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Which graphic card should I get?
Terranah
Member UncommonPosts: 3,575
Hey guys. I am thinking of upgrading my graphics card and I am wondering, specifically for LOTRO, which would be the better card. My rez ingame is 1280 x 1024, and I play around a lot with the various settings to see where I can get the best looking graphics vs. performance.
My goal is to max the settings and have a comfortable margin for performance so that the game runs smoothly in most situations. I accept that in the Ettenmoors the game will still lag. Lot going on there.
I currently have the following set up:
Gateway 7200XL
P4 3.6 ghz cpu
150 gb 10krpm raptor drive
3gb ram
xp pro
psu 750 watts
ati x1950 pro 256 mb pci-e
I recently attempted to upgrade to a Nvidia BFG 8800 GT OC 512mb pci-e 2.0 card. I'm not sure why it wouldn't work. Basically a red LED lit up on the motherboard and started to flash. No picture would come up on the screen, just blackness. I plugged in the six pin power supply and the card's fan came on when I started the computer, but my monitor screen indicated that there was no signal even though I tried hooking it up to both ports. I put the card in and out, adjusting the fit many times, but always with the same result.
My ATI card works fine and no flashing red LED on the motherboard when I hook it up.
So I'm not sure what my problem was. I thought faulty card so I exchanged it and same result. This led me to think it could be a problem with the pci-e slot. I read pci-e 2.0 is backward compatible for most motherboards, but I'm thinking perhaps mine is one of those unfortunate exceptions. Because of this I am looking for a pci-e 1.0 card.
These are the cards I am looking at...
EVGA 640-P2-N829-AR GeForce 8800GTS SSC 640MB 320-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
- Chipset Manufacturer: NVIDIA
- Core clock: 576MHz
- DirectX: DirectX 10
- DVI: 2
- Model #: 640-P2-N829-AR
- Item #: N82E16814130317
- Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
BFG Tech BFGE86512GTOC2FE GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
- Chipset Manufacturer: NVIDIA
- Core clock: 620MHz (vs. 540MHz standard)
- DirectX: DirectX 10
- DVI: 2
- Model #: BFGE86512GTOC2FE
- Item #: N82E16814143116
Comments
I can't speak to your technical issue because I don't have much exprience with motherboards. Out of the two you're looking at, I'd probably go with the 8800, if you were just planning on purchasing one card (no SLI). It can give you a lot of power for just that one card, but if you do go SLI, it's going to get expensive fast.
So, I'd recommend something else entirely. I'd look for an 8800 GT (not the 8600 you got listed second there). This card gives you a lot of bang for your buck, and will give you even more power if you purchase two for SLI mode. However, I'd look for one that has a dual slot cooler/fan on it, because it runs rather hot. I know this card has been specifically recommended for playing LOTRO (don't remember the link to the review, sorry).
Then again, video cards tend to be very personalized these days. That is, there's a lot of options out there for what specific people are looking for. It all depends on your buget, and what you want to do with your machine.
I wish I could help you more on your technical problem, but I will say figure out what the problem is before you purchase another card. If it's something other than your graphics card causing the issue, then buying another one might produce the same problem and you'll be out another 250-300 without getting anywhere.
Check out my LOTRO Blog: www.middleearthadventurer.blogspot.com
get 2 mid range cards at SLI.
gives a nice boost
MMO wish list:
-Changeable worlds
-Solid non level based game
-Sharks with lasers attached to their heads
I have this exact card and currently play LOTRO in:
DX10
1680*1050
8xAA
16x AF
and every slider possible on maximum.
LOTRO plays flawlessly and runs extremely smooth for me, but there is always the occasional hick-up when entering a town when first loading all players. Other than that the game runs great in towns too.
I highly recommend this card for LOTRO, you won't be disappointed!
Kemih ~ 13 Red Mage | Currently playing FFXI & LOTRO, awaiting Warhammer Online & Aion...
I have this exact card and currently play LOTRO in:
DX10
1680*1050
8xAA
16x AF
and every slider possible on maximum.
LOTRO plays flawlessly and runs extremely smooth for me, but there is always the occasional hick-up when entering a town when first loading all players. Other than that the game runs great in towns too.
I highly recommend this card for LOTRO, you won't be disappointed!
Thanks, this is what I wanted to hear.
Why not go for one of the Nividia 9600GT's, they are hovering aqround 179, and are as good as any of the current top end cards out there, plus you will be set for the future
I have this exact card and currently play LOTRO in:
DX10
1680*1050
8xAA
16x AF
and every slider possible on maximum.
LOTRO plays flawlessly and runs extremely smooth for me, but there is always the occasional hick-up when entering a town when first loading all players. Other than that the game runs great in towns too.
I highly recommend this card for LOTRO, you won't be disappointed!
Hey that is the card I have and I love it. Going to add another to my SLI game rig this next month.
My PC specs is 3GHz, 1.5GB memory, Nvidea 7600 256mb. I can have 1440x968 but I set on 1152x864 most of the time. It's workable but I prefer to upgrade the graphics. My motherboard was AGP supported so I have to change a new motherboard with PCI slot. So I just bought a new computer in these days.
Duo Quad 3.2GHz, 8600GS 384MB, SATA2 HDD, 4GB memory. It is lot better than my old one.
It is cheaper to buy a new PC than upgrade parts in a long run.
Can't go wrong at that price and certainly great cards to get.
If money is no issue then of course go 8800 GTS all the way. The people that want to add one extra card later on(SLI) remember that your motherboard needs to support it. (Only Nvidia chipset supports SLI)
GTS ? , gts < gt < gtx < ultra
gt is cheaper then gts and nearly as good as a gtx
and if i were you i would wait for the 9800, should be out soon
right now the best card you can get for your money is a 8800 gt
I meant the GTS 512
GTS 320/640 < GT < GTS 512 < GTX < Ultra
I also have 8800 GT, it's only slightly slower(like 1-5%) than 8800 GTS 512 but also much cheaper.(atleast in Finland). I would probably wait for next series what ever it is (9800??) but rumours are around that it will be just bit overclocked 8800 GPU.
Tomshardware has a guide for the best graphics card for each price range here.
Updated monthly, and a pretty good source.
But for your resolution anything above $200 is probably a waste.