Please suggest good graphics card for my system.

Hi,

I am upgrading my graphics card, but confused which one will suit my machine configuration.
My budget is $200-$250.

Current Graphics Card: nvidia Quadro 1700 512 MB

System is Dell Precision T3400
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0 GHz
Motherboard: Dell (Intel X38 Chipset)
RAM: 2 x 1GB 667MHz.
Power Supply: Dell 375Watt.

If needed, I will change power supply also.
Please suggest graphics cards which will suit my system. Also if any other component (like RAM) needs to be changed for this, please mention.

you'd need a power supply also.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139027

and a 6850 would probably be the most powerful gpu you'd want to get with your system.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6814131374

Hi,

I was thinking about 6950 (2GB). Will it be too much for my system...?

Also, please let me know if I am buying 6960 (2GB) GPU, then will my Core 2 Duo Processor (E8400 3.0 GHz) Or my RAM (667 MHz) will be bottleneck for this card.

Depends on your gaming resolution also, what's the max resolution of your monitor? A 6950 might be too much for your system if you have a low resolution monitor.
Also, you gotta tell us if you're obsessed with gaming at high quality and max setting or you just want to see a game smooth with a fast motion?
Anyway, the Dell precision is a workstation machine upgradable to up to a Core 2 Extreme, you can find a used one on ebay but it would be expensive.
Also, if you're considering the HD 6950, you must have at least a Quality 450W PSU with 2 PCIE 6 pins power connectors, your machine comes with either a 375W or 525W PSU. Make sure you have that 525W PSU or you'll have to upgrade your PSU.

don't bother with 2gb even if you get an HD monitor its not going to help.

At that resolution a 6850 would be fine.But if you are planning to upgrade your monitor then the 6950 would be more futureproof.

I thought if I buy 6950, in the future while upgrading my machine I will need other parts only
I agree what you said that if I go with lower GPU, then I can save more for my upgrades.

Ok, so if I go with 6770/90, will I be able to play most of games with max settings and 1280 x 1024 resolution.

I checked comparison between 6770 and 6850. Think its good spending $50 more and be more futureproof with having 6850. So almost finalized for Sapphire HD 6850.

My current power supply is 375W. So definitely I'll need one. But how much will I need. I am not going to CrossFire. So how much HD6850 will add to power consumption?

@esrever
Dell PSUs are not bad quality ones, and he has a Dell workstation machine it differs from the home user and entertainment category, check your facts.

And the BIOS in Prebuilt machines is locked so it won't allow overclocking, if you mean overclocking the GPU it won't need that much and it's not worthy with the HD 6850.

@OP, 375W is fine for the whole system with the HD 6850, totay system power with the GPU in ull stress doesn't exceed 290W, a new PSU also is welcomed as long as you'll benefit from it in the new upgrade, but make sure you get at least a 700/750W quality branded one in case you went for a high end GPUs in CF/SLI.

You are right, bios in my machine is locked so no question of overclocking.

With this 375w PSU, there is one 6 pin connector (which shows 75W output in user manual) and it is not connected to any part right now. Also 6850 requires 1 x 6 pin connector (75W).

So if I connect 6850 to this PSU, are there any chances to go something wrong like power shortage (not sure whether it will happen or not). In worst case, if it happens, can it damage any of my hardware?

May be I used wrong term .
So I will buy HD 6850. Thank you very much guys.
ilysaml and esrever both of you did lot of help