Question about Video Card

[Monty HD]

I found this video card(geforce-8800-gtx) for sale at Fry's. It seems like a good deal at $189.00. I just wanted to know if any of you have used this card before and if it is any good.

http://reviews.cnet.com/graphics-car....html?hhTest=1

[crazzeto]

Skip it entirely... Get this instead for the same price

ATI Radeon 4850:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...on%20HD%204850

If you can spend a bit more upgrade to the 4870.

[basano]

I've used the 8800gtx for about a year and a half, got it a little after release. Its been a great card so far. My machine runs 24/7/365, so to me its been very reliable. I normaly upgrade my card every year, but havnt found one that puts the 8800gtx to shame.

[crazzeto]

It'd be very worth your while to read these reviews, the ATI cards are impossible to beat at this time

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3341

Not that the nvidia ones are bad, but there is better out there and for about the same price.

[viewsonic]

Thats quite an old card now. Definitely go for a HD4850 or 9800GTX instead that will give yopu more bang for your buck.

[Monty HD]

Thanks to all. I guess I will just wait it out and read up on some reviews before I purchase. I just saw the price and thought it might be a good buy.

I am really behind on graphic cards as of late....I haven't bought a new one for some time.

[crazzeto]

Originally Posted by Monty HD

Thanks to all. I guess I will just wait it out and read up on some reviews before I purchase. I just saw the price and thought it might be a good buy.

I am really behind on graphic cards as of late....I haven't bought a new one for some time.

www.anandtech.com is your freind!!!! just click the video tab.

[balpho]

maybe i'll piggyback off this and ask something i've been debating as im in the market for a new laptop and debating between these two:

HP DV5Z 15" notebook for $650 roughly after coupons. Specs:

-2.1ghz Turion Ultra X2 ZM-80
-2gb Ram
-256mb ATI 3450 video card (dedicated)

OR

Gateway M-6862 15" notebook for $750 specs:

-Core 2 Duo T5750 2.0ghz
-4gb Ram
-ATI HD 2600 w/ 512 mb ddr3 ram

Thoughts? Is the more expensive one worth the extra $100 in hardware components?

[crazzeto]

Are you planning on gaming on this lap top? And is the HP upgradable pas 2GB ram? I'd recommend 4GB for Vista for optimal experience, I'd also recommend (if possible) 64bit vista...

If the HP can be upgraded to 4GB and you're not planning on gaming too much on the machine I'd say you can save a little dough by getting the HP and upgrading the memory your self to 4GB. Otherwise go with the Gateway.

(edited due to typo)

[balpho]

Yea the HP is upgradable to 4gb, the thing is though I'd like to game some on it, but also wanna be frugal. Kinda a "best bang for your buck". I've upgraded laptop ram myself before, so mostly concerned w/ the 2 components I can't change, the processor and graphics card. Is 1 significantly better then the other? Like $100 worth?

[crazzeto]

Originally Posted by balpho

Yea the HP is upgradable to 4gb, the thing is though I'd like to game some on it, but also wanna be frugal. Kinda a "best bang for your buck". I've upgraded laptop ram myself before, so mostly concerned w/ the 2 components I can't change, the processor and graphics card. Is 1 significantly better then the other? Like $100 worth?

hmmm, I'm really not up on the differences between the GPU's in those laptops so that's where I'm up in the air... Clearly the gateway wins for integrated vmem though. I'd say you might also want to take a trip to www.anandtech.com, they recently did a laptop buyers guide you might find helpful, plus all laptop GPU's are reviews like any other GPU so you'll be able to find a full review of the two chipsets and decide what meets your needs.

[balpho]

thanks 4 the advice man. if anyone else wants 2 chime in 2 any helps appreciated

[crazzeto]

You got me curious so I looked up some reviews, though they're in the desktop context so they're not going to look very favorable

2600
http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=3023&p=5

3450
http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=3205&p=2

Neither will fit quite exactly but they should get you in the ball park of what you can expect, other than you're not getting x-fire to work on your laptop (re: review 2).

[CaptainCanuck]

I use the 8800 gt card and am very happy with it.I don't hardcore game but play w.o.w at max settings all the time and its very smooth.
No problems at all with nvidia drivers.
I might upgrade when the next 'big thing' drops to $200 as well but the videocard market moves way too fast and furious to keep up.

[deth crimsonx]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...35113&CatId=28