New Graphic Card suggestion?

Hi Folks

Windows 7 x64 (no SP)
Intel Core i7 920 (no OC)
ASUS P6T Deluxe V2
6GB Ram
Raid0 2x120GB WD Raptors
1x 1TB WD Green
1x 320 WD Green

Well it seems today I finally blew by old nVidia 8800GTS 512mb card, it was running F@H at the time, and I guess the room was warm, have turned off PC by the wall to wait till tomorrow and re-seat and test again, but I fear its met its maker,

Did have graphical weirdness on the screen when I went to re-login earlier, but a shutdown and reboot a few times its the same in than nothing on the screen.. no monitor signal.

I do have a nVidia 9300GT card I can try just to rule out another cause but will do that tomorrow, when I have more time,

But if I do need to buy a new GFX card then I dont need the likes of the nVidia 580s but I was thining of a 480 or 570

So question is which as £££ is near as best the same, both have on a quick look pros and cons, I am leaning towards a 570 Card, but what brand is looking like being better quality at the moment folks?

Will likely spend £300 or less on one as a guide.


I am a bit of an nVidia fan due to great drivers that I dont really wish to jump to an ATi card so dont suggest them, I have had them in the past and perference is nVidia now so will stick to nVidia suggestion.


Cheers for ideas and your great thoughts as as I'm in the UK (as profile states) if suggesting a specific card from a retailer, UK would be good but I can always search on any model suggested myself at a UK retailer.

 

Hi mcsmc

Great suggestion and from the review or few reviews I just read on this card its a definate contender so thanks for the personal opinion,

What max temps are yoy seeing with this card?
What is the noise like from the card, as I do wish to also keep fan noise to a low, as I did change all the case fans to Noctua low noise and good airflow.

 

Folks forget OCing as thats no option of mine these days, been there done that, I perfer stability above all, if I wanted to go that way I could throw £5k at a PC but whats the point.... only bragging rights.


So temps as I know GPUs do run hot that its seeming like the 5xx series is the one to go for?

Will look at local online dealer tomorrow, thanks folks as the opinions help.

 

Hahahaha young padawan I have been at this for some time and OCing is a done deal for me, can and will do it, but personally need stability over a random hit and miss approach.

SO..... 570 is looking like the best cost effective vs power one for me as say £300 is limit in monies.

MB was posted in OP.... so you knowwhat it is and its a high end board, SLI is not really where I need to go at present, could go that way but usage doesnt warrant that yet.

Usage = general surfing, odd high end game (Call of Duty series), Photoshop, Lightroom, Office 2010 etc

 

Me too Fred, the 8800 nVidia has done me fine so far.

Weirdly in swapping my 9500 (not a 9300 as mentioned originally) from my server to the desktop it is the GPU but trying the 8800 into the server it works fine, swap it back and it gives up after 10mins in the desktop.

Tried a different power rail, no difference, re-installed drivers again no difference, looks like a nudge from the desktop to get a new GPU.

 

Hi mcsmc, yes as I tried the 9500 in the same slot and its running fine and has been for last 2hrs now, typing on that PC now. Did try it in the other PCI-E slot on the mobo also.


@Augie cheers for the info, yeah looking at 570s now and going to read a few reviews.

 

Cheers Bill for the link.

 

Cheers for the sugestions and links, I have gone with one of these http://www.gainward.com/main/vgapro.php?id=444 should have it by next Wed/Thur

Kinda like Gainward cards (although the 8800GTS that just died is a Gainward card, but was near 5yrs old).

 

Hi Burrell

Yes with delivery it was £279 so within my rough budget.

Weirdly the 8800 GTS is still working ok in my Windows Home Server box!!! maybe not as much of a strain on it, who knows as it may bail on me at any point, but has been ok for now 8hrs+

 

Busted Fred

Most likely, but that is likely what killed the last card.. possibly! Playing with a home server (side project) at present so that may GPU fold as I have the 8800 in it at present and its woring ok (weirdly still) so may F@H on it until I really kill it, but may just leave the 9500 folding on a lower setting.

 

No great idea and I will take apart the 8800 and check on thr TIM, worth a shot as the card is being replaced anyway, and if it helps then I could fold on this on the server.

+1 great idea.