You will also use less system memory. I use a GT8600. It seems fairly good. Others have put it down. I'm satisfied though.

MrRiplEy[H] · « **Reply #17 on:** December 12, 2007, 08:23:09 AM »

Quote

AFAIK the older Radeons did consume more power than contemporary GFs so the capacity of the PSU may be a problem if you decide to invest in a fast but older technology graphics card. I'm not sure what the power consumption figures are in midrange where Rad and GF may be more equal.[/B]

Don't tell me I made a huge mistake of buying a HD2900pro. It blows heat like a hairdryer and pwns my 450W power supply bad.

I'm thinking of dumping the almost $400 purchase.

falcon23 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 12, 2007, 05:40:13 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Getback
Falcon! We've been following you and you been using onboard video Yikes!! Well, it must be fairly good onboard video. I think what ever you get will be a vast improvement. You will also use less system memory. I use a GT8600. It seems fairly good. Others have put it down. I'm satisfied though.

getback..that will be fixed very soon..

I wont mention that I am on satellite internet

Kevin

falcon23 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 13, 2007, 10:51:39 PM »

I want to thank everyone for their input..

and here is what I decided on.."DRUM ROLL PLEASE"

EVGA GeForce8600GT 512Mb 128 bitGddr3PCIe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130290&Tpk=evga-512-p2-n757-tr

THoughts,opinions?I would like to hear them..Good and bad.

I am only running a 300W psu with 19@ on my 12 volt rail.but can upgrade if needed.

Will this card run on the PSU I have now?

And as far as I can tell,there is no extra plug I need to plug in to my PSU for this card?!?!:confused:

Thanks,
Kevin

Wingnutt · « **Reply #20 on:** December 13, 2007, 11:26:02 PM »

the 8600GT is like a Pimp with no hoes and money. Wearing all the bling but got no swing.

j/k

MrRiplEy[H] · « **Reply #21 on:** December 14, 2007, 01:22:08 AM »

It's a good card no doubt but the 3850 should have at least double or triple price / performance ratio. You'd get much more bang for buck.

falcon23 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 14, 2007, 05:36:36 PM »

Thanks for the replys guys..

Will my PSU run this card ok until I get another one?

And will MY SYSTEM run this card ok..

Thanks,
Kevin

falcon23 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 15, 2007, 09:49:22 AM »

OK,this is the power supply I am looking at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153023

But the 12 volt line is still short of the 22 AMPS the geforce 8600 card says is reccomended..Will this PSU work?

I have had some people tell me I dont need 22 amps on the 12 volt side..Is this true?The card only requires 350WPS,and the one above in the link is more..So I am thinking it will work..

I cant really afford more than $50 for a PSU..

Thanks,
Kevin