help with gaming video card

cha-cha_2

Hi. I have a desktop xp which we've had for about 2-3 years - my son plays a lot of games on this machine. Earlier this year I tried to update the video card but after a lot of too and froing I got a refund. I have updated the memory and the power supply to the machine so apart from buying an updated video card, the machine is fine. My question is, given my son plays a lot of online computer games such as world of warcraft and warhammer, is this the time to look at buying a better system that will future proof games for the next few years? Or do you reckon that by updating the video card it will buy me some time till we need to update? I haven't money to throw away but I don't want to keep updating a computer if in the long run it would be better to update the operating system, etc, etc. Thanks!:T

[Deleted User]

If the rest of the computer is fine bar the graphics card, then just upgrade that! How much are you looking to spend and what PSU did you change to?

robredz

What CPU does it have and how much RAM does the motherboard support? Is the Graphics card slot PC-IE or AGP this can have a bearing on the cost effectiveness of an upgrade. If it's AGP it may be better to replace the machine or build using newer components into the existing case.

Conor_3

If it has a PCI-e slot, get a Geforce 9600GT. Should handle everything he can chuck at it for a while.

cha-cha_2

Mmm. in answer to your question. CPu - I expect the answer is windows Xp - forgive my naivety! PSu _ I can't remember but does 450watts sound right?!!

I've got the desktop ready to go to a local company and so can't get into the computer to tell you the answers.

I think though I will go with anewhope's advice and just upgrade - I will also find out about geforce 9600Gt.

Thanks for your help!

DatabaseError

cpu=central processing unit (intel pentium 4 2Ghz, amd athlon 64 3000 etc..)
O/S=operating system (XP, Vista, Linus etc)
PSU = Power Supply Unit (450w 1kw etc..)
What's your budget?

robredz

cha-cha wrote: »

Mmm. in answer to your question. CPu - I expect the answer is windows Xp - forgive my naivety! PSu _ I can't remember but does 450watts sound right?!!

I've got the desktop ready to go to a local company and so can't get into the computer to tell you the answers.

I think though I will go with anewhope's advice and just upgrade - I will also find out about geforce 9600Gt.

Thanks for your help!

If the shop starts talking megabucks to upgrade beware.

A 9600GT is around £99 on EBuyer

BillScarab

I'd secind the recommendation of the 9600 GT, and not ourtrageously expensive (by graphics card standards).

here's the latest review of the best cards at different price points from toms Hardware.

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/radeon-geforce-graphics,review-31451.html

Conor_3

BillScarab wrote: »

I'd secind the recommendation of the 9600 GT, and not ourtrageously expensive (by graphics card standards).

OP: If you look at my post here: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=16511199&postcount=22

That's an old computer running a 9600GT. Anything above 60FPS is more than acceptable. It's running on a motherboard that's about 4 years old with a CPU that was discontinued in October 2006 so it's about as far from cutting edge as you can get, using Vista which people says sucks for gaming, but it'll run everything I can throw at it at maximum settings.

BillScarab

I run Vista on an E4300 1.8 ghz Core 2 Duo with a 9600GT and 4 Gb RAM. It handles all of my games fine and I use a 24" monitor.

I suspect Crysis would be more of a challenge but luckily it's not really my cup of tea.

I've just realised my typing in my previous post was atrocious.

Conor_3

BillScarab wrote: »

I've just realised my typing in my previous post was atrocious.

We just put it down to quaffing sherry, it being that time of year.