Video Card Question.

elhomo · #1 (**permalink**) 08-18-2007, 07:31 PM

Which is better for gaming this: Newegg.com - EVGA 256-P2-N751-TR GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail , or this: Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100208L Radeon HD 2600XT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail . And if there are any better cards than these that are no more than about $130, please point them out to me. TIA

comedyink · #2 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 01:17 AM

Well, the Evga Card is good IMO (I don't know what I'm really talkin about). The advantage I see for the Sapphire is the HDMI converter which means Hi-Def 1080p 5.1 but it's useless unless you have an HDMI tv. I still say go with the Evga Card because is has good customer support and after all, it's a Nvidia thingy.

**colt1911** · #3 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 03:18 AM

I've used ATI cards in the past and have always had problems with their drivers and software. For the last few years I've been using Nvidia and have had good luck with them and their support is also good. I just installed 2 XFX 8600GT in my system and I like them alot.

**wickedwindwalker** · #4 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 03:56 AM

i'd go with the evga, but be cautious when installing the included nvidia drivers. i hear a lot of people complaining about the drivers included with the video card, and they usually wind up downloading drivers from the nvidia website. it doesn't seem to be too much of a problem with this card, just some food for thought

BTW i myself was looking into buying one of these cards

elhomo · #5 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedwindwalker

i'd go with the evga, but be cautious when installing the included nvidia drivers. i hear a lot of people complaining about the drivers included with the video card, and they usually wind up downloading drivers from the nvidia website. it doesn't seem to be too much of a problem with this card, just some food for thought

BTW i myself was looking into buying one of these cards

I will go with the evga. Just need to get enough money for my upgrade, which will take a while. If you happen to get it first, tell me how it is.

**wickedwindwalker** · #6 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsmith70

I will go with the evga. Just need to get enough money for my upgrade, which will take a while. If you happen to get it first, tell me how it is.

for sure. i just bought bf2142 and just cause, but i cant play 'em till i get a vid card into the desktop i'm building.

elhomo · #7 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedwindwalker

for sure. i just bought bf2142 and just cause, but i cant play 'em till i get a vid card into the desktop i'm building.

You don't have to worry about playing bf2142 on that card. I can play it on my agp geforce 6600. On max settings, and I have a P4 2.8GHz and 1.5GB of ram. This is all with virtually no lag. Although, that may not be the most accurate description of lag due to the fact that I play online only, and I can't tell internet lag from hardware lag. It is most likely internet lag because the more I play in an online game, the better it gets. What I'm trying to say is, bf2142 doesn't require a high-end gaming system, and you'll have blazing speeds depending on what other hardware you have.

**wickedwindwalker** · #8 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 01:55 PM

yeah, sure, i can get a budget card, but i don't want to be stuck buying a better card a couple of months down the road. i've been playing all my games on my laptop, and i have to put all my settings as low as they will go. with the vid card being the last piece of hardware(hopefully) that i have to buy, i would rather not go super cheap. i want to see some eye candy. i want to put my settings as high as they will go, without dropping lower than 40fps. right now, my laptop averages about 15-30fps in halo, which is crap.

elhomo · #9 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedwindwalker

yeah, sure, i can get a budget card, but i don't want to be stuck buying a better card a couple of months down the road. i've been playing all my games on my laptop, and i have to put all my settings as low as they will go. with the vid card being the last piece of hardware(hopefully) that i have to buy, i would rather not go super cheap. i want to see some eye candy. i want to put my settings as high as they will go, without dropping lower than 40fps. right now, my laptop averages about 15-30fps in halo, which is crap.

I wasn't suggesting you buy a budget card. I was saying that the 8600GT will be able to play bf2142 at all high settings. And there was a time when my 6600 wasn't a budget card.

**wickedwindwalker** · #10 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 06:31 PM

well, i didn't mean to say a 6600 was a budget card. i've been looking at newegg, and they have 6600's and 6800's for < a cheap 8600, so why get a 6600? i just want the 8600 so that when i get an sli motherboard, i don't have to buy 2 of them. that was my original plan.

elhomo · #11 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedwindwalker

well, i didn't mean to say a 6600 was a budget card. i've been looking at newegg, and they have 6600's and 6800's for < a cheap 8600, so why get a 6600? i just want the 8600 so that when i get an sli motherboard, i don't have to buy 2 of them. that was my original plan.

Mine's agp. I'm getting the 8600GT anyway, so call my 6600 whatever you like. Hopefully Ash will setup that eBay like place and I can sell my 6600 and maybe mobo and processor.

tacotanker27 · #12 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colt1911

I've used ATI cards in the past and have always had problems with their drivers and software. For the last few years I've been using Nvidia and have had good luck with them and their support is also good. I just installed 2 XFX 8600GT in my system and I like them alot.

Does installing 2 video cards in one system give you twice the video performance?

elhomo · #13 (**permalink**) 08-20-2007, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacotanker27

Does installing 2 video cards in one system give you twice the video performance?

No, and I forget why. It does significantly improve performance.

**wickedwindwalker** · #14 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 12:36 AM

it will improve it, but your motherboard must support sli or crossfire set up. generally this will be characterized by two or more pci-express x16 slots. otherwise buying the second card is a waste of your money until you get a motherboard that does. by the looks of the system in your signature, you would be just as well off getting one of these cards yourself....

elhomo · #15 (**permalink**) 08-21-2007, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wickedwindwalker

it will improve it, but your motherboard must support sli or crossfire set up. generally this will be characterized by two or more pci-express x16 slots. otherwise buying the second card is a waste of your money until you get a motherboard that does. by the looks of the system in your signature, you would be just as well off getting one of these cards yourself....

Depends if he has agp or pci-e.

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