New Graphics Card

[smithmr8]

Hello,
I'm trying to decide what graphics card to buy. Price range, is a maximum of around £120~

Some people have a recommended an ATi HD4850. I've seen some others at cheaper prices which look fairly similar spec wise. Like the 8800GT/S ect..

Looking for some advice on which one would be best., preferably from eBuyer [Convenience Reasons]

Thanks.

[staffsMike]

What resolution do you want to play at?

The best you can do in that price range is the HD4850 or maybe the 9800GTX.

[Mithrandir]

As staffsMike mentioned it depends on what res and also games you'll be playing.

[smithmr8]

I use it on a 17" monitor (Soon to be a 22" Widescreen Monitor), and occassionally a 32" HDTV. Playing games like Crysis, COD4.

[Zhaoman]

Lol Crysis, at those resolutions it's really between the HD4850 and the 9800GTX because anything less powerful will struggle. Do you like red heatsinks or black heatsinks?

[staffsMike]

@ 1680 x 1050 anything around an 8800GT will do. HD38**, 9600GT. All good at around £80 - £90.

The best again though will be the HD4850 and it will last you that bit longer than the cheaper cards

[smithmr8]

Yeah, I'm thinking about the HD4580, but have read that it will run very hot under load. So, cautious on that side of things.

Any problems with the HD4850 ?

[staffsMike]

It runs hot all the time. 80 degree's idle, 83 under load lol

I would personally buy an artic cooling accelro for it and strap a quiet 120mm fan to that. brings temps down to 40's and makes as much noise as you specify with the fan. A driver update may fix the stock cooler though.

[Zhaoman]

I'm not sure what ATi is doing about the fan speed issue but using the Catalyst profile workaround, temps drop dramatically when you set the fan speed to a relatively quiet 40% (stock runs at 15%). Some people claim it runs at 55C under load at those speeds so temps really isn't a problem. It's the fan that's the issue...

[smithmr8]

Damn. That is hot.

Have you got a link for the cooler ? There is a few accelero about. Don't want to get the wrong one.

[smithmr8]

Oh, right. Nice to know. So, increasing speed of fan to around 40% should give an alright temperature/

[staffsMike]

It's this one
http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=627848

It's going to take up a fair bit of room especially strapped with a fan but I would do it if I were buying one.

[smithmr8]

Ah, I see. Are they easy to fit ? Im guessing you'd need to remove the stock cooler first, and then put this one on.

[SiM]

REmember kids, fitting a 3rd party cooler usually voids your warranty... I would just go for the 9800gtx/+... I am guessing when games start using physx more it should even pull a bit ahead of the 4850

[staffsMike]

Ah, I see. Are they easy to fit ? Im guessing you'd need to remove the stock cooler first, and then put this one on.

Yeah pretty much as easy as the CPU coolers.

SIM makes a valid point but you can always put the old cooler back on

The 9800GTX is a great card too. I'd be tempted by either.

[SiM]

SIM makes a valid point but you can always put the old cooler back on

The big ass torn "VOID IF REMOVED" sticker might be a little give away*

*assuming the 4850 has one