Tough choice: New Video Card or front speakers in my car

[luciusad2004]

Hey all. I can't decide and was wondering what you guys think.

I don't really game as much as I used to but for some reason i want a new video card for my computer. I'm not sure what my budget is but I was thinking a 9000series nvidia chipset and probably no more than a couple hundred dollars assuming that I can find something that'll do what I want.

On the other hand. The front speakers in my car have been blown since... well since I got the fine lady. I've been meaning to replace them but just never got around to it. I'm thinking maybe up to $150 on a set of speakers maybe 200 if i have money to "splurge." Probably looking to get 2-way or 3-way if i can find a set that fits in the door.

I drive an hour to work everyday so I KNOW the speakers will be put to use... I don't game as much anymore as I Said but for some reason i really want a better video card than what I got. The speakers would be cheaper and either way whatever I don't get first I'll probably start saving for the following month...

What do you guys think?

[chaksq]

Get the speakers, sounds like you will get a hell of a better value from investment with those.

[blueonblack]

When I saw the title of your post I was all ready to jump on the video card suggestion, but if you drive an hour to work the speakers are definitely the better choice. Seems clear which will give you the most benefit.

[Datech]

Get the speakers. You can find used video cards in good condition if you really want an upgrade, and I'll contact you if my 9600GT happens to become available in the next couple of weeks. No promises though.

[luciusad2004]

Thanks guys, I think I was leaning that way as well but was just holding on to my desire for a new graphics card. (been waiting for oh idk... a year or two lol). I need more money... Ill def get a better value out of the speakers. Maybe then i can stop blasting passengers in the rear seat to compensate for the fact that I have no sound in the front.

[d_stilgar]

It's obvious that you will get more use out of the speakers. But you are asking this question in a modding forum and not in a car audio forum, so you are obviously asking for a nonunbiased answer to your question.

Car audio is always going to suck, unless you spend tons of money insulating your car from engine and road noise. It's just a loud environment to listen to anything in, let alone something you want to really appreciate. In that sense, I say just get the cheapest speakers you can that are the same size and ohm rating and similar wattage rating. Go to http://www.parts-express.com/car-audio.cfm and find something cheap. I've never been disappointed with parts express, and most aftermarket is at least as good as factory, so at worst you will get it back to stock. $40 or less should do it.

And since you came here for a biased opinion, telling us that you already knew the speakers were a more logical choice, I will give you a good reason for needing a video card.

A decent video card makes playing computer games more satisfying. I find my computer game consumption slows around the time I'm needing an upgrade. You may be in that boat. You might find yourself playing more often if your computer could only run the games you really want to play at settings that do the games justice. This is all the more reason to go the cheap route on the car. You will be able to save to get a decent video card more quickly.

Some options. You gave few details so forgive me for assuming speaker size and video card preference.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16814121308R
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121350
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=267-079

If you get one of those cards and that pair of speakers, your subtotal will be $180. Not bad at all. I'm going heavy on the video card route because I know that's what you secretly want! Good luck in your choice. I hope I helped.

[Bopher]

I was going to suggest the speakers as I came in here. But d_stilgar has some good suggestions. If I drove more then 10 minutes to and from work I would invest more in my car stereo. My escort I drove all over when I lived in New England had a nice system and I actually just sold off the subwoofer to a friend who loves the sound (gotta love those high school kids). If you're looking for one or the other go with the speakers. If you can grab on of those links from d-stilgar and the speakers go for the 2!!

[billygoat333]

i vote for car speakers as well. I used to drive 30 min one way to work. spent around 600+ bucks on my system (including sub, amp, head unit and 4 infinity 6 1/2s) and I have not regretted it. my system has lasted me (at least the head unit and speakers) about 6 years now and I still love riding in my car to listen to my music. a video card will last you about 2-3 years before you will get the itch to upgrade.

so if you are strapped for cash, the speaker investment will make you happier, at least in my opinion. ymmv.

as for what brand of speakers, I HIGHLY recommend infinity. i absolutely love my speakers (reference series 6 1/2s, dont remember the model #) and would buy them again over others.

[Bopher]

as for what brand of speakers, I HIGHLY recommend infinity. i absolutely love my speakers (reference series 6 1/2s, dont remember the model #) and would buy them again over others.

I had a mix of 2 6X9 infinitys in the rear deck and 2 6 1/2" Polk audio in the doors, I loved to love blasting the music going down the highway.

[luciusad2004]

When it comes down to it I don't "need" either. I still have music in my car. If I had no music this wouldn't even be a question. I just figure I might get at least slightly better sound if i have properly functioning speakers in the front. I actually enjoy listening to music in the car, living with older family members, i can't exactly crank up the beats at home so most of my music listening is done in the car even though it's a crappy environment. (Cheap tires = TONS of road noise, Not to mention the exhaust leak and engine noise from doing 80 down the highway.)

The thing that's holding me back on the video card is I'm really not sure what i want or if i can afford a card that will do what i want. I want to be able to run the games I play at or close to 1680x1050 on med->med/high settings. I mostly play games powered by the source engine and some older games. I currently have no trouble playing older games like counter strike, half life 2, etc (Not at my native resolution i would have to fire them up to see what i currently have it set at)... some of the newer games like team fortress and portal are a bit to laggy to enjoy but still "playable" If I could even get this small list of games to run decent at My resolution I would be happy, If i could get them looking GOOD that would be even better. Oh and Left 4 dead, i want to be able to play left 4 dead. The main reason i never purchased it is because Im not sure it would run well enough.

I think part of the reason I stopped gaming was that i got bored with counterstrike lol.