Graphics Card?

[tthor]

I've been using my PC as my primary game console, and I'm thinking about asking for a graphics card for Christmas. My computer is a <link=http://whp-java.extweb.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01905330&tmp_track_link=ot_recdoc/c01635734/en_cn/c01905330/loc:4&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=cn#N23>HP Pavilion p6214y PC, with the standard nVidia GeForce 9100 graphics card. I don't necessarily want a beast of a card, but maybe something a bit better for gaming. any suggestions?

Edit: also, feel free to say how strongly you stand behind your suggested graphics card (have you used it, how well it works for you, etc)
And, feel free to suggest a new power supply

for a budget, i guess maybe about $300 max, preferably in the 150-200$ range

 

[SimuLord]

You almost have to look at the games you're buying, since a fair few of them take advantage of nVidia's onboard PhysX? processing, something that gets offloaded onto the main CPU if you're using a Radeon.

Plus, Radeon drivers are crap---I have a Radeon HD5670 in my rig and games that never used to give my 2007-issue nVidia 8800GT trouble start hanging, crashing, and dropping frames on a Radeon of much higher caliber (Fallout 3 in particular really doesn't seem to like Radeon cards.)

I'd say go with nVidia at any rate.

EDIT: Also, as others have said, replace that power supply. HP is notorious for making REALLY shitty power supplies standard in their PCs (I will never buy from them again because they make such substandard products---I had a gaming PC sold to me in 2001 that had---really---a 200W power supply. Of course, the sales-idiot said it was 350. No wonder CompUSA is out of business.)

 

[Marasmic]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150501

 

[TheComedown]

Whats your budget? The rest of the computer is pretty decent, except the power supply. A 300W won't cut it with any graphics card that's actually worth spending the money on. Most mid range cards ask for at least 450W.

 

[Infinatex]

Plus, Radeon drivers are crap---I have a Radeon HD5670 in my rig and games that never used to give my 2007-issue nVidia 8800GT trouble start hanging, crashing, and dropping frames on a Radeon of much higher caliber (Fallout 3 in particular really doesn't seem to like Radeon cards.)

I've had the exact same problem... but switch Radeon with nVidia :S Why is the world so confusing!

So I'd say go with Radeon at any rate.

snip

What games and at what settings? Without getting new power supply you won't be able to get some of the more powerful cards.

 

[Stoic raptor]

I had a computer with that EXACT same card.

It was ok, I guess, but I needed better.
After a year used to those graphics, I got a Radeon HD5670 for about $100

And it blew me away. Apparently from previous posts its not good, but from what I was used to, it blew my mind. I still love it.

Here is usual standards. AMD have more bang for your buck with cheaper card that work pretty good.
But nvidia usually has less problems, and more expensive.

 

[Delusibeta]

Here's Tom's Hardware's guide to graphics cards. [http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-radeon-hd-6870-radeon-hd-6850,2782.html] Recommendations for most budgets. Also, seconding the suggestion to upgrade the power supply.

 

[TheComedown]

You almost have to look at the games you're buying, since a fair few of them take advantage of nVidia's onboard PhysX? processing, something that gets offloaded onto the main CPU if you're using a Radeon.

Plus, Radeon drivers are crap---I have a Radeon HD5670 in my rig and games that never used to give my 2007-issue nVidia 8800GT trouble start hanging, crashing, and dropping frames on a Radeon of much higher caliber (Fallout 3 in particular really doesn't seem to like Radeon cards.)

I'd say go with nVidia at any rate.

I think you'll find that when running PhysX games on ATI cards that the stuff that uses PhysX simply isn't rendered.

Yeah, ATI can't write drivers for shit, I had constant driver issues with my old ATI, one set of drivers work for some games, but not others and other drivers worked for others, but not some. Constant pain in the butt.

Agreed OP go with Nvidia, its worth the little extra dosh over the ATIs, but again look into a new power supply first.

 

[TheComedown]

Edit: also, feel free to say how strongly you stand behind your suggested graphics card (have you used it, how well it works for you, etc)
And, feel free to suggest a new power supply

You haven't listed a budget??? So, I recommend you go for something like the Antek true power quarto 1200W and a GTX 480 (my set up) or now the 580 is out you could go for that.