Looking to upgrade

[MorsePacific]

I'm currently looking to upgrade my computer from the on-board nVidia 7100 it came with to something capable of actually running my games. Suggestions, anyone? I'm not looking for super high-end, just something capable of running my games with medium to high settings with a decent frame rate.

Note: I'm running on an Intel E2200, 2.2 GHz processor, 4 GB of RAM, and Windows Home Premium, just in case anyone needs, or wants, to know.

 

[aussiesniper]

What is your budget? If it's around $100 US, then you can get some very good mid-range graphics cards. Personally, I'd try to get an 8600GTS or 8800GT, but it really depends on how much you're willing to spend.

EDIT: Links (from newegg):

8800GT [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814134044R]
8600GTS [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130286]

 

[Najos]

8800GT is probably the most bang for your buck right now.

Edit: Especially if you overclock.

Edit2: If you have 200 bucks the 9800 GTX+ is supposedly pretty pimp. Not sure if two 8800's in SLI would be better or not, though. Really, a 8800 should get you through all of your current gaming needs.

 

[Aries_Split]

Considering a 9800GTX+ is essentially just a higher clocked 8800GT, two 8800GT's in SLI will destroy a 9800GTX+ in most scenarios.

The HD4850 will serve you best though; the 8800GT (I still have mine!) was *the* sub-$150 card to get last holiday season. This holiday season? It has to go to ATI's HD4850.

Stay away from the 9800GX2. I had one. It melted.

 

[Najos]

Considering a 9800GTX+ is essentially just a higher clocked 8800GT, two 8800GT's in SLI will destroy a 9800GTX+ in most scenarios.

The HD4850 will serve you best though; the 8800GT (I still have mine!) was *the* sub-$150 card to get last holiday season. This holiday season? It has to go to ATI's HD4850.

I just don't like ATI as much. Maybe things have changed, but I've only ever had problems with their cards.

 

[Aries_Split]

Considering a 9800GTX+ is essentially just a higher clocked 8800GT, two 8800GT's in SLI will destroy a 9800GTX+ in most scenarios.

The HD4850 will serve you best though; the 8800GT (I still have mine!) was *the* sub-$150 card to get last holiday season. This holiday season? It has to go to ATI's HD4850.

Stay away from the 9800GX2. I had one. It melted.

My 9800GX2's been churning through over 10,000 points per day on Folding@Home 24/7 for the last couple months :\

Of course, I wouldn't recommend it for pure gamers.

Fucking Nvidia decided to give a dual-card single slot cooling.

 

[Aries_Split]

Have you seen a dual-card single slot solution with anything else?

Yes.
SINGLE SLOT COOLING Eggo. As in it doesn't cool both cards.

 

[Aries_Split]

I would guess the former. You never know.

 

[MorsePacific]

Well, thanks for the suggestions everyone. Yes, I am actually on a budget of around $100-$150 bucks.

 

[Lord Krunk]

How good is a 9800GT? I'm looking at one for my new upcoming computer, you see.

 

[KraitRazer]

At the moment I'm running using a GTX260 overclocked but I've been looking around for graphics cards for friends buying new systems or upgrading on a similar budget to yours. Seeing as I live in the UK I can only make estimates at card prices but at the moment the 8800GT isn't the strongest option as the first alternative that comes to mind is an 8800GTS which is superior and costs only slightly more. An even better option is the HD4850 which despite any problems with ATI should be taken into account as probably your best option on your budget. If you get any upgrades to your budget the more expensive options would be the HD4870 and the GTX260 which are both capable cards with the 4870 cheaper but the 260 offering more power.

 

[Neosage]

Anyone know what sort of price range a computer that can run TF2 and oblivion well would be like?

 

[[Gavo]]

I would recommend a 9800GTX, my friend has it and his computer runs amazingly.

It's massive, though.

Link: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339

 

[Neosage]

Anyone know what sort of price range a computer that can run TF2 and oblivion well would be like?

If you're just interested in Oblivion and TF2 and going as barebones as possible...Then $500:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pWf0R65ULXAn6FdekgrtQTA&gid=13

I would recommend spending a bit more though. The gaming setup here is wonderful:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pWf0R65ULXAn6FdekgrtQTA&gid=7

Thanks but, do you know of any that don't have to be built?

 

[superbleeder12]

If you're looking for a gaming rig, DON'T GO PREBUILT. Google "build your own PC" or go to a major book retailer and go to the computers section. There are a whole slew of books on the subject.

I always laugh at my work when people will down 3k on an Alienware or Velocity Micro machine. I ask them, "what will you be running on it?"

Most of their responses: WoW.

In my head I'm like 'WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK MAN?!'

 

[darkless]

Just grab yourself the latest nVidea or Radeon and you will be grand although i'd steer clear of the latest radeon rather stupid desighn "fault where in the run the wire for the cooling fac THROUGH the heat sink it melts fan brakes graphics card melts the end, not sure if they have fixed it yet.

 

[MorsePacific]

If you're looking for a gaming rig, DON'T GO PREBUILT.

Agreed. My system is prebuilt, sadly, but only due to the fact that my dad bought it for me out of the blue, and it kicked the hell out of my old system. Now I'm looking for a new card, because the 7100 it came with can't play Assassin's Creed without me having to tweak the .ini.

So, yes, go custom if you can. Tailor it to your needs and what-not. Building a computer isn't the hard part, trust me.

 

[stompy]

If you aren't comfortable building your own computer, you're better off going to a small computing shop, and getting them to build it for you. The one I went to, TX Computing (Australian), was great, and a lot cheaper than Dell or HP.