Which graphics card?

[tralalala]

Well, it seems that now my graphics card is too old (ATI Radeon 9550).. Seems it isn't enough to run the newest PC games, so I'm guessing it's time for a change.

I had a look over at newegg.com, but I really don't understand much about GFX cards.. So, what would be a good (great) card, for a budget of, say, 150$ max? Something that would be good for the long-run, and won't break down halfway through installation.


Fanks :smilie4:

[lynx]

Does your mobo already support PCI-E?

If not, your budget is already spent on a new mobo, and since that probably also means a new processor and memory I think you need to forget the idea that a graphics card upgrade is going to give you a long term solution.

So, assuming you need AGP, probably the best you can hope for is something like an ATI Radeon HD3850 (http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?product_id=21140&category_id=125&manufacturer_id=0&tid=11124-00-20r). But remember that at best it is still a stopgap measure.

[Detale]

What are your system specs bro?

[db_la_23]

go for 8800 gtx r 9600

[tralalala]

Computer:
Computer Type ACPI Multiprocessor PC
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.5512
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
Computer Name RAFI-18B01231E1 (Rafi)
User Name Rafi the Great
Logon Domain RAFI-18B01231E1
Date / Time 2008-09-08 / 14:13

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Pentium 4 530, 3000 MHz (15 x 200)
Motherboard Name Asus P5P800S (5 PCI, 1 AGP, 2 DDR DIMM, Audio, LAN)
Motherboard Chipset Intel Breeds Hill i848P
System Memory 1024 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type AMI (11/03/04)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Bluetooth Communications Port (COM13)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter ATI Radeon 9550 / X1050 Series Secondary (256 MB)
Video Adapter ATI Radeon 9550 / X1050 Series (256 MB)
3D Accelerator ATI Radeon 9550 (RV350)
Monitor Samsung SyncMaster 710M/710V/MagicSyncMaster CX701BM/CX711BM [17" LCD] (H9NX405513)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Analog Devices AD1888 @ Intel 82801EB ICH5 - AC'97 Audio Controller [A-2/A-3]

Storage:
IDE Controller Intel(R) 82801EB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers
IDE Controller Intel(R) 82801EB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers
Storage Controller SCSI/RAID Host Controller
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive WDC WD1600JD-00HBB0 (149 GB, IDE)
Disk Drive WDC WD3200KS-00PFB0 (298 GB, IDE)
Optical Drive HL-DT-ST DVD-RAM GSA-H55L (DVD+R9:10x, DVD-R9:10x, DVD+RW:20x/8x, DVD-RW:20x/6x, DVD-RAM:12x, DVD-ROM:16x, CD:48x/32x/48x DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM)
Optical Drive SL7424P UPT201S SCSI CdRom Device
Optical Drive SL7424P UPT201S SCSI CdRom Device
Optical Drive SL7424P UPT201S SCSI CdRom Device
Optical Drive SL7424P UPT201S SCSI CdRom Device
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions:
D: (NTFS) 30059 MB (2636 MB free)
E: (NTFS) 305234 MB (56070 MB free)
F: (NTFS) 122558 MB (5679 MB free)
Total Size 447.1 GB (62.9 GB free)

Input:
Keyboard Microsoft USB Dual Receiver Wireless Keyboard (IntelliType Pro)
Mouse Microsoft USB Dual Receiver Wireless Mouse (IntelliPoint)

Network:
Primary IP Address 10.0.0.5
Primary MAC Address 00-0B-6B-01-29-CD
Network Adapter 802.11g USB 2.0 adapter (10.0.0.5)
Network Adapter Bluetooth LAN Access Server Driver - Packet Scheduler Miniport

Peripherals:
Printer Canon PIXMA iP2000
Printer Lexmark E240n
Printer Microsoft XPS Document Writer
Printer Send To OneNote 2007
USB1 Controller Intel 82801EB ICH5 - USB Controller [A-2/A-3]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801EB ICH5 - USB Controller [A-2/A-3]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801EB ICH5 - USB Controller [A-2/A-3]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801EB ICH5 - USB Controller [A-2/A-3]
USB2 Controller Intel 82801EB ICH5 - Enhanced USB2 Controller [A-2/A-3]
USB Device 802.11g USB 2.0 adapter
USB Device Broadcom 2045 Bluetooth 2.0 USB-UHE Device
USB Device Generic USB Hub
USB Device Generic USB Hub
USB Device Intel(r) PC Camera CS110 #4
USB Device USB Composite Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
USB Device USB Printing Support

[Acid_death69]

lol did you just copy the stuff outta device manager or everest?

