Thread: Graphics Card

I have a 8800GTS 320mb and I'm running games like Portal and Half-Life 2 Episode 2 at MAX SETTINGS at like 1280x960 resolution.

It's freaking amazing...

Oh, by the way, here's the rest of my system information, just in case it helps with anything....

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name FAMILYROOM
System Manufacturer HP Pavilion 061
System Model EX332AA-ABA m7580n
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 75 Stepping 2 AuthenticAMD ~2405 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 3.04, 14/06/2006
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
User Name FAMILYROOM\HP_Administrator
Time Zone Atlantic Daylight Time
Total Physical Memory 2,048.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 1.15 GB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.93 GB
Page File Space 3.85 GB

I'd like to be able to run games like Crysis, as well as any other new games that come out in there relative future.

How much power does your power supply give?

I had to upgrade mine to 500W to use my new graphics card.

And crysis? How much money are you willing to spend? You can get great custom built computers for like $1000 or less or something.

Hm. I can help you, but I'll need your I.P. address, your Admin's password, and your Social Security number real quick.

Originally Posted by slayer

How much power does your power supply give?

I had to upgrade mine to 500W to use my new graphics card.

And crysis? How much money are you willing to spend? You can get great custom built computers for like $1000 or less or something.

I'm not sure, how do I check how much power supply it gives? How much does it cost to upgrade that?

And like I said in my OP, I'm willing to spend about 250-500 for the card. I just bought this computer a year or two ago, so I'm not planning on getting a new PC for awhile now.

Oh you have more than enough. I only had $100 and I got everything I needed...but then again I got mine off of ebay...

To check how much power you have, shut down your computer COMPLETELY! Unplug your the black cord in the back of your computer for safety reasons. Take off the side of your computer and look at your Power Supply. There might be something that says like 400W or 550W or something.

And while your looking, make sure you have a PCI-E slot. You should have one if you got your computer 2-3 years ago.

Originally Posted by slayer

Oh you have more than enough. I only had $100 and I got everything I needed...but then again I got mine off of ebay...

To check how much power you have, shut down your computer COMPLETELY! Unplug your the black cord in the back of your computer for safety reasons. Take off the side of your computer and look at your Power Supply. There might be something that says like 400W or 550W or something.

And while your looking, make sure you have a PCI-E slot. You should have one if you got your computer 2-3 years ago.

Isn't there an easier way to check it, like a program or something...? I don't really want to take the casing off.... I've heard that HP computers usually only have less than like 250W, which kind of sucks.

What's the PCI-E slot for? When I bought this computer, the guy told me that this system was made for modding, he told me that these were good computers to get because basically everything was able to be ripped out and replaced with better stuff so I wouldn't have to keep buying new computers, and I could just upgrade some hardware.

I don't really have time right now, so if there isn't a program to check the power supply, I'll have to do it tomorrow night.

The PCI-E slot is used to put in your graphics card. The best cards today use PCI-E.

And no, I never found a program that would tell you what your power supply gives you.

http://www.dabs.com/ProductView.aspx?Quicklinx=502G

*edit*
if you're feeling really crazy, buy 2 and connect them together using Nvidia's SLI
(check your mobo can handle 2 PCI-e cards, both @ 16x before hand though

Originally Posted by slayer

The PCI-E slot is used to put in your graphics card. The best cards today use PCI-E.

And no, I never found a program that would tell you what your power supply gives you.

Yeah, I do have a PCI-E slot. I'm not going to bother checking the power supply, I'll have to take the computer in for the card to be installed most likely anyway, so they'll probably be able to tell me then whether or not I need a new power supply, and according to you, they aren't that expensive, right?

Also, Ynot, is that video card better than like the 9800 versions? I have no idea, I don't know anything about them, I just assume the bigger the number, the better it is. I just want something that will be able to run most games on high settings, and just be able to run in general crazy games like Crysis or whatever.

Thanks guys.

I've realized my aspiration for a video card. I care about nothing else, but I want it to be able to run Left 4 Dead on max or near max settings. Screw everything else.

