Video card recommendation!

[Petro89]

Hey guys!

So for no real reason I recently bought a new computer. Being rather busy lately, and getting what I saw as a great deal, this was the first system I've bought in over 12 years (up until now I've always built my own). I'm pretty happy with it so far, but one thing I'd like to do is upgrade the video a bit.

It is a Gateway Phenom 9500 system with 3gb ram, 500 gb sata hard drive running vista pro. It came with a hd 2400 ati card.

The system I previously used was a 754 3400+, x1950pro agp, 2gb pc3200, 500gb ide.

So I'm not a regular gamer, but I do play two or three games occasionally. The one I play the most is the Madden series. I was really happy with it on the 754 system...It ran with everything maxed out at 1600x1200. Well, with the new one, It is playable only at 1024x768, and even then it is a bit choppy.

So, I'd like a recommendation or two on a mid-level card that would handle these games at a more respectable resolution. I anticipated upgrading the video card when i got the system, but I've been out of the loop for so long I don't know what is good anymore...this is my first pci-express card!

I'd be looking to spend hopefully around $150...$200 at the very most.

Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[IL2SturmovikPilot]

8800GS + Antec Earthwatts 430W,may be a bit over $200,but well worth it,it'll demolish any HD 2400.

 

[The Bakery]

Hi Petro89 - I'm in the same boat.

I have a 7600gs and was going to get a x1950pro. But now, for $200 there seems
to be three good options at least.

8800gt (may need to buy aftermarket cooling putting it over $200)
HD3870 ("Notably slower" but still very fast)
9600gt (on par with 3870 but cheaper. Newegg reviewers are saying that many are shipping defective)

I'm personally thinking about waiting until the 9800gt comes out supposedly within 3 weeks or so to see
if the 3870 or especially the 8800gt get cheaper. Or if the problem with the 9600gt gets sorted out that
could be a good option too.

The 9600gt is about $160-$180 on newegg so if there were no issues with the cards for SURE, I think that is probably the best value.

For $200 though, the 3870 and 8800gt are supposed to deliver ridiculous performance.

The cards are pretty large too, check your mobo

 

[Petro89]

Thanks for the replys so far. I guess I'll have to do more research, but I do appreciate narrowing my search down. As I said, pciexpress is foreign to me!

I've been partial to ATI cards over the past 3-4 years, but I guess I wouldn't be opposed to Nvidia, especially if I heard some good reviews/info about a particular card. I did use Nvidia cards before, but switched over after the geforce 4 line to a 9800pro. Since then I've had a 1650pro and a 1950pro, as well as an 8500 in a backup system.

Are the 8800's having problems with overheating?

I have a good PSU I could swap out if I needed to, so power shouldn't be an issue, although like I said I'm looking mainly mid-range. I'd expect the gateway psu to be able to handle that.

 

[rip]

check the hot deals forum; there are so many vid card deals now it's difficult to decide; i lean toward 9600GT for about 135-140

 

[Petro89]

Thanks for the recommendations. Any other ideas before I decide? Thanks!