Need some quick advice on replacement for dead 8600GT

I was out of town for Thanksgiving and came home to find no video on my desktop. Pulled my 8600GT and 4 caps are blown. I'm not equipped, nor do I have the desire, to replace the caps, so I need a new card.

I haven't played a game on my desktop in years. The last game was Starcraft, not very graphics intensive. If Starcraft 2 ever comes out, I might want to play that.

What I do the most is using my desktop primarily for internet and RAW processing my DSLR pictures. I'm also going to be purchasing an AVCHD based camcorder (to replace my HDV unit) and will be doing basic work with AVCHD clips. Every once and a while I need to re-encode some small video I've downloaded online for use on my iPhone.

I'm looking to spend $100 tops. My goal is to have something no worse than my 8600GT, but ideally better. I don't have any preference towards nVidia or ATI.

PS: Current system is a 2.4ghz C2D on Asus P5K Deluxe. I'll be upgrading sometime in 2010 to Core i7, or maybe i9 if it's cheap enough.

9600GT should fit nicely, or a 4850 if you can find one cheap enough.

Originally Posted by SicKlown42012

9600GT should fit nicely, or a 4850 if you can find one cheap enough.

Wait. You don't know what his PSU is... 8600GT doesn't need PCI-E power but the above cards do need it.

OP: I suggest the HD4670.

PSU is a Corsair HX520 modular PSU. There are 5 7200RPM Seagate HDD's in the case (4 in RAID5 on an Adaptec 5405, 1 standalone), and my OS drive is a 10k RPM RaptorX. There is also a Intel GigE PCI NIC in the case and there are 4 case fans (2x80mm, 2x120mm). 1 DVD+-RW drive. Nothing else in there except stuff on the motherboard.

Oh yea, last thing I forgot to mention, I don't want a graphics card that will have some hugely loud and annoying fan.

woops, doublepost

4670 will certainly do you for keeping the power requirements and the noise low.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121324
Passive 9600GT.

9600GT is still my recommendation. It's surprisingly powerful considering the power and temperature envelop. It'll last you until you upgrade to the I7, and potentially even longer, depending on if Blizzard puts alot of graphical "jazz" into Starcraft 2. My money is on the 9600GT being more than enough for that one game.

Been looking at the recommended cards. A card that needs dedicated power lead isn't going to be an issue, so I'm not concerned with that. My biggest concern in reading reviews on ATI cards is the drivers. There are a lot of complaints. I'm running Windows 7 64bit, would I have issues with ATI drivers? I haven't had any issues with nVidia drivers with my 8600GT (up until it died)

No issues with Win 7 , have Ati cards in all my rigs, from 4870's to 5870's

Originally Posted by HDClown

Been looking at the recommended cards. A card that needs dedicated power lead isn't going to be an issue, so I'm not concerned with that. My biggest concern in reading reviews on ATI cards is the drivers. There are a lot of complaints. I'm running Windows 7 64bit, would I have issues with ATI drivers? I haven't had any issues with nVidia drivers with my 8600GT (up until it died)

I've gone from nvidia to ATI and really I didn't have any issues with drivers. Keep in mind that only those with problems are going to be vocal, and both sides have their fair share of driver issues.

You might be able to find a 4770 for that price, which would be a sweet upgrade, or maybe a 4830 or 9800/8800 GT (its the same card)

I have some clearance issues with a full length card in my case. It would interfere with the SATA connectors on the motherboard, as well as the cables that run from my RAID card up to the HDD"s in the middle of the tower. So I'm looking at something like a 4670, perhaps one of these:

XFX - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150449
HIS Silent - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161288

There is also a selection of 9600GT cards that would work as well.

My recommendation would be either a 4850, 4770, or 9800GT. One of those shouldn't be hard to find for under $100.

It looks like I'm going to go with a 4670 right now, a ferw options around $75, which makes the most sense cash wise right now. With how fast the video card market changes, it didn't make sense to go any higher.

I've pinpointed based on reviews for quiet cards.

HIS - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161287
Gigabyte - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125277

The HIS is listed out of stock, but I've found ti a few other places that say in-stock for only $6 more.

I don't know anything about graphics cards these days with reference designs, needs for manufacturers driver vs. ATI's reference drivers, etc. Recommedations on which of these 2 cards to go with?