Graphics card

[FlyingPaul_83]

Is there an easy way to check what kind of graphics card you have?

The reason I'm asking is because I'm thinking about getting some games for my PC that have really good graphics. I want the game to run smooth and look good.

What is the cheapest Graphics card That I can get that will play games like Farcry, Half Life 2, FFXI other games with good graphics smooth?

Also, I would like to know If I have to get the graphics card proffessionally installed.

Can I install it on my own?(I have little knowledge on computers)

Can I have my friend who knows alot about computers install it?

[Ramsey]

Control Panel > System > Hardware > device Manager > your card in the list.


You don't have to have the card professionally installed, but you could, but its also a waste since its extremely extermely extremely easy to install a card by yourself.

A card that could play all those games you listed would be something like the 9800 ALL IN WONDER. Cheap but it plays most things. Its getting outdated though.


If you want your friend to install it, then fine. What kind of question is that? :confused:

[FlyingPaul_83]

Control Panel > System > Hardware > device Manager > your card in the list.


You don't have to have the card professionally installed, but you could, but its also a waste since its extremely extermely extremely easy to install a card by yourself.

A card that could play all those games you listed would be something like the 9800 ALL IN WONDER. Cheap but it plays most things. Its getting outdated though.


If you want your friend to install it, then fine. What kind of question is that? :confused:


Well I was just wondering intead of having it professionally intalled, I could just ask my friend to do it.

How much would that 9800 be?

[DaveSavesTheDay]

An easier way

Start-->Run-->dxdiag

Click on display , will say what type /how much memory ext..

Also has sound card .. CPU info ext..

[Klown]

Well I was just wondering intead of having it professionally intalled, I could just ask my friend to do it.

How much would that 9800 be?
$138 - $300

http://www.dealtime.com/xPC-ATI_ALL_IN_WONDER_9800_PRO

[The Real El Capitano]

kind of on subject. i got 256 mb on the way. *brushes shoulders off*

[NJSpeedbeast]

My ATI Radeon 9550 has no problem playing anything. It was like $120 at Wal-Mart.


:)

[JohnXDoesn't]

If you live in the states go to newegg and get one of these (it's one link, so click on the whole thing)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=Go&DEPA=0&type=&description=6600gt&
Category=0&minPrice=&maxP
rice=&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

They also have them refurbished, but I would recommend retail as the warranty is much better and the bundle (if any) is more complete. Also system RAM is somewhat importent in playing the games you mentioned. It's not essential, but it helps to have more. You will need at least 512mb of system memory, whatever the case. So if you don't have at least that, consider an upgrade along with the card. Newegg will deliver it to your door in 36 hours, and installation is simple. And make sure you have a minimum 350 watt max power supply. The card comes as AGP or PCI-e. So be sure to get the right one.

[Phalanx]

9800? don't be silly, a 6600gt is alot faster barely cost anything extra

[Mazeppa]

There's a helpfull thread on video cards over at the steam forums.

Link. (http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=223148)

[rasher_b2]

If you have a friend who knows a lot about computers then they will easily be able to put it in your computer for you. A new graphics card will not always improve things though, especially if your pc is "bottlenecked" by it's RAM or processor.

[FlyingPaul_83]

If you live in the states go to newegg and get one of these (it's one link, so click on the whole thing)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=Go&DEPA=0&type=&description=6600gt&
Category=0&minPrice=&maxP
rice=&Go.x=0&Go.y=0

They also have them refurbished, but I would recommend retail as the warranty is much better and the bundle (if any) is more complete. Also system RAM is somewhat importent in playing the games you mentioned. It's not essential, but it helps to have more. You will need at least 512mb of system memory, whatever the case. So if you don't have at least that, consider an upgrade along with the card. Newegg will deliver it to your door in 36 hours, and installation is simple. And make sure you have a minimum 350 watt max power supply. The card comes as AGP or PCI-e. So be sure to get the right one.


Is The one at the top the best choice?

[Let's Chop Cats!]

I suggest getting one by the company BFG as they tend to overclock the cards and still have a warrenty on them. Also it all depends on if you have AGP or PCIE.

[FlyingPaul_83]

Intel 82865G graphics contoller.

I'm guessing thats my graphics card?

I have 512MB of RAM.

It also says that AGO texture acceleration is not availble.

So all I have to get is new graphics card right?

