Tech newbie needs help choosing a graphics card

8

88gta350

Chieftain
Joined
Oct 15, 2005
Messages
9
Location
Mechanicsburg, PA
I've been around/used computers for years, but my knowledge level when it comes to the inner workings is not very high. I've never built my own system or run anything other than out-of-the-box Dell stuff for example, but I know how to do routine troubleshooting and repair on my own, for the most part.

My issue is I have a Dell desktop system that is several years old. It's running Windows XP on a Pentium 4, 2.0Ghz processor that originally had 128 MB RAM that I just upgraded to 512 MB, and am considering adding another 512 MB. It's a little outdated but it runs great and is very reliable.

I'm not sure of the specs of the video card, but it's not even enough to run CIV 4 correctly. (I believe it might be a 32 MB card) I'd like to upgrade the video card and maybe my monitor as well. I'm looking for suggestions that will be compatible with my current system and give me the power I need. I don't do any serious gaming, CIV 4 is currently the biggest demander of my video card, but I'd like to have the power to run something down the line if the mood strikes me. The system is mostly used for web browsing. Budget is a concern as well. I'm not looking for overkill here, just something that is a step up from what I have and will get the job done.

I know there are a lot of techies on this board and I'm hoping someone can recommend a budget video card that will do what I need it to do and fit my older system. Any recomendations on a good value monitor (preferably flat screen) will be gladly accepted as well.

Thanks!\
 
Okay, based on the specs I assume you're looking for AGP grahics card (correct me if I'm wrong). With no personal experience with AGP for couple of years I'm putting my trust on Tom's Hardware Guide and recommend Radeon X1950 GT. According to them it should be about $130 and they claim that "You won't find a better deal for upgrading your AGP rig, and let's face it: you probably don't want to invest all that much money into an older standard that you can't migrate to your next PC."

EDIT: I guess that even cheaper card could be enough considering the rest of the specs. For about $115 THG recommends Radeon HD 2600 XT and for less than $100 GeForce 7600 GS.
 
I bought RAM because the computer took 10 minutes to boot up and online video was unwatchable. It cost me $25. I can get a graphics card that will do what I need for $60, and if I want to splurge on a monitor (not neccessary but nice to have) it might cost me another $100-150. In all I might spend $200 to upgrade everything, and under a $100 if I leave out the monitor. And a 2.0 Ghz processor isn't exaclty stone age stuff. Why should I spend a grand on a new computer I don't need?
 
Do make sure whether you have a AGP or PCI graphics card connection before buying. My old desktop is a 2.66 GHz P4 with a PCI connection. If you have a PCI connection, the ATI Radeon X1550 Pro ($100) is about your best option.

A 2.00 GHz processor isn't bad, but the new Core processors are equal to about 1.7 times their GHz number in Pentium 4 terms. So a 1.2 GHz Core Solo would give about the same power as your Pentium 4. But what you have now in terms of processor should be enough - Civ4 is a lot more friendly than Civ3 to the processor. You might need a full gigabyte of RAM, though - Civ4 isn't very memory-friendly.
 
Walmart has a Dell computer for sale around $700.00, maybe a buck less. You'll get a lot of computer for that price. If I had $700.00 right now. You'll get a 22" widescreen flat screen monitor. I believe 2 gig of DDR2 Ram. A 64 bit, I think AMD processor, and if it's Intel it will be Pentium and not the cheaper processor. I forget what the video card is in there, and I don't remember what the sound is either. It will certainly run any game that's out there right now. The only 2 things that it comes with is the name Dell, and Vista, which neither one I care about, but I think that I could live with.
 
bgast1 said:
Walmart has a Dell computer for sale around $700.00, maybe a buck less. You'll get a lot of computer for that price. If I had $700.00 right now. You'll get a 22" widescreen flat screen monitor.
Click to expand...
I really doubt that a $700 Walmart rig would come with a 22" widescreen. That's at least a $250 component, even for the low quality stuff they use.
It will certainly run any game that's out there right now.
Click to expand...
Um, sorry, but no. Most prebuilt budget computers don't have a graphics card. They use integrated graphics like NVidia 7050 at best. To play "any game that's out there" you're going to need a $2000+ (prebuilt) system minimum.
The only 2 things that it comes with is the name Dell, and Vista, which neither one I care about, but I think that I could live with.
Click to expand...
Ah, the two words that make me cringe. :ack:

88gta350, a 6600 or equivalent would be a good choice for you. Although if you do have a PCIx16 slot on your motherboard (unlikely given the specs), you may want to think of something a little better that could handle other games.
 
