I'm asking you guys this because i love guild wars and want to continue playing it. However i am a little scared of going out to buy a new piece of hardware and finding out it won't work with all the games i like.
About a year ago i was in love with warzone 2100 and promptly screwed up my graphics card (no longer supports opengl or something like that). At the time I promised myself that when i go to buy a new graphics card I would get warzone again.
Anyways, i wanna know what kinda of graphics card to buy now.
here is my comp stats (belarc advisor):
Os: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600)
System Model: MSI MS-6593 1.0
Processor: 1.80 gigahertz AMD Athlon XP
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Main Circuit Board: Board: MSI MS-6593 1.0
Bus Clock: 133 megahertz
BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. 07.00T 04/02/01
Display: RADEON 9000 Family (Microsoft Corporation) [Display adapter]
RADEON 9000 SEC Family (Microsoft Corporation) [Display adapter]
(the above display drivers were all i could get to work after i screwed up my original drivers)
i think this is my video card: ATI Radeon 9000 Pro
i am replacing it because the fan stopped working on it,
it still plays guild wars though, just only with graphics turned way down
should i just buy the same card again? (i lost the disk that came with it, thats why i was unable to back to the original driver)
gonna buy a new graphics card
plastichead
briando
you do realize that you can purchase a new fan and install it yourself? anyways if you want better performance without buying a new mobo, i suggest the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814135186 or any other 6600gt AGP card if youre on a budget, otherwise i recommend the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150129 (7800gs) its more expensive but the difference is huge. both cards are AGP, which your mobo supports.
briando
pick up some ram while youre at, itll increase fps if youre not already running 1gig.
p.s. youre up for a whole system overwhole sometime soon down the line, so you if you have the money you should consider a new pc rather than just the card
p.s. youre up for a whole system overwhole sometime soon down the line, so you if you have the money you should consider a new pc rather than just the card
Josh
You don't need the Disk that came with it to get Drivers.
Just go to the official ATI website at: www.ati.com
+ How much RAM do you have?
Just go to the official ATI website at: www.ati.com
+ How much RAM do you have?
plastichead
for the ram question 512, and yeah my pc is old, and i wanna build a new one, but i don't know what processor, Mobo, vid card, ethernet card, harddrive, cd/dvd drive, power supply, floppy drive (prolly not that expensive?), or ram to get.
[edit] no i didn't realize i could buy a new fan,
also, i think i will not be building another computer for a while yet
[edit] no i didn't realize i could buy a new fan,
also, i think i will not be building another computer for a while yet
Old Dood
Quote:
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Originally Posted by plastichead
for the ram question 512, and yeah my pc is old, and i wanna build a new one, but i don't know what processor, Mobo, vid card, ethernet card, harddrive, cd/dvd drive, power supply, floppy drive (prolly not that expensive?), or ram to get.
[edit] no i didn't realize i could buy a new fan, also, i think i will not be building another computer for a while yet |
EDIT: But having only 128Mb of ram is just way too low. XP will take almost 256Mb to run correctly...so you are using your HD for the "extra" ram right now...slowing your system down.
EDIT TWO: Duh...I am gettin OLD...I misunderstood. you are saying you have 512Mb ram now? Hmmm....that should work if you want to put your cash toward a Vid Card. Like I said a Nvidia 6600 should work fine for you.
briando
i just got educated about cpu video card bottleneck, i now understand. you kinda saved my ass from a costly mistake, but the 9800pro even though lower performing sells at around or higher than the 6600gt price
and as for memory, im running 512, w/ xpsp2 and when i open GW im at a memory low (10-20mb left), whch is why i recommended it. you gotta tell me the about the cpu memory realtionship so i understand your statemnt about the memory being a waste
and as for memory, im running 512, w/ xpsp2 and when i open GW im at a memory low (10-20mb left), whch is why i recommended it. you gotta tell me the about the cpu memory realtionship so i understand your statemnt about the memory being a waste
Loviatar
Quote:
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Originally Posted by briando
i just got educated about cpu video card bottleneck, i now understand. you kinda saved my ass from a costly mistake, but the 9800pro even though lower performing sells at around or higher than the 6600gt price
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NOTE
the 6600 GT is reviewed as the best bang for the buck
the plain 6600 is reviewed as a dog and a waste of monet by comparison.
i have the 6600 GT and it has performed beautifully
Seef II
6600 gt is way overkill for that CPU. I'd look into a vanilla X700 or 6600 for it; they are cheap enough.
And yeah, bump that RAM to 1 GB.
And yeah, bump that RAM to 1 GB.
Zerg
Wait it out for a month or two
7800GT series is going to be made on AGP
7800GT series is going to be made on AGP
Killion
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Zerg
Wait it out for a month or two
7800GT series is going to be made on AGP |
The 7800GS will not cope with his system.. correction: his system will not cope with the 7800GS.
Oh and.. nVidia already released the 7800GS a month ago. Wake up!
Old Dood
Good point Killion. We are trying to "tweak" this guys system at the best "Price Point vs Performance".
