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Need Help Finding a Card

S

sirscottyOG

n00b
Joined
Dec 5, 2010
Messages
3
Hi there. I am looking for some help from the experts.

I am looking to run dual monitors (Dell s2209w) digital via dvi at 1980 x1080.
Primarily use is HD video, productivity and a small amount of gaming. I don't want any difference in resolution for the 2 monitors and want them both at 1920 x 1080.

I need to upgrade my card as I cannot pull that resolution and only have one dvi output.

Current card is a ATI Radeon HD 3450 m112 full height. Runs one s2209w great. Now I want 2.

Running Windows 7 Home Premium. 64 bit
Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
8 GB Ram

What are good card options? A bit lost with regards to making sure it's compitable, getting the best product for the best price, etc.

Thanks!!!

S
 
I would say under $200. Cheaper the better but I don't want to pay for not paying for it if you know what I mean.
 
Pick up a used Radeon HD 4850 or 4870; Should be cheap, $100 or maybe less, and will do great for your purposes. Power draw isn't too high either.
 
iviyth0s said:
I'd recommend either this 6850 for $160
or
this 5850 for $175 after MIR

the 6850 would be recommended since you don't need to wait for the MIR (as the 5850 exceeds your budget until it's MIR clears)
Click to expand...

That's way too much card for "light gaming", really -- no reason to double the expense for very little return given the OP's intended usage. If he's happy with his current card, which was never intended for gaming, a mid or high end previous generation card (relative to the current crop) should be more than enough for him.
 
silent-circuit said:
That's way too much card for "light gaming", really -- no reason to double the expense for very little return given the OP's intended usage. If he's happy with his current card, which was never intended for gaming, a mid or high end previous generation card (relative to the current crop) should be more than enough for him.
Click to expand...
I just didn't know if he was intending to game on both monitors or just work on them, that's why I recommended the eyefinity cards in his price range
Taking into account your logic (which is sound),
This 5750 for $105 would probably be more his speed
 
The only other question, which is completely up to you, is: how seriously do you game, and how important is it to you to crank up all the in-game settings? What games do you play?

For $35 out of pocket, XFX has a GT 240, which includes a double lifetime warranty(read: sells for more when your done with it), and should allow you to game with medium-high settings on one monitor. It is the best bang/buck available currently on a new GPU at the low end of the price range..http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150452

Spending around $60, you can get a used 4850 from FS, which will handily outgun the GT 240. If you decide to pick up a 4870, it will have the horsepower to play at native resolution, so getting one with 1GB memory is recommended. The 512MB 4870 will run into memory limitations in newer games.

For $130 AR, the GTX 460 is the best card available in that price range.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121390

At the high end of your budget, an XFX 5850 can be had for $175 AR, and will max most games on one monitor, and play both with reduced settings.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150477

The choice you make only depends on how seriously you game, and what you want to get out of it. All of them will be significant upgrades from your current card.
 
Last edited:
bore_u2_death said:
The only other question, which is completely up to you, is: how seriously do you game, and how important is it to you to crank up all the in-game settings? What games do you play?

For $35 out of pocket, XFX has a GT 240, which includes a double lifetime warranty(read: sells for more when your done with it), and should allow you to game with medium-high settings on one monitor. It is the best bang/buck available currently on a new GPU at the low end of the price range..http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150452

Spending around $60, you can get a used 4850 from FS, which will handily outgun the GT 240.

For $130 AR, the GTX 460 is the best card available in that price range.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121390

At the high end of your budget, an XFX 5850 can be had for $175 AR, and will max most games on one monitor, and play both with reduced settings.http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150477

The choice you make only depends on how seriously you game, and what you want to get out of it. All of them will be significant upgrades from your current card.
Click to expand...
Make that $50 for a 4850 ;)
 
Thanks for the responses. I am narrowing the search. I guess my only other concern is my comps power supply is 330w. I am seeing alot of the recommendations as needing more power. :-(

Not inclinded to upgrade the ps. So factoring that into the mix...

What is best?
 
330w and a quad, you're in trouble. A 5850 is pretty much out of the question. You can probably get away with a 5770/5750 or 4850 though. Were I you I'd be replacing the PSU regardless. You'd still be within budget with a 4870/4890 and a quality PSU. Might even be able to get a GTX 460 in there. A 4850 and a new PSU would cost you ~$100 and you'd be safe and likely happy with the results, for example.
 
6850 would work :)
it pulls less wattage than the 5750 and gives alot more performance
 
yeah forget the 4800 series your shit out of luck with them. Power Hogs. Can you give us a Make and Model of the PSU please. If its a generic PSU then I wouldnt bother with any card until you replace it.

You can buy a 4850 & PSU used for around 100 bucks if you do it right.
 
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