Replacing a 8800GT?

[wpd7]

I'm thinking of replacing an 8800GT as one of the fan blades broke off and although it doesn't affect performance or cooling, it is off balance and making a noise that I cannot stand.

I currently have an e6550 w/ 4GB of ram. I was wondering what the best video card I can buy out there without my processor limiting the performance of said card.

Any suggestions?

 

[sirsaechao]

5770, 5830, 260 GTX, 270 GTX, 4890

 

[defaultluser]

For reference: an HD 5750 is slightly faster than your 8800 GT.

You should probably consider an entire machine upgrade, depending on what games you play, and what your resolution is. That core 2 Duo 2.33 GHz is getting OLD, and lots of newer games may need more power.

 

[wpd7]

The issue is that I just upgraded my laptop/work setup (MBP15") and am low on cash.

I was wondering if I can get away with the graphics on the MBP to get the same experience on BFBC2 and CNC4, but all points to no, which leads me back to my "ancient" gaming machine.

 

[defaultluser]

Okay then, it sounds like we need to start this whole thing over again:

1. what is your budget (give us a top-end, pie-in-the-sky number)?
2. what is your display resolution?
3. is BFBC2 the most advanced game you play right now?

We might be better-off getting you slightly more video card than you can take advantage of, and then you can upgrade the rest in say, 6 months or so. But it all depends on what you can afford.

*** EDIT *** TWO OTHER THOUGHTS:


1. what brand is your video card? Is it still under warranty?
2. have you considered buying a replacement video fan for about $30?

This sucker is about $30 shipped, and you can just point any old 120mm fan at it if you don't like the passive temperatures.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186016

 

[paul-e-wog]

+1 to what defaultluser says about everything. You can also find good deals on aftermarket cooling for your card by checking out the fs/ft here.

 

[wpd7]

1) I'd like to keep it under $200- that's my sweet spot for video upgrades.
2) 2048 x 1152
3) Yes.

Other Thoughts:

1) Gigabyte 8800GT Zalmann, not under warranty.
2) Would rather upgrade if I can see an uptick in performance. Also looking to get something that will run SC2 with eye-candy.

 

[defaultluser]

For that resolution plus eyecandy, you really want to spend a little more on a 5850. You can get this XFX card for $285:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150494&cm_re=hd_5850-_-14-150-494-_-Product

Or if you insist on the $200 pricepoint, you can get the 5830 for $200 after $20 MIR:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125317&cm_re=hd_5830-_-14-125-317-_-Product

It's up to you. The 5850 would be the better upgrade for your high resolution, but the 5830 is right there in your price range.

 

[paul-e-wog]

You can probably find a replacement zalman fan for cheap, or even just cable-tie a slim fan of your favorite size to the heatsink.
Alternatively, break off more fins on the fan to re-balance it. =]

 

[Valset]

1) I'd like to keep it under $200- that's my sweet spot for video upgrades.
2) 2048 x 1152
3) Yes.

Other Thoughts:

1) Gigabyte 8800GT Zalmann, not under warranty.
2) Would rather upgrade if I can see an uptick in performance. Also looking to get something that will run SC2 with eye-candy.

I would go with a used 4890 or the like. your running a 2.4mp monitor so a 4870-90 will do really well. you didn't say what board you were running but they have had some really cheap sli/crossfire configs on sale. a pair of 4870 is nothing to sneeze at. If you can find them priced reasonable the GTX260-275 is not a bad card at all. A new 4890 will run you the 200 even (180 - 210 right at your sweet point). Next step up is a 5850. it would max most things on that screen. and DX11 if that means anything to you.

 

[ClearM4]

5770, 5830, 260 GTX, 270 GTX, 4890

These are great choices:

New:
HD5770 ~$150 (1GB model)
HD5830 ~$200

Used:
HD4870 ~$120 (1GB model)
HD4890 ~$150
GTX260 ~$130
GTX275 ~$180
GTX280 ~$200
GTX285 ~$220

Can you overclock your CPU? Can your motherboard take a CPU upgraded? The E6550 at stock speeds of 2.33Ghz will hold back any modern day video card. Many new games just want more cpu speed. 3.0Ghz range is good.

Also, can your PSU handle a GPU upgrade? This is not some sort of stock Dell PC right?

From my experience the HD5*** cards are the quietest, but none of these cards are noisy after adjusting fan speeds.

And don't bother with a new HD4890 for $200; this card is for buying used to save a few dollars. The HD5830 is a better card all around at $200. Clock for clock the HD5830 is faster, quieter, cooler, uses less power and has new features (DX11, Eyefinity, Display port). At stock the HD4890 has a 50mhz core advantage which sometimes give it a 5% FPS advantage, but both cards overclock about the same.

My personal recommendation is a HD5830 + used E8400 CPU (~$100). This assumes your PSU and MoBo are up to the task.

 

[sirsaechao]

I also would go 5830 because it runs cooler, DX11, Eyefinity and your CPU shouldn't bottleneck it.

 

[vjcsmoke]

time for you to go bargain shopping.
check out the FS/FT forums and look for some of the recommendations.

5770/5830 for video card. Maybe an e8400 or a Core 2 quadcore plug in upgrade.

Make sure you've got a quality 500w or more power supply too. If you've got a cheap one, the more wattage the better but they don't always deliver what their rating claims.