Curse

stale · Apr 02, 2008, 05:04 PM // 17:04

hey all,

after a couple years of playing GW with just the "integrated graphics" deal, i've decided i want a video card.

but, knowing virtually nothing about video cards, i'm come to you, the fine computer geeks, for advice.

so, a little info.

my computer is:

Gateway 838GM

Pentium 4 CPU 3.00GHz
3.00GHz, 504MB RAM

running XP media centre edition service pack 2

k, all that was pulled directly from the info box under properties - let me know if you need more info.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

i've had the box open recently (canned air and a mini-vaccuum - too much doghair for my likings...) and there's tonnes of room, and at least 3 power connectors i could see.

just wondering what a decent (not bank breaking) video card would be - don't want to have to diddle with my power supply, i'm not interested in overclocking - just want something to help with my framerate, for between $200-$250.

thanks for any help

stale

Xerius987 · Apr 02, 2008, 05:15 PM // 17:15

Maybe a 8800GT/GTS 320MB will make you happy

Or if you want REAL power, go for a 8800GTX Or Ultra!

And 1 more thing, GET SOME MORE RAM! 504ram!? ATLEAST go upp to 1GB of ram, will make the game run more smoothly!

Xerius! Rock On!

Tamuril elansar · Apr 02, 2008, 05:19 PM // 17:19

agreed, moar RAM needed

also, you can take a 9600gt, they're cheap and have a high quality.

stale · Apr 02, 2008, 05:20 PM // 17:20

ok, perhaps a stupid question (aren't most questions?) but how do i "get more ram"?

and thanks for the quick suggestions for video cards.

Aera · Apr 02, 2008, 05:31 PM // 17:31

The 9600 is a PCI-Express x16, so I doubt your current system will support it.

You've probably got an AGP x8, which means you have to get the somewhat older videocards.

If that's the case, I'd go for the nVidia GeForce 7600 GT. It's really cheap and quite a nice performance.

As for getting more RAM: buy a 400MHz DDR 512 MB or 1GB RAM card, and plug it in ( it's really easy, ask someone at the computershop to give you an example ).

Pasha the Mighty · Apr 02, 2008, 05:33 PM // 17:33

well, all you do is shake the ram tree, and it just comes falling out.

You get it at your hardware store ofcourse!! jeez... Anyway, I would suggest maybe like a 8800 gts/512, or a 8800gt, or a 9800gtx. or even a 8800gtx. both the gtx's are high end, 9800 just came out, the gts is really good too, and the gt has the best price/performance ratio
for ram brands, I like corsair. Also, see if you have 1 stick of 512 mb, if you do, get another one, or maybe even 1gb, and run it in dual channel mode.

stale · Apr 02, 2008, 05:37 PM // 17:37

well, it says it has a PCI express slot available, so i may try the 9600.

and for the more ram - i think i'll try for the 1GB card. assuming my bank account holds out, anyway.

thanks again, for the quick advice.

*[EDIT] to clarify, that's a XFX Geforce 9600 GT 512MB PCIE Video Card?
and i'm assuming i'll have to look futher afield than futureshop for the RAM card.

Snograt · Apr 02, 2008, 06:51 PM // 18:51

Go to http://crucial.com/. Use their scanner. It will tell you how many memory slots you have, what memory you have installed and what are your best options for memory upgrades.

Pasha the Mighty · Apr 02, 2008, 07:05 PM // 19:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snograt

Go to http://crucial.com/. Use their scanner. It will tell you how many memory slots you have, what memory you have installed and what are your best options for memory upgrades.

I realize this is totally offtopic, but why is it that almost everywhere I find one of these scanners, the go from pavilon 7400 series to 7600 series? Do they not admit that there is a 7500 series? I mean this annoys the crap out of me. I have been trying for a long time to upgrade the ram on my 7560 pavilion from 1 gb to 2 gb, and finnally decided to just build a new computer and stay away from hp forever. Apparantly the only compatible memory (according to HP) is their 533 mhz 110 dollar memory which is crap, even though i can get 2gb of corsair 1066mhz memory for 50 frigging euros? Why does every memory configurator conveniently skip my pavilion series? [/offtopic]

Are you sure about that 9600? If all you're going to do is play guild wars, it's fine, if you want to do more, go for something better. I'd still go with at least the 8800gt, but it's your choice in the end.

Edit: didn't see the scanning tool, i'll check that out in a minute
Edit 2: nope, the scanning tool couldn't find anything either. I hate hp, I truly do. What kind of weid mobo did they use that it's not compatible with any brand in a normal shop? Btw, don't give me advice on this, I'm ordering the parts for my new system on monday, so then I can just shove this thing to my parents or some other family member.

Callisto Solace · Apr 02, 2008, 07:29 PM // 19:29

Not to burst your bubble, but you need to check a few things before even getting a new card.

What kind of slot do you have? AGP, PCI or PCI-E, cause a pci-e card will not fit on a pci slot.

What kind of power supply do you have in your comp? Cause a 8800 gtx needs at least a 450w power supply.

The 9600 is a nice bugetcard, but the 8800gtx has a better preformance and there are the ATI cards aswell, they have some nice ones on the market too.

You will sure need some more ram like at least 1 gig. But here to, you need to know what your motherboard can handle and what kind of ram you have at the moment.

And this is just my oppinion, but if you are planning on buying a new system later on, why not go for a cheaper card, i'm running GW on a 7600gs (yeah i know, kinda old) and it runs GW on max settings.

Don't just run to a store and buy stuff but research cause nothing sucks more then having new hardware that is just not compatible with the rest of you system or causes bottlenecks. Give it some thought, what do you want out of your current pc and is the ugrade worth it. Then figure out what suits you best.

