Guide to video card upgrades/questions

[drshi]

The card's onboard RAM has nothing to do with your PC's RAM, as you rightly assumed.
For the PC, I'd recommend a CPU upgrade first. The Celeron is hardly a gaming CPU, let alone a good one. A Pentium 4 processor with at least 1MB of L2 cache would do wonders for performance. After that, upgrade your RAM to at least 1GB. More is better but it depends on how much you can afford and how much your mobo supports. After all that, if you can afford it, get a 7600GT and you've got a decent AGP system.

Thanks for the advice! I'll earmark my piggy bank for these upgrades. Meanwhile, do you think something like Sims 2 would run okay on my present system?

 

[tifc8lraz]

Please open a new thread for any problems .

 

[F1N3ST]

Actually the thing about a 20a PSU delivering 15A, theres more to it.

Efficiency, a PSU generating 15A but having 20A is 75% efficient, so it jacks up your power bill and may deliver insufficient power.

75% of 20 is 15, 15A

Nothing has 100% efficiency, i think PSU's have only hit 87 or something.
Antecs and high quality PSUs usually have 83-87% efficiency, heres to find out actual power or amperage factoring in efficiency

(Amps or Total Wattage) x Efficiency= Actual Amps or Total Wattage

I just figure ill make my contribution to the post.

 

[mingmong]

Thanks mate:approve:

 

[dmudgal]

hello guys, i wanna buy a graphics card based on nvidia 8600gt......shud i go with asus 8600gt@7300 bucks or xfx 8600gt@5600bucks ????....

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Get the cheaper one. XFX also has better warranty coverage and customer support.

 

[dmudgal]

but i've heard that xfx card has some heating issues ?

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

I've not heard of any at all. XFX offers the highest factory-overclocked 8600GT and their products are considered among the best. Go with it, I doubt you'll have any problems.

 

[dmudgal]

thanks for reply.....now i'm going to have it against asus........may i ask u somwething.......what do u do?

 

[Symbolite]

I just need to know if my power supply is able to handle anything from the Geforce 7 series and their Radeon counterparts.

Graphics Interface - PCI and AGP
CPU - AMD Athlon XP
CPU Speed - 2.2 GHz
Power Supply Make/Model - Bestec ATX-300-12E REV D
Watt output/Amperage - +12V/15A 300W Max.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

I think you could use a GeForce 6200 AGP at most. Any more and you risk blowing the PSU.

 

[Symbolite]

Yikes, i thought it would have been able to handle GeForce 7 series cards or at least a 7600GS since i had a 6800GS in my PC for about a year before it overheated and died (thats why im searching for a new card now, planning on buying a PCI slot fan to go with it to make sure overheating doesn't happen again)

 

[ZXT]

How do I attach these screen shots of the CPU-Z program to my thread? The thread is here:

https://www.techspot.com/vb/topic82474.html

I can't upload more than 100KB. And my three 24bit .bmp screenprints are at least 500KB each

First find a free website where you can upload your pics and then copy the link to your pic. I am using imageshack.us, some like photobucket. Then use the image icon at top when posting pictures.

I believe this is yours?

 

[Symbolite]

How do i know if a PSU is compatible with my PC? And do i need to make sure it will fit in my case or are they all generally the same size? I have a eMachine T3256.

Also what do you recommend i look for in the PSU (Watt/Amps)? Im probably going to end up with a 7600 GS or GT.

Graphics Interface - PCI and AGP
CPU - AMD Athlon XP
CPU Speed - 2.2 GHz
Power Supply Make/Model - Bestec ATX-300-12E REV D
Watt output/Amperage - +12V/15A 300W Max.

One more thing i'd like to point out is that NVIDIA.com says the minimum i would need is a 300W so ive got to ask is it really nessescary for me to upgrade the PSU?

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Almost all PSUs out there are of ATX specifications, which means they'll fit in any standard ATX case. The best way to make sure is, of course, measuring the size of your current PSU and comparing it with the dimensions of the new one you want to buy. Every site that sells PSUs lists their dimensions as well, so it's easy to compare.
As for the PSU, the total number of watts is important but if that power is not being delivered to important parts like the video card, then it's going to waste. All video cards use the +12V rail for taking power, which makes this the most important rail to look out for when investing in a new PSU. While your 300W PSU meets the minimum wattage requirements, it doesn't meet the required amperage requirements, which for a 7600GT are 18A on the +12V rail. You have only 15A. If your PSU were a good-quality one, the card'd probably work fine. But since it's a lower-tier brand, it'll most likely blow and might take other components like your motherboard with it. eMachines are especially notorious for having this problem. Look for a PSU with at least 18A on the +12V rail. You might find PSUs with multiple +12V rails, so in that case, make sure each +12V rail has at least 16A on it.

 

[Symbolite]

Ok then, ill probably get searching for a Power Supply on newegg or somewhere. Ive read that quality is a big issue among PSU's. Any suggestions for Manufacturers that are known for their quality?

 

[ravage9218]

My specs and what to upgeade to

I have a Dell Dimension 4700 with 305 power supply, radeon x300, and 512mb of ram as well as a pentium 4 3.00 ghz processor. What should i upgrade it to to be able to play crysis to my systems full potential without getting rid of my current processor and power supply?

 

[Boogityboo04]

A 7600GT would work with that Dell. I have the same PSU and processor.

 

[mailpup]

Also, the minimum RAM requirements for Crysis are double of what you have now. This assumes you have Windows XP.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

@ravage9218, As I and kpo6969 said in your thread, your best bet is the 8600GTS.

 

[ravage9218]

what about the Radeon 3850 or nvidia 7900 gt

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

The 7900GT needs 20A, so it will work but the HD 3850 might be a bit of a gamble. Instead of buying it, and then having it fry your PSU (and possibly your mobo as well), get a new PSU and then buy it, or get the 8600GTS, which is a better performer compared to the 7900GT. If you're getting a really good deal on the 7900GT though, go for it. But be warned that it won't be able to decode HD as well as the 8600 series can. In the end, it's your choice. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[ravage9218]

so you think i should go with the 8600 gts

I have heard a lot of different choices on what video card to get for my Dell Dimension 4700.Which one of the following will be able to play crysis at least on medium quality with 2gb Ram and Intel 3.2 GHz processor while keeping my computer from over heating and that is under $200if you have other recommendations they are appreciated)

http://www.hisdigital.com/html/product_ov.php?id=358

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161211

http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3244198

http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3529980

http://www.hisdigital.com/html/iceq_3850.html

I have heard a lot of different choices on what video card to get for my Dell Dimension 4700.Which one of the following will be able to play crysis at least on medium quality with 2gb Ram and Intel 3.2 GHz processor while keeping my computer from over heating and that is under $200if you have other recommendations they are appreciated)

http://www.hisdigital.com/html/product_ov.php?id=358

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161211

http://www.compusa.com/applications/...?EdpNo=3244198

http://www.compusa.com/applications/...?EdpNo=3529980

http://www.hisdigital.com/html/iceq_3850.html

 

[Cinders]

The newegg and compusa links don't work. You'll need a new PSU to power the 3850, and it should be able to play Crysis on medium with very good frame rates.

 

[rhendrix1]

i need help

im having problems with my video card andi dont know how to locate it on my computer please help me