5. It's (almost) always a good time to buy
The fierce competition between Nvidia and ATI has rewarded us with a fast 3D technology development cycle. The GPU manufacturers release a new line of chips every 12 to 18 months, which results in a steady stream of increasingly powerful cards with more and more features. Manufacturers also tweak designs to increase clock speeds and add new features to refresh product lines several months after the initial architecture rollout. Since many new features are forward-looking, such as H.264 high-definition video acceleration and advanced Shader Model support, it might be a year or two before the actual content becomes widely available.
It's always a good time to buy if you don't have to get the best card available. Video card prices fall quickly since new product introductions constantly push older or slightly less powerful hardware into more affordable price ranges. The worst-case scenario is buying a high-end card right before Nvidia or ATI release a new line of GPUs, but even then, you still end up with a very powerful card that will have no problem running the games you want to play for a very long time.
6. You don't need to spend $500
The newest top-end cards ship at $500 or more, but you can always find several high-performance cards in the $200-$300 range. This price range usually offers the best performance for the dollar because it includes a mix of current-generation enthusiast-level cards as well as discounted high-end cards from the previous graphics generation.
Check out pipeline and clock speed specifications when comparing two cards from different technology generations. If the specs are roughly the same, go with the newer card since it'll have support for more advanced features. Newer chip architectures are also more efficient so you'll get more performance out of the same number of pipelines.
7. Do you have the power?
System power requirements have become a major concern now that video cards have grown into strong, power-sucking behemoths. Video card manufacturers print the power-supply recommendations on the side of the box. The printed number is often slightly higher than actually necessary since it accounts for poor power-supply quality and overloaded systems. Mid- to high-end single cards usually require a 400W or 450W power supply. Requirements for dual-card setups such as a CrossFire Radeon X1900 XTX configuration start at 550W.
8. AGP and PCI Express
Since its introduction two years ago, PCI Express has replaced AGP as the standard graphics slot in currently shipping systems. PCI Express offers two to four times more bandwidth than AGP, and almost all new video cards come in the PCI Express format. The GPU manufacturers throw a bone to AGP system owners once in a while with a new GPU like the Nvidia GeForce 7800 GS, but all the best equipment comes out for PCI Express first.
If your PC system is more than two years old, it probably has an AGP slot. Upgrading to PCI Express will be expensive since you'll need to replace the motherboard, CPU, and memory, but if your system is more than two years old, it might just be the right time to upgrade your entire PC anyway.
9. SLI and CrossFire
You'll also need PCI Express if you want to upgrade up to a dual video card configuration. Getting dual-card systems up and running (and showing performance gains) is a complicated matter. You need to have the right kind of motherboard, a compatible set of video cards, and a passable power supply.
Nvidia and ATI both offer competing dual-card formats, which require their own specific motherboards. Nvidia introduced SLI (scalable link interface) first in 2004, and has used the time since then to solidify the platform and even build up an SLI certification program for crucial motherboard, power supply, and memory components. You can pair two SLI-approved GeForce cards from different manufacturers as long as the GPU types match. ATI launched its CrossFire dual-card technology in 2005. As with SLI, CrossFire requires a CrossFire-enabled motherboard, quality memory, and a beefy power supply. Matching ATI cards is slightly more complicated because you need to pair a "CrossFire Edition" card with a "CrossFire Ready" card to get two cards working together. Check out our recent SLI vs. CrossFire Grudge Match feature to compare the cards' performance.
10. Make sure you actually get a video card
If you're buying a prebuilt system online, pay careful attention to the video card option. If the selection menu only lists "integrated graphics," close the browser window immediately and find another model that offers real video card options. Graphics built right onto the motherboard are fine for basic desktop applications like word processing and browsing the Web, but they aren't powerful enough for gaming unless you consider 15 frames per second at 800x600 acceptable performance.
Discuss your video card buying tips!
What do you look for when buying a video card? What video card upgrades are you considering right now? Enter your thoughts below. Feel free to comment on someone else's responses, but please stay on topic. We're talking about video cards here!
