Help finding the right card !

[edy_sze]

Hey ...
Iam currently hunting for a new card to play HL2 when it comes out, Iam on a reasonably low budget so I won't be getting anything too expensive.

I was thinking of getting a 9600XT or a FX5900XT, but I read some of the posts stating the 9600XT wasn't futre proof and Nvidia cards wern't good for HL2.

Any suggestions on getting a card thats around the price of a 9600XT ??

Thanks heaps ppl

 

[GPRT]

If you have a shop around or look second hand you may be able to ifnd a 9800 pro for a similar price. I know you can get 9800pro for about £105 from www.overclockers.co.uk , but if you aren't in the UK thats not much good .

 

[edy_sze]

I heard 9800Pro's suck up a lot of power, is this true ??

 

[Homie]

Yes it is True, how much wattage do you have? I recommend to have 350 Watts or more.

 

[edy_sze]

ummm ... says 230V at the back
so does it only take up alot of power only when running games or does it take up alot of power even when i'm just on ICQ or stuff ??

 

[Homie]

Well im not sure but i really dont think its going to work a 9800 pro with 230 watts. You can go buy a New Power supply at bestbuy for like $80-$100. Make sure your power supply will fit in the case. So get at least 350 watt power supply.

 

[edy_sze]

Okie ....
so how much more power does it consume ? I mean I don't wanna get a card which will make my parents complain about the power bill.

 

[oldfaq]

haha,
edy, don't worry about that... 9800's don't suck up that much power that you're bill will go up, I use to have a 9800 pro and it used I think a 300 watt power supply, not Im running a 9800xt and Im only using 450 watts, but that isn't just for the gfx card, I have some heavy power users in this pc
oldfaq

 

[edy_sze]

Okies ..... Thanks oldfaq
I might consoder buying a 9800 PRO
does that run HL2 on high details 1028x768 alrite ??

 

[GPRT]

depends on your other specs..
above a 2ghz and with 512mb ram should run it on high.

 

[edy_sze]

Iam 2.8gigz 256DDR

 

[Sonduren]

Hey buddy try to get another 256 and the least if u will get a 9800pro and dont up your PSU now try it with your PSU and if it works go NUTS lol uz im running all my specs on 200 WATTS look at sig :cheers:

 

[Sonduren]

and yes the PSU is generic ahahaha its been running for a month and no probs

 

[Quixoticism]

ouch! that is barely enough to run Windblows XP! I would seriously consider getting a 512 stick, and maybe put your comp up to a gig.
As for video cards, I would recommend an 9800Pro, or a 6600GT. Either of those will let you run it on high and probably with AF and AA as well.

 

[sHaDdoW]

230 volts is not 230 watts. most of psu in england say 230v but it has nothing to do with the wattage your going to have to look in your pc box and look at the sticky label inside

 

[pixartist]

i have 250 watt and a 9800 pro...im not suffering lack of power...