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Axel
4 Dec 2008, 12:34pm
I need a new graphics card....
my PC is good
but I feel like this could really up its performance!
My current graphics card is Nvidai GeForce 7300
I also could do with some more RAM at the moment I only have 1 GB of it!
Any suggestions are welcomed!!
Memory on my PC isn't an issue I have over 500GB of it!

Edit
************************************************** **********************************************
Money really isn't an issue, but a good one for a cheaper price would be liked :D
Credit crunch is a bitch, yes?

Extra Edit
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Current computer specs

Operating System : Windows Vista Business
Language : English (Regional setting:English)
System Manufacturer : Parkard Bell NEC
BIOS : Award Medallion BIOS v6.00PG
Processor : Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.06GHz, ~3.1GHz
Memory : 1022 RAM
DirectX Version : DirectX 10

Daze
4 Dec 2008, 12:44pm
Price range?

Red
4 Dec 2008, 12:46pm
Get the most expensive one you can find.

Axel
4 Dec 2008, 01:10pm
Price range?

Money really isn't an issue, I can easily save for a new one
Would I have to put it in myself =s
I have never bought a graphics card before...
My PC was a gift for me and it already had this card on it...

Zero001
4 Dec 2008, 01:15pm
AGP or PCI-E? I have to ask because 7300's are ancient and come in either varieties.

Axel
4 Dec 2008, 01:54pm
AGP or PCI-E? I have to ask because 7300's are ancient and come in either varieties.

I'm not too sure
either way
IT IS SHIT...
40 fps and keeps dropping to fucking 10
I can't even play with this!

Daze
4 Dec 2008, 01:59pm
Paste your Motherboard model so we can find out..

Axel
4 Dec 2008, 02:03pm
Paste your Motherboard model so we can find out..

that would be done how...
I only know what you get when you type
Dxdiag.exe
rofl

Daze
4 Dec 2008, 02:06pm
http://majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

download, run...paste results

Axel
4 Dec 2008, 02:14pm
--------[ EVEREST Home Edition (c) 2003-2005 Lavalys, Inc. ]------------------------------------------------------------

Version EVEREST v2.20.405
Homepage http://www.lavalys.com/
Report Type Report Wizard
Computer VISTAPROX9 (Axels Computer)
Generator Axel
Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Professional 6.0.6001 (WinVista Beta)
Date 2008-12-04
Time 21:12


--------[ Summary ]-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Professional
OS Service Pack Service Pack 1
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
Computer Name VISTAPROX9 (Axels Computer)
User Name Axel

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Pentium 4, 3066 MHz (23 x 133)
Motherboard Name Gigabyte GA-8I915PM (2 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR DIMM, Audio, LAN)
Motherboard Chipset Intel Grantsdale i915P
System Memory 1024 MB (DDR2-533 DDR2 SDRAM)
BIOS Type Award Medallion (09/17/05)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM2)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GS
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GS
3D Accelerator nVIDIA G72
Monitor IBM G78 [17" CRT] (55-50629)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Intel 82801FB ICH6 - High Definition Audio Controller [B-1]

Storage:
IDE Controller Intel(R) 82801FB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers - 2651
SCSI/RAID Controller Microsoft iSCSI Initiator
Disk Drive ST3160023AS ATA Device (160 GB, 7200 RPM, SATA)
Disk Drive Maxtor Basics Desktop USB Device (465 GB, USB)
Optical Drive PHILIPS DVDR1628P1 ATA Device
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 30710 MB (13538 MB free)
D: (NTFS) 113906 MB (68575 MB free)
F: (NTFS) 476937 MB (400672 MB free)
Total Size 607.0 GB (471.5 GB free)

Input:
Keyboard Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse PS/2 Compatible Mouse

Network:
Network Adapter Realtek RTL8139/810x Family Fast Ethernet NIC (192.168.0.3)

Peripherals:
Printer Fax
Printer Microsoft XPS Document Writer
Printer Send To OneNote 2007
USB1 Controller Intel 82801FB ICH6 - USB Universal Host Controller [B-1]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801FB ICH6 - USB Universal Host Controller [B-1]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801FB ICH6 - USB Universal Host Controller [B-1]
USB1 Controller Intel 82801FB ICH6 - USB Universal Host Controller [B-1]
USB2 Controller Intel 82801FB ICH6 - Enhanced USB2 Controller [B-1]
USB Device Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000
USB Device Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000.
USB Device USB Composite Device
USB Device USB Mass Storage Device

Daze
4 Dec 2008, 02:19pm
ok, so it has a PCI-E slot, that makes it easier to find one.

