Graphics Card

[skuruza]

i got splinter cell-chaos theory, and i opened it, did CD key, then it loaded and a message popped up saying i do not have pixel shader 1.1 i have a Predator MX4000 plus video card, and if i need anything new, can you please recomend cheap?

[Tsen]

I'd go with an Nvidia GEForce 6200. It's pretty basic, and won't do a lot of the really shiny stuff, but it's more than good enough to run Windows Vista Aero, and it'll keep up with most games out nowadays (but don't expect to run Oblivion at full graphics) It'll run you between $60 and $80. Now, if you want bare-bones, absolute minimum, go for an Nvidia GEForce FX 5200. It's got half the memory (128 MB), but it should get you by, and it'll only run you $45 or so. If it were me, even if I was on an absolute bare-bones budget, I'd go with the 6200. It's an extra twenty bucks, which isn't too much, and the difference will be VERY noticeable.

[13redfan]

I'd go with an Nvidia GEForce 6200. It's pretty basic, and won't do a lot of the really shiny stuff, but it's more than good enough to run Windows Vista Aero, and it'll keep up with most games out nowadays (but don't expect to run Oblivion at full graphics) It'll run you between $60 and $80. Now, if you want bare-bones, absolute minimum, go for an Nvidia GEForce FX 5200. It's got half the memory (128 MB), but it should get you by, and it'll only run you $45 or so. If it were me, even if I was on an absolute bare-bones budget, I'd go with the 6200. It's an extra twenty bucks, which isn't too much, and the difference will be VERY noticeable.[/b] I've got the FX5200 it does the job so far, but I definitely want to upgrade to deal with the newer games coming out. I've been thinking about getting a GeForce 6100 onboard, a friend told me you can set how much of your RAM you want to dedicate to graphics memory. I've got 2gig RAM, so I was thinking of setting 750mb to graphics and the rest for RAM. Would that be worth it?

[skuruza]

k thx, tsen. i will go with that if nobody else posts in this topic. the thing u recommended sounds good, so thanks. i froogled it to compare prices and stuff, and it has all these weird titles and variations...i am confused coz i know very little in graphics or sound cards.

[Tsen]

Well, when looking around on Froogle, be sure to choose a 6200 with at least 256 MB of RAM. Some of the same model were released with 64 or 128 MB. Here's an example of what you're looking for. The seller has a good rating, and it's a good price, too. I've got the FX5200 it does the job so far, but I definitely want to upgrade to deal with the newer games coming out. I've been thinking about getting a GeForce 6100 onboard, a friend told me you can set how much of your RAM you want to dedicate to graphics memory. I've got 2gig RAM, so I was thinking of setting 750mb to graphics and the rest for RAM. Would that be worth it?[/b] I honestly don't know in that case. It might impact performance, not having dedicated video memory on the graphics card, but I've never worked with that sort of thing, so it might not, too.

[MSG]

I got a nvidia 7600 for $130, and it's not too bad of a card. Though the cheaper card you get, the sooner you'll find yourself getting a new one.

[13redfan]

I honestly don't know in that case. It might impact performance, not having dedicated video memory on the graphics card, but I've never worked with that sort of thing, so it might not, too.[/b] Well, thanks! I asked around at work, and most guys reckon it's not really that great I'd be better off getting the 6200. Something about the bit transfer rate or bus speed or something. It made sense at the time. I checked out that link you posted, that card works out to R430 (South African Rand). Over here, a 6200 comes to about R1200! I think I'm gonna buy mine online!

[skuruza]

my opinion is that buying online is better- sure, there is shipping, but you only buy light things. online if u buy, it is cheaper coz they do not have to rent the land. MUAHAHA

[TweaK]

my opinion is that buying online is better- sure, there is shipping, but you only buy light things. online if u buy, it is cheaper coz they do not have to rent the land. MUAHAHA[/b] Exactly, because they can magically pluck them out of thin air! Of course they need to rent buildings, every company will still need a warehouse to store their stuff.

[MSG]

Yeah. Goliaths like Best Buy tend to jack up their prices, simply because they can, but occasionally you find a good warehouse store with amazing prices.

[tyrantt23]

Yeah. Goliaths like Best Buy tend to jack up their prices, simply because they can, but occasionally you find a good warehouse store with amazing prices. Fry's Electronics is one of those stores... I'm lucky to have one somewhat near where I live! As far as video cards go, you can probably find a GeForce 7900 or 7950 for the price range you're looking at, maybe a little more. If you can get the brand BFG for almost the same price, get it... it comes overclocked, and has lifetime warranty! (very nice, since in the past 5 years, I had 3 video cards fry after the fan broke for no reason) They should run the games you mentioned fine at high graphics. As for the games yet to be released, they will probably run medium/low graphics for games coming up after a year or two. I myself got a little impulsive when buying a new card last month (after the fan of my other one died, thus frying the card ). I ended up spending $500.00 on a 8800GTS, with DX10. I went overboard... but that card should handle all the great games that are coming up in the next year: Crysis Starcraft 2 Bioshock I could probably have spent the money in a better way, but it's too late now, so I'm just enjoying the graphics! DiRT looks amazing!

