GW runs slow with new graphics card

I got a new graphics card Geforce 8400 GS (512 Mb). My old card ATI ratheon 9800 (256Mb) ran game fine until it got fried. But now (with new card) Guild Wars is running really slow, even though I have all recommended system req.

For example, if i open inventory it looks empty and then slowly but surely the items start to appear. And the game overall is just consistently laggy. But it doesnt have anything to do with my connection. I put the game on lower quality video settings but that didnt help either. (I will say that the graphics card requires 300W and my cpu supplies only 250W, but im only running guild wars and the cpu doesnt seem to be working that hard. I havent gotten any indication that more is needed.)

Anyone know the cause of this?


These are my specs:

Minimum: Pentium III or Athlon equivalent
You Have: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz

Minimum: 800 MHz
You Have: 2.79 GHz

Minimum: 256 MB
You Have: 1022.0 MB

Minimum: Windows 98/ME/2000/XP (NT & 95 not supported)
You Have: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (Build Service Pack 32600)

Minimum: 32 MB video card (NVIDIA GeForce 3 or 4MX+ / ATI Radeon 8500+)
You Have: GeForce 8400 GS

Features: Minimum attributes of your Video Card
Required You Have
Video RAM 32 MB 512.0 MB
3D Yes Yes
Hardware T&L Yes Yes

DirectX version
Minimum: 9.0c
You Have: 9.0c

Minimum: 2 GB
You Have: 102.6 GB
5 minutes ago

Did you install the drivers for your new card?

If not, your card probably came with a DVD. Otherwise go to the ATI website and download for your card. You will almost certainly need to update your drivers if you installed them from the DVD.

Also, your GPU requires 300W, and you have a 250W support? Clearly the GPU doesn't get the power it needs. My 9800GT worked crappier than 8500GT when I didn't connect it to the power supply with a secondary cable.

Btw, next time you want to buy a GPU, ask us for an advice instead of Best Buy, as we are more reliable on the whole.

*Rahja Edit* Let's not just trash his computer with works like "horrible CPU, GPU etc, kk?

uninstall your old ATI graphics drivers and download the current NVDIA drivers

if your graphics card says REQUIRED 300W and your power supply is only giving 250 thats probably the issue

Whats wrong with the my Nvidea 8400 GS??? The guy at best buy recommended it because i dont have a PCI Express slot. So the 8400 was the newest one I could get that didnt require a PCI e. Although I did have A LOT of trouble fitting it into my PCI slot. Had to get our campus IT guy to jam it in there and even he said its not suppose to be that hard.


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Yes I installed drivers from dvd and unstalled old ATI drivers. I will check if they need to be updated, Im surprised this isnt done automatically.

from experience dont go into best buy without knowing something about what your about to buy.

and if your having to force things into the slot, it doesnt fit exchange it.

and did you use driver sweeper to remove the old drivers completely?

http://www.guru3d.com/category/driversweeper/

Seriously?! AGP is better than PCI, and PCIe is better than AGP. Although I understand that you don't have a PCIe slot, you're saying you don't have an AGP slot? That's interesting. And, you had to jam the card into the slot? Something doesn't add up with that; even I know seating any kind of card into a PC isn't supposed to too difficult.

Personally, I'd suggest buying a new computer if it's that old. If you can't, try upgrading your PSU to something your motherboard can handle. And, in the meantime, save money so you can buy yourself a decent computer.

But that's just me.

No I didnt. I unstalled manually. I'll check this out thanks

Those with older computers, maybe? For at least three years, I had a computer without a PCIe slot. And my parents' computer doesn't have a PCIe slot. But they don't need to upgrade; they don't play games. o_o;

the radeon 9800 PRO AGP is significantly more powerful than a geforce 8400 GS, especially since you've gotten a PCI version. you've essentially paid for a DOWNGRADE, not upgrade.

and yeah, never trust best buy sales reps. i'd rather trust a con-artist, or a thief... or even a politician.

also having a underpowered graphics card will shorten the life of your video card. it would be wise to upgrade that asap. you may not see it now but you will be getting BSOD's more frequently.

if it requires a 300w i would suggest going to 350w or even a 400w

http://img.zdnet.com/techDirectory/_NVPCX.JPG

http://img.tomshardware.com/cn/newsi...c-agp-pcie.jpg

THats AGP and PCIe...what does your card look like and what does the slot look like on your mobo? If it's a PCI-e card and you have AGP the IT guy on your campus ought to be fired immediately....

the 300W listed on the card is the recommended power for the entire system, not just for the card itself. this value is almost always overinflated, so your 250W PSU is probably fine.

http://www.howstuffworks.com/power-supply.htm

im gonna guess hes using the stock PSU in which case is no way fine. so his 250w stock might be running 180w. if its a good power supply and is 250w rated you MIGHT be able to get away with it, but still not suggested.

