Need help buying a card

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d12eam

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My computer is 6 years old, i think.

Computer
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 7.0.5296.0

Motherboard
CPU Type Intel Pentium 4A, 2000 MHz (5 x 400)
Motherboard Name Dell Computer Corporation Dimension 4550
Motherboard Chipset Intel Brookdale i845PE
System Memory 256 MB (PC2100 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type Phoenix (10/02/02)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Display
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420 (64 MB)
3D Accelerator nVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420
Monitor Dell E171FP (8R3392BFABZT)

Multimedia
Audio Adapter Creative SB Live! Series Audio Processor

It sucks but it's really reliable. Had it for close to 7 years and hasn't crashed once on me. Its running about the same speed when i first bought it. I need something that can run on it. I want to play some good games like BF2 if i cant and need to buy a new comp then ill guess ill buy a new one. I can also play counter strike source at 1024x768 res. Hope you guys can help me. Thanks. :)
 
Unfortunately you are probably limited to PCI video cards only.
Most of these cards will not run BF2 and other games well or even at all.

You said you have the option of buying a new computer, which I fully recommend if you can afford a decent midrange gaming PC. This will play BF2 much better than any card you choose for your Dell since you can get AGP and PCI-Express motherboards and videocards.
 
Well i dont have to run BF2 i just want a decent video card to make cs:s look better because it looks crappy.
 
According to dell, your PC has 4 PCI slots. There is a fairly good option for your system(I cant find it on newegg) But its an nVidia GeForce 6600GT. Its pretty good, but I cant tell you the cost. Talk to Dell and they can help you out.
 
they dont make the 6600GT in PCI.. .
and the cheapest 6600GT is 100USD if ur lucky to find it on sale + rebate.

the best you can get for your PC is probably an FX5700 or FX5500
however, looking at your set up, i hate to say this, but its probably a waste to spend $60-70 on a PCI card.

I recommend you save up some money and get a new build. We, at Techspot will help you find the most cost effective set up that will play CS:S and other games very well.
 
You guys have the best community and feedback. Well a new pc i guess.
Any good system I should buy? $2,000 tops
Thanks :)
 
If I had $2000 to spend I'd build it myself, for that amount of cash you should be able to get a half decent Athlon64 system with a middle range or low top end graphics card (the high top end ones are stupidly expensive). It won't be future proof (no computer stuff is) but you can spec it to do what you want without getting stuff you don't require.
 
for $2000 USD you can have a a really really nice PC
build your own, if you dont know how or dont know anyone how, try to find a computer shop near by, tell them you got the parts and you'll pay them 30$ to put it together.. its usually not bad since they include some sort of guarantee/warranty.

If you insist you buy the system as a whole, uhm, you can probably try an Alienware: http://www.alienware.com/Configurat...e=PC-AURORA-7500-AB&SubCode=SKU-DEFAULT&tag=1 :suspiciou
or even a Dell: http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/pro...dimen_xps600?c=ca&cs=CADHS1&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn :p

or you can go on newegg.com, monarchcomputers.com etc... and look for a gaming computer set up they have..

anyway to get the most out of your money, its best to put the computer together yourself, like many of us do. you probably end up saving up to $200 which you can spend on a better CPU, more RAM or an SLi set up. :slurp:

Let us know which road you like to take =]
 
You actually have an AGP slot

On dell's website it shows that the Dimension 4550 has an AGP4X slot.
(http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4550/techov.htm#1101565. Scroll down and it will show you a picture of the motherboard slots.

If you click on the technical specifications on this page it will show you more details (http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4550/.

Your PC has a 250 watt power supply which will limit your AGP upgrades. I am going to assume you do not have the budget to buy a new computer, so here is what I recommend:

1). Upgrade your memory - your comp. supports 1g total (so 512MBx2)
Definitely buy one stick of 512MB minimum.
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145024)

2). Buy an AGP graphics card: look for 128-bit memory interface and AGP4X
compatible.

a. Less expensive but only 4 pixel pipelines (MSI FX5500 256MB $58)
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127131)
b. More expensive but better option (ASUS 6600 128MB $88)
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121197)
 
if ur gonna spend like.. $30 on RAM and another $88 on a decent video card thats $130 .. you might as well start saving up for a system..

if you think about it, youre gonna play a game and crave for more eye candy and gonna want an even better video card =P so why not get one that will last you at least a year rather than a couple weeks? just MY opinion =]
 
Thanks for the input. Can anyone recommend a good setup?
Ill buy the parts and pay a store to put it together.
 
 
you forgot to put the total cost.. which is: $1648

I have a different set up in mind...
I'll post back after i look around, I tend to look at different sites to find the best deals =P so i take forever heh
 
yea, he screwed up the links like the "harddrive" link.. i found an LCD monitor in there mixed up (after i took the link/address apart) lol
 
my special set up :p

Ok, here it is. You seem like the guy who likes to keep computers around for as long as you can so the parts I have chosen are the one I personally think is

worth buying and will last you several years. I actually did research on these components, didn't just pick out whats best and stuff =P

CPU/Processor $326
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103588

Motherboard $187
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136151

HDD/Harddrive $86
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822148065

RAM\Memory $192 (less $50 MIR) <-- sweet deal
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145575

PSU/Power Supply $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103931

Case $125(less $20 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811146018

DVD-+RW $38
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827129001

Video Card $450
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130254

Mouse $47
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826104191

Keyboard $20
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823126135

Total: $1561 ($1461 after all MIRs) ... a lot of room for improvements, but first, read below

OPTIONAL ITEMS

Im not sure if you have any of the below so i put them here

Speakers $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836121118

LCD Monitor $272
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...&sku=19073YR&category_id=4009&c=us&l=en&cs=19

Windows XP Home $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16837102059

Total after the above 3: 1878 which should leave you enough for taxes and shipping, not too sure

If you dont put much into the look of the case, you can save $50 by using this one instead: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129152

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

If you plan to or want to overclock sometime in the future (and i know you will =P) here are some other options:
Overclocking RAM $192 (you will find this on sale for $157 so keep an eye out)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231021 or get it in a combo and get a DVD burner for $2.99 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827136063)

Your CPU is fast as is, if you feel that 1 year down the road its not fast enough you can EASILY overclock wit without raising voltage, heating or up or having fear that it will poop out on you :p

HOWEVER, If you dont wanna even think about OC'ing anything.. not even your cookie then look to buy this CPU:
Fast CPU $458
http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103546

well.. I think thats it. I hope you appreciate this =P I have no class tomorrow, except a buncha of reviewing and final exams coming up =[ you BETTER appreciate this, hehehe jk jk :haha:

let me know if you want something changed like.. more power on CPU and less on video card .. or faster HDD and less memory or whatever n i'll try my best to help you out :)
 
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