Does the processor you choose still matter?

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 1:52 am

Yeah, I'd start with the video card in your situation. Though, I'm sure that you could get a minimum of 3ghz out of that processor (an extra 25%) with stock cooling & voltage. I've heard as much as 4ghz if you work at it.

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 10:04 am

So what would be a decent video card replacement around the $200 range?

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 2:50 pm

Radeon HD 7850 sells for around $200 now: http://tinyurl.com/9gb9dud

Not sure what the comparable Geforce card would be.

Executioner · Post by **Executioner** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 8:42 pm

Sounds like most of you guys run Radeon cards. When I bought my NVIDA card, it was the kick-ass card of the time for the price and performance.

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 6:58 pm

They swap back & forth. I just seem to be in the ATI rhythm.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Tue Sep 18, 2012 7:24 pm

Yeah I'm not married to one or the other. I have an ATI 5850 right now and I'm actually looking at upgrading to a Geforce 660.

I don't think there's that much of a difference in architecture anymore.

ZYFER · Post by **ZYFER** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 12:35 am

I have found better success when running the HDMI audio from an ATI card, I have no real tie to one of the other. Not many lifetime warranty companies left, XFX for Radeon or EVGA for Nvidia. Just make sure you register the card to get the warranty.

Well, if you get the XFX one, you get two games with it!

The Geforce GTX 660 and Radeon HD 7850 are about the same performance/price-wise.

My first AGP card was a Radeon, then ran Nvidia for awhile, then back to Radeon. Stuck with Nvidia for awhile because of BFG Tech, now since they are long gone, no particular attachments to Nvidia. The XFX card I have now has been treating me well, no complaints.

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:21 am

The HDMI audio on ATI cards can be a pain. Sometimes it wants to become your default sound card even if you're not using HDMI. I just disable it in device manager.

ZYFER · Post by **ZYFER** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 12:44 pm

Never had a problem, I can switch it back and forth whenever I choose. I have found if HDMI whether on laptops or destkops, when you have it set as default, when you plug it in, it automatically become default. But once you change it, it doesn't change back. I think most people don't unplug their HDMI cables when the desktop is still on.

normalicy · Post by **normalicy** » Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:11 pm

If I'm using a video card for HTPC use, I always grab ATI cards. They just seem to support TVs better. And I haven't had issues with the audio either (except for the early HDMI cards).