What mid-range card to get?

[jhick]

I am running vista, so I want a DX10 capable card. Price under $150 but would be willing to go up to $175 if it is a higher end card for a very good deal. Not willing to break that $175 mark so don't bother saying 'an 8800gt is the solution to all your problems'. A 512mb card would be preferable since I will be running a couple big monitors off of it. I will be doing some light gaming. Not trying to max out crysis or anything but maybe some COD4 and supreme commander(s). I am not huge into gaming. Noise is also a big factor. I just returned a diamond 2600xt that was very noisy. I want something that will not be the loudest item in my system. Since I will be running vista in aero, I am concerned that the card will be running hard all the time since it is in 3D mode? I am not sure on this though. The problem I have found with mid-range cards is that it could be hit or miss with fan rpm control and I dont want to end up with another card that cannot let me sleep at night.

So far I have looked at the 2900pro for $175 but it is apparently very loud. I have also looked at the HD3850, but to get a 512mb version you have to hit that $200 mark. I have also checked out various HD2600s and 8600GTs, but have not been able to find one where I Am assured a quiet fan that revs down when not being used a lot.

Thanks.

 

[madh83]

Just get a 3850 256 MB, for under 175 you won't find anything better. Don't bother getting a 512MB version of an HD2600 or 8600GT, they won't run well on higher resolutions anyway.

 

[AzN]

2900pro is a good option if you have a beefy power supply and you can handle the noise while gaming. I think the fan throttles anyway for the pro when in Desktop.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

3850...easy choice, don't worry about the 512 memory, 256 should be plenty.

 

[nyker96]

Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
3850...easy choice, don't worry about the 512 memory, 256 should be plenty.

second this. no doubt the best bang/buck choice now.

 

[jhick]

I am looking at one of these two now.

HD2600s passive cooling: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...e&promoid=1019
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...cture=Gigabyte

Good price. Not the best card, but that is OK. I have read that they get very hot a lot quicker than an cooled though and can start showing artifacts. I will have an antec spotcooler on my card and will also have an exhaust fan on the side right at the GPU spot, so I will have good airflow, should that solve the problem of heat.

Its either that or the 2900pro I found for $180 shipped or an HIS 3850 for $199 + shipping.

2900: http://www.canadacomputers.com/main....=pd&pid=016701 (says none left because I placed an order and got the last one, but I can cancel it since it wont be processed until after the weekend.)
3850: http://www.directcanada.com/products...anufacture=HIS

I know the 3850 would probably be the quietest for the price, but I would really like to exhaust all my options before spending a ton of money.

I am looking at passive cooling because with aero in vista, it seems any card will be stressed to a degree and end up revving up the fan to dissipate heat. So the only solution I can think of is to get rid of the fans. Right now my case is barely audible and I would like to keep it that way.

 

[Doclife]

For passive cooling, you can buy the Arctic Cooling Accelero S1 (cost ~$20) and install it on the HD3850. It works really great (better than stock cooling). You can read the review here

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article793-page1.html


Forum:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/.../viewtopic.php?t=44916

 

[SorryImLate]

Im looking at that 2900Pro also. Looks like a sweet card and from reviews it seem to preform really well. You also get the 512bit and 512 ddr3 which is sweet.

 

[AzN]

2900pro is definitely a good option if you don't pay for electric bills yourself. Hehe...

2900pro easily does 2900xt speeds which would be neck and neck 3870. You also get 512mb card that is cheaper than 3850 256mb card.

 

[BernardP]

Since you are looking at the ATI 2600 line and want a quiet card, my suggesttion is to get the Asus 2600 Pro or 2600 XT with their special-design ultra cool and quiet fan:

PRO: http://www.asus.com/products.a...model=1774&modelmenu=1

XT: http://www.asus.com/products.a...model=1731&modelmenu=1

They are $ 111 for the Pro and $ 117 for the XT on NCIX.com, but you have to search to find them, as they are not "In stock" but available at the warehouse.

At these prices, the 2600XT is a no-brainer for only 6 bucks more.

Every review I have seen about an Asus card equipped with this special fan has praised its cooling efficiency and quietness. Take for example these comments on Legion Hardware concerning the same fan on a 8600GT:

http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=675&p=2

 

[narreth]

I third the 3850.

 

[jhick]

now the real question. Any current cards or wait for the 9600GT, 8800GS, and HD3650/3450 cards.

 

[s44]

We just passed a new product clump, so there's no reason to wait for the next one.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

i think the 3850 is what most budget gamers were waiting for. mid range cards should be around 150, not 250 that ati and nvidia are trying to get us to accept.

 

[Extelleron]

Originally posted by: jhick
now the real question. Any current cards or wait for the 9600GT, 8800GS, and HD3650/3450 cards.

9600GT will be much slower than the 8800GT and probably even the 8800GS. The 8800GS may be good competition for the HD 3850 but there's no reason to wait for it.

The HD 3670 is a 55nm die-shrink of the HD 2600XT, performance may be slightly better but no where close to the HD 3850.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814129101

For $169 that's one of your best options.

 

[BernardP]

Originally posted by: jhick
now the real question. Any current cards or wait for the 9600GT, 8800GS, and HD3650/3450 cards.

HD3850/3870 are already as next-gen as can be. HD3650/3450 will have only slightly better performance than HD2600 and 2400, but with DirectX 10.1

No doubt HD3850 is currently the best bet for up-to-date features and bang for the buck. If you want to pay less, then you can wait for the HD3650 at the end of the current month (or get a 2600XT at current prices if you don't want to wait). 9600GT will be a direct competitor to the HD3850 if you prefer to go with NVidia.

 

[daveybrat]

Originally posted by: Extelleron

Originally posted by: jhick
now the real question. Any current cards or wait for the 9600GT, 8800GS, and HD3650/3450 cards.

9600GT will be much slower than the 8800GT and probably even the 8800GS. The 8800GS may be good competition for the HD 3850 but there's no reason to wait for it.

The HD 3670 is a 55nm die-shrink of the HD 2600XT, performance may be slightly better but no where close to the HD 3850.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814129101

For $169 that's one of your best options.

QFT. :thumbsup: