Buying a new graphic card for my "old" system

Rokkec · Aug 12, 2008, 12:40 AM

Hey everyone,
So basically, the current system is going for almost 2 years and Im probably buying a new system in a matter of months or so..and I was thinking why not buy a new solid graphic card while "waiting", cause my current system isn`t that bad and I will be able to sell it for a higher price anyway..so I`m asking you which card to buy, so that it will be the best for me..my preferable price range..
150-200 euro..cause its probably useless to spend more cause the more high end I would go, the more bottlenecked the card would be..=)
my system:
Mobo:ASUS P5LD2 SE
Processor:Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2x2,13 Ghz
Graphic Card:Radeon x1600 Pro ;P
Memory:2 Gb Corsair 667 Mhz
Basically thats what`s rellevant, right?
Suggestions?

Help greatly appreciated!

**kris23** · Aug 12, 2008, 12:43 AM

hey man theres no need to spam the forums to get your message read, one post is enough....

anyways, welcome to DH!

i recommend that you try to find this in your area or favorite online store, best value around

Sapphire HD4850 512MB DDR3, Dual DVI, HDTV out, PCI-E Graphics Card

Rokkec · Aug 12, 2008, 12:46 AM

Sorry..didnt mean too://
I just corrected some mistakes and puff..2 more posts:S
I am a big fan of Ati afterall and this card interests me, so will the hd4850 get bottlenecked and will it work with my current power supply:480 watts?

EDIT:tnx for the reply and the welcome!=)

**kris23** · Aug 12, 2008, 12:48 AM

it wont get bottlenecked too badly....... but OCing is recommended,

480 is a decent size, assuming its a quality PSU

if its the crap that comes with the computer case, then you need a new PSU.

which store do you plan to shop from, maybe i can hunt down some recommended parts

Rokkec · Aug 12, 2008, 12:52 AM

Okay..so my PSU is from Thermaltake..I payed quite alot for this one..even though they told me it will be a 520W but thay ran out of stash and sold me this one, for a little less money of course..same price as a solid graphic card..those days

EDIT:
This one has a better price:
http://www.elektronika.si/product_in...oducts_id/1868

**kris23** · Aug 12, 2008, 01:03 AM

ok the PSU should work, and the GPU is a good price, i say go for it!

Rokkec · Aug 12, 2008, 01:06 AM

One more thing..Is the ASUS one a better deal?Im somewhat of a newbie in this "category"..like it says that the ASUS has 1986 Mhz while the Sapphire one says 993 Mhz or did I miss something?=)

**kris23** · Aug 12, 2008, 01:12 AM

multiply 993 by 2 and you get 1986

DDR memory is twice its set mhz level

Rokkec · Aug 12, 2008, 01:14 AM

Oh riight xD..It was so obvious=)
So I made the purchase..Now to wait a couple of days to get it

Tnx alot Kris for your advice!!=))
Cheers!

**kris23** · Aug 12, 2008, 01:17 AM

no prob, youll like that card..

next upgrades you should take is a new motherboard and new RAM

Rokkec · Aug 12, 2008, 01:24 AM

Ill just buy a new comp when the right time comes!

Too much fuss for me to upgrade that much..xD
Buf if I need anymore info/help you are the 1st person Ill come to, for advice:P
Real thx,
cheers!=)

**kris23** · Aug 12, 2008, 01:49 AM

lol ill be around for a while so no prob there, youll enjoy the card

Rokkec · Aug 12, 2008, 02:22 AM

Okkay..Found out something..My PSU IS 480 watts but its actually from Tagan..Does it make a big difference?:P
And another newbie question...My monitor`s cable fits the current card`s slot...but from some hd 4850 pics I see there are different slots..Could that represent a problem with plugging my monitor in the card?
Sorry to bother

**kris23** · Aug 12, 2008, 02:35 AM

the cable is most likely a VGA cable, which are almost always blue

the port on the card is a DVI port, all graphics cards come with a VGA to DVI adapter so its no problem

and the PSU is good too Tagan is a good brand

since the card also comes with a molex to PCI-E adapter, you dont need a PCI-E connector to use this card.

