Learn how easy it is to upgrade your PC by installing a new graphics card. A new graphics card lets you play the latest games, enjoy HD multimedia, and can speed up tasks like video conversion. Hosted by AMD graphics product manager, Devon Nekechuk. Learn more about installing a graphics card: links.amd.com Installing a graphics card is so easy, even a monkey can do it! Watch: links.amd.com
Updating the graphics card from the Dual SLI 8700mGT, to the Dual SLI 8800mGTX. The 8800mGTX has double the memory (512MB on each GPU – total 1GB) and double the bandwidth. It is approx 3 times more powerful then the 8700mGT. System Specs of unit in video: Dell XPS M1730 – Sapphire Blue Intel Core 2 Extreme X7900 (2.8GHz/800Mhz FSB) 4GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM 2×200GB HDD / 7200RPM / RAID 0 (2x Seagate Momentus) Dual 512MB NVIDIA SLI GeForce 8800mGTX Ageia PhysX 100M Processor Blu-ray Disc …
Dedicated graphics cards, which we will be discussing in this guide, are needed if you want to do 3D gaming or watch high definition movies (even though it may sometimes suffice with a powerful CPU and lot’s of internal RAM) Important Specifications to Consider When Choosing a Graphics Card
GPU
GPU stands for “Graphic Processing Unit” and is the main controlling circuit on every graphics card. The GPU is the most determinant feature of every graphics card when it comes to the overall performance and speed. The two biggest manufacturers of GPUs are NVIDIA and ATI (which is owned by CPU manufacturer AMD). They do the reference designs for each new generation of graphics card. But most graphics cards are sold by other manufacturers who produce their own flavour of the reference cards from NVIDIA and ATI. Examples of those manufacturers are MSI, Asus, ECS Elitegroup, XFX and more. Examples of recent generations of graphic GPUs from NVIDIA are; GeForce 8500/8600/8800/9800 GT/GTX/GX2 and GTX 260/280. ATIs latest generations of graphics cards are: RADEON HD 3850/4850/4870 in different versions.
RAM
It is also important to consider the amount and type of the onboard RAM of the graphics card, which is a different thing than the RAM of your computer. The RAM is important for a number of technical reasons we will not go into further here. But in short you should go for a graphics card with at least 256MB of RAM. The type of RAM is less important, but we recommend that you buy a graphics card with the second or later generation of GDDR (GDDR2 or later).
Different Slot Types
There are three different slots available on the PC market. The “slot” is where you connect the graphics card on the mainboard of your computer. You must verify which type of slot your mainboard has before purchasing a graphic card, or you may waste money on something you cannot use. The available slots are PCI (very old), AGP (old) or PCI express (today’s standard). All fairly recent bought computers are outfitted with a PCI Express slot, but be sure to check it. PCI express is the newest technology and allows the largest bandwidth which means better performance for you.
External Connectors
The connecters on the graphics cards are also important. Standard analog VGA connectors have been replaced by DVI (digital) connectors. The DVI connector is a must, some cards even come with two DVI connectors which will allow you to connect an extra display. Additional external connectors to look for are: •HDMI, which will enable you to connect your computer to a plasma or LCD-TV. (This can also be done through a DVI connector with a DVI/HDMI converter) •S-Video outputs are used to connect the PC to an older style VCR or TV and allow outputting the same display as present on your screen. •DB-15/VGS/SVGA connectors are basically utilized for a standard output to an analog monitor. Good if you have an old monitor.
Considering your budget
Of course, you financial possibilities will limit your purchase options too. Let’s take a look of what you can expect depending on how much you want or can afford. Remember that graphics cards are products with short cycles so suggestions below are only guide lines.
Low budget graphic cards
We are talking about spending $50 to $80, what can you expect? In this lower budget level the most popular and valuable GPUs from ATI and NVIDIA are the ATI Radeon HD 3650 and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 and 8600GT/GTS. These cards typically carry a RAM of 256MB-512MB depending on model and manufacturer. There are no problems to find cards with multiple DVI connectors and some even carry a HDMI connector. These types of cards are suitable for silent HTPCs and media centres since you can get them with silent passive coolers. We cannot recommend the entry level graphics cards for hardcore gaming rigs, even though they will play some older games with no sweat.
