Will changing graphic card help?

I have an old computer (about 9 years old) that I play the game on. I only upgraded its RAM to 2 GB, all others remain the same. Will upgrading my graphic card to "NVIDIA GeForce FX 5700 series video card or above" be very helpful with lags and FPS when everything else (except RAM) remain the same?

What graphics card do you have now?

Since the graphics card determines frame rate and might have a hard time when there is lots on the screen at once, yes, it will help.

Since the graphics card determines frame rate and might have a hard time when there is lots on the screen at once, yes, it will help.

NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200...

id say you wont notice much of a difference but if you do itll be a small difference.

Any GeForce with the 'FX' distinction is garbage.

Do you know what graphics interface your current motherboard supports?

Even going with the fastest card you can get for an old interface will only set you back about $100. Then again... the computer is 9 years old.

The general numbering convention is that the closer the number is to #999, the "better" it is, for that series. For example, an Nvidia 5700 is "better" than a 5200. THe first number doesnt mean squat between different chip manufacturers tho.

Also keep in mind that you pretty much get what you pay for in graphics cards, so plan to spend about $80-100 to get something that is worth even buying. My OLD card was a an Nvidia 6800 GT - you could go with that or the Ultra if you can still find them and have playable frames.

you're better off saving money and buying/building an entirely new computer. you'll never get much out of a 9 year old computer. sure, you can spend big $$$ and get a good legacy graphic card (geforce 6 series, for example), but you'll just be hugely limited by your CPU. i mean, 9 years ago... that's the pentium 3 era we're talking about here.

Moriz is absolutely right - anytime you are approaching a decade in reference to a computer it's not worth upgrading anymore. Rather than spending $100 on already outdated graphics card (if you can find one that is compatible still) you could spend $3-400 and get a budget computer that will be super super duper better than what you have now.... if you have some technical exp. then my advice is to come up with a budget and we can help you find the parts to match it.

i agree, your so much better off just buying anew one, give us your budget and im sure we can provide you with the parts, if you know how to build a computer, if not you can still give us your budget and we can find a nice pre built for you.

Depends on what your CPU is.

If you buy a 8800 GT for a Athlon 1400+, you will have a crappy, bottlenecked PC. You know what that means? That half of the power your GPU has will be blocked by too weak and slow CPU.

I'd say change everything that is outdated, since it's likely that you will change GPU, then motherboard, and with that CPU and probably hard drive. It might cost a bit, but it's worth it.

thats the meat of the situation your pc is old enough might be cheaper in the long run to go new pc then try tp upgrade it. im sure someone here can set you up with a cheaper collection around the 500 dollar range

Many thanks for all the replies

Oh...a better computer for $300 (rarely buy a computer)... I remember we paid a little over 1k ($) for the current one years ago >< This computer was a nice machine for me to play Diablo II back then lol

I'm tired of playing on an old computer...I guess I'll just buy a new one I wanna get a good one that can do lots of things (but no need for connecting to a TV and things like that, just computer) and will last - wanted one for about $400~500, but I'm raising the maximum I can pay to $800~1000 (instant noodles for some more time lol). I don't like playing on a laptop, so I'd probably get a desktop. Preferred brand is Sony VAIO (Vista Home Premium). Can anyone recommend a good pre-built one with at least some upgrading room for the future?

Uh I just checked for computers by Sony on Best Buy's site, and the only one under $1000 is this one. And this one is a little over. Are these ok for the prices? Or you can get a better/similar one for less (if brands doesn't matter)?

Thanks again.

i wouldn't touch those two with a 10-foot pole tbh. sony's computers are never known for their value. for that kind of money, i can build you a computer that will eclipse them five times over.

System Buyers Guide: PCs under $825
This guide includes even displays, so if you have a display that you are fine with for the time being the price is even cheaper.

Also note with current lack of supply on hd4770's and the newly announced 4790 mid ranged 700$ comps got a whole lot better. Also AMD has released cheap 100$ phenom 2's. hd 4870's around 130$


http://www.anandtech.com/guides/showdoc.aspx?i=3563

cpu's
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...oc.aspx?i=3572

sony, you make great stuff like ps3 and psp, bu never NEVER EVER MAKE AN COMPUTER AGAIN.
those computers suck ass, and for that kind of money you can amke an really fast PC.
the cheapest is to buy it in parts and build it yourself.
its not so hard and with a bit of help from youtube almost anyone can do it
if you say your budget and what you all need, we can help and design an PC for you.

the best option would be to build it your self if you know how to, because most pre built computers that arent gaming specific arent made for gaming, and those that are are often expensive due to useless stuff.

Why someone would even consider buying a pre-made PC?

Yesterday I was in a MediaMarkt to see what PCs they are for sale. And Jesus Christ, for 3000 PLN they have a not that good PC... And I can build a much better on my own for mere 1800. You have 1200 left for a nice 22" monitor and good speakers + standard keyboard and a mouse.

Didn't know Sony computers were that bad... Never used a computer by them, so I was thinking give it a try...

I looked for some guides on building computers yesterday, and it didn't look too hard. Where do you guys buy components (online=newegg? and local stores)?

I don't need a monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers, just the machine itself, about how much do I need to build a nice one for gaming? $400~500??

newegg is the place i start i compare and shop and about 500 dollars should net you a decent pc something that gonna run a lot of games on high and the rest on medium setttings. by building your own say in a year you could upgrade for 100 or 200 and still have a real decent computer