New graphics card recommendation

B

BaCkStAb!

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Hey all, the time has come to ugrade the old graphics card and I need some advice. I dont know the first thing about graphics cards or what to look for so I turn to you, oh gurus of the tech forum to guide me. Im looking for a decent card able to run BF3 :w00t:

Budget ~$225

Size IS an issue. My tower is fairly small, a card around 7.5 inches long or less would be ideal.

Computer Specs:
Intel Core 2 Quad Core Q8300 @2.5GHz
Raidmax 630 Watt PSU PCI-E
8 Gigs RAM


Motherboard: Pegatron Benicia
Chipset: Intel P35/G33/G31
Southbridge: Intel 82801IR (ICH9R)
LPCIO: Fintek F8000


Current Graphics Card: ATI Radeon X1600 512mb
 
I doubt there are any 'good' cards that are below 20cm. Might be wrong though.

If you're going to buy that good of a GPU you might also want to overclock your CPU to avoid any bottenecking
 
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This seems right up your alley; the only problem being that it's about an inch bigger than you're asking for at 8.5", though it will save you a fair amount of money (it's nearly $100 under budget, and more than half your budget after MIR), and should nicely match the rest of your specs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...4150447&cm_re=5770_xfx-_-14-150-447-_-Product

If a card that's 8.25" will fit, I would recommend a GTX 460, though I don't think you'll need that much horsepower after the limitations of the rest of your rig...: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130571
 
Ph?bus said:
That's what she said. :lol:

There aren't any good cards that fit your size requirement, sadly.
Click to expand...

HAHAHA you win comment of the day! :thumbup:

But as far as size is concerned ill go into my tower and see how much room i can fit, maybe 8 inches, its a small HP desktop. I guess right now i would just like some recommendations for good cards that arent too big

Thanks for the help so far everyone! :thumbup1:
 
After a bit of measuring I have determined that an 8" card should fit with a little left over wiggle room, after that some chords are in the way and it probably wont fit without some tweaking. so what do you guys recommend?
 
thanks for the suggestion ddily, but that card probably wont fit. Im leaning towards the GTX460. shouldnt have a problem running with my specs should it?
 
As long as you have an open PCI Express 2.0 slot, you have more than enough wattage to cover a single 460. I'd check to make sure it will connect to your power supply pins, toom just to be 100% safe. You should be okay, however.

FYI, it's about 1/4 of an inch over 8" (8.25" of total width) versus a 5770's 8.5", so you may want to do some cable management before you plug it in!
 
or you could just spend $40 and buy a new case.

something like this would fit pretty much any card:
[ame]http://www.amazon.com/GAMMA-Classic-Interior-Chassis-Black/dp/B002UDK9U6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1305259023&sr=8-1[/ame]
 
the gama is a nice case plus if u call nzxt u can get a clear side for the case. but i would of leaned to the 5770 it would of been much nicer. not saying the 460gtx is. personally the 460gtx is over kill for the specs of ur comp. just saying in my view. but upgrade in the future ur case like i gave u three gud cases personally go for the gama its the same case as the m59. they both can hold 10in card even the destoyer will to.
 
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The only problem is that I think 8.5" is too big for his current case. However, if he goes for a 5770, he has plenty enough left over cash to pick up the case that reflex suggested, and that will have MORE than enough room to plug a 5770 into and it will match his current specs nicely, imho.
 
well that is corrected but the originally suggestion i will take for getting a new case. ur oprion is gama,m59 or destroyer. for cases there others out there but they r the best atm. i do agree with u runo but i would do a complete over hale. basically upgrade the whole system. it would help in the long run if u want to get the max performace of ur comp. idk intel that well i cant say much but looking at the cpu spec it like a nerf amd phenom 820 knocked down some ghz. looking to budget upgrade if u can affored it go bulldozer if not try to stay in phenom like the 820 i know i know for the ppl who MUST THINK THAT ALL CPU MUST HAVE A L3 CACHE this cpu aint that bad. but consider upgradeing ur
1. Gpu
2. Case
3. hardware
 
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did i say 820 srry about that i ment the 840 but yes reflex thank you the 820 does have the l3 cache not the 840
 
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It still wouldn't be worth "upgrading" from a C2Q to a lower end phenom.
 
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