[AA-12]

I suggest getting one by the company BFG as they tend to overclock the cards and still have a warrenty on them. Also it all depends on if you have AGP or PCIE.
Yes, yes, and yes.

BFG is excellent. I have the 7800 overclocked from them. It's pricy, but worth it.

[AA-12]

Intel 82865G graphics contoller.

I'm guessing thats my graphics card?

I have 512MB of RAM.

It also says that AGO texture acceleration is not availble.

So all I have to get is new graphics card right?
I'd suggest upgrading your ram to a gig also.

[FlyingPaul_83]

I'd suggest upgrading your ram to a gig also.


how much would that cost me?

Also, what is that BFG you're talking about?

[Let's Chop Cats!]

Anothet 512 of ram will be roughly 60 bucks.

BFG is a company who manufactures cards. They tend to overclock their cards which means they'll be faster than any other company's card.

[FlyingPaul_83]

Anothet 512 of ram will be roughly 60 bucks.

BFG is a company who manufactures cards. They tend to overclock their cards which means they'll be faster than any other company's card.


Wow $60? that not bad, but I have to get installed proffessionally right?

Are BFG cards expensive? What is the cheapest one that will play games like half life 2 and far cry smoothly?

[Let's Chop Cats!]

Nah, RAM is the easiest thing to install. It just snaps into place, you can do it in 2 minutes.

BFG cards actually do cost more (about 40 more), so I donno if you're willing to pay that much more.

[Mr. Ron]

Is it true that Nividia is better than Radeon?

[FlyingPaul_83]

hehe awesome.

Can you recommend me a BFG card?

[Let's Chop Cats!]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143027
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143026
First one is AGP, second one is PCIE. All depends onw hat your computer supports.
Is it true that Nividia is better than Radeon?
You can't really compare them like that. You have to look at each model and it's counter-part. Also the company's name is not Radeon, it's ATI.

[Mr. Ron]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143027
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143026
First one is AGP, second one is PCIE. All depends onw hat your computer supports.

You can't really compare them like that. You have to look at each model and it's counter-part. Also the company's name is not Radeon, it's ATI.
Oh sorry. I don't know much about this subject. I'm ordering a laptop purely for gaming and I want to know which card to get.

[griftadan]

Control Panel > System > Hardware > device Manager > your card in the list.


You don't have to have the card professionally installed, but you could, but its also a waste since its extremely extermely extremely easy to install a card by yourself.

A card that could play all those games you listed would be something like the 9800 ALL IN WONDER. Cheap but it plays most things. Its getting outdated though.


If you want your friend to install it, then fine. What kind of question is that? :confused:

i have a 9800. apparently it doesn't support alpha blending, even with directX 9.0c installed, so i can't play the new call of duty. this might just be a driver problem, im not sure. does anyone know how to fix this?

[FlyingPaul_83]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143027
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814143026
First one is AGP, second one is PCIE. All depends onw hat your computer supports.


ouch, thats a shot to the wallet.

Thanks a bunch man, you've really helped me out.

[rasher_b2]

Hey, watch out if you're buying RAM. You have to buy the correct type and speeds supported by your motherboard, or else it won't work.

[FlyingPaul_83]

Hey, watch out if you're buying RAM. You have to buy the correct type and speeds supported by your motherboard, or else it won't work.


I have a Dell computer. Thas pretty much all I know about it. :upset:

[Mazeppa]

This site is good for buying RAM is you aren't sure what's compatible with your system. It does all the thinking for you. Also, when I bought a 512MB stick of RAM from them, it came with a free copy of Far Cry.

http://www.crucial.com/

[rasher_b2]

I have a Dell computer. Thas pretty much all I know about it. :upset:

Ok, I'm not too sure but I think if you go onto their site you can find out what type you'd need by entering the model name and number of your computer. Either that or look at the RAM inside your pc, it should be written on it.

EDIT: As metal guitar said: http://www.crucial.com I got my RAM from there and it's given me no problems.

[FlyingPaul_83]

I did the scan and it said that all of my slots are full. :(

So now what? Would I replace one for another?

[rasher_b2]

I did the scan and it said that all of my slots are full. :(

So now what? Would I replace one for another?

yea, you'd have to replace them. I'm assuming you have 2 slots each with 256megs in them?

I'd replace them with 2x 512 sticks and sell off the old ones. Depends if you want to upgrade again in the future or not.

