New Video Card

Technology and Gaming Help and Support
#1

Okay, so as I’ve made it fairly well known, I just got a new computer. However, the video card in it is pretty much a fail and a half. It’s terrible, so I’m looking at new video cards to save up for, and found this.

It’s actually a card my dad bought a long time ago, but wouldn’t fit in their computer, so they returned it. But I’m starting to think it wouldn’t fit in mine, either. I have a huge amount of open space in the case, but the back plate of the card takes up two slots, which was the problem with the other computer as well. But I’ve never seen a case with expansion slots two slots wide, so can anyone please explain to me how a double-slot card fits in the expansion slots?

#2

It just occupies two single slots, one of them just doesn’t have anything plugged into it. Make sure your mobo has a standard orientation, mine is flipped so I can’t use double slot cards.

edit:

I would also recommend looking at some ATI options - DX11 and all, plus they’re a lot more conservative with power and have a lot of other nice architectural features like AA optimization - the benchmarks are crazy.

#3

Here’s a pic of the back of my computer:

The card itself is actually upside down inside the computer, with the top of the card facing towards where my network card is.

So, would a dual slot card fit?

Also, about the ATi cards, I’ve definitely looked at them, the GTX 260 isn’t my only choice, it’s just the one I picked because I’ve actually handled the card in person.

#4

make sure your power supply is up to speed as well.

#5

Yeah, if I do get a new card, I’ll probably buy a 600-650w PSU.

#6

I would say that it would work fine, although I’m speaking from memory and can’t check the back of my case to make sure. :fffuuu: So wait for someone else’s confirmation first.

Also, it’s kind of hard to estimate the performance you’ll get from the 260 because it’s overclocked (I think) and I don’t know if that will justify the extra $70 or so they tacked onto the price. It’s entirely possible that it’s completely worth it, I just don’t know. MTL can probably tell you.

#7

The GTX260 is disapearing @ online retailers, go with ATi.

#8

nVidia XFX GTS 250 on Newegg. It’s $160 right now, and comes with a free Call of Duty 4 disc. A great deal and a great card.

#9

I’ve got a GTS 250, runs perfectly and won’t break the bank either.

#10

Get the HD 5770. Not too expensive and a great card. I’m using one myself and I have no issues with it.

#11

A couple of quick things. With dual slot coolers the back grill highlighted below:

Should be removed allowing for the dual slot cooler to exhaust warm air out the back of your case.
More likely the issue with the GTX 260 would be length. It is a VERY long card.
Here is a picture of my GTX 260 compared to my 4890.

The 4890 is not a short card itself. The GTX 260 is a damned long card.
What is the budget being looked at here? If you are looking at a GTX 260, and a power supply, you may be able to pull of a 5850, and still use your existing PSU. What exactly do you have? The full system load with a 5850 is just under 300W. If you had a 400W PSU already, you should be able to just throw on a 5850 IF your 400W PSU already has at least one PCIexpress connector, so that you aren’t running the card with two adapters.
If the budget isn’t that high then I would suggest the 5770 over the GTS 250. the GTS 250 is based off an older rehashed architecture, which is getting a little inefficient looking these days. The 5770 is about the same price, DX11 capable, lower power draw, and a bit more umph to it. Those extra few FPS can’t hurt.

#12

Just to make a point with powersupplies.

Although you don’t NEED a powerful power supply to run a GTX260, I suggest you don’t skimp out. Buy the highest quality PSU you can find. Try something from corsair, or another ‘expensive brand’.

DO NOT GO CHEAP or BUDGET on a PSU. If you’re going to spend more money than you want to, do it on the PSU. :expressionless:

When I say Highest Quality I don’t mean buy a 1600W $800 powersupply.
I mean buy the $160 650w instead of the $40 650w. (AND read reviews on them!)

#13

When buying a good power supply, wattage ( for most people ) no longer matters. Unless you have a multi GPU set up, or a hefty PPU along with your primary video card it’s not going to matter much. Unless you buy a crap PSU for less than 50 bucks it is not common to see modern PSU units with less than 500W. Even the higher end single GPU video cards create a total system draw of 400W or less. When looking at a power supply these days it’s more important to look at the power distribution, and amperage ratings the PSU has.
Along with that the cabling length and connections are a good idea to check out. You really shouldn’t run molex to PCIexpress adapters to power your video card if possible. Name in the PSU world does mean something. As mentioned above Corsair is a known quality PSU manufacturer ( the only major PSU manufacturer I’ve never been able to kill one of their units ). PC Power and Cooling, or even mid range Antec units do the job fine.
I guess for the most part avoid no name units. I’ve killed dozens of DEER Units. they don’t seem designed to run at anything above 50% load for more than 10 minutes. Others to avoid right now is OCZ modXtreme units. Made with cheap, non solid state caps, and very poor sinks.

#14

Since I’ve never actually used an ATi card before, can anyone make a recommendation as to a particular manufacturer? I want someone reliable, so hopefully my card doesn’t end up being a piece of shit.

#15

XFX. They’re awesome. Really high quality, and double lifetime warranties to boot.

#16

If I were to buy this and a new power supply (because no doubt with a card like that I’ll need a new one), is that a good card for the money?

#17

I would go to this one at that price point:
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150463
Performance is a little less, but you get DX11 and power consumption is a LOT less.

#18

Still would need a new PSU.

Damn you, Dell.

#19

Same for me, I can run every single game that I own at Maximum without a hitch and it only cost me 200 bucks.

#20

I would suggest the 5770 also. Since it’s shorter and consumes less power than the 4000 series. For with XFX for sure, the have a great warranty.

Put your rig through a power supply calculator and see if it can handle a 5770. I have 4890’s in my system and they are good cards. I got a defective batch but the one you posted is a lot better. The cooler looks awesome IMO.

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