Rokkec · Aug 12, 2008, 02:40 AM

So it is a VGA cable

So basically I put my vga cable through the adapter which comes in the card..obviously:P
About the PSU...Im relieved

Its just weird cause I think my monitor supports DVI cables..Its a LG 1960 TR..Maybe I got the cable with the monitor, but lost it with the casing..anywho..tnx again!=)
cheers!

**kris23** · Aug 12, 2008, 02:44 AM

if you wanna buy a DVI cable, its the better connector,

Rokkec · Aug 12, 2008, 04:47 PM

I checked the back of my LCD and I found out that it has a DVI slot the same as my old graphic card..Never even noticed..Ill just have to buy one then

sammorris · Aug 12, 2008, 08:10 PM

DVI offers a far superior image to VGA on a lot of screens, I highly recommend using DVI, make use of ATI's excellent image quality.

You will not experience much of a bottleneck with that CPU if it's overclock, but it may hurt a bit if it's running stock.
Your PSU should be fine, I trust Tagan.

Rokkec · Aug 13, 2008, 12:43 AM

Hey tnx for the comment!

Im gonna run to a local computer store and get one!

Well the good thing about core 2 duo`s is that they overclock very easily..I tried it several times..the temperature does rise a bit..but its far from critical

Glad to hear it(about the PSU) =)

**kris23** · Aug 13, 2008, 12:45 AM

e6300s were good OCers you should be fine

Rokkec · Aug 13, 2008, 12:52 AM

It`s a E6400!

And thx for everything..basically no need to push this thread on..Found out everything I wanted to:P
Cheers!=)

**kris23** · Aug 13, 2008, 12:53 AM

lol e6400 is better.

and good luck! feel free to post pictures of you card and your rig in the "show off your rig " thread i forget the exact title but yea

Rokkec · Aug 13, 2008, 01:48 AM

Tnx, I will!

sammorris · Aug 13, 2008, 05:12 PM

If I can run pretty much anything out there with an E4300, with an E6400 you're all set... haha

**kris23** · Aug 13, 2008, 05:14 PM

so it runs good with an E4300? thats reassuring, lets just wait until he gets his card and then we get to mess around even more

sammorris · Aug 13, 2008, 05:19 PM

I only have a 3870 at the moment, but the only things I can't do in games are max the graphics settings, everything CPU related seems fine. When I get my 4870 (hopefully in under 24hrs) I'll tell you more. Bear in mind my E4300 once was 1.8Ghz, but is now 3.15... :P

**kris23** · Aug 13, 2008, 05:21 PM

lol Rokkec is planning to OC his system i believe.... and that e6400 can go pretty high

sammorris · Aug 13, 2008, 05:26 PM

Full system specs now on my profile if you're interested. I like that idea a lot, saves having a big ass signature.

**kris23** · Aug 13, 2008, 05:35 PM

yea but sometimes you dont got the space in the specs to put something...... like ur case, cooling systems, and all that

sammorris · Aug 13, 2008, 05:42 PM

Indeed, so I'm now using both... haha - they didn't have 11 slots for HDDs... Lmao

Aug 12, 2008, 12:40 AM	#1
Rokkec DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Slovenia Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Buying a new graphic card for my "old" system Hey everyone, So basically, the current system is going for almost 2 years and Im probably buying a new system in a matter of months or so..and I was thinking why not buy a new solid graphic card while "waiting", cause my current system isn`t that bad and I will be able to sell it for a higher price anyway..so I`m asking you which card to buy, so that it will be the best for me..my preferable price range.. 150-200 euro..cause its probably useless to spend more cause the more high end I would go, the more bottlenecked the card would be..=) my system: Mobo:ASUS P5LD2 SE Processor:Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 2x2,13 Ghz Graphic Card:Radeon x1600 Pro ;P Memory:2 Gb Corsair 667 Mhz Basically thats what`s rellevant, right? Suggestions? Help greatly appreciated!