Also I didn't realize that a 9800pro is more then a 6600GT. I was thinking it would be cheaper. By all means get a 6600GT if the price fits.
Also I didn't realize that a 9800pro is more then a 6600GT. I was thinking it would be cheaper. By all means get a 6600GT if the price fits.
OneArmedScissor
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Loviatar
NOTE the 6600 GT is reviewed as the best bang for the buck the plain 6600 is reviewed as a dog and a waste of monet by comparison. i have the 6600 GT and it has performed beautifully |
Also, the 7900 series is coming out in like a week. The prices of the current cards will most likely drop and the 7100 will be the new "best bang for the buck" card.
Nevermind... didn't really look at his system. Upgrade your system first IMO.
Alias_X
How much money do you want to put out on upgrades? Think of 512 mb of value ram as what, $50 tops? But- this depends on what kind, older kinds cost more.
For the video card, if you want to be able to run all of your games on max, and you have the money, get a 7800GT... if you have PCIe, if not, then the 7800GS, for AGP. That covers it, so one of those will be compatable with your computer.
Really, if you want to get up to date and stay up to date for longer than a week, you need to rebuild your whole computer.
My new computer specs:
AMD Athlon X2 4400+
eVga 7800GT
2 gigs of ram
and some other crap.
Keep in mind, there are certain motherboards that are good for overclocking, and you might want to have a power supply you can rely on. Also, some fans maybe. Am I being overkill?
For the video card, if you want to be able to run all of your games on max, and you have the money, get a 7800GT... if you have PCIe, if not, then the 7800GS, for AGP. That covers it, so one of those will be compatable with your computer.
Really, if you want to get up to date and stay up to date for longer than a week, you need to rebuild your whole computer.
My new computer specs:
AMD Athlon X2 4400+
eVga 7800GT
2 gigs of ram
and some other crap.
Keep in mind, there are certain motherboards that are good for overclocking, and you might want to have a power supply you can rely on. Also, some fans maybe. Am I being overkill?
Old Dood
Alias X, maybe you didn't read this thread. We are trying to "tweak" his performance with what he has. So a 7800GT or GS is major overkill.
Loviatar
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Old Dood
Alias X, maybe you didn't read this thread. We are trying to "tweak" his performance with what he has. So a 7800GT or GS is major overkill.
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hi Dood isnt it fun to dream with other peoples money though?
Old Dood
Hello Loviatar...
Yes it is fun. I do at work all the time with work money. In fact I bought the CN5100 Color Laser Dell Printer for work...*cough*. Nice device!
But here I like to stick to the OP's original question when it comes to their resourses. Not everyone can afford or have the total power with in their system to handle these high end cards...as you well know.
EDIT: Lovaitar....You should become the a Moderator here for the Tech Forums.
Stewart Smalley would say: "You are Good enough, Smart enough, and gosh darn it People Like you..."
Yes it is fun. I do at work all the time with work money. In fact I bought the CN5100 Color Laser Dell Printer for work...*cough*. Nice device!
But here I like to stick to the OP's original question when it comes to their resourses. Not everyone can afford or have the total power with in their system to handle these high end cards...as you well know.
EDIT: Lovaitar....You should become the a Moderator here for the Tech Forums.
Stewart Smalley would say: "You are Good enough, Smart enough, and gosh darn it People Like you..."
Loviatar
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Old Dood
EDIT: Lovaitar....You should become the a Moderator here for the Tech Forums. Stewart Smalley would say: "You are Good enough, Smart enough, and gosh darn it People Like you..." |
thanks but no thanksit is a truly thankless job and i have enough of that elsewhere
cannonfodder
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Killion
Hi. Don't post if you have no idea what you're talking about, and especially do NOT post if you havn't read the topic.
The 7800GS will not cope with his system.. correction: his system will not cope with the 7800GS. Oh and.. nVidia already released the 7800GS a month ago. Wake up! |
My vote for Moderator would have to go to Old Dood(wise man
, and a gent)
Alias_X
has the OP given a budget?
If you want the cheapest possible upgrades,
ATI Radeon 9550 or 9250 if you have PCI - $60
512 mb of compatable valueram for less than $50
that would get you running GW just fine and dandy.
If you want the cheapest possible upgrades,
ATI Radeon 9550 or 9250 if you have PCI - $60
512 mb of compatable valueram for less than $50
that would get you running GW just fine and dandy.
Serafita Kayin
1.8...
If I remember correctly, that's a 2500 or 2600, he can run a 6600GT without a bottleneck, and he really wouldn't kill a 7800 GS, though he's on the low end of being able to use it properly.
Gotte remember your PR ratings with AMD, just cause it says 1.8 doesn't mean it's just 1.8. that "1.8" will run circles around a 2.8 P4, on the then current socket 478 Intel platform.
It's more than a quick and dirty comparison, if that were a 2500 Barton it would be a nice complement to a 6600GT and capable of the 7800, if it were a 2600 Athlon, it would deserve the 6600GT, cause the 7800 would probably overfeed it. Just gotta remember that it's not always cut and dried.
