Curse

Elnino · Aug 15, 2010, 12:57 AM // 00:57

Hey,

I've been thinking of getting a new graphics card to increase my fps but I'm not sure which would be the best to get. My fps sits at around 20 usually in-game .

I own a Compaq Presario SR5340AN Desktop PC. I haven't changed it at all since I bought it and I am currently using Windows Vista. What graphics card would be the best to get so that no problems will occur?

Thanks for your help!

Bob_ftw · Aug 15, 2010, 01:33 AM // 01:33

any ati or nvidia graphics card within the last 3 years that are *600 or better should be able to easily max out guild wars

End · Aug 15, 2010, 01:38 AM // 01:38

Just because they can max out GW...dosent mean his computer can handle it. A bunch of companies only put in the bare minimum in terms of PSU. So you may need a new one as well to put in any dedicated graphics card :\

Quaker · Aug 15, 2010, 02:10 AM // 02:10

That computer has a PCIex16 slot for a graphics card, but you need to find out the wattage of the power supply so we can get an idea of what range of video card it can accept without replacing the power supply. If it doesn't tell you in the manual, you will need to open the machine up and take a look at the label on the power supply.

Elnino · Aug 15, 2010, 02:54 AM // 02:54

well, my power supply states that it's "300W MAX"

Thanks for all your input so far

End · Aug 15, 2010, 03:20 AM // 03:20

I really don't think anything modern will run with that. I think as far back as at least 9800's they recommend a 400w psu...

KZaske · Aug 15, 2010, 03:41 AM // 03:41

Elnino, I am afarid that End is correct you are going to need to be very careful about how much power your video card uses.
Power supplies from that time period were well known to be over rated. I have seen PSUs rated at 500W fail with a power draw of only 350W.

If possible consider a card that does not require an addational power connector and is compatible with your PCI-E x16 slot. Some of the newer video cards require a 2.0 or higher slot, yours appears to comply with the PCI-E v1.0 specification.

Good luck.

Beomagi · Aug 15, 2010, 03:50 AM // 03:50

Perhaps a 9600gt. Extremely efficient card for the performance it delivers.

Elder III · Aug 15, 2010, 01:28 PM // 13:28

What resolution do you play GW at and do you play any other games? You may need to upgrade your PSU as well. However, as long as a standard ATX PSU will fit in your case, that's not going to cost you very much. You could get a nice little video card and PSU to handle GW1 maxed out and be playable for GW2 as well for around $100 total...

Quaker · Aug 15, 2010, 02:50 PM // 14:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elnino

well, my power supply states that it's "300W MAX"

Looking at the AMD/ATI site, all of the 5xxx series cards recommend at least 400watts under "system requirements", but when you look at the power draw of a 5550, it's only 39watts (and a 5450 is even less) - and they don't require a separate power connector. I think an average system with a 300watt power supply should be able to handle them no problem, provided that the power supply can actually meet it's max power.

Looking at the system, btw, it appears to take a standard ATX power supply (PSU), so you could consider getting a new PSU and a video card.

Pinkie-Pie · Aug 20, 2010, 07:17 AM // 07:17

Hmm...I wonder if GW 2 will require a higher end game card

Jayemji · Aug 20, 2010, 10:26 AM // 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinkie-Pie

Hmm...I wonder if GW 2 will require a higher end game card

Compared to GW1, it will. Considering that GW can run on DX 8 cards (DX 11 is currently the "hot new item"), that isn't saying a whole lot.

cebalrai · Aug 20, 2010, 10:28 AM // 10:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinkie-Pie

Hmm...I wonder if GW 2 will require a higher end game card

They've already said it will run well on midrange machines. As long as you're not gaming on a 1920x1200 resolution monitor, a Radeon 5550 (get the DDR3 or GDDR5 model) will probably run it adequately on medium settings.

You'll want a Core 2 Duo or better/Athlon II X2 or better processor.

2 GB of RAM would be the bare minimum but you should have 4 GB in 2010...

Quaker · Aug 20, 2010, 03:02 PM // 15:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinkie-Pie

Hmm...I wonder if GW 2 will require a higher end game card

Require? No.

DEsire? Yes! Looking at the videos from Gamescon, if you want all those neat spell affects and graphics goodies, you are definitely going to need a high end card.
But the game will no doubt "run" with a lot less.

Elektraaa · Aug 29, 2010, 09:50 AM // 09:50

Eathwatts 380 will power high spec cards. I'd get a low current ATI model if I wasn't going to upgrade PSU. I'm not a fanboy, I'm just being practical about current draw.