Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Fired up the old beast this morning. Thought I'd have a cheeky few games of MW2 before work and about 10 mins in I suddenly start getting Stranraer colours and artifacts all over the screen.
I've been around long enough to know the signs of impending graphics card failure so turned it off asap.

So I need a replacement. Around £150 which is what this one cost me.
I've not followed current technology so have no idea of what's a good one.

Cheers
Matt

Butty

iTrader: (2)

I've had no problem with a GTX 275 coping with all games, but as its 6 months old it is probably very out of date.

Nick

StickyMicky

Agreed with that, my GTX275 seams good for all games at 1024x768 screen res, no idea how much they are worth now, although i will pre warn that it needed a psu with twin power outputs, not sure if that is the norm nowadays anyway?

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Cheers chaps. I'll have a looksee. Don't mind not having the very latest card. Would rather have something that was fantastic 6 months ago and not pay the premium

Tidgy

have to say prefer ati to nvidia myself

Butty

iTrader: (2)

Then what card do you suggest - rather than start a graphics card bitchfest

EddScott

Bought one of these a month or two ago

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...56&subcat=1515

Very happy with it so far. i3 running @ 4.00Ghz, 4MB RAM. Runs AvP flat out at 1920x1680 (or whatever the max is with a 24" monitor)

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

I've always favoured Nvidia over ATI but that goes back years from a bad experience.
Can't argue against the reviews it's got though. Guess I'd just have to be ultra careful removing the Nvidia drivers before I install a different brand.

Tidgy

the noest answer is im not sure yet. im upgrading my whole machine so need to look at all of it. i just prefer the ati cards to the gforce

ScoobyJawa

I've had Nvidia for years but their current cards just aren't up to ATI so I went with a 5850 which runs everything no worries at all, also supports DX11 unlike the Nvidia cards which are just DX10 (except for their overpriced and underperforming new ones! lol)

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Right the dusted 8800gt card didn't last thatich longer so I've ordered a Ati 5770 (budget wouldn't stretch to a Nvidia 275 or Ati 5850)
how do I go about swapping the cards over? Uninstall the nvidia drivers, turn it off swap cards and boot?
Will uninstalling wipe all things Nvidia?

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Hi there just download DriverSweeper from Guru3D (http://www.guru3d.com/category/driversweeper/),this software easy uniinstall everything and evey trace from Nvidia.After this just swap NV for ATI,by the way ATI 5770 its great card for bucks

dunx

iTrader: (3)

I've just seen that Powercolour are doing a half height 5770 card, in a mini-ITX box that's my next "toy"...

dunx

P.S. I'm not a gamer but need a full HDTV output, and low noise too !

Shaun

I crossfired a couple of these *****'s when they were on special offer.... just over £200 for the two!

They work very well and can't be beaten for what they cost me.

jura11

iTrader: (7)

I recomennd GPU from ATI,i have 2 5970 in Crossfire(my brother just buy in USA for special price 400$ each),silent GPU its great,but no really for gaming,for watching HD movies and BR movies its best for bucks

BlkKnight

I'm running a single 5870 - got to say it's the nuts.

Best bang for buck at the mo is a 5850

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Well I've installed the new card. It's working great. However, I was a bit worried, I hadn't noticed that the PSU in my dell PC was only rated at 375watts. I put the card in anyways. Runs fine but it completely removed my Creative X-Fi card from windows. It just doesn't exist according to Windows 7.
Rather than pee about I took it out and reverted to the onboard sound. It has an optical out which I've run to my speakers. No sound! the lights on and running through the cable fine. Plugged my headphones in to the standard jacks. Yay sound! it knows I've plugged the mic in as well but won't pick up any sound from it.
I don't need the mic right at this moment but I do need it working.
I've downloaded the latest Realtek drivers and installed them but it's done nothing.

Very happy with the boost in graphics abilty, not so impressed with the compromise I've had to make.
Now I'm in a dilema as to whether I should bother replacing the PSU and the the problems that'll bring!

jura11

iTrader: (7)

First just buy new PSU(i recommend you 500W its fine right now for you,if you want use 2 5770 in CrossFire you should go for 750W),i running in my computer M-Audio 10/10LT(this sound card have 10 inputs and 10 outputs,i just brought this card to my studio),375W its too low for 5770(this card at peak draw almost 200W),i have its same issues with Realtek drivers,but on my brother notebook,you are using W7 64bit or 32bit?

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Yes that's true best bang for buck 5850(i have before 5870 in CF,im sold via Amazon),but compare to 5770 its price twice,if you not gamer best card its 5770,better value for money.Sorry for my english

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Hi Jura,

It's 32bit W7.
I've sorted out a work around for the inboard sound. It appears I can either have the sound coming out the headphone jack or through the optical connection. Not both at the same time. As for the mic, if I plug it in to the mic socket on the front of the PC it works through that (but not through the mic on the rear!).

I'll have a look at PSU's, although it's not something I had planned to have to do. I bet they're all different sizes (as in physically).

HHxx

Hi Matt, usually the ports on the back can be reconfigured for 5.1/7.1 sound etc... That might be the cause of them not working as a mic...

HHxx

Ah, you said Dell pc didn't you?

Dell's have been known in the past (not sure of current ones) to change the pinout slightly on the standard ATX connector. They also may be slightly different in shape, mounting holes....

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Please just post your Dell(if is 4700,that's no problem,i rebuild my friend its same Dell with much powerful PSU),every PSU its same,because are ATX(20+4pin) or rare M-ATX,most older Dell have some issues with not standard PSU,replacing PSU its job on 20 minutes in most cases,how many HDD and DVD drive you have in PC?If you have some difficulties with replacing PSU,PM me

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Hi mate!
It's a pretty old Dell (about 3 years). Dell Dimension 9200.
You've got me worried now!

Jura, I've got 1x DVD burner, 2x HD's, 2x firewire card and the 5770 gfx card in there at the moment. The Creative X-Fi card takes a PCI slot and has a front panel connection unit which mounts in a drive bay. I've taken the X-Fi stuff out of the PC for now.

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Right searched the Dell support forum, it seems any standard ATX PSU should fit.

I'm thinking of this PSU as the replacment http://www.ebuyer.com/product/147112

jura11

iTrader: (7)

This PSU its great,because is modular,i use only modular PSU,due better cable managment,but i recommend OCZ,because are rated 80+ Certified and have up to 86% efficiency at typical load.Here is link for OCZ Mod XStream 500W,which i use in my custom build PC for many customers and have great feedback from him,here is link http://www.ebuyer.com/product/152009
Your Dell its not too old,i know only problems with older Dell PC with non standard PSU,i think these older Dell are with Pentium 3 and older,

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

That PSU you link to is cheaper, double win! Lol

jura11

iTrader: (7)

Yeah,but its great and cheaper.OCZ its my favourite brand for my custom PC's and have great review and great feedback from my customers.

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Ordered one of the OCZ PSU's

EddScott

I've got an OCZ in mine. I wanted modular to reduce cabling. My home PC is in a HTPC case but its a gaming machine so cooling is a bit of an issue.

I've junked the sound card altogether. I either use the ATIs HDMI port or my mobo has an optical out. My PC does a better job with Blurays than my old PS3 did.