[Solved] Well-supported and powerful video card?

mDuo13 · 2010-09-07 04:00:08

I'm sick of dealing with Catalyst updates breaking my system and crashing Starcraft 2, so I'm thinking I'll buy a new card for my rig. I want to get something that'll work better and make my life easier.

So I'm looking for a desktop (PCI-e) video card, probably nVidia, that can replace my current Radeon HD 5770. I'd like something relatively quiet and not too power-greedy (this PC is right next to my bed and on 24/7) but powerful enough to support my two monitors, play back 1080P h.264 easily, and do some occasional gaming, the most extreme of which would be SC2 in WINE (I don't need to max out the settings, but a good framerate with more-than-minimum settings would be nice.)

My price range is flexible. Maybe around $200, preferably less, but I'd spend a bit more if it's justified.

So: what are you guys using that's working well for you? Anyone have any recommendations on what card to buy?

EDIT: I ended up getting a GTX 460. It's everything I wanted - quiet, powerful, good driver support. Well, I haven't confirmed yet that Starcraft 2 runs without crashing (as it had a habit of doing under my 5770) but at least it runs unlike under the most recent ATI drivers.

Last edited by mDuo13 (2010-09-10 04:46:14)

flamelab · 2010-09-07 06:09:18

I would highly recommend a GTX460. You won't have any issue on both Windows and Linux. It is powerful and not warm like the older Fermi ones.

Barghest · 2010-09-07 06:49:59

For what I've heard the MSI GTX460 Cyclone is a nice video card that's very quiet. Will be my next card, too.

alecmg · 2010-09-07 07:39:58

I think you are better off staying with 5770. I'm quite happy with mine, once set up Catalyst drivers work flawlessly for me. But I don't game in Wine.

Everything nVidia has to offer consumes two to three times more power.

My next card is one of upcoming 6xxx series from ATI

Gusar · 2010-09-07 08:00:13

alecmg wrote:

Everything nVidia has to offer consumes two to three times more power.

Back that up with some facts, please. From what I know, apart from the first two Fermies (GTX480 and GTX470), Nvidia cards are not resource hungry monsters. The GTX460 consumes 160W at full load, for example. So yeah, some facts, please.

So, mDuo13, get a GTX460 if you've got the $200. Nvidia works great with wine, and with VDPAU you get guaranteed working hardware video decoding, a guarantee you won't get with radeon. If you do get the MSI Cyclone though, you better have a lot of room in your computer case, that thing is *huge*: http://www.guru3d.com/imageview.php?image=25072

Last edited by Gusar (2010-09-07 08:05:54)

stefanwilkens · 2010-09-07 09:32:03

I actually have the GTX460 Cyclone, driver support is excellent. I should note I'm running 32 bit

I'm surprised people advertise ATI cards as a well-supported option, did I miss the memo where catalyst is now announced to be up to date? I would very much advise anybody considering ATI (AMD) video cards on linux to read this topic:
https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=57084&p=93

mDuo13 · 2010-09-07 17:14:53

Luckily my case is hueg so I'm not worried about anything not fitting. I will probably spring for this card in particular.

Skripka · 2010-09-07 17:17:31

mDuo13 wrote:

Luckily my case is hueg so I'm not worried about anything not fitting. I will probably spring for this card in particular.

Measure with a tape. Nvidia cards can want 10.5" of length from PCi slot cover to the end of the card.

Another vote for Nvidia. I'm still happy with my 2 year old GTX260...Switched to dual monitor in the last month or so. Happy as a clam under Linux.

Last edited by Skripka (2010-09-07 17:22:45)

mDuo13 · 2010-09-10 04:50:48

My card (the aforementioned GTX 460) arrived. I installed it today with no hitches. Everything worked great except it took me a couple tries to get Starcraft 2 to run (it initially crashed because it couldn't resize my Twinview desktop). I fixed it by creating a Metamode in the nvidia-settings utility where I turned my secondary monitor to "Off". Just switch metamodes, open SC2, and switch metamodes again when done. I may come up with an even simpler solution eventually, but in general, I'm super-happy with how effortless it was getting everything installed, set up, and configured.

And as to the comments on the size of the card - this card is not small at 9.5" or something, but that's comparable to the 5770 I had before and like I said, my case is HUGE. I had like 6 inches to spare behind the card. XD That said, people with ordinary cases probably should measure.

Last edited by mDuo13 (2010-09-10 04:51:08)

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#1 2010-09-07 04:00:08

[Solved] Well-supported and powerful video card?

#2 2010-09-07 06:09:18

Re: [Solved] Well-supported and powerful video card?

#3 2010-09-07 06:49:59

Re: [Solved] Well-supported and powerful video card?

#4 2010-09-07 07:39:58

Re: [Solved] Well-supported and powerful video card?

#5 2010-09-07 08:00:13

Re: [Solved] Well-supported and powerful video card?

#6 2010-09-07 09:32:03

Re: [Solved] Well-supported and powerful video card?

#7 2010-09-07 17:14:53

Re: [Solved] Well-supported and powerful video card?

#8 2010-09-07 17:17:31

Re: [Solved] Well-supported and powerful video card?

#9 2010-09-10 04:50:48

Re: [Solved] Well-supported and powerful video card?

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