graphics card - What to look for when upgrading

[Capt.Toilet]

I know there is a thread about graphics card updating already, but I believe this is slightly different as I am trying to figure out what I need to look for when I decide to upgrade.

As most of you know I have an aging, but still very excellent 8800gt. When shopping around for graphics cards, I have been comparing specs like memory clock/bandwidth, shader clock, bit rate, etc. I spotted this card here Geforce 460GTX and when compared to my 8800gt, it seems quite similar. Core clock speed and memory clock are damn near identical, while memory bus is actually worse - 192 bit vs 256 bit on the 8800. When making my purchase I want to know what the different specs mean and how I should go about determining what is better or not.

On an even weirder note, I spotted a GTS450 that had higher specs than the 460, yet in benchmarks it is left in the dust. Unfortunately I don't have mucho dinero so I am limited to between $100-$200 price range.

Any help is greatly appreciated

 

[TurdDrive]

try this site for research
http://videocardz.com/

and this link for a quick overview
http://videocardz.com/graphics-cards-comparison

 

[Capt.Toilet]

The 1GB GTX460 is similar in performance to the GTX285 - a significant upgrade over the 8800GT.

I think the GTX560ti is where it's at now, but I haven't been keeping track for the last few months.

Yeah I hear that card is the next 8800gt in terms of price to performance ratio, but sadly it is way over my budget.

 

[Capt.Toilet]

Awesome. Thanks

 

[SkaarjMaster]

Wait a minute, they both look like they exhaust out the back so what's the difference?

 

[Hunter]

The EE actually forces the air across the card and out the back. The normal one just pulls in on to the card and the 'exhaust' is just there for air to escape.

 

[NRG]

I haven't done much homework on the 460 coolers but in general the latter of the two is a more effective cooler for shorter cards.

 

[TurdDrive]

After Market Coolers are worth the investment if you really want to watch those temperatures.

 

[Capt.Toilet]

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0309737

Good deal on that kind of graphics card, but I find it hard to believe that a single card would require that large of a power supply? I know on the box of my 8800gt it states that it requires a 600watt, but to the side it states that requirement was when it was paired with an Intel Core 2 duo extreme processor. Wonder if this is the same thing?

 

[TurdDrive]

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0309737

Good deal on that kind of graphics card, but I find it hard to believe that a single card would require that large of a power supply? I know on the box of my 8800gt it states that it requires a 600watt, but to the side it states that requirement was when it was paired with an Intel Core 2 duo extreme processor. Wonder if this is the same thing?

I have the XFX version of that Card, Its good but struggles to Play bran new games at Max Detail.

 

[Capt.Toilet]

I metered my old GTX 280/E8600 system. Under heavy load it barely pulled 370W.

The quality of the PSU is more important than the rating, and I don't think many people have under 600W these days anyway...

http://www.guru3d.com/article/ocz-stealthxstream-2-600w-review/6

Exact power supply that I have, even down to the 12v rails. They popped 2 geforce 295's on it and one of those intel core 2 quad extreme processors and it never batted an eye. I think I am set then with the 460

 

[Capt.Toilet]

Oddly enough that's the exact unit I'm using ATM.

EDIT: no it's not, i've got the 'modxstream'.

Oops I made a slight error myself. Mine is simply the stealthxstream without the 2. Same specs though so I wonder what is different?

 

[Kantham]

GPU upgrades makes me fart it back hardcore at the RMA service, every time.

Sometimes a whole system upgrade is needed. I can't recall the last time I bought a GPU and had a noticeable difference. Not before, and specifically, especially not with this ****ed up PC I use since 2007.

 

[Capt.Toilet]

At a guess, 80+ sticker.

Meh ok. Well I finally figured out how to calculate the amperage and I came out to around 48amps, which is plenty for most cards I would hope.

 

[inferyes]

GPU upgrades makes me fart it back hardcore at the RMA service, every time.

Sometimes a whole system upgrade is needed. I can't recall the last time I bought a GPU and had a noticeable difference. Not before, and specifically, especially not with this ****ed up PC I use since 2007.

Try playing crysis on a GMA3150. You'll notice a difference.

 

[Big-Al]

GTX460 with 1gb GDDR5