Your best bet right now is probably an ATI HD4850. Its currently one of the best value cards around. If you can stretch to a bit more consider the HD4870. If you want something really powerful, try the nVidia GTX 260 or 280. I have a GTX 260 and its performance is absoloutely stunning. Its very very expensive though, and you would definately need to upgrade your power supply so its probably not worth it.

Looking at your system specs, I would advise putting in another 2GB of RAM as well.

I'm looking at the GTX 260 right now, it's on sale at Future Shop for 280 dollars, and it looks like a great card. Hopefully they have on in stock here.... Can anyone give me an estimate for how much it costs to upgrade power supply? I don't mind doing it, but I'd like to keep the whole thing under 500 dollars.

Edit: Nevermind, they don't carry them at this store, that sucks....

Originally Posted by Bayside

Oh, by the way, here's the rest of my system information, just in case it helps with anything....

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name FAMILYROOM
System Manufacturer HP Pavilion 061
System Model EX332AA-ABA m7580n
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 75 Stepping 2 AuthenticAMD ~2405 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 3.04, 14/06/2006
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume1
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
User Name FAMILYROOM\HP_Administrator
Time Zone Atlantic Daylight Time
Total Physical Memory 2,048.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 1.15 GB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.93 GB
Page File Space 3.85 GB

I'd like to be able to run games like Crysis, as well as any other new games that come out in there relative future.

edit: Oh and yea, I've got a 260GTX. It's probably the best you can get right now from nVidia. Of course, if you go ATi, you can get some okay cards, though you might consider moving your computer into the fridge.
Disregarding that, if you're getting a 260GTX, make sure you have enough room first. The card is ginormous.

edit 2: Regarding powersupplies, I upgraded to a 750 watt instead of my 520 watt PSU. The 260GTX requires 2xPCI-E 6xStick cables, or it won't have enough juice to run properly. Secondly, the VRAIL (graphicscard power rail) has to be of atleast 20 ampere or something along those lines. 520 watt PSUs usually only deliever 18 amperes. The 750 watt gave about 60, which is plenty enough. Got it for about $140.

Also, I suggest that you don't give up on getting the card, just because it isn't in stock in your local store. Order it and get it with the mail instead. I did that, and that spared me atleast $50.

Are there any specific stores that you can get video cards from? The only place around here I've seen that sells video cards, is Best Buy and Future Shop. Best Buy only had like four random cards I've never heard of, I don't think they were even nVidia or ATI, just random shit, and Future Shop doesn't have the 260GTX anywheres in my province even, so I'm not sure how I'd get it, and ordering online isn't really an option for me because I don't own a credit card.

Edit: Also, what do you think about this card? It's a good price, and it has good reviews, but as I say, I don't know much when it comes to video cards.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...0108453&catid=

Don't ask me, I live in Denmark. Try Amazon or something like that.

I think I'm going to go with the HD4850. From the reviews I've read, it's nearly on par with the 260GT, for like half the price. Also, it's one of the only cards actually available within an hours drive from my house.... Hopefully going to pick it up tomorrow morning. Thanks guys.

... and it will turn your house into Iceland.

I use my ATI in winter as a personal heater.

Originally Posted by Flicker Flare

Looking at your system specs, I would advise putting in another 2GB of RAM as well.

I wouldn't, it would be a waste. Windows is 32-bit, it can only use 3.5GB of RAM max.

Originally Posted by ninja9578

I wouldn't, it would be a waste. Windows is 32-bit, it can only use 3.5GB of RAM max.

Maybe at least another GB then. Only 2GB is a little on the thin side for gaming these days.

You can get a 8800GT for like $100 nowadays with a good deal. I have one and it can run Crysis/Warhead on high at 1680x1050.

Originally Posted by Umbrasquall

You can get a 8800GT for like $100 nowadays with a good deal. I have one and it can run Crysis/Warhead on high at 1680x1050.

Any idea where? Like I said, I don't know where you would shop for something like that, the only places I know of are Future Shop and Best Buy, which for all I know, ridiculously over charge. I just don't know of any other places around here that sell video cards.

Just order it.