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9 comments

  • I posted a similar question in the forums but no one answered, maybe I'll have more luck here...

    I just want a dedicated video card for my PC (one of those Compaq AMD DC 3800+ for $199 las Boxing day). I do no strenuous gaming, use Photoshop and some video editing.

    If I'm going to buy a card, I'd like something half decent. Which would be a better deal, this one or the EVGA E-Geforce 8600GTS Ssc Edition W. Quake WARS: Et on sale at NCIX for $60 after MIR?

    I figure I'll probably have to replace my powere source too, as the one that came with the PC is only 250 w, but I'll check and confirm that forst.
  • Hey MM

    What OS are you running on the Compaq?
  • Vista Home Premium - it came with. I tried to clean off as much of the bloatware as I could. Haven't changed a thing of the hardware yet, and only added a bunch of SW.

    My monitor (Dell) has DVI inout also.

    Any insight you could offer would be much appreciated...
  • If you're not a gamer, any card should be plenty. The 8600 should have all the power you need, even to drive a 24" DVI LCD. If you are an avid gamer and want to play Crysis and all the latest games, the 8800GT has the minimum amount of power required for decent framerate at high settings.

    As for the PSU, the 8800GT is 60nm die, much lower power needs than the 90nm process. It doesn't run very hot (thus does not use up a lot of power. 250W is on the low side, and is probably meant for onboard graphics and a cool and quiet computer. You may be redlining on anything under 350W, so you might just want to buy a 500+W PSU just to be on the safe side.
  • The free game aside, the 8800gt for $100 is a much better deal than the 8600 for $60. If you want the game then the 8600 is a better deal as the game sells for $50 alone, but then again running that game on the 8600 would suck so the point is moot.
  • The 8800GT is selling at the regular price of $100. If you want a sale price, the ATI HD 3650 is currently $70 off so it's also $100.
  • Sorry, should have added that the 8800GT is still quicker for gaming. The HD3650 has twice the memory and HD output, so the choice depends upon your display resolution and the apps you use.
  • Thanks for the insight everybody, I really appreciate it. I think I'll wait to see if there are any more posts then make a decision.
  • The ATI that's $70 off at FS shows OOS everywhere, instore and online. How about this one at BB: ATI PCIE 512MB GDDR2 Video Card (HD3650) for $90? $10 less, but halft the memory. And in stock.

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