Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: new gfx card: ati 2950pro(3800?) or nvidia 8800gt/8800gts640/112?

  1. #1
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    54
    Thanks
    8
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • cj2mrhat's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI P35 Neo-2 FR
      • CPU:
      • Q6600 G0 @ 3.0 ghz w/ Arctic Freezer 7 Pro
      • Memory:
      • OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400 (5-4-4-15)
      • Storage:
      • Seagate Barracuda ST3500320AS 500GB SATA2, Samsung 501J SATA2 500GB, LaCie 1TB eSATA/FW/USB external
      • Graphics card(s):
      • BFG GTX 260 OCX
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX620
      • Case:
      • Antec 900
      • Operating System:
      • Dual boot: XP & Vista 64 Ultimate
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung SM2232BW 22" Widescreen (1680x1050)
      • Internet:
      • 20mb Cable (WRT54GL w/ Tomato)

    new gfx card: ati 2950pro(3800?) or nvidia 8800gt/8800gts640/112?

    Hi all,

    I am looking to buy a new graphics card within the next month or so to play the new batch of games coming out soon - crysis/ut3/cod4 etc. I will probably also need to buy a new psu. I haven't gone for the current 2900pro or 8800gts since the 2950pro/8800gt are supposed to be released within the month and should offer better features and performance for the same amount of money.

    My base specs are as follows:

    Opteron 180 @ 2.6ghz
    socket 939 epox nforce 4 ultra
    3gb DDR400 corsair value ram (2x1gb & 2x512mb)
    7800gt pci-e @ 425/1000
    480w hiper type-r psu
    (2xdvdrw & 3xsata2 hds)

    I have about £300-350 max to spend on a new graphics card + psu and I am hoping that this upgrade will see me through for another year before needing to upgrade completely. Originally I was looking at a 8800gtx - but since I have a relatively old machine I don't think its worth it. Which graphics card and psu would you recommend given my specs - and do you think I could run a 8800gt with my current psu?

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Leeds
    Posts
    2,599
    Thanks
    81
    Thanked
    106 times in 94 posts

    Re: new gfx card: ati 2950pro(3800?) or nvidia 8800gt/8800gts640/112?

    You'll probably be fine with your current PSU. Its not the greatest, but should run one of those cards you mentioned.

    Its hard to recommend future cards, as we have no idea in pricing or many in depth reviews. Personally I would be looking towards the 8800GT. The extra streams will make a big difference.

    A 8800GTX wouldn't be a bad choice either, its within your budget and your PC is still a decent spec really.

    What monitor and res do you play at?
    Last edited by s_kinton; 19-10-2007 at 02:17 PM.

  3. #3
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    54
    Thanks
    8
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • cj2mrhat's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI P35 Neo-2 FR
      • CPU:
      • Q6600 G0 @ 3.0 ghz w/ Arctic Freezer 7 Pro
      • Memory:
      • OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400 (5-4-4-15)
      • Storage:
      • Seagate Barracuda ST3500320AS 500GB SATA2, Samsung 501J SATA2 500GB, LaCie 1TB eSATA/FW/USB external
      • Graphics card(s):
      • BFG GTX 260 OCX
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX620
      • Case:
      • Antec 900
      • Operating System:
      • Dual boot: XP & Vista 64 Ultimate
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung SM2232BW 22" Widescreen (1680x1050)
      • Internet:
      • 20mb Cable (WRT54GL w/ Tomato)

    Re: new gfx card: ati 2950pro(3800?) or nvidia 8800gt/8800gts640/112?

    I think it might be the best card to buy considering my system - but I have read that the 2950pro may be being released as the HD3X00 series - it also supports dx10.1 which im not sure the 8800gt does...

    I may upgrade the psu anyway to be ready for a fully system upgrade with-in the year. I am looking in the 600-700w range - what could you recommend for under £100?

    If i went the gtx route I will need a new psu as the hiper only has 1 pci express connector. I'd prefer to play games at 1650x1050 as this is my monitor resolution (22inch samsung widescreen)
    Last edited by cj2mrhat; 19-10-2007 at 02:24 PM.