[Mongo]

Good Luck selling off the old ones :lol:

[FlyingPaul_83]

yea, you'd have to replace them. I'm assuming you have 2 slots each with 256megs in them?

I'd replace them with 2x 512 sticks and sell off the old ones. Depends if you want to upgrade again in the future or not.


how much do you think I could sell the 256 cards for?

Will it be ok if I just replace one 256 for a 512? will it be good enough for the games?

Also on crucial, is it $69 for 1 card or 2?

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Dell%2BDimension&mfr=Dell&tabid=CR&model=Dimension+3000&submit=Go

[rasher_b2]

how much do you think I could sell the 256 cards for?

Will it be ok if I just replace one 256 for a 512? will it be good enough for the games?

Also on crucial, is it $69 for 1 card or 2?

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Dell%2BDimension&mfr=Dell&tabid=CR&model=Dimension+3000&submit=Go


You wouldn't get much, maybe 15 each?

You should be able to replace one with 512. It would be adequate for gaming.

That's 69 each.

[FlyingPaul_83]

You wouldn't get much, maybe 15 each?

You should be able to replace one with 512. It would be adequate for gaming.

That's 69 each.


alright cool, thanks for all the help man.

but back to the main topic, will any graphics card work with my computer?

[rasher_b2]

alright cool, thanks for all the help man.

but back to the main topic, will any graphics card work with my computer?

They should. How old is your computer? Do you know if it has an AGP slot or a PCI-express or both?

Most graphics cards used the AGP slot but they're phasing them out now in favour of PCI-express.

I understand you probably won't know so check this out. You really don't want to be getting the wrong one. http://www.crucial.com/library/pcie_agp.asp

[rasher_b2]

They also have a scanner tool thing that might work.

[JohnXDoesn't]

alright cool, thanks for all the help man.

but back to the main topic, will any graphics card work with my computer?

Well you haven't told us any of your other specs, so it's a bit hard to say. I'm assuming you have an older computer so you would have an AGP slot. So get an AGP card. If you have a newer computer you may have pci -e. In which case you would get a pci express card.

Also, what is your processor speed? Is it a p4 or AMD? If you don't have enough processing power or if your RAM is real slow a new card won't do much for you. Performance will be glitchy at best. Wish you had more tech info for us.

Also don't forget you need an adequate power supply of at least 350 watts maximum output. The 6600GT plugs directly into the power supply (the AGP model at least) and it needs plenty of juice. If it doesn't get it, you'll have problems.

And lastly, the BFG cards are nice and come with a lifetime warranty, I believe. But if you don't want to spend the extra cash the other makers are fine. I had a BFG and had the vendor replace it with a PNY model when it failed. I can't tell a difference in performance with my naked eye. Three year warranty, as well.

[Imrik]

You definantly want to make sure you get the right type of hardware, I almost dished out allot of cash on a 7800 without realising my crappy motherboard wouldn't support it, so I'm gunna buy an AGP 6200 untill I can upgrade.

[Steve Vai]

Can someone recommend a good card for me?
I have a Dell Dimension 4600 with a Pentium 4 and 1 gig of memory.

[Ramsey]

9800? don't be silly, a 6600gt is alot faster barely cost anything extra
Not neccessarily.


The 9800 works well for most games.

[JohnXDoesn't]

Can someone recommend a good card for me?
I have a Dell Dimension 4600 with a Pentium 4 and 1 gig of memory.

I have a 4600 as well. p4 2.8a, 1 gig pc3200 RAM. I have a 6600GT AGP. You can find a newegg link I posted on the first page. A whole list of 6600GT's come up. I highly recommend this card. I didn't have to do a thing to my Dell for it to work right. Just popped it in, installed the driver, and it was off and running. Works good, too. Here are some screens from the FEAR demo I posted in a different thread, for example:

http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9863597&postcount=315

[FlyingPaul_83]

Well you haven't told us any of your other specs, so it's a bit hard to say. I'm assuming you have an older computer so you would have an AGP slot. So get an AGP card. If you have a newer computer you may have pci -e. In which case you would get a pci express card.

Also, what is your processor speed? Is it a p4 or AMD? If you don't have enough processing power or if your RAM is real slow a new card won't do much for you. Performance will be glitchy at best. Wish you had more tech info for us.

