Video Card Suggestions

Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 8:10 am Post subject: Video Card Suggestions

I put a new video card in my computer about 4yrs ago and don't remember what it was Shocked

. My diplay management says it a radeon x700 series. Anyone have any suggestions on a good video card i can upgrade to. I know I probably need ot just replace the computer but for right now just looking for a little upgrade. My current fps is around 40. I know just enough about computers to be dangerous, so not huge on know how Embarassed

. I belive I need a AGP vidoe card. Any help greatly appreciated. Laughing

Motherboard MSI KT6VL-LSR KT600
Processor AMD Athlon XP 2000+ 1.7mhz [/b]

Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 9:18 am Post subject: Re: Video Card Suggestions

Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 10:28 am Post subject:

I second the motion in regards to a complete upgrade. The AGP is old tech, and any money spent on it would be a waste since you wouldn't be able use the card in the new rig. You would have to spend almost a $100 on an AGP card to get any meaningful performance boost. Depending on your budget and if you can reuse any of your old equipment, the $800 - $1000 could be reduced "a little". (only if you on the low end of the scale, not suggested though)
You definitely need to move up to a Dual Core processor. And the best bang for the buck PCI-E video card is the Nvidia 8800GT, which can be found for less than $200.
Core components and suggested price range (modest setup). (Given you're going to reuse: optical drives, Case, OS, monitor, mouse, keyboard)
Motherboard: $150 - $200. (if you're more hard core and like to OC then easily more than $200)
CPU (Dual-Core): $150 - $200 (depends on what you do with the computer, if mainly gaming, then GPU will give you best boost in performance, if you do a lot of CPU intensive programs, then a more powerful CPU)
RAM (2 GB min): $50-$100 (some after MIR's will get you it for < $50)
GPU: Nvidia 9600GT or 8800GT ($125 - $200, both of which will easily give you more than Double (closer to Triple) your performance)
PSU (500W min): $100-$200 (Don't skimp on quality)
HD (~300GB): ~$70

Just some food for thought.
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Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 10:59 am Post subject:

I can only deal with a different video card right now. trying to speed up my COD2 fps. Have cod 4 since it came out and havent even played it yet, but thats a differnet story. Was gonna try and get different video card now then in prob next year get a new computer. Found a Geforce 7600GT 512mb 128 bit GDDR2 AGP 4X/8x for 119 on newegg. My son works at a video store , i"m gonna see if he can get it even cheaper. Will i notice a diffence from my old card, i cant even find any info on it on the internet. Thanx for all the help you all are the only ones that i trust the advise and game on.

Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 11:30 am Post subject:

Here's a site I use for research and reviews. A lot of links.
http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=103&card2=435
Hope it helps.
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Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 1:45 pm Post subject:

If the 7600 gt is a good one. The reviews I've read talk about heat being a problem any suggestions on fan and are they hard to install. Thanx for the link looks like the 7600GT is twice the card i have now.

Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 2:01 pm Post subject:

installing aftermarket heatsinks on a GFcard are easy .

i always use zalman .... this is a cooler that will do fine for that card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118117

shouldn't spend too much money on that computer anymore ......
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Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running
around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music...

Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 2:53 pm Post subject:

Posted: Mon May 19, 2008 5:49 pm Post subject:

heck i got a good rig for 680 runs everything in cod2 in extra settings
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Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 8:40 am Post subject:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130099
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118117

Here is the video card and cooler I was thinking about getting. Will it work on my setup. I know its not the best or baddest, just trying to make it last a little longer before I lay out a grand on a new setup. Cyber power built the one I have now, last 5-6 yrs so far, I think I got my moneys worth.

The reviews are good on both looks like the video card is about 2x as good as i got now. Will I notice a huge difference if anyone knows, any idea what the fps might be with the new video card. All the input is greatly appreciated.

Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 10:06 am Post subject:

i don't know cheap webshops in the U.S. to see if you could make a better deal .... Embarassed

but that card would do better compare to the x700

you could let the standard fan on it
1 you're not gonna overclock it (seeing the first post)
2 if the temps are getting too hot (don't think that will happen if you have some airflow through you're case) ,
you could put a fan on later (saves you $25 today .... little start for a new rig later Laughing

)
_________________

Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running
around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music...

Posted: Wed May 21, 2008 6:50 pm Post subject:

You could go with the radeon 9800 pro, I know it's old, but it runs COD4 flawlessly. You can get it on Ebay for $50. Quick fix for now until you can come up with the money for better rig.
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