BleepingComputer.com: A good Graphics Card?

Need some suggestions:

My current video card (NVidia 8400 GS, 512 ram) is having a heat issue. I have determined that the fan has quit working and I need to purchase a new card. Since the old card wasn't that special (my Windows Experience Level was low due to this), I would like a decent card for the money.

My main use of this pc is to store and play my movie library. I have over 800 movies on external HD's attached via a USB hub to the computer. I don't do any gaming and my display is a 50" Vizio 1080P monitor. This is attached to the pc via HMDI cable.

I have read on Cnet that both the Radion and NVidia cards switch quite often on who is best. I have tried to get some decent impartial opinions on the net, but most sites are just trying to sell you the product.

If anyone has any suggestions and reasons which product would be best for my use please help me out.

Thanks,

Hello Golfdude,


For under $100 I would recommend an Nvidia Geforce 9800 GT or GTX w/ HDMI (512 MB). In my opinion, a great card coming in at just under $100 now if you shop around a bit (check Newegg.com). You will notice a huge improvement over your current 8400 GS.

Not sure if you are aware of this either, but with Nvidia cards (8400, 9600, 9800) the first number represents the series type, and the second digit normally represents the performance level in that series. With that being said, an 8400 would be outperformed by an 8800, a 9600 by a 9800 etc..

I spent almost $300 for my 9800 awhile back, and have had no complaints with it. I watch HD movies on it, have played a number of graphic intensive games and really pushed it to it's limits and am pretty impressed with it.

Also, the 9800's are not the latest flavor of the month (or few months), and they have slowly came down in price. Well worth the money now.


Good Luck with whatever you choose,

bwest0703

I have an nvidia 9600Gt 512mb. It cost me about $150 at best buy a year ago. Sophomore maybe right with the price it has now but I can't say I'm sure. If your going to get a better card, I recommend you also get a better power supply to power the card. Without a power supply your card won't last very long.

Bwest0703 & xNova,

Thank you so much for replying to my thread and with your suggestions.

I know I said under $100.00, but I noticed at Best Buy for under $110 they have the newer GeForce GT 240 with 1 GB of DDR 3.

Also, for under $125.00 they have the GeForce 9800 GT with 1 GB of GDDR.

So say I dig a little deeper in my wallet (and who can't ever rationalize doing this)- which is better?

Not to mention, the Quadro NVS 290 sounds pretty cool- even though I don't understand half of the buzz words

Thanks,