So... I've been wanting VERY MUCH SO to buy a new graphics card... because on TF2, I get 4 frames per second (The most I've ever gotten. Ever.) and 12 fps on League of Legends. I have the lowest possible detail settings on both of those games... yea. I need a new graphics card. The question is, which one? I want one that will be able to run *SC2 hopefully* and the above mentioned games smoothly... but I don't know exactly which one to get. I don't even know which one I have right now.
I'll take any recommendations as to which graphics card to buy, and a guide (of sorts) on how to put it in my hard drive would also help very much.
Edit: This computer is a Windows Vista, which is not built for office work. (I have upgraded everything, except the graphics card.)
Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Dec 16 2009, 1:07 am by OlimarandLouie.
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Download CPU-Z and GPU-Z.
Take screenshots of all CPU-Z tabs and main GPU-Z tab.
Post them here.
Then we can help you.
There you go. All the tabs.
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Really wish you would've resized. ;-;
Your motherboard is shit and cannot support a decent GPU. In other words you'd be wasting money and bottle necking your system due to your mobo/CPU shittiness.
I also would like to know your powersupply's max output. Note you actually have to open your case and read the sticker, no program can tell you. It'll probably be between 200-400w.
My recommendation: You're going to need to get a new CPU, Mobo, PSU, RAM, and GFX at the same time. Alternatively you could get the PSU first alone.
You're right on the spot, it says 400w is the max output.
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You're right on the spot, it says 400w is the max output.
Right, so you can't even afford to power a GPU worth spending money on.
If you can give me a price range I can design you something.
preferably under $150, any higher then that and I'll just go buy a new comp.
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preferably under $150, any higher then that and I'll just go buy a new comp.
That's basically what we're doing. We're just re-using your disk drives, hard drives, and possibly case unless you want a new one. I mean we are replacing just about all the core components.
This would not be do-able for under 150$. So if you were going to build a new one, what would you like to spend?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143210http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121353I don't know what ex is thinking but you can shove a GT 220 in there because it should have one pci-e x16 slot?
You can probably upgrade the processor to a better pentium dual core?
Of course a new comp would be nice but if you cant afford one the 220 and 240 are good options.
(please note that some of the 240's require two slot spacings because the fan sticks out)
Post has been edited 4 time(s), last time on Dec 16 2009, 5:01 am by MasterJohnny.
I am a Mathematician
I'm thinking they aren't worth the cost. The reviews for those cards have shown how god awful they are and shame on you for recommending them to anyone doing any amount of 3D gaming.
You can probably upgrade the processor to a better pentium dual core?
Why? Its a dead socket, AND its a crappy chipset. Seriously, bad idea. WHY DON'T WE JUST START BUYING AGP CARDS AGAIN LOL!
Of course a new comp would be nice but if you cant afford one the 220 and 240 are good options.
No actually, they're not.
If this is a name-brand computer, you should first open up your case to make sure you even have a PCI Express x16 slot in your system at all. Sometimes they will get customized versions of the motherboards they put in, sometimes with less features. I'm mainly mentioning this because CPU-Z didn't mention anything about your computer even having such a slot. I don't really know whether this is or is not typical for a computer that is only using the integrated graphics on the motherboard.
You could probably go at least to a Radeon HD 4650 or 4670, but if you go that high you might as well make sure you get one with at least a 128-bit memory interface and not 64-bit. There isn't much of a price difference, but there will be a difference in the performance of the card's memory. Do not get a card for that system that needs an extra power connection attached to it; your power supply may not be able to handle it. In the 4000 series, this appears to start at 4700 series cards and up.
Post has been edited 2 time(s), last time on Dec 16 2009, 6:55 am by ShadowFlare.
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I'm thinking they aren't worth the cost. The reviews for those cards have shown how god awful they are and shame on you for recommending them to anyone doing any amount of 3D gaming.
Of course a new comp would be nice but if you cant afford one the 220 and 240 are good options.
No actually, they're not.
Awful for what? He is only playing TF2 and LoL which are not that high. It gets the job done.
You did not say any better option other than building a new computer. Otherwise those two cards are good options unless you think the Ati cards are better which I dont recommend because of PSU.
The 46xx needs 400 watts which he has but it seems dangerous.
Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Dec 16 2009, 7:08 am by MasterJohnny.
I am a Mathematician
They say that, but at least according to what I could calculate on this power supply calculator
http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp there should be a decent margin as long as he doesn't have his system full of drives. According to the numbers they have there, a 4670 uses less power than some older cards for which I'm fairly sure they had just recommended at least a 350 watt power supply. Anyway, I think it saying 400 watts recommended is not saying you couldn't run it with less, just that they recommend you have at least that (note that it says 400 watts or higher recommended, not 400 watts required - there is a difference).
On that note, how many hard drives and CD/DVD drives does the system have?
If power would be an issue, a 4550 would be fine in that regard at least. The performance would probably be at least decent for those games.
Also just wanted to note that if a 46xx series card will be chosen, I just noticed that some have DDR2 memory and some have DDR3.
Post has been edited 7 time(s), last time on Dec 16 2009, 7:25 am by ShadowFlare.
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Some of them say recommended watts but there are also some that say minimum 400 watts.
The 4550 is 64bit bus width which is probably not so good for TF2 and LoL.
His choices are between the 220,240 and the 46xx. (4550 terrible in performance)
I am a Mathematician
He's got a 400 * .707 W PSU, not a 400 W. If he can't handle following simple instructions (like posting a GPU-Z screenshot) and does them poorly (can't press alt+prt screen or crop), I think building a computer may be too much for him.
So Olimar, I suggest you get a friend who has either built a computer, or knows a lot about computers to help you build a computer if you feel like going this route. Alternatively, you can read up a whole bunch on what to do/what to buy/how stuff works.
I tried upgrading my 2002 computer with a graphics card, only to find it only had PCI slots, which limited me to basically nothing. Since I wanted to play at least some 3d games, I went ahead and bought a terrible 9250 (we all make mistakes). My performance improved very little, and I eventually just scrapped the entire computer for my current one. After building said computer, my knowledge increased tenfold.
"Parliamentary inquiry, Mr. Chairman - do we have to call the Gentleman a gentleman if he's not one?"
I tried upgrading my 2002 computer with a graphics card, only to find it only had PCI slots, which limited me to basically nothing. Since I wanted to play at least some 3d games, I went ahead and bought a terrible 9250 (we all make mistakes). My performance improved very little, and I eventually just scrapped the entire computer for my current one. After building said computer, my knowledge increased tenfold.
I actually made the same mistake. I knew nothing about computers, and bought an Nvidia card. Big mistake, as my motherboard has absolutely no slots for a graphics card, whatsoever. LAME
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You know what... at this point, I think I'll just start saving up for a new computer... thanks for the info, though.
Topic may be closed now.
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