E-Shops I recommend (UK):

aria.co.uk
saverstore.com
jltcomputers.co.uk

andre1028
4 Dec 2008, 02:27pm
I'd recommend an Nvidia Geforce 8800 GTX because it is not as much of a power hog as a GTX280 and it's getting lower in price too.

All I need to know is the W of your PSU and I'll link you a right 8800.

Remember children, if your PSU is crap it won't matter what your Mobo supports slot wise because the GPU will most likely fail on you too.

SneakySnake
4 Dec 2008, 03:02pm
Hey koffer, what slot do you have? If you got PCI I would recommed the NVIDIA GeForce 9800. The 9600 uses up alot more power and overheats alot faster. My bro has it, he really wants the 9800 now. I don't the price difference from Canada to UK but in Canada it cost around 500$

Daze
4 Dec 2008, 03:18pm
Hey koffer, what slot do you have? If you got PCI I would recommed the NVIDIA GeForce 9800. The 9600 uses up alot more power and overheats alot faster. My bro has it, he really wants the 9800 now. I don't the price difference from Canada to UK but in Canada it cost around 500$

9800GTX?

It uses 2x 4Pin PCI-E power connectors, he would need a new PSU to get that, you can get them for like £110

Axel
4 Dec 2008, 04:00pm
I have decided to go for the GeForce 9500
This costs £50 and is better than the one i have
daZe said this one is good despite its low cost
I'll keep you all informed if this one is any good :D

GOD
8 Dec 2008, 07:05pm
9500, i dont know how your prices in the uk are, but for that price wouldnt you have been able to get a 8800? i know its "older" but it is faster. also how about just 1 4850? or 4870?

also, you really should add another gb of ram!

Axel
9 Dec 2008, 04:45am
9500, i dont know how your prices in the uk are, but for that price wouldnt you have been able to get a 8800? i know its "older" but it is faster. also how about just 1 4850? or 4870?

also, you really should add another gb of ram!

I'll add more ram when I can
I want 8800 it is a lower price is recommended for gamers...
I just need to check if these gfx cards are compatible with my PC...

GOD
9 Dec 2008, 09:58am
I'll add more ram when I can
I want 8800 it is a lower price is recommended for gamers...
I just need to check if these gfx cards are compatible with my PC...

they are, its been stated you have pci-e x16. as long as your power supply has the right connector you should be 99.9% fine. if it doesnt you can use an adaptor. just make sure your power supply is 500 watts or more.

also, if you do use an adaptor, you will have to give up at least 2 molex connections, im assuming you dont use all of your molex however.

also, check which version of the 8800 you get. while they will all be better than 9500, some versions of 8800 are faster than others. if you can post which ones you are thinking of and ill tell you which i think is better and why.

hope i helped.

Axel
9 Dec 2008, 11:35am
they are, its been stated you have pci-e x16. as long as your power supply has the right connector you should be 99.9% fine. if it doesnt you can use an adaptor. just make sure your power supply is 500 watts or more.

also, if you do use an adaptor, you will have to give up at least 2 molex connections, im assuming you dont use all of your molex however.

also, check which version of the 8800 you get. while they will all be better than 9500, some versions of 8800 are faster than others. if you can post which ones you are thinking of and ill tell you which i think is better and why.

hope i helped.