EDIT: A typical Pentium 4 uses 86watts for power on its own. if your whole PC with the P4 uses 100watts would mean you better start plugging your hard drive disc drive and mother board back in.

there was a recent test done (unfortunately i can't remember the link), and they found that the typical desktop computer draws less than 100W, even going at full tilt. being a budget card, the geforce 8400 GS probably consumes less than 30W. i'd say the OP's PSU is fine.

reply for spiritspammer's ninja-edit: thanks for proving my point. even a pentium 4 computer will only draw around the 100W mark, so the additional low powered 8400GS should be fine. hard drives and peripherals do not consume that much power. also, keep in mind that the OP ran a radeon 9800PRO on that same PSU, which happens to draw significantly more power.

By what I've read so far you still have an AGP slot. AGP graphics cards are pretty expensive to their PCI-E counterparts. I would consider a whole motherboard upgrade if you have the cash-less hassle (this is from a former AGP owner-who got into the PCI-E game late).

Somethings you might want to correct that others have mentioned:

• When comparing cards look at the performance (shaders, memory clock etc) not just the fact that it is a next generation and has more memory (ATI 9800 kills that 8400 GS in terms of performance). Also, there are benchmarks all over the internet for you to compare graphics cards. Use Best Buy as a last resort (unless you can get a good deal-which is rare).
  
  
• If you want to continue using that graphics card, you'll need to upgrade your power supply to 300W+ (I don't understand why it needs that much juice, since the card is a low end)
  
  
• Seems like you got a PCI low profile graphics card. PCI slots are NOT meant for gaming man (at least for the last LONG LONG time). That card you bought is marketed for those who simply want to see their monitor and do minimal things like internet. When you are playing Guild Wars, your not getting the bandwidth you need to run the game, because of the PCI slot add that with the fact that this is a low-profile non-gaming card and you have a badly performing Guild Wars.

1. Buy an mid range AGP card such as the x2600 XT, 4650, or 3850 AGP ONLINE as AGP is expensive enough already, might as well save money getting one online. Try newegg, or Ebay is you want used ones. and also buy a new power supply as those AGP cards need way more juice than 250W and don't skimp.
   
2. Motherboard with PCI-E but you have to buy new RAM, CPU, Power Supply, etc and be hassle free.

Good Luck.

dude, if you need a 9800 Pro AGP, I got one sitting on my desk (its only 128MB though I think). I don't need it, and I'll ship it to you for free (if you are in the U.S.).

Edit: Send me a PM with your address.

Wow, I commend your generosity. You just saved this guy ALOT of hassle.

we can argue all day about this and i know from my line of work that when we say we recommended use of 300w we mean to use 300w. its not put on there for show nor do we make money for the power supply that sells if the customer buys one. and rather than making this thread longer with our bickering you can pm me and we can continue this conversation.

http://www.anandtech.com/casecooling...oc.aspx?i=3413

the power requirement on graphic cards are always inflated. there's really no need to argue over it.

to the OP - take Rin's offer - a 9800 PRO is fine for GW and better than a 8400 (even if it was PCI Express). I'd say you should start saving up for a new computer, but another 9800 PRO will keep you going for awhile.

The Best Buy guy indeed did inform you to the nth degree in the direction of wrong.

There are many other PCI solutions that are better...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161283

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187084

Both cards will destroy the 8400GS, but both are expensive because PCI cards are not mass manufactured, thus, more expensive.


Also, I won't tolerate anymore of these "that cards sucks, omg who has a PCI only computer anymore, garbage, etc etc" comments. They aren't constructive, and I will infract people for that kind of crap from now on. You can tell people their video cards aren't that great and all, but don't go assuming everyone has money to spend on a new PC every 3 years. It's rude and demoralizing and I won't allow it.

you might have been better with a geforce 7500+, for cheaper or around the same price and would have run it better, everything else sounds fine wth your comp as ive run GW off a number of diferent systems.

Since this post is still sort of around, how good is this?

NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT with 512MB

more than you need for GW - for newer games it depends on what you play and what resolution and settings you use - overall though that's a pretty good GPU for a laptop.

That would be greatly appreciated my friend!! I actually live in Massachusetts. What's ur email Rin, so I follow up with u??

Best
Eric