Also don't forget you need an adequate power supply of at least 350 watts maximum output. The 6600GT plugs directly into the power supply (the AGP model at least) and it needs plenty of juice. If it doesn't get it, you'll have problems.

And lastly, the BFG cards are nice and come with a lifetime warranty, I believe. But if you don't want to spend the extra cash the other makers are fine. I had a BFG and had the vendor replace it with a PNY model when it failed. I can't tell a difference in performance with my naked eye. Three year warranty, as well.


System model: Dell Dimension 3000
BIOS:Pheonix ROM BIOS PLUS version 1.10 A01
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 PCU 3.00 GHz (2 CPUs)

I got it about 10-11 months ago.

In the manual it says it has 3PCI slots. I dont know if that helps.

Under direct X features it says that DirectDraw acceleration is enabled and Direct3D is enabled.

Then it says that AGP texture acceleration is not available.

I have an Intel 82865G Graphics controller.

So I dont know if this helps any, but heres some information that I found.

[JohnXDoesn't]

System model: Dell Dimension 3000
BIOS:Pheonix ROM BIOS PLUS version 1.10 A01
Processor: Intel Pentium 4 PCU 3.00 GHz (2 CPUs)

I got it about 10-11 months ago.

In the manual it says it has 3PCI slots. I dont know if that helps.

Under direct X features it says that DirectDraw acceleration is enabled and Direct3D is enabled.

Then it says that AGP texture acceleration is not available.

I have an Intel 82865G Graphics controller.

So I dont know if this helps any, but heres some information that I found.

This helps plenty, thank you. Unfortunately your motherboard does not support an AGP card. That's the one thing that really held/holds the Dimension 3000 back. You cannot add a video card to your computer unless it is a pci graphics card. Which is not nearly as capable or speedy as AGP and nowhere near as capable as pci express. I'm not even sure if they sell regualr pci video cards anymore. I will do some quick searching and come back with anything I might find.

Don't get your hopes up, though. Even with a halfway decent pci card, you won't be playing any of the games you mentioned in your first post. Not very well, at least. Perhaps on low and medium settings, if that. Sorry to have to tell you that. As you know the Dimension 3000 is in the lower part of the DELL line up, and while you have plenty of processing power with the p4 and your RAM is no doubt adequate, the bean counters at DELL would leave out an AGP slot to force you to move up to the next model in the line up if you want to play games. Hence you would pay a bit more for your computer. The 3000 is good for everything. Except one thing. Games. Sorry, the motherboard is simply not set up for it. No AGP and no pci -e = no gaming, for all intents and purposes. Which is a shame because my Dimension 4600 is exactly like yours I would bet (p4 2.8) but because it's the next model up, I got an AGP slot. DELL should not of been so tight with the 3000.

Anyway, I'm gonna check for some pci cards. I'll post what I find. But again, whatever I find, don't expect greatness.

[Corkofski]

if your gonna be playing half life 2, the 9800 is a good choice, as ATI supports hl2 better than nvidea. i have a 9800 pro, its a nice card, and they are easy to install.

[Mazeppa]

Don't get your hopes up, though. Even with a halfway decent pci card, you w
Anyway, I'm gonna check for some pci cards. I'll post what I find. But again, whatever I find, don't expect greatness.
I have a PCI slot and the only card I found for it was the NVidia GF fx5200. It's not bad, but games do usually have to be run on medium setting with perhaps a few settings on high.

[FlyingPaul_83]

I have a PCI slot and the only card I found for it was the NVidia GF fx5200. It's not bad, but games do usually have to be run on medium setting with perhaps a few settings on high.


Wat kind of computer do you have?

how does Far cry look on your computer? good?

**** Stupid dimension 3000 :upset:

[Mazeppa]

Wat kind of computer do you have?

how does Far cry look on your computer? good?

**** Stupid dimension 3000 :upset:
Don't moan, I'm running a dimension 2400.

If you like, I can take some Far Cry screenshots and post them in the image thread?

[FlyingPaul_83]

Don't moan, I'm running a dimension 2400.

If you like, I can take some Far Cry screenshots and post them in the image thread?


if its not too much trouble, could you?

wow whats the difference between a 3000 and 2400?

[Mazeppa]

if its not too much trouble, could you?

wow whats the difference between a 3000 and 2400?
Ok, gimme a minute and I'll get those pictures up.

