It's all good.

**Bolkonsky** · March 05, 2011, 08:13 AM

So I bought an EVGA 450 (GTS) and installed it (which required extensive case modification, as the DVI port was too close to the top of my slots, and there wasn't enough room for my cables) and the computer boots up with it, but when I try to install the drivers, no matter where I get them (both from disk and from teh internetz) they don't install. Every time it says "Install Failed" I removed everything (drivers and hardware) that could be conflicting, but the bloody things don't install. My PSU meets the specs (600W) and everything is plugged in all the way, including the 6 Pin PCI-E plug. Also, running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit. When I try manually installing the driver, Windows recognizes that it's a GTS 450, but then says that it encountered an error installing the drivers, and it goes back to a VGA Display Adapter.

Halp?

Old Post

So the way the economy is going, and after seeing some Unreal 3.9 screens, I decided it's probably about time to upgrade my GPU. I'm completely broke, so it'll be a bit, but I start working in a week or two, so I'm not too worried about that.

I'm running a pair of GeForce 9500 GT's in SLI, (1gb) and they've served me well, but as the minimum system requirements on the last generation of games is now the 8800 GT, and since I don't know if I'll have cash for an upgrade too far in the future, I'd like to upgrade my graphics card.

Here's the catch though. I'd like to keep it as low as possible, and certainly not anything over $100. I'd also like to stick with nVidia since I have my whole rig decked out with their stuff, and I'm hoping (I don't know if it's possible, I haven't looked into it) to be able to use a 9500 GT as a dedicated PhysX card as well, but that's not a big deal if I can't. (I don't expect to. I know you can't mix GPUs with SLI, but I'm not sure about ded. phsyx cards.) I'd also like to get something with some DX11 capability, if possible, but I'll settle for DX10 if it's a good enough card.

Spoiler for my rig:

So far I've found these:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...633&CatId=3670
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...523&CatId=1826
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...618&CatId=3670
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...618&CatId=3670 (I'd rather not get an overclocked one, but it depends.)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...736&CatId=2306
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...000&CatId=3670
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...719&CatId=3669

I know that you're probably saying "None of those are gaming cards, blah blah blah" but I'm not a graphics w****, I'm just looking for an upgrade that will allow me to play upcoming games at decent (mid-low) settings like I'm doing now. Also, keep in mind I'm playing at 1400x900 and that won't be going up any time soon.

Here's what I'm playing at now:

Spoiler Alert, click show to read:

More

I'd appreciate any input!

**mrcrusty** · March 05, 2011, 08:29 AM

I'd recommend this.

Unfortunately, you will go a notch over $100, even after the rebate.

The thing is, it's a much better proposition value for money wise in terms of performance, especially against the HTPC cards (GT 430, 440).

But out of your list, I'd go for the Galaxy GTS 250 model.

**Bolkonsky** · March 05, 2011, 09:04 AM

That'd only be $103 (with shipping) after the rebate. I have the money to put down, so if I get it back in the rebate, I'll be satisfied. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll keep it in mind.

As for the GTS 250, would you recommend getting a pair of those, or do you think it won't make a difference?

Also, with the msi GeForce GT 430, I know it's a general purpose card, but considering my small res, do you think getting a gaming card vs an HTPC would make a huge difference? (Plus I've got a rather weak CPU.)

EDIT: Also, I've got a 600 (up to 650) Watt PSU, in case anyone's wondering.

**Big Boss** · March 05, 2011, 10:07 AM

For a bit more it might be worth trying to bump your budget for this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187116

**Bolkonsky** · March 05, 2011, 03:32 PM

Thanks, but $100 is my absolute limit. Also, I'm not a big Sparkle fan.

**Bolkonsky** · March 05, 2011, 04:29 PM

I ended up going with this one:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=ITD&body=MAIN

After a lot of research. It's for ~the same price, and has slightly higher clocks than the Zotac, plus I read a ton of bad things about the Zotac warranties and rebates. It seems like no one got theirs. Thanks for the input!

EDIT: It has 89 reviews. There's no 1 star reviews, one 2 star review, and one 3 star review.

Here's the two start review:

I figured I'd loose my GT260 and put 2 of these in SLI in my system for World of warcraft and for secopnd life, the Single 260 blows two of these away, must be why they are only $80.00

And here's the three star review:

I got this hoping for an ok improvement over my dated 9800gt. And what i got was pretty much the same gaming experience. I mostly play MMo's and get an average of 20-30 fps. I can up the settings a bit more over my 9800gt...but not enough to make the card worth the upgrade. If your looking for a decent performer...go with the 460 instead.

I would buy it just based on those alone, forget the specs.

**Ataegina** · March 10, 2011, 05:29 PM

i had once a gts 250 1gb and it would ONLY deserve the money if it was like 2-3 years ago and with low budget also many of those i.e gts 250 is stuck with dx 10, dont buy those you're throwing money away.

with a mere +50$ you get much better cards wich will be put to good use on next 3 years

**Bolkonsky** · March 11, 2011, 10:38 PM

So I bought an EVGA 450 (GTS) and installed it (which required extensive case modification, as the DVI port was too close to the top of my slots, and there wasn't enough room for my cables) and the computer boots up with it, but when I try to install the drivers, no matter where I get them (both from disk and from teh internetz) they don't install. Every time it says "Install Failed" I removed everything (drivers and hardware) that could be conflicting, but the bloody things don't install. My PSU meets the specs (600W) and everything is plugged in all the way, including the 6 Pin PCI-E plug. Also, running Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit. When I try manually installing the driver, Windows recognizes that it's a GTS 450, but then says that it encountered an error installing the drivers, and it goes back to a VGA Display Adapter.

Anyone have any ideas?

**Bolkonsky** · March 13, 2011, 12:06 PM

I reinstalled Windows 7, it's all good now.

Spoiler for Everything looks great!:

It can play ArmA II with EVERYTHING on highest settings at 24 FPS. I hate motion blur, so I turned down Post-Processing, and I'm getting over 30 FPS, which is great.

Thanks for the advice, everyone!