# Recommend a Better Graphics Card **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 15, 2009, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-better-graphics-card/506552 "2009-08-15T19:19:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2009, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-better-graphics-card/506552/1 "2009-08-15T19:19:36Z")
Hi. I have a NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT, but it suffers from the unfixable NVDDMKM.SYS failure problem. I found a thread on an NVIDIA message board that was 113 pages long where people were tweaking 20 different variables as well as over-and under- clocking their PCs, and no one found a fix. The driver update says everything is up-to-date, Windows Update says everything is up-to-date. NVIDIA has been amazingly silent on the issue ( they closed the thread after 6 months when they noted people were getting ‘uncivil’). Their official company website blames VISTA for faulty error detection. Meh. Their company, their call. My take as a consumer is that I didn’t know NVIDIA was an inferior graphics card manufacturer that doesn’t support or stand behind their products, but now I know better. So I am seeking a a graphics card which is better than the NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT, that is not made by NVIDIA or any of their subs, that can handle Vista-64 and an AMD Phenom processor, and can be gamed on with the typical high-graphics demanded by MMORPG games like those found on ‘STEAM’. Bonus points if it can be found / installed at a Big Box store like Best Buy. Any suggestions for repacement cards would be greatly appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![caverject](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@caverject](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caverject)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2009, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-better-graphics-card/506552/2 "2009-08-16T01:12:14Z")
Depends on how much you want to spend. I would go with a Radeon 4770 for what you’re looking for. [Tomhardware.com](http://Tomhardware.com) guides are usually very informative. > **[Roundup: Mainstream Graphics Cards From ATI And Nvidia](https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/budget-radeon-geforce,2364.html)** > > Great graphics cards don’t always have to cost big bucks. Even for prices around $100, you can get enough performance for playable frame rates at resolutions as high as 1920x1200. We round up a load of these mid-range cards to see who comes out on... ---
**Author:** ![Iamametalrobot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e8c25b/32.png) [@Iamametalrobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iamametalrobot)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2009, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-better-graphics-card/506552/3 "2009-08-16T01:20:22Z")
I would recommend this [HIS Radeon HD 4850 1GB.](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161275) The Radeon 4850 is faster than your current card. The Radeon 4770 is also a good choice, but due to supply issues tends to cost a tad bit more than the 4850, even though it is a tad bit slower than the 4850 at stock speeds - people like because if overclocks well. Make sure to completely remove the Nvidia drivers before installing a Radeon card.