And as for the difference I'm not sure, slower CPU and maybe my computer came with less RAM.

[JohnXDoesn't]

Here are those links to pci cards I promised. They are lower end cards, as I believe they only make lower end pci cards these days. Still, a few may be of interest to you. I myself would recommend the second and fourth ones on the list. They are nvidia cards and are made by Chaintech, a good company. The fourth one is a 256mb card. So it being a pci card, the extra on card memory might help. Read the user reviews at the site for each card, also. They can be very helpful in helping you make a purchase. You have the processor and ram for it, so you might do ok. Like I said, just don't expect greatness. I had an FX5200 before I upgraded and ran Doom3 on rock bottom settings and Far Cry on low and medium settings quite well. So you may be doing a bit of gaming, afterall. Good luck. :)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102533

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145055

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102354

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145087

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814103155

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814139144

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130188

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102522

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814103166

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131284

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814140027

[FlyingPaul_83]

Here are those links to pci cards I promised. They are lower end cards, as I believe they only make lower end pci cards these days. Still, a few may be of interest to you. I myself would recommend the second and fourth ones on the list. They are nvidia cards and are made by Chaintech, a good company. The fourth one is a 256mb card. So it being a pci card, the extra on card memory might help. Read the user reviews at the site for each card, also. They can be very helpful in helping you make a purchase. You have the processor and ram for it, so you might do ok. Like I said, just don't expect greatness. I had an FX5200 before I upgraded and ran Doom3 on rockbottom settings and Far Cry on low and medium settings quite well. So you may be doing a bit of gaming afterall. Good luck. :)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102533

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145055

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102354

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145087

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814103155

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814139144

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130188

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102522

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814103166

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814131284

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814140027


thanks a bunch man. Thanks to everybody who helped me out.


Hopefully my quest to have a good gaming PC will finally be attained.

[JohnXDoesn't]

thanks a bunch man. Thanks to everybody who helped me out.


Hopefully my quest to have a good gaming PC will finally be attained.

I think you may be ok. I saw Metal Guitar's screens in the other thread. Not bad. Don't think you need the latest and greatest to play some of these games decently. They may not look the best, but they do ok. I played D3 and Far Cry and Painkiller with an FX5200 and was happy and surprised to be able to do so with decent framerates. I had that card for a year and a half. It did fine. So if that's all you can get for your computer, great. Have fun. That's what all this is supposed to be, anyway.

nvidia 6800 Ultra? Bah! Who needs it. :smash:

[FlyingPaul_83]

Is it easy to install a PCI card? or do I nedd to have professionally installed?

[JohnXDoesn't]

Is it easy to install a PCI card? or do I nedd to have professionally installed?

It is quick and easy. Just follow the instructions. Basically you just shut the comp down, open the case, touch the inside of the case to ground yourself to empty your body of any static electricity (don't do it on a carpet), firmly push the card into the slot, fasten/screw it in, and hook everything back up. It's most likely the easiest thing to upgrade on a pc. You'll have no trouble. I did my AGP and RAM upgrades and had my own concerns. I hadn't done anything to a computer before. But it was so simple a ten year old could do it. Literally.

[Phalanx]

Do the world a favor and don't buy an FX5200

[JohnXDoesn't]

Do the world a favor and don't buy an FX5200

It's a fine choice for a pci card. As good as any other in it's price/performance range. And the Chaintech 256mb FX5200 does well for what it is. Check Metal Guitar's screens for Far Cry in the Video Image thread.

[Neurotoxin]

I just got my 256 MB ATI All-In-Wonder X600 PRO (PCI-E). I'm extremely impressed with it.

[Mazeppa]

Do the world a favor and don't buy an FX5200
Then why don't you try help and find an alternative wise guy?

Contribute, or stfu.

[Ramsey]

Do the world a favor and don't buy an FX5200
Do this forum a favor and stop posting

[FlyingPaul_83]

I narrowed it down to either the SAPPHIRE Radeon 9250 100114 LB Video Card OR
the CHAINTECH P-FX20 256MB Geforce FX5200 256MB 128-bit DDR PCI Video Card.

does anyone have any experience with either?

[JohnXDoesn't]

I narrowed it down to either the SAPPHIRE Radeon 9250 100114 LB Video Card OR
the CHAINTECH P-FX20 256MB Geforce FX5200 256MB 128-bit DDR PCI Video Card.

does anyone have any experience with either?

