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New card needed, I know nothing.

Whizzwang

Whizzwang

Whizzwang

Associate
Joined
29 Nov 2011
Posts
6
I have established that I have 2x 8600 GS cards in SLI.

I understand that these are PCI express cards and that I will have to use the same so that they fit.

Beyond that I am at a loss.

I'm not looking to run Crysis 2 or BF 3 or anything remotely graphics intensive, however I shall be getting SW:TOR on release and although the min specs for it say my cards can handle it, I figured why not upgrade now.

Since I have been reliably informed you guys know what you're talking about I figured it can't hurt to ask.

So, what would be a decently priced, fairly decent step up in the world without the need to run insanely high graphically demanding games :confused:
 
Yup, it's old. Though until recently as long as it ran WoW, I was fine. SW:TOR is a little more on the demanding side though.

specs.jpg


Motherboard Packard Bell BV P5N-E SLI

Does this help?
 
So this being a Packard Bell, it will have a crummy PSU in it? Can you get a picture up of the chart on the side of the PSU (showing voltages and amps)
 
I suspect this card will do you nicely, though you may want to overclock that cpu up to at least 3.2ghz (though your cooler may not be up to it ) which should be possible. All providing your psu is up to it.
 
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Remember to remove the Nvidia drivers with driver sweeper or do a reinstall using the latest mobo/ati drivers.
 
I'm kind of in the same position as the OP. I have a 7800gtx (bought from OCUK when it was the latest just out thing for about £400... ) and feel I've had reasonable value for money out of the old girl, but want to play a more up to date game.

Is there a comparison list of price/performance that's reasonably up to date because most that Google throws up don't cover many of this years cards? I'm aware there are new chipsets coming out, but depending on what I can scrounge up my best bet may be to plump for a second hand DX11 card. I should think even a crappy budget job will be better than my old 7800, so as long as it will play games (BF3, Modern Warfare - I normally play strategy games but fancy seeing what the hype is about) at up to 1920 x 1080 I'll be well served.
 
Whizzwang said:
I have established that I have 2x 8600 GS cards in SLI.

[snip]
I shall be getting SW:TOR on release and although the min specs for it say my cards can handle it, I figured why not upgrade now.
Click to expand...

SW:TOR is based on the engine from Sony's EverQuest2 MMO. As such CPU speed and memory will make more of an impact than a super whizzy gfx card.

I beta'd it this weekend and it ran fine on a Ati 6950/4.4Ghz i5 (super whizzy gfx) Ati 5770/3.4Ghz Q6600 (low-mid card) and a Nvidia 7900GT/1.4Ghz Core2Duo (zomg how old is dat). Resolutions on first two 1920x1080, last one 1680x something.

Not saying don't upgrade from those two 8600's, just dont go all out on a multi card setup if you dont need to.
 
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Your CPU is actually still cutting the mustard. I wouldn't say an upgrade is necessary, although an overclock would help. As far as GFX go, I would say 6870 or if you are willing to go up to £150 I'd say get the 560Ti.

I had one until recently and I was running Battlefield 3 with everything on Ultra at 1080p with 50fps minimum on the campaign (will be lower on multiplayer though).
 
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