you're a saint
I'll post several links to ones I am thinking about getting, You will have to be clearer in what you say... I'm not an expert in computer hardware rofl

http://www.nvidia.com/object/buy_now_results.html?id=8800GTS512

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=921697

Some ebay ones, but I'm not sure whether to buy from there lol

GOD
9 Dec 2008, 11:47am
you're a saint
I'll post several links to ones I am thinking about getting, You will have to be clearer in what you say... I'm not an expert in computer hardware rofl

http://www.nvidia.com/object/buy_now_results.html?id=8800GTS512

http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=921697

Some ebay ones, but I'm not sure whether to buy from there lol

hmm, the 8800 gts is good. as long as it is the g92 version.

also, looking as scan the 9500 is ~63 and the 8800 is ~ 130. in the us its 130 usd aprox, perhaps you should look at another website other than scan, or think about buying in usa (i think if its a gift they dont charge vat, as long as its under 200 im not too positive about this) at the very least you can have it mailed to some on in the us and they can mail it to you.

though, id highly recomend you get the 8800 even if you have to save up for it a bit longer. the 8800 will last you a much longer time and you will enjoy the added graphics alot more.

also, its unclear as to what you know, and what you dont know.... if your upgrading the pc yourself you should at least have basic knowledge. im just trying to help man..... if you have any questions or concerns ill be happy to help. im also a regular at hothardware.com, and i have built 3 computers myself and perform all the maintanence and overclocking. so i can help you with that latter on if you want (i suggest a small amount of overclocking for the gpu).

also, your cpu will be limiting you with the 8800, but lets take this one step at a time.

heres the order i recomend in upgrading

1- video card
2- ram
3- cpu/mobo

since you will notice a huge boost from the video card, and less of a boost from ram and cpu i recomend you get that first. also, im not stating this so you end up upgrading needlessly, just stating the order of what to get so that you can still use the computer the whole time, and experience as much of a gain as possible. though honestly i think you will be fine with just the video card upgrade and perhaps an extra 512mb of ram.

Axel
9 Dec 2008, 11:57am
Ironically that is the order I would upgrade...
My gfx card will come first, I dunno what to do with my old one... I might install it on the other PC that I have... you know, a back up one.
I know someone who can do computer stuff and he has offered to help.
I merely needed to know if my computer was compatible with the card :D
Thanks for your help though

Wrathek
9 Dec 2008, 06:36pm
you mean coincidentally, it's not "the opposite of what is expected" to agree with someone. =D

GOD
9 Dec 2008, 11:13pm
Ironically that is the order I would upgrade...
My gfx card will come first, I dunno what to do with my old one... I might install it on the other PC that I have... you know, a back up one.
I know someone who can do computer stuff and he has offered to help.
I merely needed to know if my computer was compatible with the card :D
Thanks for your help though

glad to have helped. if you have any more questions or concerns please feel free to pm me! the only thing i cant help you with is getting a good deal in england, but i offered some ways around the evil vat taxes in my other post.

enjoy your new card (once you get it). speaking of which, when are you expecting to get the new card? also did you choose the 8800 or 9500?

Eldest
10 Dec 2008, 01:53am
You have Vista and 1GB RAM? GG :clap:

Axel
10 Dec 2008, 02:30am
You have Vista and 1GB RAM? GG :clap:

It is the minimum requirement
I'm actually getting 2 GB of more ram put into my PC
Sooo yeah
Good going!

Daze
10 Dec 2008, 02:38am
Minimum is 512, recommended is 1GB...although I would recommend 3GB+

Axel
10 Dec 2008, 02:43am
Minimum is 512, recommended is 1GB...although I would recommend 3GB+

I have 32 bit
max ram is 3.5 GB is it not?

Eldest
10 Dec 2008, 02:44am
I have 32 bit
max ram is 3.5 GB is it not?

Yeh I have 32bit too so I'm limited to 3.5 GB. I still bought 4GB or RAM tho.

Daze
10 Dec 2008, 02:44am
I have 32 bit
max ram is 3.5 GB is it not?

3.5 GB is the most it will recognize on 32x..

Edit: Suck balls Eldest, posting at the same time!

Eldest
10 Dec 2008, 02:04pm
Also, I say get a ATI 4850