Good Upgrade from GT9500?

Would anyone suggest a good upgrade from a Nvidia GT9500 1gb card?

I have this motherboard ( http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=proddesc&maincat_no=1&prod_no=1471 ) so I only have a PCI ex 1.0

I know the 2.0s are compatible.

I'm looking for something not too expensive.

Should I just upgrade my motherboard to get the 2.0 speeds?

I was looking at this: Sapphire Radeon HD 4670 1GB

Thanks guys.

 

How much is not expensive?
And what do you intend on doing with it? games, media?

Oyu'd nearly be as well off saving your money for another few weeks/months and buying a decent upgrade that will do you for a yeare or two rather than just spending 80 quid every 6 months on one, look at somethign like a 5850 for now if you can get the cash for it, or just wait it out a little while. The 9600GT is better than the 4670 anyway so that ones a waste tbh.

 

No, you have a PCI-E X16 1.1 slot, much different than a PCI-E X1 slot. Ya, define your needs first. Then, like the above poster said, go for the best card in one shot and the 5850, that would be it. You have a great rig, what do you want to do more with it?

 

i said ex as in express. is a 9800 better? it's just that there are certain games that have a small issue with lag and i think if i upgraded a little it would take care of it. i think my needs were very well defined. not a lot of money would mean not too much more than buying a 9500. around the same price. but not a $300 card like you both suggested. because i didn't make it clear enough you go off into left field and pick an expensive card? why?

 

I would recommend for a small, but certainly noticable upgrade a 9600 gso, j used to have one, but then I got another and put them in sli! Even before I got the second card I had very few problems with lag.

This card is also very overclockable, it gas a nice fan too.

 

No point in getting annoyed with us, we're jsut trying to help. We suggested a more expensive card because it would last you longer, because if you upgrade now to an 80 dollar card, in 6 months time youlll have to do it again, and repeat the whole thing, and just keep going and going, whereas if you get a 200-300 dollar card, it should last you a year or too.
you asked was a 9800 better.
as a GENERAL rule (not always now)
you have say 6xxx, 7xxx, 8xxx and 9xxx, the 9xxx are the latest series in that set, so would be the most up to date cards. Then you have x200, x400, x500, x600, x800 etc, and as a general rule, the higher that number goes the better the card is, and then you have Gs, gt and gtx. gtx>gt>gs.

as i said, thats only general, its not always true but its the best place to start. I think looking at an ATI 4800 series would be a good idea, or is that still out of budget?

 

I think you initial thought of upgrading the board is a very sound idea, get a good quality board they will allow expansion without head aches. Get a board with no built in devices then you can pick and choose the parts that will please you.

Phil

 

But BEFORE buying the new graphics card, research the power requirements (download the card's manual from the maker) and ensure your current PSU has the horsepower, and connections. If not, put your money in a good PSU first, then look at a new card. Do not get a card first, then wonder about your PSU.

 

Yes of course a 9800GT is better, heck I have two of them and they are great! If all you want is to improve your current frame rate, you may be able to overclock your current card but that's a whole new kettle of fish man.

No one can say which card will work for you but I would go with an ATI as they perform better for the price. Good luck in whichever choice you make. I'm of a philosophy that making smallish upgrades is not worth the money, you will eventually want a new game that your 'new' card can't cut the frame rate anymore. That's the problem with more advanced tech, it's tougher than keeping up with the Joneses!:eek

Ditto as to the PSU power issue as that's always a concern when upgrading a video card. I found out the hard way.:-o:-D.

 

The issues of video cards can be tough. You get the hard core gamers and I respect what they have to say but they tend to go a bit overboard.

I had a 8800gts nvidia card that ran all the games just fine. Including Crysis which at one time was the biggest and best.

You may find game booster from iobit.com may solve your problems. I know it made a big difference on the girlfriends laptop. Its free and works well.

It really depends on the games you play as well. A good idea is hit newegg, Look at cards in your price range, then look at the comments, They will tell you what games it will run or won't run and if the card is any good.

 

Well, I think it is fine to look at the comments, but don't put much into any that are negative - unless you see a bunch of comments with the same complaint.

I recommend you set a budget, then look at Tom's Hardware, Best Graphics Cards for the Money, December 2009.

 

You could always get an ati radeon 4670 1 gig from newegg for under $70.00 and it's a good card for gaming!! (I should know i got one)!!!