Medium priced graphic cards
In this segment, with prices from $80 to $250, you will find graphics cards with good performance even for gaming. You should be aware, because as we said, this is a fast moving market and you can sometimes find real bargains on the current generation of graphics cards when the next generation cards are introduced to the market. Prices drops fast when retailers and e-tailers have to make place in their stock for the new generation of cards. As always we recommend you to read expert reviews of graphics cards to find which the leading expert editors have recommended. Also based on the reviews, try to find out which is the last generation of GPU for the time being. Right now the last generation high end GPU from NVIDIA is the GTX 280. We couldn’t find a 280 GTX card below $250, but we did find one for $260 so the prices are dropping. We recommend you to go with the next to last generation cards like the GeForce 9800GTX or 9800GX2 (dual onboard GPU) and the ATI HD 3850 and 4870. They will offer you a great performance/price ratio.
Advanced graphic cards
Obtaining maximal performance and resolution may lead you to spend $400 and above on a high end graphics cards. This is for real gamers who need that extra FPS rate and resolution to perform optimally. You should look for dual GPU solutions, either onboard dual GPUs or using SLI or Crossfire technology (two physically separated graphics cards working together). The 3870 X2 with 1GB RAM from ATI is a good alternative and is somewhat cheaper than the 4870 X2 which naturally gives some extra percents of performance. From NVIDIA you should take a look at the GTX 280 and 9800GX2.
Shows a Lenovo T400 playing Crysis using onboard graphics and then the newly released ViDock 2 which utilizes a standard desktop ATI 4670 graphics card. This graphics card connects to the computer over ExpressCard and allows you to beef up a standard business class machine (or an aging laptop) enough to play cutting edge games. This video was chopped from over 20 minutes down to just under 10. Enjoy and please leave feedback.
Visit pcwizkid.blogspot.com This is part 1 of a 2 part review of Sapphire’s recent addtion to the HD 4000 series graphics cards, brings us the HD 4830. It is a mainstream card that by looking at the specs alone suggest great performance possibilities for the exceptional price point compared to other higher end cards.
Visit tiger.tv for an excellent GPU SLI solution! Now the award-winning NVIDIA GeForce 8 Series architecture extends to the EVGA GeForce 8600 GTS graphics card. Offering unparalleled levels of graphics realism and performance for Microsoft DirectX 9 and DirectX 10 games for the price point, the EVGA GeForce 8600 GTS graphics card also includes the groundbreaking 2nd generation PureVideo HD processor and full support for Microsoft Windows Vista.
Sapphire 5770 & 5750 ATI Radeon HD Graphics Card Review! For all the latest reviews and gear! www.motherboards.org Follow us on Twitter! http
Can someone give me some tips on improving the graphics speed for the games on my computer without having to go buy a new graphics card? Just any tips other than buying a new graphics card. Thanks.
I am building a computer and I cannot decide which graphics card to get. So far it looks like everything is pointing towards the geforce over radeon. I was originally looking at getting an ati radeon x1900 xtx, but pushed more towards the geforce 7900 gtx. Then, I have also been reading about the new DirectX 10 coming out soon. I need a graphics card so I am not sure whether to get a decent cheaper card for now and then buy later or just buy a good one now. I was even debating getting a good graphics card now and then buying a good graphics card later that supports DirectX 10 (Would they be campatible and work together?) What should I get? I dont mind getting a good graphics card right now, if it is worth it. I will have the asus m2n32-sli deluxe motherboard running an AMD 4600 processor. I am planning on doing serious film editing and possible gaming.
I keep hearing two things:
1.) Graphics cards are the most important thing in a PC for gaming and graphics.
2.) Graphics cards are not the most important thing; it’s all how the developers make the game, and the graphics card is just how the graphics are processed.
Which of these statements is true?