What Vid. Card?

[Animoso]

Hi, I'm a newbie to desktop system and I just purchased
a desktop with basic details below:

*Motherboard: n68c- S UCC/ nvidia GeForce 7025/nforce 630a chipset
*Processor: AMD x2- Tech who assembled my Tower unlocked it and accordingly it's now x4

**i didn't install video card because, I still want to get some feedbacks or information from
all you guys expert on this.

Questions:

1. From the processors box, the recommended vid. card is ATI Radeon to "accordingly" experience the "Vision" technology (maybe it's referring to great result because of compatibility. Now, is it okay if I install ATI RADEON though the motherboard's box says
nvidia GeForce 7025? (Which I think would recommend nvidia video card)
**What Video Card should I install based from your experience or with the system I have?

2. How's Power supply affect Video Card and what is it, where it's located and what do you guys recommend?

3. What's recommended power supply
for the best video card that I should install based on the system I currently have?

Thanks In advance!
Hope to hear from you Gurus out there real soon... :)
Can't wait to install my fave games, but still can't since I still don't have my vid. card. :(

[PrairieDawg]

Re: What Vid. Card?

You are confused dude. The "nVidia GeForce 7025" is what is already built into your motherboard as onboard graphics. You do have a pci express x16 slot so you should be able to use either ATI or nVidia pci express video cards without issue so long as you disable the onboard video. Others here may be able to recommend a preferred card to match your system without being overkill. See here for specs on your motherboard: ASRock > Products > N68C-S UCC . The power supply you require will depend on what video card you choose to go with as well as your number of hard drives, amount of RAM etc. etc. These days I would avoid any power supply less than about 600 watts as well as buying a good brand.

[Animoso]

Re: What Vid. Card?

You are confused dude. The "nVidia GeForce 7025" is what is already built into your motherboard as onboard graphics. You do have a pci express x16 slot so you should be able to use either ATI or nVidia pci express video cards without issue so long as you disable the onboard video. Others here may be able to recommend a preferred card to match your system without being overkill. See here for specs on your motherboard: ASRock > Products > N68C-S UCC . The power supply you require will depend on what video card you choose to go with as well as your number of hard drives, amount of RAM etc. etc. These days I would avoid any power supply less than about 600 watts as well as buying a good brand.

Thanks Dude! yES, you are right. I'm cofused! Haha I don't know all this things but I want to have pc that are same like the gamers.
I don't know how to interpret the specs and come up with what's the best video card
for my system, what vid. card do you recommend that would perfectly match my system and still current one of the best performer?

[rockyjohn]

Re: What Vid. Card?

There are a wide range of video cards that might meat your needsd, but the choice is largely a matter of personal preference.

What games do you want to play and with what settings?
What is the resolution of your monitor?
What is your budget or price range?

To be help define your personal preferences and gaming video card requirements, I suggest you take a look at several pages at upgradevideocards.com, particularly:

Updating Video Card - Defining Personal Preferences and System Requirements
Best Video Card Uogrades for Non-gaming Use
Best Video Card Upgrades for Gaming

Just to give you a rough idea here are three good cards:

1. GTS 450 - $107 - Mainstream card that does an excellent job at most games with light settings and monitor up to 21"
Newegg.com - ASUS ENGTS450/DI/1GD5 GeForce GTS 450 (Fermi) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

2. HD 6850 - $185 - Entry level enthusiast card that allows for some higher settings and larger monitor with resolution up to 1920x1200
Newegg.com - XFX HD-685X-ZDFC Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

3 GTX 560 Ti - newly release card for mid level enthusiast that that plays many games at higher settings
Newegg.com - ASUS ENGTX560 TI DCII/2DI/1GD5 GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

There are top level enthusiast cards costing up to about $500, and at budgets at above about $350 some players start using two high powered cards on one board. So you see there is a quite a range and you need to provide the information requested above for more guidance.

[profJim]

Re: What Vid. Card?

^^^Good advice!

Many top tier sites like AnandTech and Tom's Hardware have articles and/or reviews that recommend the best bang for the buck from HTPC to mid to higher end systems. Check out the AnandTech Buyer's Guides which are updated every 2 - 3 months.

Another possible consideration is video encoding performance and speed. In an AnandTech article covering video cards, there was a significant difference with encoding speed and quality from similar mid-range cards where the Nvidia card offered lower encoding times, but the comparable Radeon card had superior video quality.

Most of the better video card reviews compare the performance of the reviewed card with similar cards that are a bit below and a bit above the card that they're evaluating.

***EDIT***
If your system supports dual video cards for additional performance, your motherboard needs to support:

• SLI for Nvidia cards
• CrossFire for ATI Radeon cards

Most lower price motherboards will support only one format, some motherboards support both formats.

Happy card shopping!
Let us know what card you choose.

[shivXt]

Re: What Vid. Card?

@animoso
1.Power supply is a box like component which draws electricity from the ups{which draws frm wall socket in ur house} and gives to other parts of ur pc which work in the cabinet.
2.It is located inside ur pc's cabby at the top or base of rear.
3.You should have atleast 500w psu for midrange gaming.
4.As stated above tell us ur budget, where u live and screen resolution.