Metal Guitar uses the Chaintech right?

Some of the user reviews on newegg for the Chaintech were really good. I think with your set up you would benefit from this card the most. Like I said, I had an FX5200, and although pissed on by some, it actually does a great job with older games (COD, MOH, Max Payne, Hitman, AVP2), and a good job with mixed settings on newer games like Far Cry, HL2, etc. And Painkiller looks and runs great on it. There is slowdown, but it's easy to live with.

And this card sounds like it might even out perform the one I had. So just based on my own experiance and what I have read at newegg, I would say the Chaintech is your best and safest bet.

[Crapdragoon]

Dont get that ****. Just don't. Thoses are both poop cards. Try to get a nvidia 6 series card.

[JohnXDoesn't]

Dont get that ****. Just don't. Thoses are both poop cards. Try to get a nvidia 6 series card.

Perhaps you should of botherd reading just a little of the the thread before posting.

[Crapdragoon]

Perhaps you should bother reading just a little of the the thread before posting.


to lazy, so i guees he only has a pci slot ? throw that fukin pc out the window then.

[JohnXDoesn't]

to lazy, so i guees he only has a pci slot ? throw that fukin pc out the window then.

I don't know why, but I find that somewhat humorous. :rolleyes:


Anyway, all kidding aside, FlyingPaul, get the Chaintech. I'm pretty sure only low end cards are available for pci these days (I'll check newegg later for better ones and post if I find any) and if that's the case you may as well spend a little more and get a sure thing. Plus it does sound like a decent card. And nvidia designs a good card and Chaintech does a job with it. So if it were me I would spend a little more for the Chaintech, if for no other reason then feeling it might be the best my computer could do, considering the 3000. And make sure you have at least 512mb of system RAM. Which I think you do.

[FlyingPaul_83]

I don't know why, but I find that somewhat humorous. :rolleyes:


Anyway, all kidding aside, FlyingPaul, get the Chaintech. I'm pretty sure only low end cards are available for pci these days (I'll check newegg later for better ones and post if I find any) and if that's the case you may as well spend a little more and get a sure thing. Plus it does sound like a decent card. And nvidia designs a good card and Chaintech does a job with it. So if it were me I would spend a little more for the Chaintech, if for no other reason then feeling it might be the best my computer could do, considering the 3000. And make sure you have at least 512mb of system RAM. Which I think you do.


yeah I have 512 RAM. Thanks for all your help man, I was leaning more towards the chaintech anyway. I won't be getting it any time soon, maybe like in 1-2 months, so I'll keep checking new egg aswell. I also decided to get 2 512 RAM CARDS to replace my 128's, so I hope that will make a difference aswell.

[JohnXDoesn't]

yeah I have 512 RAM. Thanks for all your help man, I was leaning more towards the chaintech anyway. I won't be getting it any time soon, maybe like in 1-2 months, so I'll keep checking new egg aswell. I also decided to get 2 512 RAM CARDS to replace my 128's, so I hope that will make a difference aswell.

Yeah. Going from four 128's to two 512's is going to help you plenty. It won't make a difference in visuals really, but it will help run the games more smoothly. Help quite a lot in some cases. Which is important when using a card like an FX5200. I think you'll be happy with the set up. And for the most part, FX5200 graphics are still better then ps2 and Xbox graphics. So I'd say you're doing ok.

[Who's the Boss?]

Dont get that ****. Just don't. Thoses are both poop cards. Try to get a nvidia 6 series card.

ATI > NVIDIA

get a Radeon 9800

[Let's Chop Cats!]

Umm acording to benchmarks Nvidia is killing ATI in every test possible.

[Crapdragoon]

Umm acording to benchmarks Nvidia is killing ATI in every test possible.


This is correct, as i used to be an ati fanboy, but im not exactly a nvidia fanboy neather, even though i use a nvidia chipset'd card. :p

[Who's the Boss?]

Umm acording to benchmarks Nvidia is killing ATI in every test possible.

Seriously? ATI have been better than nvidia for the last couple years.

[Let's Chop Cats!]

When it was the 9x00 line versus the 5x00 yeah, but since the 6x00's came out they have been getting owned. Even more now with the 7800's. ATI is coming out with the x1800 line within the next couple weeks.