________Comparing Graphic Cards_______________ (desktop, hd, games, graphics)

[Kleenex]

Could someone help me compare the following GCs and the pro and cons of having each?

1. 512MB NVIDIA G310 Graphics
2. GEforce 9800GT EE, 1GB

limitations? which is better for gaming? how much better?

[MediocreButArrogant]

The GeForce 310 is a GeForce 210 for the OEM market. That is an entry-level card that would sell for about $49 at NewEgg.com. For $50, Tom's Hardware says something based on the Radeon HD 4650 is a better choice.

The GeForce 9800GT on the other hand is in that price range where you get the most bang for the buck ($100-$140). There are a lot of good choices in that price range - GeForce 9800GT, GeForce GTS 250, Radeon 4850.

I'd say go for the more expensive card - the $50 savings is not worth the big drop in performance. Even if you don't play games the more expensive card will accelerate (or enable) desktop effects in Windows 7, and applications that make use of OpenGL.

[Steel Man]

I upgraded from a GT230 (OEM) to GTS250...definite improvement...good for games if you want to. Get the 1 GB for about $150 from Newegg.

[Goo++]

Surprisingly, all the newer graphics cards seem to perform poorly when confronted with an excess of silly underbar characters.

[NHDave]

I thought you already had the 9800, why are you comparing?