Vid Card Died: Need Suggestions

[vpr]

I had an X1950 Pro 256MB - While making a character in my brand new copy of Age of Conan the pc shut of suddenly and wouldn't power back on. Determined the Video Card got fried. I'm pretty low on funds so I got a cheap 8400GS card to hold me over a month or two until I get some funds. I need a suggestion for a new video card:

Current system:

Intel E6300 CPU (not OC'd right now) w/ Blue orb II cooler
Gigabyte GA-P965G-DS3 rev 3.3 motherboard
4x1GB RAM (Don't know the timings right now)
1 WD SATAII 7200RPM 320GB HD
2 Seagate SATAII 7200RPM 320GB HDs
1 Razer Barracuda AC-1 Soundcard
Thermaltake KK500 PSU
Thermaltake Tsunami Dream case
Samsung DVD-RW
1 Samsung SyncMaster 206BW LCD (1680x1050)
*Will be getting another LCD to run dual-LCDs probably another Samsung

I need a card capable of fairly new gaming. Age of Conan / C&C3 / Red Alert 3 when it comes out / HL2 EP3 / plus others.

Also like to watch HD content. Also w/ plans on using 2 LCDS I'd like the ability to use dual-DVI connectors.

Thanks,
~vpr

PS: I'm currently in China so prices may differ, but that's ok.

edit: *Added info about dual-dvi.

 

[error8]

Keep your 8400 GS until 16 june, when the new cards will appear and maybe you'll find a great price/performance ratio for one of those ( ATI 4850/4870 mostly, since Nvidia will throw cards of over 400$)

If you have to buy it now, then one of these: 8800 GTS>8800 GT>9600GT or ATI 3870 (if you don't like AA) >9600GSO/8800 GS. All of them should play the games you've listed on high settings, it all depends on how much you're willing to spend.

EDIT: I've managed to read NOW that you'll be buying it after a month or two. So we'll probably discuss it then, since there will be other cards on the market and current pricing will be totally different.

 

[vpr]

Thanks for the response, I'll check back closer to the time I'm ready to buy then

 

[gamephile]

VPR I'm curious what your prices are like in China. Currently in Japan...they're awful. I just bought an 8800GTS 512 that my friend is bringing to me from America. Off Newegg it'll be 180 after rebate. In Japan an equivalent stock GTS is like 40,000Y (~$400).

 

[RallyMaster]

Did you make sure your power supply wasn't the problem? Usually when a computer shuts off in the middle of a game, it's the power supply not outputting enough amperage. Check what power supply you have before you pick a video card.

Chinese prices should be very similar to US prices...if you bargain with the sellers. I did that quite a bit in Shanghai and Suzhou and pretty much all of them were willing to budge.