[Detale]

I would say either:

ASUS AH3650 SILENT/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 3650 512MB 128-bit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121260) for $90.99

or if you want to spend the $150

HIS Hightech H385F512ANP Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161225) For $159.99

Your MoBo (http://www.dealtime.com/xPF-ASUS-MB-ASUS-P5P800S-848P-RET) doesn't have PCI express slots so for the long haul I would recomend get the cheaper card and save up for a new board homie :)

[tralalala]

@Acid - Copied it from Everest. Works a charm.

@Detale - Fanks :smilie4: Will take that as a good piece of advice.. But does the cheaper one have that VertexShader 3.0 thingy?

[kondrae]

both those cards a pretty new so yes.

note that you will pay usually $30-$40 more for the agp version verses the PCI-E version even though agp version will be bit slower.
So if you can and want to, upgrade your whole pc
then you can buy a 8800gt PCI-E for $100
or ati hd 3650 PCI-E for $50

[Detale]

Good Point K

[tralalala]

I ain't going to buy a whole new mobo/pc now.. Maybe in a few months time when I get the dosh.. What would be my best bet now? The cheaper one Detale pointed out?

[kotya]

I would go for 8800GT. Very good price/value.

[tralalala]

Does it have VertexShader 3.0? And what's it's cost?

[lynx]

Yes it has Vertex Shader 3.0

I'm not sure of the cost, but you'll need to add the price of a hammer to get a PCI-E card to fit your AGP slot. :rolleyes:

[clocker]

When purchasing the hammer be sure to get a SATA2 version.
It'll be somewhat futureproof.

[clocker]

When purchasing the hammer be sure to get a SATA2 version.
It'll be somewhat futureproof.

[jmv1993204]

8800 is a good choice. I too recommend that

[lynx]

8800 is a good choice. I too recommend that
Have you got a recommendation for the brand of hammer too?

[nadeem111as]

it is a laptop and has geforce 7400 gs

[kondrae]

@ OP,
3850 would be a great choice
the prices even dropped on some of them

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161225

[becomehokage]

ATI cards are strong and not that expensive.Nvidia's 9 series failed imo so if you can get a 8800 ultra u'll be fine :P

[romanticking]

i have nvdia

[tralalala]

What's a "Hammer"? :unsure: From what I gather it must be some bit of hardware that helps a non-AGP card to fit into an AGP slot..? How much would getting the 8800+hammer cost..?

[Chewie]

You could forego the hammer and utilise a Junior Hacksaw to correct the slotting on the card.
Sure it can be a little tricky for those new to hardware adaptation but the final result is comparable to the Hammer option yet junior hacksaws are available at a fraction of the cost.

[tralalala]

So I'm guessing it was a type of joke.. Roight..

So, getting serious now - What do I do with an AGP slot and the need for a card that will run most modern games for the next year or so..?

[lynx]

I thought we'd already given you the answer to that.

The most advanced card you will be able to get for an AGP slot is the Ati 3850, or if you don't want to spend too much on a card that's soon going to be redundant the cheaper 3650. Just make sure you don't inadvertently get the pci-e version.

Nvidia don't have an AGP card in the same performance range.

[bd75sy]

to be honest Id consider sticking with what youve got and budget for a new pc, 500 quid (1000 USD though UK p[rices are over inflated through tax if you ask me!) some googling will get you a quad core behemoth... if you can fathom it out, asuming you dont have the technical ability to build one yourself theres plenty of guides online, if you do then head over to an etailer and see what you can get for the money... trust me its worth it
Regards Chris