Choosing a Video Card.... (HALP!) Options

[wallyflies]

Pretend I am stupid...

I found a pretty well built PC at a pawn shop for 1/3 it's worth. (SCORE!!!)

It has the XFX GeForce 8200 Mobo that will support this Hybrid Boost. I am finding the discussion board a bit confusing, as I am new to this tech.

Please offer your suggestions for a video card that will use this tech and an estimated percentage increase in performance if possible (links would be great, too).

I want to spend between $100-250.

Also, if I add a video card will I still use the onboard HDMI out?


THANKS!

This post has been edited by wallyflies: Nov 3 2009, 02:41 AM

[NutZInTheHead]

Hybrid SLI refers to 2 sub categories:
1. Hybrid Power
2. Geforce Boost

the only cards that support Hybrid Power are these:
Geforce 9800GTX
Geforce GTX260 (not all of them)
Geforce GTX280

and for Geforce Boost:
Geforce 8400GS
Geforce 8500GT

the official Nvidia site explained the 2 Hybrid SLIs, but unfortunately the support for desktops is no longer.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/hybrid_sli.html
only supported in notebooks.
a brief description of both:
Geforce boost basically uses the power of discrete GPU combined with the onboard IGPU to boost performance. Although the gain in performance is very little.

Hybrid power works by shutting down your discrete GPU and using the onboard IGPU to save power while not gaming (idle).

it all depends on what CPU, monitor and power supply unit you have.
all these can factor in your purchase of your video card.

The motherboard you have is also the current motherboard that I also have, but I have completely disabled the onboard Geforce 8200 because its really useless and to be honest newer cards can be found to be much the same in price as those older ones with better performance.
So my advice just do the same thing, disable the Geforce 8200 and just go with a better card (again depending on your CPU, monitor resolution and power supply unit).

[wallyflies]

Hybrid SLI refers to 2 sub categories:
1. Hybrid Power
2. Geforce Boost

the only cards that support Hybrid Power are these:
Geforce 9800GTX
Geforce GTX260 (not all of them)
Geforce GTX280

and for Geforce Boost:
Geforce 8400GS
Geforce 8500GT

the official Nvidia site explained the 2 Hybrid SLIs, but unfortunately the support for desktops is no longer.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/hybrid_sli.html
only supported in notebooks.
a brief description of both:
Geforce boost basically uses the power of discrete GPU combined with the onboard IGPU to boost performance. Although the gain in performance is very little.

Hybrid power works by shutting down your discrete GPU and using the onboard IGPU to save power while not gaming (idle).

it all depends on what CPU, monitor and power supply unit you have.
all these can factor in your purchase of your video card.

The motherboard you have is also the current motherboard that I also have, but I have completely disabled the onboard Geforce 8200 because its really useless and to be honest newer cards can be found to be much the same in price as those older ones with better performance.
So my advice just do the same thing, disable the Geforce 8200 and just go with a better card (again depending on your CPU, monitor resolution and power supply unit).

thanks for your help.


I have these specs...

32" Samsung HDTV
Phenom Triple Core @ 2.6ghz
4GB DDR2 RAM
I am guessing the PSU is at 450 - 500 watts. I will find out by tuesday.


This post has been edited by wallyflies: Nov 8 2009, 09:56 PM