Buying a new graphic card but im confused

Luffy321

totalsolutions wrote: »

Comes highly recommended £36.79 (Shader 4)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-107-OK&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=877

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System Information

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Time of this report: 1/28/2009, 10:43:17
Machine name: FRANZOIR
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Compaq Presario 061
System Model: EP058AA-ABU SR1705UK GB610
BIOS: BIOS Date: 01/27/2006 Ver: 08.00.12
Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 3.06GHz
Memory: 448MB RAM
Page File: 367MB used, 687MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode


Here are my basic spec (dont laugh). This is quite an old pc and i havent used it for a good year. I usually use my vaio laptop but it has an integrated graphic card which is annoying. So ive decided to upgrade my old computer to make itcapable of playing the latest games. Im gonna upgade this laughable ram to something decent as well.

The graphic card you mentioned is built for windows vista so im wondering whether it would work with xp. My budget is £100 (including vax delivery charges etc). That what i meant by mooderate price since i thought graphic cards sell for £300+.

So bearing my specs/new brief in mind could you give me another recommendation or is does you mentioned before still work with xp?

I know its a pain but i want everything to be perfect when i install the stuff. Thank again

Luffy321

totalsolutions wrote: »

Comes highly recommended £36.79 (Shader 4)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-107-OK&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=877

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System Information

---

Time of this report: 1/28/2009, 10:43:17
Machine name: FRANZOIR
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Compaq Presario 061
System Model: EP058AA-ABU SR1705UK GB610
BIOS: BIOS Date: 01/27/2006 Ver: 08.00.12
Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 3.06GHz
Memory: 448MB RAM
Page File: 367MB used, 687MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode


Here are my basic spec (dont laugh). This is quite an old pc and i havent used it for a good year. I usually use my vaio laptop but it has an integrated graphic card which is annoying. So ive decided to upgrade my old computer to make itcapable of playing the latest games. Im gonna upgade this laughable ram to something decent as well.

The graphic card you mentioned is built for windows vista so im wondering whether it would work with xp. My budget is £100 (including vax delivery charges etc). That what i meant by mooderate price since i thought graphic cards sell for £300+.

So bearing my specs/new brief in mind could you give me another recommendation or is does you mentioned before still work with xp?

I know its a pain but i want everything to be perfect when i install the stuff. Thank again

Luffy321

totalsolutions wrote: »

Comes highly recommended £36.79 (Shader 4)

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-107-OK&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=877

---

System Information

---

Time of this report: 1/28/2009, 10:43:17
Machine name: FRANZOIR
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Compaq Presario 061
System Model: EP058AA-ABU SR1705UK GB610
BIOS: BIOS Date: 01/27/2006 Ver: 08.00.12
Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 3.06GHz
Memory: 448MB RAM
Page File: 367MB used, 687MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode


Here are my basic spec (dont laugh). This is quite an old pc and i havent used it for a good year. I usually use my vaio laptop but it has an integrated graphic card which is annoying. So ive decided to upgrade my old computer to make itcapable of playing the latest games. Im gonna upgade this laughable ram to something decent as well.

The graphic card you mentioned is built for windows vista so im wondering whether it would work with xp. My budget is £100 (including vax delivery charges etc). That what i meant by mooderate price since i thought graphic cards sell for £300+.

So bearing my specs/new brief in mind could you give me another recommendation or is does you mentioned before still work with xp?

I know its a pain but i want everything to be perfect when i install the stuff. Thank again

jaydeeuk1

I'm afraid to play the latest games, that spec is someway off. It appears it uses an old motherboard too that doesn't support the core 2 duo range. As the Celeron processor would hold any modern graphics card back, ideally you'd need a new motherboard, DDR2 memory, dual core processor and a graphics card. You might get some more life out of the celeron with a cheap card, but if you choose to upgrade your system in the near future, it would be money wasted.