Even if he does need a new motherboard/CPU, it's still cheaper to upgrade (since you don't waste money on case, power supply, drives etc). Though admittedly fitting a motherboard/CPU might not be recommended for a "tech newbie".

bgast1 said:
and if it's Intel it will be Pentium and not the cheaper processor.
Click to expand...

Pentium _is_ the cheaper processor now (they reintroduced the brand name), well mid-range, at least. It's celeron at the low end, Pentium Dual Core in the middle, and Intel Core Duo 2 at the high end. (That's not to say they're bad though, I have a Pentium Dual Core which is good value for money - but it's not clear whether this system has a Pentium or Core Duo, since you seem to be guessing).

A link would be useful...

Weasel Op said:
Um, sorry, but no. Most prebuilt budget computers don't have a graphics card. They use integrated graphics like NVidia 7050 at best. To play "any game that's out there" you're going to need a $2000+ (prebuilt) system minimum.
Click to expand...
I can't speak for his system, but in the UK at least, that's not true. You might not get a top of the line 8800, but prebuilt systems, even budget ones (including Dell), can be had with much better graphics cards (including 8600).
 
Quintillus said:
Do make sure whether you have a AGP or PCI graphics card connection before buying. My old desktop is a 2.66 GHz P4 with a PCI connection. If you have a PCI connection, the ATI Radeon X1550 Pro ($100) is about your best option.

A 2.00 GHz processor isn't bad, but the new Core processors are equal to about 1.7 times their GHz number in Pentium 4 terms. So a 1.2 GHz Core Solo would give about the same power as your Pentium 4. But what you have now in terms of processor should be enough - Civ4 is a lot more friendly than Civ3 to the processor. You might need a full gigabyte of RAM, though - Civ4 isn't very memory-friendly.
Click to expand...



How do I know if I have an AGP or PCI connection? What do I need to look for?
 
Quintillus said:
Do make sure whether you have a AGP or PCI graphics card connection before buying. My old desktop is a 2.66 GHz P4 with a PCI connection. If you have a PCI connection, the ATI Radeon X1550 Pro ($100) is about your best option.
Click to expand...
Note there's PCI, AGP, then PCI-Express (I mean, PCI is so old for graphics cards now that I'm half wondering if that graphics card is really PCI-Express - but apparentely PCI ones exist). Obviously either way he needs to find out what his machine has (and as kuukkeli says, based on the specs I'd say AGP is most likely). I must admit, I'm surpised that there were P4 machines with only PCI.
 
Mulholland said:
Control Panel--.System-->Device Manger-->display-->double click on whatever card you have. It should be listed there.
Click to expand...

Using this method, it says I have a 32 MB ATI Rage 128 Ultra.
It lists the location of the device at: PCI Bus 1, device 0, function 0
It lists the BUS type as: AGP 1x, AGP 2x, AGP 4x

I'm assuming this means it is indeed an AGP card.
Does this change anyone's opinion of what I need/should get?


**EDIT**
Looking on newegg.com I found these video cards that seems to be compatible with my system and would be an upgrade while still being affordable. Can anyone confirm these cards would work for me and does anyone have any opinions on these cards? There were many others but I chose to show these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127203
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161056
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161080
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161183
 
mdwh said:
Note there's PCI, AGP, then PCI-Express (I mean, PCI is so old for graphics cards now that I'm half wondering if that graphics card is really PCI-Express - but apparentely PCI ones exist). Obviously either way he needs to find out what his machine has (and as kuukkeli says, based on the specs I'd say AGP is most likely). I must admit, I'm surpised that there were P4 machines with only PCI.
Click to expand...

Wow, I'm surprised all those cards have a PCI version. Surely they're starved for bandwidth? The ATI upgrade advisor didn't give me anything above the X1550 Pro.
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131043

^how about this one above? Is it compatible with my machine?

This one below has 5 star rating at newegg.com, but it's a little more money than I was hoping to spend:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130076


I appreciate the knowledge you guys are sharing with me, ad to those who say just upgrade the computer, if I could afford to do that I wouldn't be upgrading my current one piece-meal like this. I'd like to keep this older machine running for a while longer and just want to be able to play some of my games under better circumstances. I'm not looking for top of the line stuff. Don't need it and can't afford it.
 
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