Video card upgrade or Windows 7?
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Bad Karma -> System Help
#1: Video card upgrade or Windows 7? Author: PastorDan, Location: Columbia, MD USA PostPosted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 4:17 pm
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Hey Guys,

I am wondering about upgrading my video card.

I just upgraded my monitor to an Acer "24 widescreen HD LCD 1920x1080.

My current video card is GeForce9500 GS 512 MB GDDR2 memory and my fps is really low if I try and push the full monitor (20-30 fps), so I have had to window the game screen, and lower the resolution to get it up into the 60s-70s.

Today I looked at a   EVGA 01G-P3-1145-TR GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card from Newegg.com for $135

What do you think of the card, and do I need a new powersupply too?

I am a Mac guy, so I don't know how all these PC parts work together.

Also someone mentioned that upgrading to Windows 7 might help in the fps too.  Would that be a better place to put my dollars than a new video card; funds are limited.  I have Windows Vista  Home Premium 64-bit right now.

These are some of the main specs of my system:

HP Pavilion Elite m9340f Desktop PC
Core 2 Quad Q6700 (K) 2.66 GHz
8 GB RAM
HD 750 GB SATA 3G, 7200 rpm



I greatly appreciate it.

PstorDan
#2: Re: Video card upgrade or Windows 7? Author: baument, Location: Central Illinois PostPosted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 5:07 pm
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Not sure on the vid card Dan, I run an 8800 GT and all my texture settings at their lowest. WIth Win XP I was getting around 60 fps, since moving to Win7 64bt I'm getting 125. I'm assuming it's the way that the OS works with graphics, not for sure on that one.

Be aware though that you may have software/hardware that won't work with Win 7 64bt. I was unaware that my  accounting software, scanner and printer wouldn't work with the new OS and as such it's going to cost alot more than I thought it was going to........

I do believe the move to a new OS is inevitable though so at some point, I suppose we all must bite the bullet and move.
#3: Re: Video card upgrade or Windows 7? Author: tet, Location: Washington PostPosted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 5:22 pm
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I believe the GTS 250 is just a rebranded, slightly tweaked 9800GT.  That said, I use the card myself with zero issues.  It works just fine. on my 24 inch Acer at 1920x1080.
#4: Re: Video card upgrade or Windows 7? Author: Hawkeye, Location: Connecticut PostPosted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 6:07 pm
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Is it the fps thing that's bothering you?
Are you talking about the fps in CoDWaW?.....you can see your fps in here go up by going to console and type \com_maxfps 0 and that will get you a little more...

there...I just save you $135.00.......I take cash or check....lol

Windows 7 is better than Vista, unless you're having issues then stick with it for now..as far as the video card, What power supply do you have now? You will need a 6 pin power plug for it and it can use up to 150 watts of power..Go to http://thermaltake.outervision.com/ and calculate your wattage you need to run your system.. If this PSU Calculator don't help, Google search it and you will find others..
#5: Re: Video card upgrade or Windows 7? Author: WannaB, Location: North Carolina PostPosted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 7:31 pm
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Hmm basically if your planning on playing Bad company 2 they at least recommend a GTX260;

Windows7 uses the processor for graphics when the graphics card cant keep up; So that's why your seeing a gain in fps;

Basically if you want to run your native resolution ( 1920x1080 ) your gonna have to spend a decent amount of money on a newer video card ( there going to be running directx 10 or 11 which is more demanding than 9 is )

Right now is kinda a bad time to buy a vid card ( due to intense price wars going on )

The higher the directx version the more visual eye candy there will be;

Ati if you wanna run directx11 right now ( be prepared to drop some money into a card... )
nvidia if your good with running directx10 and wanna save some money ( or wait till the end of march when prices should drop due to the new 400 series being released )
#6: Re: Video card upgrade or Windows 7? Author: Stingray, Location: Arkansas PostPosted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 4:34 pm
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I would go the video card rout first and I'm with WannaB on the GTX260 over the 250 it about $70 more and is much better than the 250! You never said how many amp your running on your power sup. make sure you read up on any card you getting to make sure you do not need to up date it and always go a little bigger than what need I learn that the hard way. One more thing NVIDIA new cards come out this month and should drop the prices on cards like the 250 and GTX 260 so wait and see if it happen, that is what I'm doing and yes I'm going to buy a GTX260.
Stingray
#7: Re: Video card upgrade or Windows 7? Author: PastorDan, Location: Columbia, MD USA PostPosted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 2:51 am
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Wow, guys!  Thanks for all the feedback.  It really helps me.
#8: Re: Video card upgrade or Windows 7? Author: WannaB, Location: North Carolina PostPosted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 3:55 am
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hah thats what us tech guys do ^_^

help people Razz
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