I would still get the ATI 4670 for £50 in places. Save up another £100 for a new motherboard and processor (probably AMD for the budget) and DDR2 memory.

Then use the new graphics card in the new system.

Luffy321

Right now im even more confused. So essentially,what your saying is, i need a new computer, thats what a new motherboard is right. Well that not an option, like i said im a student and my vaio laptop is more then capable to handle daily computer uses. This is just a side project, so when im back from uni i can play games when im bored. I dont want a super computer here, i just want something that will play the latest games smoothly. Surely my processor cant be that big of a problem since it it more then meets requirements for game like mirror edge. I know it lacks ram but as i said im upgrading to 2gb. So all i really need is a capable graphic card right?. Surely i dont need to take such drastic measure as buying a completely new motherboard.

Im actually quite annoyed cause everytime i come to forums for help, it seems people have the throwaway attitude of buy a new one.

P.S sorry for the triple post, internet kept resending information.

JoeA81

How old is this "old" computer. The problem is that if you buy a new graphics card, the older components in the computer will hold it back so much that you will see little gain in perfomance. If its any more than 18month to 2 years old I would not bother. If its less than that, it could just about be worth it.

Whenever I upgrade my computer I always try to upgrade the "Big 4" components (Processor, Motherboard, Memory, Graphics Card) as it is the interaction between these four components which affects your computer's performance, not just one on their own.

Perhaps a second hand games console would be a better investment? Im sure there are some Xbox 360s going cheap these days..

Luffy321

Well im upgrading memory/ graphic card. Im not going to bother with a new motherboard/processor.

Like i said i only need 3.0 shader model graphic card. If my motherboard is too old i would rather buy a lesser spec graphic card that meets the requirement of shader 3.0. So if anyone can tell me whether my specs would be too old for the geforce9500 and beyond, could you suggest a lesser spec card that meets the requirement of a shader model 3.0 would be compatible.

Btw its 3 years old.

This is getting quite urgent now since i need o decide by the end of tommorrow. So no more suggestions except for what i asked for.

Thanks again.

Luffy321

Would geforce 73000 work? It has what i need. Does anyone know if its compatible with my motherboard?

e00c

Luffy321 wrote: »

Well im upgrading memory/ graphic card. Im not going to bother with a new motherboard/processor.

Like i said i only need 3.0 shader model graphic card. If my motherboard is too old i would rather buy a lesser spec graphic card that meets the requirement of shader 3.0. So if anyone can tell me whether my specs would be too old for the geforce9500 and beyond, could you suggest a lesser spec card that meets the requirement of a shader model 3.0 would be compatible.

Btw its 3 years old.
This is getting quite urgent now since i need o decide by the end of tommorrow. So no more suggestions except for what i asked for.

Thanks again.

Luffy - your pc is better then my old one. (got laptop + pc)...

MY pc plays games just fine... it could have a much better card in... but it's ok. it does more then just the job.

It doesn't matter if your motherboard 'holds back' the performance of the card... all this means is:

your card will perform to the full ammount it can with your spec pc.

Also - in the future... if you deciede to upgrade the rest of it... it will be fine

Luffy321

e00c wrote: »

Luffy - your pc is better then my old one. (got laptop + pc)...

MY pc plays games just fine... it could have a much better card in... but it's ok. it does more then just the job.

It doesn't matter if your motherboard 'holds back' the performance of the card... all this means is:

your card will perform to the full ammount it can with your spec pc.

Also - in the future... if you deciede to upgrade the rest of it... it will be fine

I heard that if i buy a card that is too powerful it will blow up my motherboard? Is this a myth?

Ok here is what i need to know in detail.

1.How can i determine my power supply unit?
2.How much power does the geforce 9500 need?
3.If my computer meets requirements of No.2 should i buy the geforce?
4.If i shouldnt buy the geforce what card should i buy that would be more suitable?

If someone can answer these four questions, i would be ever so grateful and finally crystal clear on this graphic card fiasco.