New Graphics card

gasmark7

I would like a new graphics card but don't have too much money to spare. Can anybody recommend a card at the best price or who has a sale on at the moment.

Many thanks

raeble

Do you currently have an agp or pci graphics card? Do you have either of these slots in your machine? What are you going to be using the graphics card for - do you currently play games on your computer? How much are you willing to spend?

gasmark7

Mmm so many questions

I have an AGP card (quite an old one) in at the moment used for DVD play, video transfer, but the kids would like to use it for games occasionally. I probably would spend up to £65 or there abouts.

Thanks

maninblack_3

For £65 you about the best you are goign to get is either an Nvidia 5700 LE or an ATI radeon 9600 SE
Both are pretty similar in performance one or the other can be better in different games.
Neither of these cards are goign to set the world alight but should be good enough. The LE and the SE are the more budget of the range.
Have a look at a few computer sites like https://www.scan.co.uk or https://www.microdirect.co.uk
Just depends where you are based if you want to look at others
My recommendation to you, on this budget, would a Gainward Nvidia 5700, gainward always good quality and you can get a lot of performance out of them

maninblack

gasmark7

thanks maninblack.

I know i'm not going to get the best for this money but I'm really looking to refresh the one I've got

Many Thanks

raeble

Also have a look at novatech. A few months back I got a ATI sapphire radeon 9550 256ddr currently £55 at novatech. I bought it from ebuyer though but there have been quite a few complaints about them lately.

NCW_2

I have a similar query as I need to buy a new graphics card for my Dell 4700 which only has PCI.
Please could anyone reccomend which card to go for and the best place to buy? I was looking at Sapphire ATI Radeon RX300 SE 128mb on Amazon at £49.08 but am totally new to this gaming lark and would really appreciate any advice. I would like one good enough for Sims 2.
Many thanks.

raeble

Does your dell have an agp port? Does it currently have a graphics card or did it come with onboard graphics? I would have thought that model should have an agp port but I could be wrong. If you have got an agp port then the card I quoted above is what I use for the sims 2 among other things. It's has more ram than the one you've picked and is only £6 more but there are cheaper cards out there.

NCW_2

My Dell does not have an AGP port just PCI - any ideas for one that will do the job for me? The Dell did come with a graphics card which I gather is not good enough.
Many thanks.

raeble

Oh I've googled and apparently the dell 4700 has a PCI Express card which is the new standard. If the card is 32mb then it will be enough for the sims 2, PCIe is supposed to be faster than agp anyways. The card you've got looks ok, you might want to look around and see if you can find it cheaper somewhere else - novatech, scan, microdirect etc. Also check out the Sapphire Community forums they might be able to recommend a better card based on what you will be doing. You'll also be able to get the new drivers and things from that site.

NCW_2

Many thanks for the advice - I will be venturing on to the Saphire Forum shortly.