LF Cheap decent videocard

Since my laptop died a while ago I bought a new PC, but one without real videocard, so even just playing Guild Wars 1 can only be done by putting all graphics sliders down to the absolute minimum if I want to be able to play the game with keeping a normal framerate.
So yeah, I'm looking for a videocard that should be able to run Guild Wars 1 easily at max. But I don't want an overly expensive one, as I'll be buying the best videocard I can afford when Guild Wars 2 comes out (hopefully in a year or so).

Looking to spend something between 50-100 Euro's (64-128 USD).

What country in Europe?
What motherboard?

I live in Sweden.
Where or how do you check motherboard?

Nvidia 9600 GT or Radeon 4850 should do it. Both are 80~130$ depending on where you shop and can run Guild wars + most other games just fine.

Thanks, I'll look into those two.^^ Still open for more suggestions before I'm going to make a final decision.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=how+do+I+find+o...oard+I+have%3F
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=how+do+I+find+o...pply+I+have%3F
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html

Can't make any suggestions, you might have AGP, PCI-E 1.0, PCI-E 2.0 etc. Power supply also needs to be adequate. I'm assuming that because the computer didn't come with a good graphics card, it's probably not.

P.S Look into getting second hand if you don't intend on using it long-term.

*excuse edits, but mods will probably shit a brick otherwise.

go ahead and download CPUID - it's a nice little program, as for the power supply, you could take the side off your case and see what the sticker on it says.... What's the make and model of your new desktop? You may need to look for a low profile option. Also, what resolution do you play at?

Alright, I used that CPUZ thing...

I guess getting second hand is a good idea yeah.

Ehh, I'll go check inside my computer in a minute then.
EDIT: I've had a look inside, and hope this is the thing I was supposed to look up:
DELTA ELECTRONICS INC.
Model: DPS-250AB-22 D REV 07F
Input: 220-240V ~/3. 15A 50Hz
Output: 250W MAX.

My fullscreen resolution is 1920 x 1080 on a 22 inch screen.

Do you have an Acer Veriton M221 ? Ill fill some info in here if it is, and if its not Ill just edit this out

you will probably need a new power supply as well as a graphics card, but dont get a cheap generic one, it would probably be worse than the one youve got (250w)

The Corsair CX 400W is looking great value atm at only £32.99 (manufactured by Seasonic)

Since you really only want a temporary graphics card, I think this is great value at £52.86 - GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB

Uhmm, as far as I know I have an Acer Veriton, but not sure about the number.

If I were to buy the Corsair power supply you just linked me to, would that be good enough to keep for when I want to upgrade my graphics card for Guild Wars 2? Because I don't think I'd want it if I have to go buy a new one next year.=p

And thanks a lot for the links btw.8)

It'd be pushing it, and don't buy from England either. I'll try and find a decent swedish shop.

The power supply you currently have won't power much. It's a way they can cut costs - don't put in graphics card, then they can put in a cheap PSU.

I'd look for something a bit more powerful if I was you.

np

without knowing what you would be upgrading to its really hard to say, its likely it will be ok, especially since the newer cards are getting more efficient, the 8800 GTS draws a max of 150w - if your new card draws less power then it should be ok (the 5770 for eg only draws 108w max, whereas the 5970 can draw upto 300w)

I'd recommend getting a new 400w PSU or so, and then going for a HD 4770/4670/4850 or something similar.

Refer to this for my personal recommendations on PSU's: http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...8&postcount=12

I don't really think 400 is going to be enough if he goes for a power hungry GFX card in the future. You might get away with it, but it really is pushing it. Wouldn't it be worth spending a bit more on the PSU and then just getting a second hand 8800/9600?

Thanks for the help and suggestions. I'll go look into this some more myself.8)

400-450W would be enough for a GTX 460 or a 5850, that's it, provided you do not overclock. If you wan't more power hungry cards, for example a 5870, GTX 465/470/480 you will need more power.

Depends on what you think is ''power hungry'', any card around the 150Wish mark can be powered by a 400w.

If this is temporary, then go for the used equipment. You should be able to get a better power supply and a decent graphics card without exceeding your budget. Also keep in mind that you might need to increase the cooling somehow. A graphics card will add to the heat and efficient cooling is another neglected item on lower end PCs.

The cooling is the thing in the center inside the computer? What would you suggest?

The metal heatsink is the CPU cooler. Though it isn't necessary to get another one yet as you haven't even got your card yet, and we don't know if it will have a big impact on your temps or not. For now don't worry about that.

Hmm, would this card be good enough to run Guild Wars 1 at max? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...56&subcat=1833

Found it to be cheaper than the previous ones mentioned.^^ And as long as it can run GW1 at max I'll be happy. How do I see if I would need a new cooler or power supply for this one?