ATI X1650 Alternative

[StuartRB]

Hi

I just got a video card (HIS ATI Radeon X1650 Pro ICEQ Turbo 256MB). Tried to plug it into the PCI Express slot on my Dell, but it's too big and the massive fan on the card wont go past the CPU casing.

Anyone recommend a similar spec card that's smaller? I'm not bothered on whether it's ATi / nVidia etc.

Thanks

 

[melbourne720]

Welcome to the Forums!

Single slot cards you're looking at a connect 3d x1950 Pro, 7600 GT, 7600 GS.

To be honest you could just get a sapphire x1650 xt with a single slot cooler, but I think you should use this opportunity to get a better gfx card

Play games much?

 

[StuartRB]

Thanks

Yes and no - play some games. Got Call of Duty 2 a while back but it was just getting slow on my old PC (P1.4) hence the new compy.

You mentioned single slot - is that a specific format? I never even knew PCI Express slots existed until I opened my new PC to stuff an AGP card in!!

 

[melbourne720]

Thanks

Yes and no - play some games. Got Call of Duty 2 a while back but it was just getting slow on my old PC (P1.4) hence the new compy.

What's the spec of your new PC? specifically CPU, Mobo, RAM..

You mentioned single slot - is that a specific format? I never even knew PCI Express slots existed until I opened my new PC to stuff an AGP card in!!

When I was talking about single slot, I was principally referring to the size of the cooler and your efforts to fit the card in the case. The coolers on graphics cards often take up the space of an extra card in your PC (and the slot) hence the terms single slot and double slot.

If there isn't much space in your PC, because of the size of your case or cpu cooler or whatever, then you can go for a single slot card, that will take up much less room in your case.

How much do you want to spend, and how much room do you have in your case, and I'll be able to spec you a card that will run CoD2 really well...

 

[StuartRB]

oh - I see what you mean then. Yeh, the fan on that ATI monster was pushing against the CPU casing - there's plenty of room in the case - but just not that direction!

My new PC is:

Intel® Core 2 Duo E6400 Processor (2.13GHz, 1066MHz, 2MB)
1Gb RAM
Not sure about Motherboard but there's only 1 PCI Express slot (well, a v16 and a v1 I think).
And a 19" LCD thingy

I'd be ashamed to spend more then 80quid ish!

ta

 

[melbourne720]

Okay, there are 2 areas that are holding you back on games.

1. RAM - you really want 2 GB, any 6400 RAM would be fine (I appreciate you probably don't want to spend more at the moment, just a note for the future).

2. GFX card. Now the following are the class leaders in PCI-E graphics, in terms of value for money, they are:-

7600 GS (£69) , 7600 GT (£82) , 7900 GS (£108) , x1950 Pro (£125) , x1950 XT (£165) , 8800 GTS (£270) , 8800 GTX (£375) .

At your budget the 7600 GT stands out, really good card. Obviously the more you spend the more you get, the x1950 Pro and the 8800 series (out of your budget obviously) are also highlights of this list.

This 7600 GT should do you nicely:-

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-019-BG

 

[StuartRB]

Thanks for your help mate!

Looks like the 7600 GT might be just the ticket.

Thanks again.

 

[melbourne720]

Thanks for your help mate!

Looks like the 7600 GT might be just the ticket.

Thanks again.

No worries. You should be able to have most settings to high on CoD2 - just leave the AA and AF off and have some fun

Find out what mobo you have (CPU-Z should tell you) and then pop over to the overclocking section, see if you can get some more performance out of your CPU...

 

[StuartRB]

got me 7600 GT, works a treat. Ta!

 

[melbourne720]

you're welcome, glad it works well.