Graphics Card Advice

[nickd_101]

Just got myself an Inspiron 530 Q6600 from tesco and i'm looking to upgrade the graphics in it to something more substantial. What graphics card would be best for me to get for this? I've read good things about the Zotac 8800GT available from ebuyer (ebuyer.com/product/145605) but was wondering whether anyone could give any additional suggestions/advice. Price range is a low as possible but I'm looking for sub-£100 options.
I'm planning on using the machine for some gaming and i'm planning on using a dual-DVI (if that narrows the choices down) to connect to my TV for media center and my monitor for normal PC use

Any advice would be greatly appreciated,
Cheers,
Nick

[staffsMike]

Not bad for £65 (free supersaver delivery)
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/139617

Alright for £85
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/141248

Pretty good for £75 similar to the HD3850, not quite as good as the 8800GT but less power and cooler running
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/147945

Best you can get for this sort of money other than a 9800GTX
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/146428

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...odid=GX-101-OK
fantastic card with a massive (but silent) cooler. May as well get it from here though
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/148039, better company and free delivery so it will cost the same anyway.

The same with a more typical cooler
http://scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=857905

I like the 9800GT or HD4850 from that bunch for the best performance.

Bang for buck they are all great cards.

9600GT
8800GT
HD3850
9800GT (but close)
HD4850

Is the order I would rate them (HD4850 being the best).

[shadowmaster]

I pretty much agree with staffsMike, however what psu do you have? What resolution do you plan to use the card at and what games do you intend to play?

[nickd_101]

I pretty much agree with staffsMike, however what psu do you have? What resolution do you plan to use the card at and what games do you intend to play?

I've got a 350w PSU in it. I'd like to get the best resolution possible really, i've ordered a 22" monitor to go with it. I'd like to be prepared for Red Alert 3 whenever that's out, but wouldn't mind being able to give Crysis a bash

I've seen this listed - ebuyer.com/product/144318 what sort of performance could that give?
Cheers

[HoldenBurn1000]

Im a Dell partner, and I really think you are going to have big problems wiht that PSU and upgraded GPU. I dont belive that PSU comes wiht a PCI-e 6 pin connector and they are not the best PSU's ever made!

You will be able to upgrade but will have some problems with some of the larger more power hungry cards.

[shadowmaster]

I've got a 350w PSU in it. I'd like to get the best resolution possible really, i've ordered a 22" monitor to go with it. I'd like to be prepared for Red Alert 3 whenever that's out, but wouldn't mind being able to give Crysis a bash

I've seen this listed - ebuyer.com/product/144318 what sort of performance could that give?
Cheers

I agree with HoldenBurn1000, your psu might not be able to power the mid/high end cards such as the 3850. A good quality 400watt psu should be sufficient. Something like this would be fine-

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=644038

However that being the 3850 at ebuyer for £55 is a bargain, so you might as well but both the psu and the gfx card at the same time, total price should be under £100.

[staffsMike]

I would probably be inclined to go for one of the lower power card but I wouldn't worry about that PSU. I mean Dell were running their 8800GTX systems on not much more if not less power.

They always use very good PSU's and if you use a molex to PCIe adapter it shouldn't be a problem.

[nickd_101]

Thanks for all the help, went for 3850 in the end. Hopefully it will be good enough when I get it!

[Papipap]

I agree with HoldenBurn1000, your psu might not be able to power the mid/high end cards such as the 3850. A good quality 400watt psu should be sufficient. Something like this would be fine-

However that being the 3850 at ebuyer for £55 is a bargain, so you might as well but both the psu and the gfx card at the same time, total price should be under £100.

Great timing for this thread. After trying to wheel and deal on Ebay (although I got a £72 motherboard for £40) for a graphics card, I come here and see that cracking deal at Ebuyer for the 3850. Needless to say, my made was made up and ordered one of those bad boys. And I will be getting the Corsair PSU from Scan, too.

[v3n]

8800GT is the best value and what you should buy