[mizsua]

Hello Computer Juice

I'm looking at upgrading my graphics card because I like gaming and most new games need a descent card to run.
I don't want to spend huge amounts of money but instead of just upgrading to the next level I would like to jump and few places so I don't have to upgrade all the time.

My computer spec is below and I would appreciate any suggestions.

INTEL P4 3.2GHZ DUAL CORE CPU
PCI-X P4 775 TWINS Motherboard
2x 1GB (1024MB) PC4200 DDR2 RAM
250GB SATA HDD, 16X +/- DVDRW DL Optical Drive
PCI EXPRESS GEFORCE 6600 512MB Graphics
WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL (OEM),

[thingie2]

What is your actual budget? saying you don't want to spend much could mean you don't want to spend more than £20, or it could mean, no more than £150, or maybe more.

[mizsua]

Hello thingie

I wouldn't want to spend anymore than £150 if possible.

Regards
Mizsua

[thingie2]

Ok, i'll have a look around, do you have a preference between ATI or Nvidia?

[thingie2]

Well if your looking for a Nvidia again, what I would recomend is either an 8800GT that are avaliable from about £105 depending on whether you want them factory overclocked or not, or the 8800GTS which are avaliable from about £140, again depending on if you want them factory overclocked or not.

[mizsua]

Thankyou Mr Thingie for your advice.

I've always used nVidia but if the ATI is just a s good I could try them. How do I tell when buying if it's been overclocked? I don't know if I would try this myself.

I'm assuming that I will have to get a better cooling system for a meater card. Also do you think by the spec I gave you that my motherboard etc will cope with this card.

Thanks again.
Mizsua

[thingie2]

Ok, well ATI cards are actually quite good at a very good price, so they might be better, however it is harder to compare the two companies because the same clock speed for both would provide different performace, I'll try finding some benchmarks for ATI vs Nvidia for that price range.

And yes, the graphics card should work with your current motherboard, however you might require a better power supply, depending on what you have at the moment.

[thingie2]

Infact, fromt he looks of these benchmarks, it seems that the ATI 4850 will be much better than the 8800GT, or GTS, and prices start at about £120 for the 4850. But it's also a choice whether you want to go ATI, or stick with Nvidia.

[serverguy]

Just get a 8800GT. There available for less than £100.

You'll notice a massive performance increase from a 6600.

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/134732

[Carbon]

How are the 4850 prices in the UK?