Friend looking for new computer stuff, could use some advice

[rditto48801]

Well, it seems the video card cooling fan of my friend's slightly used computer is not working right. He says the fan barely moves and is causing overheating issues.

Now he needs to get a new video card.
He said he is thinking of getting a GeForce GTS 250, because the computer place he goes to apparently doesn't have any Radeon HD video cards in stock right now. He also said the GTS 250 is the best they have right now.

What's your opinion of the GeForce GTS 250?

These are the only two I can find on Newegg, both seem kind of average in price, the second being a little cheaper.
Palit NE3TS25EFHD02 GeForce GTS 250 E-Green 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
PNY RVCGGTS2501LXXB GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Would it be better for him to either wait for the computer place to get something else in, or should he just look elsewhere for a video card?

[Blín D'ñero]

If a shop doesn't have anything better than a GTX250 i would leave and never come back again. That card is so outdated, GDDR3, it's a rebranded 9800GT+. It gets beaten by a Radeon 4870. And it's a step backwards from his current card. Do not waste money on it!
He should just look elsewhere for a video card.
This one would be a much better option (6770) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814131434 ... or this one (6750): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814102939

Problem with his current card is probably just dust clogged in the fan? Solution: clean the fan.

[rditto48801]

He said he did try to clean the fan and it is still barely moving.

Also, it seems my last post was a waste of time, as was a message I sent to my friend after I read your reply. He went out and got the a GTS 250 anyways.

Just for the heck of it, I looked up my 'old' Radeon HD 4670 I have in my PC... aside from only having 512MB VRAM (128 bit memory interface), vs 1GB (256 bit memory interface for his), it seems to have slightly better core/memory clock speeds and over twice the stream processors than the GTS 250. Considering how long I have had this video card, I am really starting to agree that the GTS 250 is not exactly the best thing around.

[Blín D'ñero]

Yes!
And, cleaning a fan means unscrewing, detaching, cleaning and reapplying thermal paste before putting it back! Just buying what the shop has in store is... well... .
Oh well.