Graphics Card/Power Supply Help

[Infused]

I want to buy a new graphics card and this is the one I had in mind BFG GeForce 9800 GTX+ OC 512MB PCI-E Video Card

I did a little looking around for prices on newegg and I came up with two more video cards that are similar but different in prices.

Zontac GeForce 9800 GTX
Evga GeForce 9800 GTX
BFG GeForce 9800 GTX+ OC on Newegg

The BFG card is obviosly better, and I'll probably end up buying that one, but is there really that much of a difference between the cards?

My second questions is the power supply. I'll definatly need to buy a new powersupply, but i don't want to spend a lot of money on it. I found this one on newegg - Apevia Power Supply - is it good enough to run the BFG card and why/why not?

[Wizrdwarts]

Re: Graphics Card/Power Supply Help

9800GTX+s have a die shrink from 65nm to 55nm. Or you could get a 4850 which is also 55nm and is in a similar price range.

Don't skimp on the PSU, it's not just the wattage that matters but the amperage too.

[=98=]

Re: Graphics Card/Power Supply Help

Yea, firstly, the power supply is one of the most important parts of your system. Do not skimp on buying one because if it breaks, it can fry the rest of your hardware. I would suggest either a Corsair TX or HX model.

For graphics, go with a ATI HD4850. It performs a lot better than the 9800gtx's and is either the same price or cheaper! The 98xx's are woefully underpowered.

[Eagle101]

Re: Graphics Card/Power Supply Help

yep skimping on a PSU is a bad move, a friend of mine is buying a PC, and i managed to convince him not to buy a cheap PSU. I would go with Alex's advice on this corsair seem to be very good in the PSU area. A 620HX or 650TX or the 550 i guess should handle it.

[Busby, Paul (Bicci)]

Re: Graphics Card/Power Supply Help

The only reason that i can see anyone wanting a Nvidia card at the moment is if they play crysis more than any other game. Get the 4850 and decent power supply.
As alex mentioned the corsair power supplys always come with a recommended sticker on them. Others i would recomend are antec earthwatts, seasonic S12, Xclio greatpower, tagen and silverstone.

[megawhompertoo]

Re: Graphics Card/Power Supply Help

if you're really pinched for cash, cooler master isn't crap

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171031

or a base model FSP (it only has one pci-e connection, meaning you'd have to use an adapter for the second if your card requires pci-e inputs...also only two sata connectors)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171031

both are $50, both have 2 +12v rails @ 18A (not simultaneously, mind you), but the CM has Active PFC.

...but you'd still do well to spend another $25

meh...here's a thermaltake (not the greatest, can't tell if it has active pfc) for $40 w/free shipping after a $30 rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153052

ocz might also be a good budget option with the rebate and free shipping. can't find any reviews, but they are advertising an 80% efficiency.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341012

edit, if you can muster up $100, here's a link to my favorite price/features in the antec line. it's got a quiet 120mm fan controlled by a thermal sensor, it will also ramp up a case fan via a dedicated molex, has an 85% efficiency rating, 2 pci-e cables, and all the bells and whistles. only con i can think of is that it takes some time to do cable management properly.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371001

[Busby, Paul (Bicci)]

Re: Graphics Card/Power Supply Help

Id like to know how the OCZ PSUs are because if they are as good as their RAM is then they are fantastic value for money!

[Eagle101]

Re: Graphics Card/Power Supply Help

I second that, never seen them out there much, i mean most of the people i know have Antecs/Coolermaster/ or Corsair.