Need a video card

[mako man]

I have an old computer which my son uses to play various games. The video card is old and most games are very slow. I would like to help him out with a faster video card that would work better, but not bog down with the older CPU. Can you please recommend a good video card that would work in this old system.

System as follows:

Intel pentium 3.4 ghz
2 gb ram
Nividia GE Force 7300gs 512mb pcie
9.0 Direct X
XP Pro
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250gb hard drive
450 watt power supply
Intel motherboard D945P5N? LGA775

The existing video card is plugged into the motherboard, and there are no wires connected to the card.

Thank you

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

The HD 4670 is your safest bet, since it doesn't need a power connector and packs performance almost equal to that of the 9600GT. It should be a very significant upgrade from the current card.

 

[red1776]

Hi mako,
This card would be a major upgrade to the 7300 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121274
if you wanted to take it a step further this one would give you good performance to 1680 x 1050 with most games on high detail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102822 it requires a 450w psu, so if your power supply is of decent quality and has 26A or better on the 12v rail , it would work.

edit: lol Moiz, great minds?.........

 

[hellokitty[hk]]

They system is actually pretty well rounded, as in the cpu is weak along with the gpu.
I would personally recommend upgrading both, as it is within your motherboard's capabilities.

450 watt power supply

Can you elaborate with amperage and brand?

What type of games? Cpu intensive games may not improve too much with a new card.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Haha Greg, I believe so! =)

 

[mako man]

Thanks guys

Rage which HD 4670 card from NewEgg do you recommend? MSI?

The power supply is manufactured by L&C model #LCF460BTX

PSU=12V1=14A, and +12V2=16A reads on the power supply

 

[mako man]

I know he plays counter strike, halo, and many other free online games.

 

[klepto12]

i would go with any of these
HIS Radeon HD 4670 1GB
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4670 512MB
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4670 1GB
I dont really like msi all that much so i would go with anything from these brands.

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

I recommend XFX for their excellent warranty coverage. Next up would be Visiontek. Both offer lifetime warranties provided you register the card within 30 days of purchase, with the XFX warranty also covering anyone you sell the card to later.

The next best would be Sapphire and HIS. Not bad manufacturers by a long shot, but they offer only two year warranties.

 

[klepto12]

there are no xfx cards or Visiontek on newegg at the moment well no 4670s anyway

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

Yes, well, unfortunately I think availability is a problem. The Visiontek cards that are available are selling for 4770 prices. In that case, an HIS or Sapphire card would be fine IMO.

 

[mako man]

Thanks for all responses.

Rage would you recommend a 1 GB card or a 512 GB card?

Have a good weekend....

 

[Rage_3K_Moiz]

512MB will be plenty. 1GB wouldn't help unless you were to run games at 1920x1200 or higher, which is possible with the card, but only on some games.

 

[Corwin613]

heh thats his older computer that he lets his son play on? sheesh thats better then my current system until i get this new one assembled in a couple weeks

 

[sw123]

its likely his son's games are slow because his video and audio settings are too high.

on my system, which has failing RAM and a FX5500 video card can play Halo and Counter Strike just fine on low settings.

For the sake of instant gratification, try lowering the settings a bit before you get the new video card.

a 450w PSU should be fine, but it'd probablt be best to upgrade to 550w

In my opinion, a computer should be updated with the newest parts every year or so. The only reason I don't update my PC is because I don't have a job(which is hard to find in this economy here in the united states), or any money.

Anyways, keep your computer up-to-date, make sure to update drivers for all of your hardware(which is free from almost any manufacturer on their website), and keep your anti virus software up to date(just throwing it out there)

Also, a bit of a tip: make sure to replace your PSU every 3 years at least, because its better to have a nice new fresh one instead of yours fyring and taking the whole computer with you.

thanks, sw123