[Maria Wicks]

Hello, I have just got a new computer and am wanting to get a new video card to put in it for gaming. I play Star Trek Online and other high graphics games. The video card I have now produces good graphics, but when I turn it up on the best graphics quality it lags some, so I'm wanting to get a card that I can run on full quality that runs smooth and does not lag up. I have about $180 budget, and so far I have found a few that I think are pretty good but not sure which one would be better for my needs. One is 2GB memory and the other is 1GB memory, but I've heard that memory isn't everything so I want a professional opinion.

The one's I am looking at are: EVGA 02G-P3-1559-KR GeForce GTX 550 Ti Video Card - 2GB, GDDR5, PCI-Express 2.0 (x16), Dual DVI, Mini-HDMI, DirectX 11, Dual-Slot, SLI Ready
http://www.compusa.c...6682&CatId=3669

and: PNY VCGGTX550TXPB-OC GeForce GTX 550 Ti Video Card - 1GB, GDDR5, PCI-Express 2.0 (x16), Mini-HDMI, Dual DVI, DirectX 11, Dual-Slot, SLI Ready, Overclocked
http://www.compusa.c...56&Sku=P56-0552

and: EVGA 01G-P3-1352-KR GeForce GTS 450 Video Card - 1GB, GDDR5, PCI-Express 2.0 (x16), 2x Dual-Link DVI-I, Mini-HDMI, DirectX 11, Dual-Slot, SLI Ready
http://www.compusa.c...6143&CatId=3669

and: ASUS ENGTX550 TI DC/DI/1G GeForce GTX 550 Ti DirectCU Video Card - 1GB, GDDR5, PCI-Express 2.0 (x16), HDMI, DVI, VGA, DirectX 11, Dual-Slot, SLI Ready
http://www.compusa.c...6839&CatId=3669

and: Zotac GeForce GTS 450 AMP Ed. 1GB GDDR5 PCIe and NVIDIA Just Cause 2 & Mafia 2 Game Coupon Bundle
http://www.compusa.c...4366&CatId=3669

If anyone can help me out and tell me which one is better for my needs I would really appreciate it. Or if you know of a different one that is better but still within my budget please let me know. Thank you so much in advance.

Edited by Maria Wicks, 05 August 2011 - 04:07 PM.

[Advertisements]

I would suggest you read this, Tom's Hardware, Best Graphics Card for the Money, July 2011.

[Digerati]

I would suggest you read this, Tom's Hardware, Best Graphics Card for the Money, July 2011.

[Maria Wicks]

Thanks, I'll take a look at it. But honestly I've tried reading up on what the different specs on graphics cards mean, as far as the core, memory, and shader clocks, GPU's, memory, and all that stuff, but I still dont get none of it, sort of like chinese to me. So I dont really know what to look for, so I just look for high numbers, lol. I wish I could just get someone that knows everything about it tell me which one would be the best for my budget and me go with it. Oh and I have a 430 watt power supply, so I need one that will run with that.

[Digerati]

And I am not a gamer so I don't keep up with all that either. I will say this, within brands (AMD/ATI and NVIDIA) you do pretty much get what you paid for. That is, more money usually means better performance.

As you are aware, the PSU is a concern. In fact, the PSU should always be a major concern. It is not just power. Newer cards often require power connections older PSUs lack. You normally can visit a card's website and download the manual first, to see what you need.

Also, think down the road about your monitor, or monitors. DVI is fading away with HDMI becoming the standard. Although inexpensive adapters are available, it is better to go as directly as possible. For me, I look for dual-HDMI support as I know that will carry me further down the road.