Aug 12, 2008, 12:43 AM	#2
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	hey man theres no need to spam the forums to get your message read, one post is enough.... anyways, welcome to DH! i recommend that you try to find this in your area or favorite online store, best value around Sapphire HD4850 512MB DDR3, Dual DVI, HDTV out, PCI-E Graphics Card __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Aug 12, 2008, 12:48 AM	#4
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	it wont get bottlenecked too badly....... but OCing is recommended, 480 is a decent size, assuming its a quality PSU if its the crap that comes with the computer case, then you need a new PSU. which store do you plan to shop from, maybe i can hunt down some recommended parts __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Aug 12, 2008, 12:52 AM	Thread Starter #5
Rokkec DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Slovenia Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Okay..so my PSU is from Thermaltake..I payed quite alot for this one..even though they told me it will be a 520W but thay ran out of stash and sold me this one, for a little less money of course..same price as a solid graphic card..those days EDIT: This one has a better price: http://www.elektronika.si/product_in...oducts_id/1868 Last edited by Rokkec; Aug 12, 2008 at 12:59 AM.

Aug 12, 2008, 01:03 AM	#6
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	ok the PSU should work, and the GPU is a good price, i say go for it! __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Aug 12, 2008, 12:46 AM	Thread Starter #3
Rokkec DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Slovenia Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Sorry..didnt mean too:// I just corrected some mistakes and puff..2 more posts:S I am a big fan of Ati afterall and this card interests me, so will the hd4850 get bottlenecked and will it work with my current power supply:480 watts? EDIT:tnx for the reply and the welcome!=)

Aug 12, 2008, 01:06 AM	Thread Starter #7
Rokkec DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Slovenia Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	One more thing..Is the ASUS one a better deal?Im somewhat of a newbie in this "category"..like it says that the ASUS has 1986 Mhz while the Sapphire one says 993 Mhz or did I miss something?=)

Aug 12, 2008, 01:12 AM	#8
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	multiply 993 by 2 and you get 1986 DDR memory is twice its set mhz level __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Aug 12, 2008, 01:14 AM	Thread Starter #9
Rokkec DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Slovenia Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Oh riight xD..It was so obvious=) So I made the purchase..Now to wait a couple of days to get it Tnx alot Kris for your advice!!=)) Cheers!

Aug 12, 2008, 01:17 AM	#10
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	no prob, youll like that card.. next upgrades you should take is a new motherboard and new RAM __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Aug 12, 2008, 01:24 AM	Thread Starter #11
Rokkec DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Slovenia Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Ill just buy a new comp when the right time comes! Too much fuss for me to upgrade that much..xD Buf if I need anymore info/help you are the 1st person Ill come to, for advice:P Real thx, cheers!=)

Aug 12, 2008, 01:49 AM	#12
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	lol ill be around for a while so no prob there, youll enjoy the card __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Aug 12, 2008, 02:22 AM	Thread Starter #13
Rokkec DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Slovenia Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Okkay..Found out something..My PSU IS 480 watts but its actually from Tagan..Does it make a big difference?:P And another newbie question...My monitor`s cable fits the current card`s slot...but from some hd 4850 pics I see there are different slots..Could that represent a problem with plugging my monitor in the card? Sorry to bother

Aug 12, 2008, 02:35 AM	#14
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	the cable is most likely a VGA cable, which are almost always blue the port on the card is a DVI port, all graphics cards come with a VGA to DVI adapter so its no problem and the PSU is good too Tagan is a good brand since the card also comes with a molex to PCI-E adapter, you dont need a PCI-E connector to use this card. __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Aug 12, 2008, 02:40 AM	Thread Starter #15
Rokkec DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Slovenia Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	So it is a VGA cable So basically I put my vga cable through the adapter which comes in the card..obviously:P About the PSU...Im relieved Its just weird cause I think my monitor supports DVI cables..Its a LG 1960 TR..Maybe I got the cable with the monitor, but lost it with the casing..anywho..tnx again!=) cheers!

