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sArA
11-28-2005, 01:31 PM
I have a nvidia gforce4 mx420 graphics card and it won't run Fable (son's birthday present)

I know I need to upgrade but I don't want to go for a heavy duty gamers card as I am not prepared to spend over about 50 or 60 quid max.

Any bright ideas guys?

clocker
11-28-2005, 01:49 PM
You changed your name...

I Googled "Fable" to see what the minimum requirements are and all I could find said that it's exclusively for the XBox.
Is this true?

sArA
11-28-2005, 01:54 PM
http://www.microsoft.com/games/PC/fable.aspx

I think its the 'shader' part that my card won't do btw.

Do you like my new style username clocker?

lynx
11-28-2005, 02:36 PM
You probably need something like this (http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=13437873141&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=94089) or this (http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=3VGK&CategorySelectedId=11137&PageMode=1&v=2).

The FX5500 is the better card, but that's reflected in the price.

It's a shame you haven't got an AGP slot (I'm assuming you haven't), the performance would be better and the price lower.

clocker
11-28-2005, 03:12 PM
^ What he said.:rolleyes:

Not sure about the namechange yet...will take some getting used to.

Virtualbody1234
11-28-2005, 03:16 PM
Why would you assume that she hasn't got an AGP slot?

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=90383

lynx
11-28-2005, 04:15 PM
Weird, I could have sworn it said PCI somewhere in there. :blink:

sArA
11-29-2005, 08:34 AM
Ok guys...this is looking good. Erm...how can I check to see if I do have an AGP slot? And what does that actually mean regarding performance.

mr. nails
11-29-2005, 09:25 AM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127186

Virtualbody1234
11-29-2005, 10:32 AM
Ok guys...this is looking good. Erm...how can I check to see if I do have an AGP slot? And what does that actually mean regarding performance.
You would need to tell us what motherboard you have or you could check yourself comparing it to this picture:

http://www.cheapcomputersandparts.com/Images/Parts/Motherboard-AGP-Slot.jpg

sArA
11-29-2005, 12:12 PM
According to my manual....

I have a Dell Dimension 4550 and in the Specs it mentions that it has both PCI and AGP Bus types. It is 172 pins (if that helps) This makes me think (without opening up the comp) that I do have the AGP thingy you mentioned.:lol:

clocker
11-29-2005, 12:38 PM
Well, I just skimmed the Dell forums and there are people running 6600GTs in your PC (not your's obviously, but similar models), so I guess any AGP card within your budget will work.
How much are you spending in American dollars?

sArA
11-29-2005, 12:44 PM
I guess around $80-100 ish

mr. nails
11-29-2005, 12:46 PM
I am not prepared to spend over about 50 or 60 quid max.
http://www.earlymaps.com/info/exchange.htm

Virtualbody1234
11-29-2005, 01:24 PM
Why would you assume that she hasn't got an AGP slot?

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=90383
I still recommend the same card as my first post.

sArA
11-29-2005, 02:00 PM
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ATI-Radeon-256MB-Connect3D-9250-Graphics-Video-Card-AGP_W0QQitemZ8727006389QQcategoryZ67864QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

how about this one? Looks a good price

Gripper
11-29-2005, 06:51 PM
How about this one (http://uk.insight.com/apps/productpresentation/index.php?product_id=XFXOA048HH&nbs_search=GR%3D1%26IS%3Don%26C%3D1073%26src%3Dgo01%26cm_mmc%3DGoogle-_-Graphics%2BCard-_-Search-_-graphics%2Bcards%26gclid%3DCL3e-OWJ14ECFSRFEgodVSc_hg%26SB%3Dplh%26K%3D%26M%3D%26search_type%3D%26P%3D4),its a bit more expensive but will last longer.

sArA
11-30-2005, 08:47 AM
Bloody E-Buyer must be the slowest site on the net...its so frustrating!

Looking at the one you suggested Gripper, I gather that 256Meg is better than 128 as its bigger!! :lol: (its also a fiver cheaper on e-buyer)

It is still in my price range...just...so if no-one has a better suggestion, I will go with that one I guess...

@ VB the one you suggested...in your opinion (as one of the hardware world clever buggers) is it better than Gripper's suggestion?

I am still completely confused about all these different cards and want the best for me dosh of course!

I would like to order one today if poss.

lynx
11-30-2005, 08:39 PM
Having established that you have an AGP slot, I think VB's suggestion is about best for your price range. I would have gone for that one myself had I not got the idea that you only had PCI.

The FX5500 is a minor upgrade to the FX5200, and the last in the line of PCI/AGP based cards. In general the Geforce 6 series are the replacements for the FX series. They are PCI-Express based, with some variants backwards converted to AGP. So effectively the 6200AGP is also a replacement for the FX5200, but using newer technology so it should be slightly faster than the FX5500.

Watch out that the headline prices on Ebuyer don't include VAT.

Edit: btw, all 3 Nvidia cards I've mentioned are better than the 9250 IMO.

Virtualbody1234
11-30-2005, 08:44 PM
Having established that you have an AGP slot, I think VB's suggestion is about best for your price range. I would have gone for that one myself had I not got the idea that you only had PCI.

The FX5500 is a minor upgrade to the FX5200, and the last in the line of PCI/AGP based cards. In general the Geforce 6 series are the replacements for the FX series. They are PCI-Express based, with some variants backwards converted to AGP. So effectively the 6200AGP is also a replacement for the FX5200, but using newer technology so it should be slightly faster than the FX5500.

Watch out that the headline prices on Ebuyer don't include VAT.

Edit: btw, all 3 Nvidia cards I've mentioned are better than the 9250 IMO.Very good summary!

sArA
12-01-2005, 09:32 AM
Well guys, thanks so much for your recommendations. I am going with VB and Lynx's suggestion.

@ Lynx...particular thanks for your explanation it clarified it well for me.