Graphics Cards & Explosive Capacitors

[-Zer0-]

So over the last several months, I've somehow managed to explode 4 capacitors on my graphics card. Off the top of my head I think it's a GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express. I'm not sure how I did it, but from a little research, I think it was due to either overvoltage or bad manufacturing. I'm not sure. If anyone here can shed light on it, that would be amazing.

Also, I'm looking to buy a new graphics card that will last a while. I'm not as tech savvy as I used to be, and am wondering what I would have to look for and make note of in terms of compatibility. Power Supply? Motherboard? Anything else? Olo, where art thou! Thanks guys.

[Rellikard]

Compatibility mainly PSU and MOBO shouldn't be an issue since you should be using PCI-E.

Me personally, I like my nVidia GTX260 and I have a 700w Cooler Master PSU. Plays FFXI, CoD MW:2 and Need for Speed: Shift very well.

Good card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121316

[Olo401]

Hey man how ya been? Whatcha up to lately?

That sounds like a bad batch of capacitors.. unless the card was overclocked A LOT or it was shorting someplace which is possible. If it was bad manufacturing you'd probably have problems from the moment it was installed. How long since you got that card & who's brand is on it?

[-Zer0-]

Been up to nothing but school since I went on hiatus from XI man XD. Workin' hard as always.

Been talking to a few people, and they all think it's a batch of bad capacitors as well, but I always like to be sure. I'm not sure if it was overclocked. When I installed it, I didn't mess around with much of anything. Manufacturer is XFX, and made in China. I got this card maybe two years ago, and it didn't start to go bad until this year. Nothing like hearing loud and random crackling pops out of nowhere and thinking your wall's about to fall down.

Rell, I'd love to buy that card, but those new graphics cards don't fit in my case lol. Are those the PCI-E 2.0 cards? I'm due for a new computer, but not just yet, so if I could get something that's just a bit better than what I had, it'd be awesome XD.

What's the difference between 1.0 and 2.0 PCI-E? I don't have to get a new PSU or anything then?