[RetepNamenots]

Now, if you want bare-bones, absolute minimum, go for an Nvidia GEForce FX 5200. It's got half the memory (128 MB), but it should get you by, and it'll only run you $45 or so.[/b] I've got a 256MB FX 5200... it's still pretty poor though..

[arby]

I have the FX5200 and oblivion runs at about 0.5 fps.... Just to give a refernce point... If oyu plan to do much gameing at all, FX5200 is last gen.

[Lord Toaster]

I'm scared of video cards... how do you install the things? its the "XFX GeForce 6200 256MB DDR2 TV DVI AGP 8X" stuff that confuses me, and the picture of a little thing that looks like a hard drive that you somehow have to insert into your computer. I wouldn't know, since I rely on my high RAM for gaming, but is it easy or hard to install them? I really should get one. thanks

[arby]

I'm scared of video cards... how do you install the things? its the "XFX GeForce 6200 256MB DDR2 TV DVI AGP 8X" stuff that confuses me, and the picture of a little thing that looks like a hard drive that you somehow have to insert into your computer. I wouldn't know, since I rely on my high RAM for gaming, but is it easy or hard to install them? I really should get one. thanks[/b] They're real easy to install. You shove them into the slot in your motherboard, plug the power in and then install the drivers on your computer. Presto! The only real specifications that you need to look at if you're a non-geek is the series number and the slot type. You have to have the proper card for the graphics slot on your motherboard and the series number will give you a rough estimate of how well it proforms.

[Goldney]

I agree with Lord Toaster. I had a look around on the interwebs and there was a guide to buying that started out okay then started going really technical saying how I have to worry about how much power goes into my pc and the cooling and how is my moniter hooked up to the computer... But if someone can say what graphics card will produce graphics that look comparable to that of an Xbox 360 I'll be eternally grateful.

[MSG]

Yeah, installing a video card is perhaps one of the easiest things you could do to a computer. Everything is made to fit, so as long as you've got the right part, it's as simple as simply sliding it in and screwing it down. Some computers don't even have screws, but clamps. Don't worry about it ;D

[Goldney]

Oh cool. Now, if only I could work out how to open up my computer...

[bluefinger]

I always like to read topics like this... considering I completely custom built my pc. Ordered everything off the web and assembled it all. Its pretty powerful machine as well. As for video cards, it all depends on what you are looking for in terms of price and performance. Nvidia 7600GTs and ATI X1650's are both great cards for the price, but if you are willing to part with a little more money, you can get an even better card, the ATI X1950 Pro. From there, you'll need to pay increasingly more in order to get more performance, so at the cheapest of the high-end, you have the likes of the Nvidia 7900GT and ATI X1950XT. Anyway, it's always good to check whether your PC has either a AGP or PCI-express graphics card slot. Older PCs tend to have AGP, whilst the newest ones will only have PCI-express. So all in all, the older your PC is, the more likely it is to be an AGP slot. From there, its pretty much down to how much you are willing to pay for your graphics card in order to get more bells and whistles.

[arby]

Also, just to add. Any decent card will generally come in AGP or PCI.

[Stalker]

Also, just to add. Any decent card will generally come in AGP or PCI.[/b] Sure, some high-ends are probably still being sold for PCI-X but even there they have moved over to PCIe nowadays. Avoid 5200/6200 and all the like. Radeon 9500Pro, 9600 or similar for oldies that are better. X1650 for something newer. nVidia 7600 was cheap and good last time I checked (a while ago).

[arby]

Yeah, I'm thinking of a new computer and I've got my eye on the 7600. If you want the lowest card that will still run decent and won't be obsolete like... tomorrow... I'd say the 6600 is the lowest i'd advise you to go.

[bluefinger]

I think the 6600 is pushing it. Back in its day, it was the price/performance card, but now as the 8600GT & GTS has been released, I think its already getting long in the tooth. I know my brother still runs on a OC'ed 9600XT, but he might get a new pc soon since its several years old now.

[skuruza]

ok, well, i need a card for the requirements of splinter cell and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. dont know if u heard or it... anyway, its recommended card is nVIDIA GeForce 7900 or ATI Radeon X1950. i need help in choosing a card coz i want it to support both games... i tried finding one that fits the two games, but got confused. plz help! P.S. price range has a maximum of around 120 dollars.- dont know if this makes sense... anyway, my limit is $110, give or take $10. thx

[blade5x]

Was in the same situation as you and needed a temporary upgrade until I actually get Vista and need DX10. I bought a 7900GS recently for $105AR. I can tell you STALKER runs well with full dynamic lighting max settings at 1280x1024 resolution. Don't know about Splinter Cell since I don't own that game. Link is below, long as you don't mind waiting for a small rebate. Enjoy! http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130056