Curse

Eagles99 · Mar 22, 2008, 12:43 AM // 00:43

Hello well I'm posting here because tomorrow I will be going to buy a new Video card because the one I have currently have does not work very well with Guild Wars. Below is the information of my computer and I'm wondering what type of card you would recommend me buying? Also do I need more RAM? Or anything else I need?

Also, what exactly does ram do? (I obviously know nothing about computers)

Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz
2.79 GHz
RAM: 510.0 MB
VIDEO CARD: Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller (Intel(R) 82865G Graphics Controller)

Thanks,

Tarun · Mar 22, 2008, 01:05 AM // 01:05

Right now you actually do not have a video card, you simply have the integrated onboard video.

How old is your current system, what OS are you running, how long do you intend for it to last and will you be upgrading to Vista?

Brianna · Mar 22, 2008, 01:07 AM // 01:07

Hmm you could use more RAM yes.

And I also believe you have an Integrated graphics card.

RAM is the memory your computer needs for applications, lets say you wanted to do lots of multi-tasking, for instance have guild wars up, and tons of other programs that are memory intensive; basically your computer will lag a whole ton and I think in the worst case might freeze up if it runs out of memory, so more is better.

1GB will most likely be plenty enough for you, they sell 1 GB sticks or two 512mb sticks.

And I don't know what kind of slot your motherboard has, AGP or PCI-E (That is assuming it even has one), somehow I'm guessing AGP so I'd recommend something like.. an Nvidia GeForce6600/6800 or 7600 or something for the AGP? It's really hard to say, ATI also has some good AGP cards out there.

However I am bad with ATI so hopefully someone could have a suggestion for those.

Dunno, maybe some others can help out more than I, just thought I'd post what I knew.

Eagles99 · Mar 22, 2008, 01:26 AM // 01:26

I am using Windows XP right now.

How do I check if I have a AGP or PCI-E?

and should I make sure I get a certain brand of Card?

Brianna · Mar 22, 2008, 01:51 AM // 01:51

Hmm, well, seems that now is a good time for you to experiment, and find what you like.

I'd say go with Nvidia or ATI brand cards, see which brand suits you best over time.

Also I don't really know how to check.. I think the best way is to physically do it.

Just open the side of your case and look around, and if you see a slot usually colored something like Orange, Blue, or Black or something.. try to read on the motherboard and see if it says something like ''AGPX8'' or ''PCI-Express'', cause usually the regular PCI slots are colored white and there is a few of them, like 2-5 or something like that, the PCI-E or AGP slot is kind of independent.

Unless someone knows of software to detect that type of thing, I sure don't.

gone · Mar 22, 2008, 02:01 AM // 02:01

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
good for finding out cpu info

http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads...-Z_v0.1.7.html
good for finding FX card info

-no install necessary, run from desktop.

Admael · Mar 22, 2008, 02:01 AM // 02:01

Before we lock into what brand/model to get, lets figure out what bus your computer uses. The best program to check is CPU-Z. It's free and you don't have to install it, just run the .exe

It will look like this:

Download: CPU-Z

EDIT: damnit flubber typing faster than me

Brianna · Mar 22, 2008, 02:30 AM // 02:30

/D'oh! I have both of those programs, I should have known that since I use them somewhat often.

Eagles99 · Mar 22, 2008, 03:37 AM // 03:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admael

Before we lock into what brand/model to get, lets figure out what bus your computer uses. The best program to check is CPU-Z. It's free and you don't have to install it, just run the .exe

It will look like this:

Download: CPU-Z

EDIT: damnit flubber typing faster than me

What exactly is a "Bus"? I ran the .exe what am I looking for?

gone · Mar 22, 2008, 03:41 AM // 03:41

see the pic admael posted?

run proggy (cpu-z). click mainboard tab. see where is says graphic interface?
plz post what is says.

Blackhearted · Mar 22, 2008, 03:41 AM // 03:41

Go to the tab in cpu-z that you see he is on in his screenshot

Eagles99 · Mar 22, 2008, 03:46 AM // 03:46

It's blank, its grey'd out with no writing.

Admael · Mar 22, 2008, 03:51 AM // 03:51

Hm alright then, why don't you tell me the motherboard manufacturer and model?

Eagles99 · Mar 22, 2008, 03:53 AM // 03:53

Dell Computer Corp.
0N6381

gone · Mar 22, 2008, 04:00 AM // 04:00

http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...0/en/index.htm d/l
http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...n/SM/index.htm view
http://support.dell.com/support/edoc....htm#wp1043338 mobo

after a quick look thru the manual (i think this is the right one), it looks like you have pci slots.

Admael · Mar 22, 2008, 04:02 AM // 04:02

Sounds like a Dell Dimension 3000. Is that what you have?

If so, it will accommodate an AGP bus (slot) card.

EDIT: I mean PCI :<

Eagles99 · Mar 22, 2008, 04:11 AM // 04:11

OK so I need a PCI type card. What should I be aiming for? Not too expensive please.

Admael · Mar 22, 2008, 04:12 AM // 04:12

No, not PCI-e, PCI

How much is not too expensive? You can get a Radeon X1300 for about ~130 USD.

Eagles99 · Mar 22, 2008, 04:13 AM // 04:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Admael

No, not PCI-e, PCI

How much is not too expensive? You can get a Radeon X1300 for about ~130 USD.

Any that would work with Guild wars any cheaper or is that about it?

Admael · Mar 22, 2008, 04:18 AM // 04:18

I'm sure you can go cheaper, but the Radeon X1300 runs Guild Wars, yes. Some other cards you can look into is also the nVidia FX 5500 (~60 USD) and the nVidia GeForce 6200 (~90 USD).

Think about upgrading your RAM, too.