If I need to explain how AMD's PR ratings and choosing video cards wroks, I can do so (once I get some food, that is...)
If I remember correctly, that's a 2500 or 2600, he can run a 6600GT without a bottleneck, and he really wouldn't kill a 7800 GS, though he's on the low end of being able to use it properly.
Gotte remember your PR ratings with AMD, just cause it says 1.8 doesn't mean it's just 1.8. that "1.8" will run circles around a 2.8 P4, on the then current socket 478 Intel platform.
It's more than a quick and dirty comparison, if that were a 2500 Barton it would be a nice complement to a 6600GT and capable of the 7800, if it were a 2600 Athlon, it would deserve the 6600GT, cause the 7800 would probably overfeed it. Just gotta remember that it's not always cut and dried.
If I need to explain how AMD's PR ratings and choosing video cards wroks, I can do so (once I get some food, that is...)
Alias_X
Basically, an AMD 3800 single core, is similar to a P4 3.8gh
A 2400, a P4 2.4ghz
It is different with dual core AMDs though.
A 2400, a P4 2.4ghz
It is different with dual core AMDs though.
cannonfodder
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Serafita Kayin
1.8...
If I remember correctly, that's a 2500 or 2600, he can run a 6600GT without a bottleneck, and he really wouldn't kill a 7800 GS, though he's on the low end of being able to use it properly. Gotte remember your PR ratings with AMD, just cause it says 1.8 doesn't mean it's just 1.8. that "1.8" will run circles around a 2.8 P4, on the then current socket 478 Intel platform. It's more than a quick and dirty comparison, if that were a 2500 Barton it would be a nice complement to a 6600GT and capable of the 7800, if it were a 2600 Athlon, it would deserve the 6600GT, cause the 7800 would probably overfeed it. Just gotta remember that it's not always cut and dried. If I need to explain how AMD's PR ratings and choosing video cards wroks, I can do so (once I get some food, that is...) |
A 1.8 Athlon would either be a 2500 barton or if I remember correctly XP 2200, I have an old 2600 and it runs at 2.13.
Third Quarter
My system is similar in configuration to this. I had an intensely positive experience out of my Radeon X700.
Old Dood
The X700 is not a bad card. It works fine. I gave away my X600 that came with my Dell to a friend of mine and he is happy with it.
This is why I never feel the need for the latest greatest in vid cards. My X800XL is very nice and pretty....I can wait until the next generation of cards come out then get a model below those and still have more then I do now. I will also save allot of money that way too.
This is why I never feel the need for the latest greatest in vid cards. My X800XL is very nice and pretty....I can wait until the next generation of cards come out then get a model below those and still have more then I do now. I will also save allot of money that way too.
Str0b0
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Alias_X
Basically, an AMD 3800 single core, is similar to a P4 3.8gh
A 2400, a P4 2.4ghz It is different with dual core AMDs though. |
Not that much different though. I could be wrong but from what I understand a dual core processor functions as two independent processors of the same rating as their numerical designator, at least with AMD. So if you have an AMD dual core 4400 then you effectively have 2 4.4Ghz processors running in synch.
EDIT: Also for the sake of staying on topic I recommend PNY cards. They aren't bleeding edge persay but they are decent cards for not a lot of money so if you are on a budget PNY is the way to go. I used to run a PNY before I swapped my motherboard out for a crossfire capable board and went with ATi
Loviatar
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Old Dood
I can wait until the next generation of cards come out then get a model below those and still have more then I do now. I will also save allot of money that way too.
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a person after my own hea.....er....pocketbook
i decide on a level of performance i want than cut that down to what i can afford bit by bit.
get a MB that will style in 3 years put it on shelf and over 6 months look for the 1 day newegg specials on hd, ram, and save the cpu/videocard for last.
wait until a month before the next big gpu comes out when they are getting ready for the mad rush and get a year old super compared to what i have card for relative peanuts.
i went from a ti4200 to a 5600 ultra due to warranty replacement when the 4200ti fried and all that they had were 5600s to replace it with.
went from that to the 6600GT at a bargain price and am starting to itch again
Alias_X
I saw a chart somewhere on the internet, their rating scheme doesn't apply to the dual cores. The dual core 4200 or something is similar to 2 3500s.
Str0b0
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Alias_X
I saw a chart somewhere on the internet, their rating scheme doesn't apply to the dual cores. The dual core 4200 or something is similar to 2 3500s.
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I can believe that I just haven't come across that information yet. Still I think it is important for any potential dual core processor buyers that they aren't getting say 7.5 Ghz but instead are getting 2 3.5Ghz processors that only take up the space of one processor. AMD is the way to go though in general simply because you don't have to buy a board with the controller on the board since it's on the processor in AMD architecture.
Tachyon
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Loviatar
went from that to the 6600GT at a bargain price and am starting to itch again
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Old Dood
Yes that Is painful to have a nice display and you are in NEED/WANT of a cool vid card to go with it.
wahoyaho
At least in gaming, 2.4ghz AMD > 2.4ghz Intel...