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503 Comments
No reason even with limited buget to get a 7000 series
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@ hopyman2
i doubt that you have a PCI slot, unless your PC is VERY old.
this is a PCI-E slot http://www.techspot.com/articles-info/61/images/ASUS_P5K_Deluxe_06.jpg (blue)
and this is an AGP http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d1/AGP_slot.jpg/800px-AGP_slot.jpg (red)
also i think from display properties/settings/advanced in the tab "adapter" it should indicate something
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Hey i m thinking to buy nvidia 7300gt because i m in the limited budget,
does n e 1 have this 1????
hows its performance ???
plz tell me...
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Woah, nate, wait before buying anything. I have an 8600 GT with a 430W power supply and it doesn`t really work properly. You have to also take into account the amount of power other parts take up, like the CPU. I`d Reccomend a 500W power supply that would work with the 8600 and 9600. And for the cards, I`d go with the 9600 because it has more RAM, clockpeed and so forth. And for the Frames per second, on Call of Duty 4, the most FPS I get with my 8600 GT is 75, Whereas with the 9600 GT I get 125. And both of the prices are pretty close, so it`s a no brainer. Go with the 9600.
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I've got a GeForce 8500GT(512MB) and Oblivion looks pretty damn close to its XBox360 counter-part. I'd know, I own both versions. I'm considering getting either a GeForce 8600GT or 9600. I don't want 8800 because it'll require 1GB RAM and my rig has 2GB RAM (that's its max capacity). But if I get the 9600 I'll have to buy a new power supply. My current (sh---y) power supply is 300W. I'll need 450W for 9600. 8600 runs on 300W. Both 8600 and 9600 only require 512MB RAM. My BIG CONCERN is in May when I get Mass Effect for my PC. I hope like Hell an 8600GT will pull it without too many comprimises.
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I'm having a problem determining which kind of ports I have: PCI, AGP, or PCI-E.
How do I know ?
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Why is the 8600 GT 1GB $10 less than the 8600 GT 512MB, given that it's twice the size?
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I'm thinking of buying the GeForce 7600GS 512MB AGP. Can anyone tell me how good it is and what games will it run?
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bdrgtech 2 8500's isn't bad, but if your looking to play games like crysis, my best bet is you MIGHT be able to play it on medium, on low resolution.
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HaMHaMHami
The 8800GT and the 8800GTS are EXTREMELY CLOSE in performance. The 8800GTS beats the 8800GT SLIGHTLY, by very LITTLE only though. Plus the GTS is around $100 more than the GT, so I'de go with the 8800GT if you want to save money at get the same performance.
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I'm getting a 8600 GT (it's all I could afford atm) and was wondering if I could run games like Crysis? Please PM me back, thanks.
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Well i'm really confused right now cause i want to buy a video card but i just cannot decide to buy a geforce 8800GT or geforce 8800GTS 512
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How could I check what my power supply is without opening the case? (if there is a way)
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Help i have an ati xpress 200 which is a motherboard and the video card is intergrated into it can i still add a separate video card from nvidia to my motherboard?
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Is it easy to change the power supply unit? got a 200W unit (pre-buit system) and reading above it's definitely underpowered!
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i got two 8500GT XFX cards with 256mb paid 79 bucks for each one
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Hi, I'm looking to build a system this summer and I was thinking if I should add the new geforce 9 series graphics card in there or go with the already known 8800 GT?
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I do like that point about new buyers being sucked into buying cards by their memory rather than GPU. I fell for that when I first got my computer, and am still regretting it. I'm thinking of upgrading to an 8600GT.
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Well, I upgraded from a GeFore 4, to a 8800GT 512MB...I might just say that the performace increase was awsome

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I have a 8800GT, I haven't played any games yet (need to instal it first) but I hope its good.
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I just ordered a XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT XXX 256MB for $99. far from top of the line but its better then what i have now, which is no graphics card at all.
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i have chaintech geforce 6200A, it works like the 8=====D of 80 years old man
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i think the best card for AGP is the X1950 PRO 512mb
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hi wats the best for agp
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I bought an 8500GT recently - great performance for only 100 bucks. (www.vtechindustries.com.au).
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I need to get a rig. I've been using my brother's for too long. If I want to play Crysis, I've gotta fork over the money.
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Can't wait til I upgrade my PC. But it probably wont be for another year or two...or at least when DX10 Games is worth getting vista and everything is more shifted over. So for now I'll sit on my 6600 GT PCI-e card and ride it into the ground playin company of heroes, oblivion, F.E.A.R., etc... Go nVidia!!