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Co Durham
    Posts
    393
    Thanks
    3
    Thanked
    16 times in 11 posts
    • hse180's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Formula V1
      • CPU:
      • i7 4770K Corsair H100i
      • Memory:
      • 16gb G-Skill Trident X
      • Storage:
      • Samsung 840 pro
      • Graphics card(s):
      • MSI 290x Lightening
      • PSU:
      • Corsair AX860i
      • Case:
      • Corsair Carbide 540
      • Internet:
      • Same ole , same ole rubbish

    Re: new gfx card: ati 2950pro(3800?) or nvidia 8800gt/8800gts640/112?

    The 8800GT and the ATI 2950pro will be good cards, affordable and popular. As for a psu@£100 there are lots to chose from, stay with a good brand like Enermax, Silverstone, Corsair, PC Power and Cooling and you will be fine

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    633
    Thanks
    39
    Thanked
    82 times in 61 posts
    • Uriel's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3
      • CPU:
      • Athlon X2 5200+ 45nm 2.3GHz @ Phenom FX-5200 3.3GHz
      • Memory:
      • 8GB (4x2GB) Geil RAM
      • Storage:
      • 480GB Sandisk SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Galax GTX970 4GB
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX520
      • Case:
      • Antec SLK3000B
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 2407wfp A04

    Re: new gfx card: ati 2950pro(3800?) or nvidia 8800gt/8800gts640/112?

    I have a Hiper Type R 480w and read a rather worrying review from HardOCP recently. http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?...wxLCxobmV3cw== . This would indicate that the Hiper Type R 480w would be fine if rated at 350w but can't actually consistently supply 480w. You never know - Hiper's OEM may have changed and it was obtained recently in North America rather than a while ago in Europe but I'd advise caution. I looked into what it meant for me and I reckon I'm about on the safe limit with an X2 4600+ and X1800XT.

    The other thing to bear in mind is that these new cards will be PCI-E 2.0. Motherboards with PCI-E 1.1 will be compatible but there's still a question mark over motherboards with PCI-E 1.0 and 1.0a (quite a lot of recent boards). I wouldn't worry too much but I'm taking a 'wait and see' approach to make sure my motherboard's compatible before buying.

  6. Received thanks from:

    cj2mrhat (19-10-2007)

  7. #6
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    54
    Thanks
    8
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • cj2mrhat's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI P35 Neo-2 FR
      • CPU:
      • Q6600 G0 @ 3.0 ghz w/ Arctic Freezer 7 Pro
      • Memory:
      • OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400 (5-4-4-15)
      • Storage:
      • Seagate Barracuda ST3500320AS 500GB SATA2, Samsung 501J SATA2 500GB, LaCie 1TB eSATA/FW/USB external
      • Graphics card(s):
      • BFG GTX 260 OCX
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX620
      • Case:
      • Antec 900
      • Operating System:
      • Dual boot: XP & Vista 64 Ultimate
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung SM2232BW 22" Widescreen (1680x1050)
      • Internet:
      • 20mb Cable (WRT54GL w/ Tomato)

    Re: new gfx card: ati 2950pro(3800?) or nvidia 8800gt/8800gts640/112?

    what about tagan? I had my eye on this one, though it is a tad expensive:

    http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=420472

  8. #7
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    54
    Thanks
    8
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • cj2mrhat's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI P35 Neo-2 FR
      • CPU:
      • Q6600 G0 @ 3.0 ghz w/ Arctic Freezer 7 Pro
      • Memory:
      • OCZ 4GB (2x2GB) PC2-6400 (5-4-4-15)
      • Storage:
      • Seagate Barracuda ST3500320AS 500GB SATA2, Samsung 501J SATA2 500GB, LaCie 1TB eSATA/FW/USB external
      • Graphics card(s):
      • BFG GTX 260 OCX
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX620
      • Case:
      • Antec 900
      • Operating System:
      • Dual boot: XP & Vista 64 Ultimate
      • Monitor(s):
      • Samsung SM2232BW 22" Widescreen (1680x1050)
      • Internet:
      • 20mb Cable (WRT54GL w/ Tomato)

    Re: new gfx card: ati 2950pro(3800?) or nvidia 8800gt/8800gts640/112?

    thanks for the heads up uriel - I will check this out. I'm pretty sure my board is pci-e 1.0a spec, but I'd prefer to get the newer card so it will slot straight into a new pci-e 2.0 motherboard when I do decide to upgrade. I think it would be a rather big oversight to release new mid-range cards that don't have pci-e 1.0/a compatibility.

    just read that hiper type-r review :S. I must admit I've never had a problem with mine but I might go ahead and buy a new psu sooner rather than later
    Last edited by cj2mrhat; 19-10-2007 at 03:37 PM.

