Video Card Choice without bottlenecking

[imported_ravenous]

Hey all, I have a computer that I am going to put new video card in to make due until I get the money to build my new rig. I was looking for some advice on how to determine what the best video card would be for my current setup without bottlenecking anything.

this is a machine that someone gave me for helping them move and its better than the one that i had at the time, its an emachines pc that I put in a old full tower case to accept a large card, so fitment is not an issue

pci express x16

3 gig single core cpu
2 gig memory at 533 mhz
450 watt psu, can upgrade this if need be, i'll have to buy a psu for my new build anyways

any suggestions on a card choice and also the best way to determine this for myself in the future, i'm always up for learning something new

thanks

 

[DaveSimmons]

I'm assuming you mean a P4 3.0 GHz or A64 single-core 3000+.

Those were not quite fast enough to max out a 7900GTX, so now even an 8800GT will be bottlenecked a little until you upgrade. If you find one for ~$150 it will still be a great card for you until you save up enough for a full upgrade.

Then sell it and get an ATI 4870, which needs a good 500+ watt PSU and something like the intel E8400 3.0 GHz Core Duo (which is much much faster than the P4 even if you overclocked it to 3.6)

 

[RussianSensation]

8800GS 384mb after MIR for $80

You might want to consider upgrading the cpu/mobo and hard drive as well.

 

[imported_ravenous]

it is a P4, i should have mentioned that, i am not wanting to put any money into this except a video card, i will be building a completely new rig in about 6 months so...

 

[happy medium]

I have the same cpu and it bottlenecks my 7800gs a little.
I suggest a 8800gs or a 3850 gpu at most.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: RussianSensation
8800GS 384mb after MIR for $80.

Good idea, but ravenous would definitely want to replace it after upgrading.