Graphics Cards.

[CptnPutPut]

Hey people.

Im looking at getting a different graphics card because i want to play games like Crysis etc, my current one doesn't even support the blur effect on RO.

Im wondering what is a good one to get on a good budget, Say

 

[Hummer9120]

It would help if we knew what card you have currently, your motherboard, and your powersupply.

EDIT -- I would stay away from the GT until they get their fan/driver issues sorted out.

The eVGA forums are FILLED with people complaining about GT's.

 

[CptnPutPut]

I'll be honest with ya mate, i wouldn't even know how to find them details out.

worried about buying any old card incase i ruin things/everything lol

 

[CptnPutPut]

I'll be honest with ya mate, i wouldn't even know how to find them details out.

worried about buying any old card incase i ruin things/everything lol

I've found these details, but they'll prob mean nothing,

XP
AMD ATHELON 3000+
2.17GHZ
1.5GB RAM

 

[fiftyone]

Needs to know if you have a AGP or pciE video slot available.

 

[CptnPutPut]

any way of finding that out without having to take the case apart?

 

[CptnPutPut]

im also looking at this card too, i just need to work out if my computer can take it all.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-132-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=

 

[aktionman]

any way of finding that out without having to take the case apart?

For MS Windows XP: Start->Run, then type in msinfo32. Then System Information: Components, Display tree shows device type, adapter info.

 

[Dcode]

I just wrote out a very informative guide for your upgrade purchase and i was quite proud of it. Then i looked at your set up again and noticed the clock frequency of your Athlon.

I should have picked this up straight away instead of assuming it was a Athlon 64 chip, but the only Athlon that runs at that clock frequency is the old Athlon XP 3000+ (Barton core).

So i kick myself. Anyway mate that system is getting pretty old. If you wanna play Crysis then you can forget it as it does not meet the minimum spec. Save what money you have and put it towards and new Intel core 2 based system with an Nvidia 8800 series video card. The Radeon is underwhelming and power hungry, shame as i loved ATI cards

PS - If you want to know the workings of your system - download CPUZ

 

[Sgt.Rock]

You can get an X1900xtx for about that price. Its a damn good card (what I'm running). Itll push through crisis on highest textures, and everything else medium (low post, dont like the blur).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102037R

Cheaper than your max by a good margin.

 

[CptnPutPut]

Very lost now , as 1 person saying not to bother and the other saying this card will handle Crysis etc, even on high, so so confuesed.

 

[Dcode]

Well you can not buy a X1900XTX in AGP form which is what your motherboard is.

You have an Athlon XP 3000+
Athlon XP 3000+ uses a Socket A motherboard
Socket A is AGP only

This leaves you with about two modern solutions of video cards worth bothering with that use AGP. A Geforce 7600GT or a Radeon X1950Pro. But your CPU will not cut Crysis, and if you try it will bottleneck your new video card severely, so its pointless buying a new card to pair with it. The sensible thing to do is put your cash towards a new system.

Crysis taxes the fastest of hardware, Sure the game will run on most recent video cards maxed, but not smoothly. Unless your perception of 20FPS is 'smooth'. It is scalable, so you can tweak the settings to get the best results. The full version of the game should offer better optimisation too - further adding performance. Basically my point is; the game really pushes the latest and greatest, so you can forget a good time with older hardware.

 

[dogbadger]

youve got roughly the same setup as me, and your 'slot' for graphics card is agp which is old and limits your choices.(and capability)
Ive got a 6800gt which is as good as it's worth getting for this system really, as it's a processor upgrade that you may want to look at = whole new system basically.
I wouldn't get crysis, farcry 2 , arma or bioshock with these specs- they would look nothing like as good as intended , and indeed farcry2 and crysis for example probably wont run properly at all.

edit - oh i see and agree dcode^

 

[CptnPutPut]

Right oh, understood that my system is crap'o then.

lol what system would you recomend, im looking at Alienware currently, as they seem to be aimed at gamers.

 

[Hummer9120]

Build it yourself if you can, there are tons of people on these forums willing to help you find parts and give you instructions.

 

[Dcode]

You should look for:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo (or quad) with a clock frequency of at least 2.4GHz.

Motherboard: Gigabyte, Abit, Intel, MSI or ASUS. With an Intel P35, X38 or Nvidia Nforce 650i, 680i chipset. Personally i like Intel motherboards, but if you buy from a respectable manufacturer they will include a decent motherboard.

RAM: At least 2GB of DDR2 800.

Video: The GeForce 8800GT is very good value, it equals the high end GTX and costs around

 

[Tomcat_ha]

I suggest to wait till the new Intel processors arrive together with the new ati 3d cards. Around then the current driver issues with nvidia should be fixed.

 

[Dcode]

For playing Crysis in all its glory i recommend waiting for the next gen 3D cards also.

The refresh of Intel chips i believe offer 6 - 10% increase in performance over the current C2D's. Not worth upgrading from, but if your building from scratch. Well go figure.

 

[Sgt.Rock]

You might want to wait for the nividia 9800. Its supposed to be twice as powerful as the 8800GTX and about the same price. I've heard that its coming out in November (this month), but thats all rumors.

 

[odin1899]

I think the most obvious question hasn't been asked yet: what is your total budget for a new computer?