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Well done Gamespot, Now where was i ? Hmmmmm ???
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Great article indeed. I just HAD to buy a Radeon X1300 in order to upgrade a very poor performing Dell XPS 200 with a radeon X600 that came with my system, and this guide was a must. I had no other choice but to go for this card because of the poor power capability of the XPS 200 (275 watts). The X1300 was the only card in a SFF format that could work on my PC. Having said this, if you are into the SFF PCs like me, stay away from the XPS 200 (now 210). The chassis is just too narrow for upgrades, and quite frankly the system overall is not a good gaming system. Next time I'll go for shuttle or Falcon, even if you pay more. The XPS 200 is a good multi-media computer, but gaming can be frustrating
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you find lots of useful information here;good article
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man I cant remember the computer I order had an SLI ready 8800 GTS 640MB, I sure the mother board acccepts SLI but I dont know about the cards, i'd much rather get another 8800 GTS 640MB for christmas then sell the one I got and get a GTX
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Great article indeed !!
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lol great guide but im still not 100% sure what i should be looking for in my upgrade - i just keep looking at the highest price and biggest number on hte name rofl...
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I personally think that NVidia cards are much better than Radeon cards...they usually perform better in benchmarks, and all the NVidia cards I've owned have performed way past my expectations.
Also, you don't need to spend $500 for a card ever. The $200 range cards are totally amazing will will do anything you need them to do.
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to rahulprince, between the x1650pro and the 7600GS I would go with the x1650pro, specifically:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102064
it beats out the best 7600GS (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130021) with a higher memory clock and it's also a bit cheaper
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to joe_elwick, the 8800 is definetly worth extra money, but get a 8800, not an 8600, the 7950 or even 7900 is better than the 8600's.
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Hi, which of these is better as there the same price:
1. Nvidia GeForce 7900GS
2. ASUS Radeon X1950 Pro.
Thanks!
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nice guide!! i love it!
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what kind of graphics card are available for lap-tops and are they as good as the full size PC's
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my best graphics card purchase has been the geforce 7600, i bought it a year ago for around 200 cdn and its still capable of running high graphics on games like company of heroes at reasonable rates.
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I would go with Radeon x1650, the ATI series has always worked best for me. Peace
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pls. sombody help me i want to know which one is better of the 2?? ati radeon x1650 pro or geforce 7600(512mb)
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I'm Considering an upgrade to an SLI system running two Nvidia 8600 GT's , but was wondering where you actually get the SLI connector from. I've looked at the specifications for some cards, but none say it is included in the box.
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I have not bought any video cards before but I am going to buy one which card should I buy if I buy now can anyone help me i want to run games like quake 4 battlefield 2.
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ATi vs Nvidea AGP
In reference to Zeussa's comments I'm looking for a new AGP card as my old ATi Radeon 9700 now corrupts the screen. I'm considering 2 cards, ATi's Radeon X1950 Pro AGP or Nvidea's GeForce 7800 GS. Both have had good reviews and I'm not too worried about the pricing, I just want to know which performs better or if there's an AGP card out there that's better than both of these?
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thanks for this useful informations.
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lolol this topic help me a lot
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Flame_Co THANKS :p
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I'm sorry for all AGP owners, not saying anything but PCI-E is the successors, AGP will be discontinued, things move on and things change, think about it, if we never changed the standard for sockets of processors we would still be using performance of K6 and Pentium 3 Cpu's About the PS3 choice, we already have graphic chips much more powerful than the PS3 graphic chips, also the cell processors have been proven weak in comparison the General purpose CPU's, take one of those processors within the cell vs, lets say Athlon or Core duo and i guarantee you it'll be destroyed. GDDR3 is common because of mass production, but GDDR4 will come in, then GDDR5 then GDDR6, this leads back to one thing, technology changes and if you don't keep up then thats your own choice. Don't worry DDR3 RAM is on the way, the next gen Barcelona or Penyrn may support these and whatnot, but none of these we don't know wut happens, AGP right now is pretty good but sooner or later all will be PCI-E, not hard feelings but thats the way this world works in terms of technology
I love the PS3 and my friend has one, but in terms of actual good use, the Cell is good at number crunching. Especially the whole Folding@home project.
Sincerely
Sup123101
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