how could i know?

[Teny]

if i were to buy a graphics card in store, how would i know what it looks like in a box?
because online, it shows like 3 different kinds.

 

[ssc456]

ok gonna need to expand a bit on that mate ?

what do you mean by looks like........... the slot e.g pci PCIX16 / AGP ?

or actual looks ? the reason the card itself will look different is because some cards will come with a nice heatsink and fan built on but not all cards need that.

heres an example,

this is an 8600Gt without a heatsink

this is an 8600Gt with a heatsink on it

does that clear things up ?

 

[Atomic Rooster]

You shouldn't be so worried about what it looks like. Your main concerns should be to make sure it's compatible with your motherboard, power supply, and if it has the performance specs you need to run you games smoothly. All the card's specifications will be printed on the side of the box. Many have a window allowing you to see the card in the box.

 

[Teny]

okay, i know it will fit with my computer and all.
the one i am looking at is the 3870, and i meet all the requirements.
but the store i am thinking of getting it only has one, which is the visiontek 3870.
i saw a review on it, and a picture on tiger direct that has an heatsink that takes up 2 slots.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3482895&CatId=3670
and the one i saw on newegg only has one fan and heatsink, but only takes up 1 slot.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129100
and this is where i am going to get it from (not online, in store.)
http://microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0277103
now all three links show the same box, but the first to shows different kinds of heatsinks, and i want the one that looks like the tigerdirect one.
how could i tell which one i am getting?

 

[Atomic Rooster]

That is a problem. The two cards you listed at Micro Center and TigerDirect both have the very same part number and UPC number. Even the one at Newegg has the same part number. There maybe some indication of what cooler it has on the box itself, but I don't know for sure.

 

[Cabbs]

I see a heatsink on the top one.

 

[_-..zKiLLA..-_]

ask a store clerk if he can maybe open the box under some circumstances they can open the box and show u. it depends i would just ask