Need to replace a GeForce 7800GT GPU in a GA-MA78GM-US2H mobo

aloha,
I recently fried my GeForce 7800GT GPU. Need to replace it with a new generation GPU that will fit into the Gibabyte GA-MA78GM-US2H mobo. I have no idea what that would be.
I've been looking at both Radeon & GeForce, but they all seem to be way more card than what I had or need. The old card measured 8.5125" x 4", took up a single slot of space and had a single 6 pin power supply.
My need is for HD and BR video quality underwater video editing using Adobe CS4. I make a lot of DVD's and just started burning Blue Ray. I use 2 HD/LCD monitors.
My case has a new 550W PSU. The CPU is a 2.30 GHz AMD Phenom Quad-core, 256kb primary mem cache, and 512kb secondary mem cache, with system memory of 8GB DDR3, 4 HDD's and 3 OD's. The O/S is WIN7.
My budget for a new card is about $150.
Can anyone give me some suggestions as to where to look???
Mahalo-n-aloha,
konadon

 

For reference, here is a link to Gigabyte's official specs for your board:

http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=2995#ov

Based on Gigabyte's info, any PCI-E slot video card should work. Given you're running a 550 watt PSU, you should be OK with almost any card at or under $150.

If you want to stick with NVIDIA, here's a suggestion at $110:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125397

(Note: The specs for your board state it will do a "hybrid crossfire" when used with a compatible ATI video card. I have yet to do a "hybrid crossfire" setup; hence I cannot give any advice (good or bad) on how it will work if you install an ATI card. If anyone else has thoughts on the hybrid crossfire setup, please post. Thanks.)

Hope this helps.

 

Another consideration is the memory interface. Make sure the card you buy has at least a 128-bit or larger memory interface.

Stay away from the 64bit cards, no matter how much onboard RAM they have. You will pay more for a 128 or 256-bit interface, but the performance boost is dramatic in my opinion. You should be able to pick up a decent card with at least a 128-bit interface within your stated budget.

 

And DDR5 memory is faster than DDR3.

The few tests I've seen show that the hybrid crossfire does give a boost that would be noticeable under some circumstances, to that end - the HD6850 series is probably the best in your price range; most are dual slot, if you are restricted to a single slot design, you may have to drop as low as the HD6770.

 

aloha gman683, Spad, & satrow,
Many thanks for the input, I have some questions of each of you:

gman863, "Based on Gigabyte's info, any PCI-E slot video card should work. Given you're running a 550 watt PSU, you should be OK with almost any card at or under $150".
I wish that were the situation, it would be easier, however I'm limited by card size and external power connector. My card size is limed to L-10" (254mm) x H-5" (127mm). I think I can make space for a thicker 2-slot card.
My PSU is limited to 1-6pin external power connector.

gman863, Note: The specs for your board state it will do a "hybrid crossfire" when used with a compatible ATI video card.
Maybe I'm mis-interpreting, but my mobo user manual states "Graphics Card Requirement--An ATI Hybrid CrossFireX-supported card".

Spad, "Another consideration is the memory interface. Make sure the card you buy has at least a 128-bit or larger memory interface."
Thanks, I hadn't been focusing on that.

satrow, "And DDR5 memory is faster than DDR3."
Thanks for that tip also, but if the GPU memory is faster than the system RAM (mobo limited to DDR2), isn't the GPU memory limited to DDR2 speed???

Maybe I'm doing the wrong type of searches, but I can't find URL's that separate GPU's by their supported graphics process, i.e. SLI or CrossFire, also can't find URL's that separate GPU's based on physical card size
or required Power Supply and external power connections. I don't have a preference of card maker, as long as it is a CrossfireX supported
GPU, with dimensions that are no larger than 254mm x 127mm, with a single 6pin connector unless a Molex to 6pin converter exists.

You all have been very helpful,
mahalo-n-aloha for now,
konadon

 

I may have phrased this wrong. Your board will do Hybrid Crossfire; however I'm not sure how the overall performance of Hybrid Crossfire will stack up versus using a single (non-Hybrid Crossfire) NVIDIA card.

Sorry for any confusion.

 

aloha gman863,
thanks for such a speedy reply. I appreciate the clarification. However I'm confused all the more. I'm interpreting that my mobo requires a Hybrid CrossFireX GPU. Is that your understanding based on what you've read about my mobo specs. If I don't require that type of card can I use SLI technology???

I just wrote AMD because after doing some more research, I'm not sure the CPU chipset even supports HCFX technolgy, inspite of the fact that the current GPU is designed for HCFX.

Thanks again konadon

 

aloha again gman863,
I mis-spoke in my last reply of 2/4. My CPU does support HCFX but the Nvidia GPU did not.
AMD tech's have Rx'ed a AMD HD6850, and I'm investigating that in terms of spending that kind of money for a GPU to put into such an old mobo. As it is I have to replace a stick of 2GB DDR2 Memory. so, now I'm evaluating spending approx. $180 to replace a GPU and RAM vs. cost of a new case and new gen. mobo with newer/faster/better CPU and newer/faster/better RAM. More thought and research is required.
I welcome any feedback especially if I've overlooked other options.
Mahalo plenty again,
konadon