• Competitor rules

    Please remember that any mention of competitors, hinting at competitors or offering to provide details of competitors will result in an account suspension. The full rules can be found under the 'Terms and Rules' link in the bottom right corner of your screen. Just don't mention competitors in any way, shape or form and you'll be OK.

Please could you help with graphics card selection (clueless newbie here)

For £160 you should be saving a little extra and going with a more powerful card, that budget is at the threshold of the higher-end stuff like a 256MB X1800XT for £190 which wll demolish the 7600GT and X1800GTO.

You shouldnt be paying more than £130 for a 7600GT if you shop around, and at the very least for £160 you should be getting a used 7800GT.
 
With an unlisted 350w power supply the only option on the table is probably the 7600gt. The X1800s and the 7800 series MIGHT work with a good 350w, but you probably couldn't count on it unless it's a Seasonic or something.

Not sure the requirements of the X1800GTO, but if they are anything like the other X1800s then 350w will be tight.
 
Yes I had a feeling that my current Dell PSU would be pushing things a little, as the review said for the X1800GTO:

Overall I recommend a standard 400 Watts power supply at the very least. Also make sure that the PSU has at least 18 Amps on the 12 volts rail.
Click to expand...

hp7909 wow thanx for that link, Im getting that app right now..sweet! G.o.a.t..scoping out those benchmarks as well!

Richdog I totally see what you are saying and was thinking the same last night. However now Im starting to realise that my PSU will be the limiting factor in card selection - perhaps its a blessing in disguise for the ol' bank account lol :p

Geez the help just keeps on comin, im totally chuffed :) ...fer real, cuz I was really lost before I came on here when it came to selecting a new card but now I have a very good idea of what I want!
 
Don't replace your PSU!!!!!

Dell use non standard propriety components and using a standard PSU can seriously damage your motherboard and/or PSU!

Thankfully, the PSUs Dell use are top quality and will be fine for a 7600GT/X1800GTO :)
 
ajgoodfellow - thanks loads for telling me that! I had no idea and I was just checking out PSU websites :eek:

Thats good to know that the Dell PSU will do the job! :)

--->

the 7600GT doesn't need any external power anyway
Click to expand...
Now thats interesting! Sorry to sound dumb but I don't understand the physics/electronics behind that
icon_redface.gif


The 7600GT has its own "built in" powersupply or something? How does it draw its power compared to the ATI card?

I got a feeling Im gonna get totally edumacated on these forums :)
 
it just uses power provided by the PCI-E slot, whereas on the back of the X1800GTO there is a 6-pin plug to use power from the PSU aswell as the PCI-E slot

so the 7600GT uses less power than the X1800GTO
 
it just uses power provided by the PCI-E slot, whereas on the back of the X1800GTO there is a 6-pin plug to use power from the PSU aswell as the PCI-E slot

so the 7600GT uses less power than the X1800GTO
Click to expand...

Thanks for that explanation, makes sense to me now :) .

So its like the graphics card version of a USB device that uses the USB outlet itself for power instead of a seperate connection to the mains (was that a good analogy lol).
 
Yes I think Im getting to grips with whats involved thanks to you all!

Well I've narrowed it down to two of them and now its just a question of which: 7600GT or X1800GTO :o

I just noticed this in my Dell Manual:

PCI Express graphics cards that run higher than 75W require an additional cooling fan. Otherwise your card could overheat and damage your computer. :confused:

I will have to see how much those 2 cards put out, geez I hope I dont have to spend more £ on a fan! Maybe get one of those little table fans and point it at the front vent running full blast :D
 
Sapphire ATI Radeon X1800 XT 256MB GDDR3 AVIVO TV-Out/Dual DVI (PCI-Express) - Retail (GX-121-SP)

Price: £144.95 (£170.32 Including VAT at 17.5%)

No contest, buy this now :)
 
I found just what I was looking for! I head to head comparision of exactly the two cards Im interested in:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2006/03/21/bfg_7600_gt_oc_ati_x1800gto/1.html

They both look kinda evenly matched; however from the review I see that the ATI:

1. Needs to be hooked up to the PSU for power (7600GT does'nt)
2. ATI's fan revs up and down all the time (7600GTs stays constant)
3. 7600GT comes with a Lifetime Warranty

I think im swaying towards the Nvidia product but Im still *kinda* on the fence. Got some more reading/research to do but I must say coming on this forum has taken me 90% of the way on making a decision...now its just a question of which! :)
 
Last edited:
the stock fan on my 7600GT reved up when in 3D apps
Click to expand...

Does it rev up and down though?....or does it rev up and stay that way :)

I wish I could see/hear these cards in action, my Dell already sounds like a generator :p so a quiet card would help loads!!
 
KatanaDV20 said:
I found just what I was looking for! I head to head comparision of exactly the two cards Im interested in:
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/2006/03/21/bfg_7600_gt_oc_ati_x1800gto/1.html

They both look kinda evenly matched; however from the review I see that the ATI:

1. Needs to be hooked up to the PSU for power (7600GT does'nt)
2. ATI's fan revs up and down all the time (7600GTs stays constant)
3. 7600GT comes with a Lifetime Warranty

I think im swaying towards the Nvidia product but Im still *kinda* on the fence. Got some more reading/research to do but I must say coming on this forum has taken me 90% of the way on making a decision...now its just a question of which! :)
Click to expand...

M8, now the 256mb X1800XT I mentioned above is at £144 plus vat, its gotta be the best choice, faster than either of those you are considering for a tenner more ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom