Some advice about video cards please...

[MadMike1024]

I've had an ASUS GTX 580 double fan since they were released. Recently, the card displayed a bunch of squares on the screen and told windows it had a failure. Now, when I start up in the BIOS it's all lines and gibberish. I'm using the onboard Intel 3000 video for now.

First: Is it possible or worth it to repair?

Second: Failing the first, what card is currently occupying approximately the same niche?

Thanks for your input.

[JerryC]

First off, it's probably not worth a repair. Most of the time by the time all is said and done the cost could be close to what it would be to buy a new card. As for something new, i'd recommend getting the best that you can so it will be "up to snuff" for some time down the road. Of course though your motherboard slotting would have to be compatible with that.

I have, and recommend, at least a GTX 760. It does fine with intensive graphics and games. It is not the latest and greatest card right now though.

Now I do have a spare GTX 550Ti lyin around if you need in a pinch. It is definitely NOT a gaming card though.

[mrennie]

Yep, repairing a duff video card is hopeless. I can highly recommend the GTX780. It's made a huge difference to my PC.

[peterhayes]

I would recommend the GTX 970 or 980 and get the one with 4GB VRAM especially if you have a large monitor/multi-monitors.
These are the "Maxwell" (second generation) cards and they run more efficiently and cooler than Kepler and previous variants.
The GTX 750TI is also a Maxwell card but first generation and has benn improved upon.
pH

[buzz456]

Hope your pocketbook is fat with these recommendations. I have a GTX750ti in my one computer and it runs RW just fine and it should be able to be had for around $150.00

[peterhayes]

Buzz
You are correct but the 7xx are still relatively expensive.

As an aside, when ever I see a reply from you - I always visualize Burl Ives singing the Big Rock Candy mountain!
The Buzzing of the bees in the cigarette trees . . .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZNk4pOb2Ww

pH

[NYWhiskey]

My 580 quit on me and I even tried baking it. It took me four months of saving pennies for my EVGA GTX 980 SC and it is worth every penny. You get what you pay for, top of the line is worth it, even if this card cost more than some laptops.

Please guys, don't waste your money on those business cards. The first number is only he generation. "9"80. The second number is the one you want to look at for gaming. 9"8"0. A 680 is probably better than a 760, if you get my meaning.

[Ericmopar]

All the recommendations and I don't think anyone knows what mike has for a CPU.

I can tell you this Mike, I have a GTX 780 made by EVGA and it's been a solid performer for over a year now.
I did need to overclock my i53570k to 4ghz to feed the thing smoothly and could probably do 4.2ghz. I decided to tone it down a bit for CPU longevity.
It wasn't going to burn up at 4ghz but every cycle in an electronic part brings it one step closer to death.

A super card won't do you right, if the CPU and Mobo can't feed it.
A caveat about the newer GTX970/980s is this. Independent testing is showing them to put out higher FPS and use way less power then the older generations of cards, but it was discovered that they are noticeably weaker at AA than the older 700 series cards (last two digits in model number being the same). The testers have been puzzled by that.

Just for kicks I found a comparison between your old card and the GTX750ti...

http://www.hwcompare.com/17329/geforce- ... tx-750-ti/

Roughly equal is the GTX960.
A notable improvement is the GTX970.
http://www.hwcompare.com/18079/geforce- ... e-gtx-970/

[MadMike1024]

My CPU is an i5 3.3 with 8 GB RAM and Win 7 64 - Intel chipset based ASUS mobo

[peterhayes]

MadMike
With that rig a GTX 750TI or the GTX 960 would be fine.
The GTX 750TI does not need a separate power supply it runs straight off the mobo.
My initial recommendation was based on the fact that you were running a GTX580 - a very powerful card in its day!
How big is your monitor?
pH

[Ericmopar]

Just one problem. A GTX 750ti is a serious step down in GPU power compared to a GTX580, despite the 750 being two generations newer.
Roughly equivalent to the GTX 580 would be the new 960s, but with a lot less heat and much lower power draw for about the same FPS.
Since you were already running the GTX580 Mike, I know your power supply will be more than up to the task of running one of the new generation of Nvidia cards.
If your CPU will turbo boost up to about 3.8ghz then you should be able to run up to a GTX 970 with no problem.

[buzz456]

And all you need is a large bucket of cash.

[MadMike1024]

MadMike
With that rig a GTX 750TI or the GTX 960 would be fine.
The GTX 750TI does not need a separate power supply it runs straight off the mobo.
My initial recommendation was based on the fact that you were running a GTX580 - a very powerful card in its day!
How big is your monitor?
pH

I have two monitors, a 32" Samsung LED and a Viewsonic 21". I also have an Antec 980W gamers power supply/welder. The machine was built to run the latest games at the time, and the 580 was the top dog.

[peterhayes]

MadMike
With those sorts of monitors I would go for a GTX 960/970 both with 4GB VRAM which will give you enough oomph to drive those beasts.

Regards
pH