Graphics Card Help

[MJ12]

I have a NVidia Geforce 8800 GT; I am starting to notice some Frame rate problems for the first time with a few games, and I think I should probably buy something new in the next few months..
I quite frankly don't know a whole lot about video cards, but I've been told a couple of times that the 8800 GT is a bit out of date? (I have updated it with the latest drivers btw)

I am simply looking for something better (not the best) at a reasonable price ($70-$100 is reasonable for Graphics Cards, right?)


My System:

Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @2.40GHz
2.00 GB
32 bit Operating System
NVidia Geforce 8800GT

 

[Blackthorn]

I upgraded from that exact card myself last year. Went up to a 4870, which has given me solid performance ever since. Every time there's been a problem, it's wound up being the fault of the game or drivers. Which does remind me, ATI's driver support isn't great: you'll need to use a third party app ATI Tray Tools in order to have application profiles and they take a long time to give performance improvements or bug fixes for games. So I'm not sure if I'd recommend buying an ATI card.

Either way, the 4870 cost me £150, and that was a year ago, and anything less wouldn't really be worth the upgrade, so you may want to prepare yourself for increasing your budget.

Also, I have that same CPU as you, and it safely and easily overclocks to 3GHz. I've been running mine at that speed for a good two years and haven't encountered any problems, though I did make sure I bought a (reasonably priced) heatsink beforehand. So if you want a significant performance boost without spending a penny, consider that.

 

[Quixoticism]

Your best bet is to get another card of the same model that you already have and run it in SLI(if your mobo supports it).

For the sub $100 price range you won't be able to buy any single card that will give you a worthwhile performance upgrade over what you already have.

 

[Asus]

A reasonable price for a card that would actually be a noticeable upgrade over a 8800gt would be $200+. (5700, 5800)
Even going to a 4870,4890 is about that price. A 4850 is faster than a 8800gt but even the 4850 is starting to show its age with demanding games + high resolutions.

If you are not buying right now but just checking the water then maybe wait until fall. New cards will hopefully give prices a shake down if there is competition and supply.

 

[TwwIX]

You won't find anything that will outperform your 8800 GT in that price range.
You will have to be willing to shell out at least $180 if you want card that outperforms your current one.

I say, overclock your CPU and get some more ram instead with that money.

 

[MJ12]

^I just read that 32 bit Windows only recognizes up to 3-3.5 of RAM :|

Would another 1GB even do anything much at this point?

 

[xcellerate]

I did notice a difference going from 2gb to 4gb.

I had an 8800GTS and I just upgraded to a 5770 and it made a HUGE difference. Most of the benchmarks I read didn't make it seem like that big of an upgrade, but everything is definitely a whole lot better now. I bought this cool card from msi.

 

[Krynn72]

Get two gigs of ram bro. XP 32bit supports up to 4 gigs.

You don't need to overclock your processor though. As for your video card, I say wait until you can afford a 5850.

 

[VirusType2]

4 GB will be grand. Or 3gb is still great for 32Bit - if it's not some value shit. Either way though, more RAM going to improve. Specially if you have shit that can use it. RAM can be one of the best upgrades for the money

Then in about 1 year, buy the killer video. BEcause right now,t he prices are comeplyet parked