Sorry your browser is not supported!

You are using an outdated browser that does not support modern web technologies, in order to use this site please update to a new browser.

Browsers supported include Chrome, FireFox, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer 10+ or Microsoft Edge.

Geek Culture / Buying a new graphics card

Author
Message
Phjon
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 28th Nov 2005
Location:
Posted: 5th Jun 2013 20:43
Link
Hi all,

Recently my 6 year old graphics card (nVidia 8800GTS 320MB) failed on me and I am looking to purchase a replacement.

My motherboard is an ASUS P5K AI Lifestyle board (also about 6 years old) and I am currently running Win XP (though I intend to upgrade to Win 7 fairly soon)

I am wondering what you folks thought would be a good graphics card for a budget of £100 - £150 that will be compatible with my ASUS motherboard. I am leaning more towards a nVidia card rather than an ATI card as my previous card was nVidia.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Seppuku Arts
Moderator
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 18th Aug 2004
Location: Cambridgeshire, England
Posted: 6th Jun 2013 01:21 Edited at: 6th Jun 2013 01:23
Link
I don't know if it's compatible with your motherboard, but I'm using a NVidia GeForce GTX 650ti, which is within your price range.

There is also the option to go 2gb.

The bottom one is a Zotac, mine's a Zotac and have experienced no problems thus far and well, I find it performs brilliantly, especially considering the price.

For example, here's a test I recorded with the latest Tomb Raider title. On maximum settings, except TresFx.



Back to top
Profile PM Website
spooky
23
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 30th Aug 2002
Location: United Kingdom
Posted: 6th Jun 2013 01:44
Link
Or if you are feeling brave try baking your 8800 in the oven (yes, you read that right!). 8800 cards have an issue with substandard solder that fails after a few years and this breaks the card usually by filling screen with artifacts.

I had an 8800GT that broke after a few years but did not risk trying the oven baking method as there seems to be conflicting advice on best method of doing it correctly. I just bought a cheap GTX550Ti last year for under 100 quid but you can get much better now for same money.

Boo!
Back to top
Profile PM Website
Phjon
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 28th Nov 2005
Location:
Posted: 6th Jun 2013 21:54
Link
Thanks for the responses,

A friend of mine has taken a look at my old card and is trying a few things out with it to see if it can be mended.

On my computer, it seems to prevent Windows from firing up properly, but my friend who has Win 7 put the card into his computer and it seems to fire up OK despite artefacts appearing (in the form of green vertial lines which also appeared on my computer).

I will wait and see what happens.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Back to top

Login to post a reply

Server time is: 2026-07-05 18:53:10
Your offset time is: 2026-07-05 18:53:10