Hope this advise gives you an idea on what to look for.

Good luck

Pasha the Mighty · Apr 02, 2008, 08:18 PM // 20:18

He said that he has a pci express slot available...

stale · Apr 03, 2008, 01:10 AM // 01:10

yep, PCI express slot, and i need a "400MHz DDr PC3200 CL3 184pin" card. 1GB is going to run me about $50, and i've got room for four of them. (the two it came with (256 each) are removable) so, in theory, i could jump up to 4GB RAM, though i'm thinking 2GB should be plenty.

no clue about my power supply though - and honestly, i've no idea how to check it either. help on that score would be appreciated.

oh, and for the difference between the 9600 and the 8800, doubling the cost for the 8800 doesn't seem worth it, somehow. (local place has the 9600 for $199 + tax, the 8800gtx is $439 + tax) unlikely to do much anything more intense than GW, graphics wise.

and, thanks for the scanner URL, but you're a bit late - i blew 20 minutes talking to Gateway support staff finding out what i have and what i can use. (well, 5 minutes talking, 15 minutes listening to machines talk at me....)

so, any advice on how to check my power supply? oh, and i'm going to grab the memory cards tomorrow, and i'll update on any performance improvements.

thanks again folks!

Pasha the Mighty · Apr 03, 2008, 06:36 AM // 06:36

Hold on, you can't just go popping in memory. You have to see if your motherboard can handle 2 gb before putting it in. I know the gtx is a lot more expensive than the 9600, but I was talking about the GT, it's only a little more expensive than the 9600, but it's a lot better I believe.

stale · Apr 03, 2008, 02:58 PM // 14:58

from what the gateway folks said, putting myself up to 2GB RAM won't be an issue. (leads me to wonder WHY the computer didn't come with more than 512 MB....) the fellow who i was talking to said that realistically, i could add the two 1GB cards into the two spare slots, in addition to the current two 256MB cards, and all should be well.

However, he did point out that the warrantee will be null and void if i open the box. (months too late on that... i regularly clean the accumulated pet hair, dust, etc from inside my computer.)

oh, and my motherboard is *103938 - Intel (Big Lake) 945G Motherboard No CPU R0* and i'm on a 300W power supply.

any further thoughts on stuff? was tech-boy wrong and i can't run more RAM? i figured, it being the more affordable of the two ($50 vs. $200) i was going to grab the RAM first.

thanks for your paitence with the undending stupid questions from me, eh?

stale

Elder III · Apr 03, 2008, 03:21 PM // 15:21

Ok, here is my advice for you based on what you have said so far:

1 - If you are not likely to do anything more graphically intense then GW, don't get a 8800 or even a 9600, both are overkill for GW. A GeForce 7600 256 vram will be plenty and shouldn't run much more than $80.00 (my laptop has a 7600 GT 256 and it burns through GW @ 60 fps with total MAX settings).

2 - Get more RAM, if you have 4 slots, of which 2 are taken, I would add a 1 GB stick into one of the spare slots and leave it at that. (1.5 GB is plenty for GW)

3 - I highly recommend www.tigerdirect.com & www.newegg.com for buying computer hardware. Both sites are well respected, and very helpful. You can contact either one with your computer specs and they will reply and tell you what will fit in your pc and even how to replace it.

That shouldn't run over $150 all together and considering what your overall system specs are I wouldn't put to much more money into it. That will give you a very pleasant GW experience (assuming you have a decent dsl/cable connection). I hope that helps and good luck.

Tamuril elansar · Apr 03, 2008, 03:22 PM // 15:22

for what i know most of the 8800GTX/GTS cards require 2 PCI-e X16 slots, not one.

Pasha the Mighty · Apr 03, 2008, 03:25 PM // 15:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamuril elansar

for what i know most of the 8800GTX/GTS cards require 2 PCI-e X16 slots, not one.

no they don't, only for SLI. You need two powersupply connectors though

stale · Apr 03, 2008, 03:30 PM // 15:30

thank you both, Elder and Pasha, and everyone else too.

i hadn't planned on dropping too much more RAM into the box (was thinking of replacing the current two 256 with 1GB each, putting me at 2GB total)

and thanks for the recommendation for the cheaper video card. yeah, GW, or GW2 are likely going to be the most graphic intense things i do on the system.

oh, and i'm on cable, so any connection speed issues would come from my router, which is (according to it's box) a 3.+ GHz broadband router. (i expect the more specific stats are on the back of the box - that seems to be the way the computer industry does things - put info into the least accesable area)

question, the A GeForce 7600 256 vram is PCI-E? going to check later myself, but the speed that you guys work at, i may not have to.

thanks guys!

and maybe i'll see you in GW - IGN: stale bongwater (leader of the bong wielding maniacs)

tijo · Apr 03, 2008, 03:42 PM // 15:42

Used to have the comp you have. I strongly suggest getting a new PSU if you want the video card. You should have 2 slots left for RAM also. If i recall correctly you need PC3200 DDR RAM but you should check just to make sure. Adding more RAM should be the first thing you do though.

Burst Cancel · Apr 03, 2008, 03:44 PM // 15:44

The 7600GS is available in both PCI-E and AGP flavors.

The problem I have with the 7600GS recommendation is that the 9600GT can be had for $130~140 AR (ignoring Palit, which has one for $110 AR). At those kinds of prices, and with a stated budget of $200~$250, I don't see much of a justification for not giving yourself more headroom. The 9600GT is much, much faster than the 7600 and well within what you were willing to spend. If GW1/2 is really the only thing you'll be playing, ever, then sure, there's nothing wrong with saving money. If, on the other hand, you might be interested in playing something else (say, if GW2 turns out to suck terribly), the 9600GT will give you a lot more room to work with, for a very reasonable cost.