Aug 12, 2008, 02:44 AM	#16
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	if you wanna buy a DVI cable, its the better connector, __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Aug 12, 2008, 04:47 PM	Thread Starter #17
Rokkec DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Slovenia Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	I checked the back of my LCD and I found out that it has a DVI slot the same as my old graphic card..Never even noticed..Ill just have to buy one then

Aug 12, 2008, 08:10 PM	#18
sammorris HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brentwood or York, UK Posts: 178 Rep Power: 26 System Specs	DVI offers a far superior image to VGA on a lot of screens, I highly recommend using DVI, make use of ATI's excellent image quality. You will not experience much of a bottleneck with that CPU if it's overclock, but it may hurt a bit if it's running stock. Your PSU should be fine, I trust Tagan.

Aug 13, 2008, 12:43 AM	Thread Starter #19
Rokkec DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Slovenia Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Hey tnx for the comment! Im gonna run to a local computer store and get one! Well the good thing about core 2 duo`s is that they overclock very easily..I tried it several times..the temperature does rise a bit..but its far from critical Glad to hear it(about the PSU) =)

Aug 13, 2008, 12:45 AM	#20
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	e6300s were good OCers you should be fine __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Aug 13, 2008, 12:52 AM	Thread Starter #21
Rokkec DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Slovenia Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	It`s a E6400! And thx for everything..basically no need to push this thread on..Found out everything I wanted to:P Cheers!=)

Aug 13, 2008, 12:53 AM	#22
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	lol e6400 is better. and good luck! feel free to post pictures of you card and your rig in the "show off your rig " thread i forget the exact title but yea __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Aug 13, 2008, 01:48 AM	Thread Starter #23
Rokkec DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Slovenia Posts: 24 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Tnx, I will!

Aug 13, 2008, 05:12 PM	#24
sammorris HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brentwood or York, UK Posts: 178 Rep Power: 26 System Specs	If I can run pretty much anything out there with an E4300, with an E6400 you're all set... haha

Aug 13, 2008, 05:14 PM	#25
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	so it runs good with an E4300? thats reassuring, lets just wait until he gets his card and then we get to mess around even more __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Aug 13, 2008, 05:19 PM	#26
sammorris HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brentwood or York, UK Posts: 178 Rep Power: 26 System Specs	I only have a 3870 at the moment, but the only things I can't do in games are max the graphics settings, everything CPU related seems fine. When I get my 4870 (hopefully in under 24hrs) I'll tell you more. Bear in mind my E4300 once was 1.8Ghz, but is now 3.15... :P

Aug 13, 2008, 05:21 PM	#27
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	lol Rokkec is planning to OC his system i believe.... and that e6400 can go pretty high __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Aug 13, 2008, 05:26 PM	#28
sammorris HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brentwood or York, UK Posts: 178 Rep Power: 26 System Specs	Full system specs now on my profile if you're interested. I like that idea a lot, saves having a big ass signature.

Aug 13, 2008, 05:35 PM	#29
kris23 Going Insane..... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 6,017 Rep Power: 131 System Specs	yea but sometimes you dont got the space in the specs to put something...... like ur case, cooling systems, and all that __________________ Hardwareheaven Super-Moderator Building a new computer system and not sure where to start? Click Here! last updated (5/18/11) Rosewill FUTURE case replaces CM 690 II with its greater interior length. Building a PC: Step by Step Guide Written by Kristopher Pedemonte and Nathan Marks-Forder Edited by Allan Campbell Questions or Comments? feel free to post them in the forums!

Aug 13, 2008, 05:42 PM	#30
sammorris HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brentwood or York, UK Posts: 178 Rep Power: 26 System Specs	Indeed, so I'm now using both... haha - they didn't have 11 slots for HDDs... Lmao __________________ Speakers: Logitech Z-2300 & Philips MC-70 [homebrew surround via ATEN CS1782 KVAM] for HTPC. Logitech Z-5500 for gaming PC. I/O: Razer Diamondback Magma, MS Intellimouse Optical, MS Sidewinder X6, Saitek Eclipse II, Pertelian X2040 USB Display DVD: As little as Possible (LG GH20NS15) Networking: Netgear GS105, GS605, GS608, WRN2000, Linksys WRT54GL [Tomato], DrayTek Vigor 120, yards of CAT6