Need *another* video card. Suggestions?

[lost_soul]

http://3btech.net/lewinvgegt51.html

 

This looks quite good for $56. It should be able to play TDM fine, especially with the new version having better texture compression and it will tide me over until there is a *real* upgrade to my other gtx460 in my price range.

Edited March 7, 2012 by lost_soul

[AluminumHaste]

No it's not that's a horrible part, the GTS 250 is a G92b part, it's a GeForce 8800 GT with faster memory and chip clock and a die shrink and that's it.

Nvidia have been riping people off with that chip for years now, it's been rebranded three times now.

 

The 8800 GT, codenamed G92, was released on 29 October 2007.

That's not worth buying ever. Maybe if it was 15$. You are buying a chip with technology from 5 years ago!

The G92b part is the same as in my laptop lol. Trust me from someone who has that card already, it's not worth getting unless you get 2, which is in itself not worth getting.

[lost_soul]

Yeah, I know it is an OLD part, but if it does the job for cheap and it allows me to wait for a large improvement to come along before spending more, it still seems good.

 

e.g. I built a quad-core 8 GB system and re-used an old 200 GB drive because my mom will never even fill that up and it kept prices low.

[AluminumHaste]

I did mention I have this card, I have 2 of them in SLi and the 2 together aren't that good. Well I suppose what resolution are you going to be running Dark Mod at?

[lost_soul]

I'm thinking 1600x1050 would be plenty.

[rich_is_bored]

If you are willing to buy open box or refurbished items you can save tons of money. A quick look over the refurbished cards listed on newegg turns up this...

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130717

 

I usually avoid refurbished items when I'm buying a fragile component like a hard drive but I'm pretty confident you'll be okay here. The bottom line though is you're going to have to spend at least $100 to get something decent.

[AluminumHaste]

Holy shit a 550ti for 100$? That is worth it easy. And about refurbished stuff; if it's manufacturer refurbished than I would have no worries.

[lost_soul]

How does this look?

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?p=MSI-460_OC&c=pw&hash=4603gSuAAC4jsG%2Fxur1vkri8d4w4TNSGLu3gnJ9CZfJSY0Dzajp%2FXQoyGtz%2Bg0daN74Xzha6UsZAshK44UgPuvegixoIDAGG5SUohSPUlNekdg12fQexNhLBxjxH

[Bikerdude]

Not bad, looks like MSI have a 3 warranty on that card, and founder it cheaper on newegg @$99 w/rebate.

>but

The above msi 460 card is the cheaper type with the 192bit bus and only 24rops, the later version of that card is 256bit and 32rops (same specs as a GTX465) the Sparkle GTX460 w/3yr warrnty on newegg for $139

 

:-)

[lost_soul]

I'll go ahead and order the last one you posted. It is only clocked at 700 MHz, while my other card is at 765 MHz... but supposedly those cards overclock like a beast. Having a side in-take fan should heplp as well.

 

The confusing thing though is that the card I linked to in post 33 says it is 256-bit, but some Google searches show it as 192-bit.

[Bikerdude]

The info on that link is wrong (like it is on most of theses shop sites) which is why I got the info direct from MSi's website.

[lost_soul]

Alright, I ordered it. I still feel I got ripped off though as after S&H and all it went up a fair bit.

 

I just have to keep reminding myself that this is the alternative...

 

A lack of competition sucks!

[Bikerdude]

yer, a mate of mine has stuck with nvidia because of that very same issue.