Getting a new video card

[slewey]

So, my girlfriend is insisting on buying me a video card (if I refuse she'll do it anyway...seriously).

The PC I have is a HP Desktop:

Q6600 2.4 GHZ
4GB RAM
9500 GS 512 MB

I gave in to letting her buy it, and knowing her...she'll get whatever is most expensive, so I'm trying to get something that's the best bang for the buck.

I'm considering the GTX260 cause it seems to be one of the most powerful, yet affordable video cards which is pretty good value in my opinion.

My concerns are:

1. I understand there are different manufacturers (like EVGA or BFG) and models but whats one of the efficient ones out there?

2.POWER SUPPLY! Exactly how much juice do I need to run the GTX260?

3. Do I need additional cooling fans/equipment?

[DTard]

check newegg.com
should have all your answers there :D

[FRAGious]

1. If you're not gonna overclock and you're not a Silent PC freak (like me), it doesn't really matter. Club 3D and ASUS are most commonly the cheapest and produce very good graphic cards.

2. How much juice you got?

3. Just remember to connect additional power directly to the card

Very nice choice of graphics card, btw. You won't regret it

[Goldkills]

EVGA makes some of the best Nvidia cards right now in my house we own 2 of them they have a lifetime warranty and a step up program also you can google the watts needed for the GTX260(about 500W i would get better tho) and no you dont need better fans the stock fans work really good on auto speed.

[slewey]

The problem is I have no idea how much power my PSU supplies, being a HP desktop I'm assuming I'll need a better one.

[DTard]

alot of the time, with extremely good video cards, you need a separate power supply...

I'm just waiting till that basically becomes standard xD

[Goldkills]

The problem is I have no idea how much power my PSU supplies, being a HP desktop I'm assuming I'll need a better one.
you can check by looking at the sticker on the PSU.

[arienh4]

My new GTX260 just arrived today, will probably install tomorrow. I'll give more info ASAP.

[knowitall]

You're better off getting a new power supply anyway. I wouldn't really trust a stock HP psu. You can pick up this one at an amazing deal right now though.

http://www.amazon.com/PC-Power-Cooling-S75CF-Cross fire/dp/B000VVVNNQ?tag=slickdeals (http://www.amazon.com/PC-Power-Cooling-S75CF-Crossfire/dp/B000VVVNNQ?tag=slickdeals)

[mynameisthad000]

Sounds like you already have a pretty nice system, but you will need a lot of power, just read the reviews for the card you want to get on newegg.com

[Shleeb]

9800 gt. Good price.

[Shleeb]

Also, I have similar specs to yours except I have a 9800 gt and I can play Crysis Warhead with 30+ fps on Gamer.

[Goldkills]

the diff. from a 9500gt to a 9800gt is not that big you would get more bank for the buck from a GTX260 or a 9800GTX+