  9. #8
    Chillie in here j.o.s.h.1408's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    a place called home
    Posts
    8,543
    Thanks
    757
    Thanked
    256 times in 193 posts
    • j.o.s.h.1408's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASUS P6T Delux
      • CPU:
      • Intel core i7 920 @ 3ghz
      • Memory:
      • 3GB DDR RAM
      • Storage:
      • 1TB Samsung F1, 500GB Seagate baracuda + 320gb Seagate PATA +150GB WD PATA
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA 480GTX SC edition
      • PSU:
      • Seasonic M12 600W Module PSU FTW
      • Case:
      • Lian Li PC-A7010B (the rolls royce of pc cases)
      • Operating System:
      • vista ultimate edition and windows xp
      • Monitor(s):
      • 22inch 2005FPW dell monitor
      • Internet:
      • 24mb BE There Broadband

    Re: new gfx card: ati 2950pro(3800?) or nvidia 8800gt/8800gts640/112?

    i think you should realy go for a GTX. i would if was in your position but unfortunatly i have a AGP system still so a GTX is a no no for me

    on a side note how long did the 7 series last? i thought that the new 9 series cards will appear this year but looks like it wont. a more of a reason to buy a GTX now rather then wait for the next big thing

  10. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    633
    Thanks
    39
    Thanked
    82 times in 61 posts
    • Uriel's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3
      • CPU:
      • Athlon X2 5200+ 45nm 2.3GHz @ Phenom FX-5200 3.3GHz
      • Memory:
      • 8GB (4x2GB) Geil RAM
      • Storage:
      • 480GB Sandisk SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Galax GTX970 4GB
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX520
      • Case:
      • Antec SLK3000B
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 2407wfp A04

    Re: new gfx card: ati 2950pro(3800?) or nvidia 8800gt/8800gts640/112?

    From what I can gather, it looks like PCI-E 2.0 graphics cards will be compatible with earlier PCI-E motherboards. There's enough doubt in my mind to warrant waiting for confirmation though.

    Edit: I just had a re-read of that Hiper Type R 480W review. It's almost certainly not the same model as mine, as I don't have a 6pin PCI-E connector.
    Last edited by Uriel; 19-10-2007 at 04:49 PM.

  11. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    633
    Thanks
    39
    Thanked
    82 times in 61 posts
    • Uriel's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3
      • CPU:
      • Athlon X2 5200+ 45nm 2.3GHz @ Phenom FX-5200 3.3GHz
      • Memory:
      • 8GB (4x2GB) Geil RAM
      • Storage:
      • 480GB Sandisk SSD
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Galax GTX970 4GB
      • PSU:
      • Corsair HX520
      • Case:
      • Antec SLK3000B
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 2407wfp A04

    Re: new gfx card: ati 2950pro(3800?) or nvidia 8800gt/8800gts640/112?

    A little more info on the Hiper Type R 480w PSU. It turns out that there are two versions. The current version is dreadful. The earlier version isn't bad. There's a review of the earlier version here: http://www.nordichardware.com/index....on=more&id=912

    A quick warning - If yours has a 6 pin PCI-E connector, chances are it's the poor quality later version.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Nvidia vs ATI (OpenGL): Score 1-1
    By TooNice in forum Graphics Cards
    Replies: 26
    Last Post: 28-10-2005, 09:23 AM
  2. Best nVidia AGP 2x GFX Card for £50?
    By PriestJPN in forum Retail Therapy and Bargains
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 22-07-2004, 11:56 AM
  3. find me a: HERCULES 9600, 9700, 9800 gfx card for around £100.
    By Chopper in forum Retail Therapy and Bargains
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 04-07-2004, 01:40 PM
  4. Please Help Me Choose A Gfx Card For My Shuttle
    By bigjonnyauk in forum PC Hardware and Components
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 17-02-2004, 12:53 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •