Buying low/mid-level card, need advice

[Termie]

So it's a definite "no" for any cards with a tall fan/heatsink. That's really a bummer. I was attached to that Sapphire HD 5670. But thanks for the heads-up, DominionSeraph.

I'm not sure what I'll do now. I don't think I can stand my on-board graphics chip any more, so I still want a graphics card. I might go for a used card, or wait for a really good deal on a new card to come along. I can get the XFX HD 5670 for $65 now, but if that card would be limited by my computer, then maybe it would make more sense to wait for a cheaper deal on a less powerful card.

My dead 8600 isn't under warranty. I'll submit a support ticket and try to find out how much it would cost me to send it to XFX for repairs. If it costs too much, then I'll hunt down a couple new capacitors and have a friend of mine replace the blown ones on the card to see if that does the trick. If it does, then I might just go back to using my 8600.

This 5570 is a good deal at $50AR/FS: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102875. You'll save $20 out of pocket over the 5670, it's extremely compact, and it will be enough for your computer. Faster and cheaper than GT430, just under GT240: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gt-430-gf108-fermi,2766-5.html

 

[und3rscor3]

I ordered the Sapphire HD 5570. I think it will work great for me, and maybe even go beyond the performance of my old 8600 GT. Thanks a lot to everyone who posted for the advice. This was also a good learning experience for me about all the factors that should be noted when choosing a video card.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

I ordered the Sapphire HD 5570. I think it will work great for me, and maybe even go beyond the performance of my old 8600 GT. Thanks a lot to everyone who posted for the advice. This was also a good learning experience for me about all the factors that should be noted when choosing a video card.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2935/5

The 5570 is almost always 2x as fast as the 9500gt, which is the 8600gt. It's a solid gain.

 

[Burticus]

Aww man I got here late. I was going to offer up my 9600 GT for sale for $50. It is just collecting dust....

I guess it's off to fleabay and paying $5 in fees.... wah.

 

[Termie]

Aww man I got here late. I was going to offer up my 9600 GT for sale for $50. It is just collecting dust....

I guess it's off to fleabay and paying $5 in fees.... wah.

Sorry but a used 9600gt isn't worth $50. Sold my 8800gt with a custom cooler a year ago for 60 shipped.