Computer Assembly - How To Assemble A PC
The Video Card
For high performance video cards, the NVIDIA line has nudged out the ATI models for top honors. For an overview of computer video cards and which ones I think are best, see my How to build a computer like My Super PC - Video Card page. The one I chose is the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB DDR3 video card.
The contents of the retail box includes a CD which contains the video card drivers and a y-split power connector for connecting the video card directly to the power supply. Not all video cards need this direct connection to the power supply to operate effectively, but most high-end video cards do.
A close-up of the video card. Nearly the entire face of the video card is covered by cooling components, such as the fan.
Inspect the video card. Too often I've seen my retail boxed video card arrive with the issue circled in yellow in the picture below, in spite of being protected and held securely in place inside the retail box with molded plastic. Namely the slot cover of the video card is bent as shown. It should be straight. You should be able to straighten it reasonably well with just your hands.
A second issue is to check whether the fan is covered by a thin, transparent, plastic film. This film is very easy to miss. In this picture, you don't really notice it.
But it's there! Peel it back and remove it. It gets pretty hot inside the PC, and this thin plastic film doesn't look like it would hold up too well under heat. It certainly wouldn't be good if it got into the fan vents or other computer components.
My complete recommendations for building a computer with quality components at unbeatable
prices is on my home page at
Build A Computer
Like My Super PC - Cost To Build A Computer. Here again are the recommendations for a video card!
| Description
| Where I Would Get It Today
| Today's Price
| Comments
|
| EVGA GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 896MB DDR3 |
Newegg
|
$247.99 |
Free shipping!
Retail box. Clicking the link takes you directly to it.
A GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 video card like this one is great for demanding graphics environments, including digital video and top-tier gaming, without spending too much. DirectX 10 support built-in. PCI-E 2.0 compliant. SLI compatible. Fast DDR3 memory. Power supply of 500-watts or better recommended. Does use an extra slot. Uses two 6-pin PCI-E power connectors from the power supply (the Antec Sonata III comes with two).
|
| HIS Hightech HD 4850 512MB DDR3 |
Newegg
|
$149.99 |
Retail box. Clicking the link takes you directly to it.
Price reflects this $10 rebate good on purchases through December 31.
This single-slot card is able to play any top-tier game.
DirectX 10.1 support built-in. PCI-E 2.0 compliant. CrossFireX compatible. Fast DDR3 memory. Power supply of 450-watts or better recommended. Does not use an extra slot. Uses the 6-pin PCI-E power connector from the power supply.
|
| HIS Hightech HD 4870 512MB DDR5 |
Newegg
|
$219.99 |
Free shipping!
Retail box. Clicking the link takes you directly to it.
Price reflects this $10 rebate good on purchases through December 31.
The GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 is more powerful than this ATI offering, but not by much.
DirectX 10.1 support built-in. PCI-E 2.0 compliant. CrossFireX compatible. Fast DDR5 memory. Power supply of 500-watts or better recommended. Does not use an extra slot. Uses two 6-pin PCI-E power connectors from the power supply (the Antec Sonata III comes with two).
|
| eVGA GeForce 8600 GT 256MB DDR3 |
Newegg
|
$39.99 |
Free shipping!
Retail box. Clicking the link takes you directly to it.
Price reflects this rebate good on purchases through December 15.
Not the powerhouse of a GeForce 8800 GT or Radeon HD 3870, but a powerful video card nonetheless. This will get the job done and save quite a bit of money if top level gameplay is not one of your needs. It includes a DVI connector for using with a flat panel LCD monitor. Fast DDR3 memory. Power supply of 350-watts or better recommended. Does not use an extra slot. Does not use the 6-pin PCI-E power connector from the power supply. |
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© 2001-2008, Rob Williams, all rights reserved.
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Inspect the video card. Too often I've seen my retail boxed video card arrive with the issue circled in yellow in the picture below, in spite of being protected and held securely in place inside the retail box with molded plastic. Namely the slot cover of the video card is bent as shown. It should be straight. You should be able to straighten it reasonably well with just your hands.
A second issue is to check whether the fan is covered by a thin, transparent, plastic film. This film is very easy to miss. In this picture, you don't really notice it.
But it's there! Peel it back and remove it. It gets pretty hot inside the PC, and this thin plastic film doesn't look like it would hold up too well under heat. It certainly wouldn't be good if it got into the fan vents or other computer components.
