Curse

King Farquaad · Feb 08, 2008, 02:50 PM // 14:50

well, here is one i like I am getting for my gaming pc in the future...

DIAMOND Viper 3850PE3512O Radeon HD 3850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

if you got the money for it. here is the link to

http://www.newegg.com/product/produc...82E16814103051

2Broke! · Feb 08, 2008, 03:44 PM // 15:44

From reading the original poster's post he is running GF FX 5700LE, so chances are that is an AGP slot he has to work with. You're already in limited in terms of upgradeability. Best price & performance AGP card available now would be a ATI Radeon 1950PRO 512MB, but DirectX 9 only and if you can find one. Not many games even support DX10, let alone can many low/medium range cards handle games that fully utilize DX10. If can wait then a new Radeon HD 3850 512MB AGP DX10.1 card is supposedly going to be available from ATI's 2nd or 3rd party manufacturers.

If your motherboard GPU slot is PCI-Express then Radeon HD 3850 512MB and 3870 512MB cards are more than sufficient for the price range you are willing to spend. If you can find a GF 8800GT for around $230, might be a better buying option just on performance alone.

Prior to any upgrades must check Power Supply Unit (PSU) wattage (500-500W should do for most single GPUs), +12V amp (recommended volts range 26-32 for most current GPUs), 6-pin GPU power adaptors (PCI-Express only), etc. Good luck.

The Way Out · Feb 08, 2008, 04:24 PM // 16:24

To the OP... buy a new system if you are getting ready to pore that amount of money into your computer. It isn't worth investing money into old systems just to squeeze out a little performance. You would be better of buying a media pc from HP for a little more money and getting ten times the gain.

Lastly, your system is fine for GW. Intergrated Intel chipset runs gw okay, nevermind that you are running an older Nvidia chipset. In terms of fps... probably a factor of the following...

fragmented HD... off paired RAM... Slow Bus Speed... outdated drivers... Nosy Antivirus... and whatever crap you have running in the background

cebalrai · Feb 08, 2008, 11:37 PM // 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Way Out

To the OP... buy a new system if you are getting ready to pore that amount of money into your computer. It isn't worth investing money into old systems just to squeeze out a little performance. You would be better of buying a media pc from HP for a little more money and getting ten times the gain.

Lastly, your system is fine for GW. Intergrated Intel chipset runs gw okay, nevermind that you are running an older Nvidia chipset. In terms of fps... probably a factor of the following...

fragmented HD... off paired RAM... Slow Bus Speed... outdated drivers... Nosy Antivirus... and whatever crap you have running in the background

I couldn't disagree more. The upgrade from a 5700LE to a 7600/7800 is HUGE. He will probably double or triple his frame rate, not to mention actually be able to turn all the settings up.

So don't dismiss this as "squeezing a little more performance out". Its a very big deal.

He'd be far better off getting the 7600/7800 now... and then getting a new computer next year that's better than anyone's on this thread (for $800).

The Way Out · Feb 11, 2008, 03:35 PM // 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by cebalrai

I couldn't disagree more. The upgrade from a 5700LE to a 7600/7800 is HUGE. He will probably double or triple his frame rate, not to mention actually be able to turn all the settings up.

So don't dismiss this as "squeezing a little more performance out". Its a very big deal.

He'd be far better off getting the 7600/7800 now... and then getting a new computer next year that's better than anyone's on this thread (for $800).

I can tell you have very limited experience with systems by your comment, because it sounds a bit angry and dismissive of mine. The OP is looking to pour money into a computer that is clearly outdated. That is a definite bad decision in my line of work (Information Technology). The gain he will get from a better computer will outway any 7600 he throws into that system... and he will no be able to "turn all the settings up" be AA will stick around 2X before he starts having issues. He motherboard is outdated. His processor is outdated. His memory is outdated. His hard drive is probably PATA and outdated. You are suggesting that he upgrade a video card for xxx dollars, when he can get away with better "system" performance with an upgrade for not much more.

Before I start flaming you, don't dismiss people in forums you have more knowledge of computers when you yourself are a weekend gamer.

cebalrai · Feb 13, 2008, 01:35 AM // 01:35

What's a weekend gamer?

I'm not angry at all. No clue why you're projecting that on me...

I've spent four years custom building computers, about 40% of which were multimedia or gaming machines. I've built and upgraded a couple dozen on my own time as well.

I have a machine that runs GW with all settings at max at about 28-34 fps. It has a single core Athlon 3200, 1 gig ram, GeForce 7600 and PATA hard drive.

If he's looking for a better GW experience until GW2 comes out, I stand by my recommendation to make the cheap, yet very significant upgrade to a 7600/7800. And then when GW2 arrives, upgrade to a better machine. If he waits until later to upgrade, he'll have a much better machine at the GW2 release date.

Of course if the OP is trying to play games other than GW and is having problems, that's a separate analysis.

The Way Out · Feb 13, 2008, 02:33 PM // 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by cebalrai

What's a weekend gamer?

I'm not angry at all. No clue why you're projecting that on me...

I've spent four years custom building computers, about 40% of which were multimedia or gaming machines. I've built and upgraded a couple dozen on my own time as well.

I have a machine that runs GW with all settings at max at about 28-34 fps. It has a single core Athlon 3200, 1 gig ram, GeForce 7600 and PATA hard drive.

If he's looking for a better GW experience until GW2 comes out, I stand by my recommendation to make the cheap, yet very significant upgrade to a 7600/7800. And then when GW2 arrives, upgrade to a better machine. If he waits until later to upgrade, he'll have a much better machine at the GW2 release date.

Of course if the OP is trying to play games other than GW and is having problems, that's a separate analysis.

You have a minimalist rig, and judging by the specs you have given me, don't know much about newer hardware that is coming out. You are not giving sound advice to the OP by suggesting that he pour money into a dying system. That is like putting a bandage on a deep cut... nice attempt to fix the problem but an upgrade is needed... not a video card.

cebalrai · Feb 14, 2008, 02:26 AM // 02:26

We have multiple computers. I only told you a little bit about one of them.

You're just plain wrong that a whole new system is necessary to play GW. His system is likely just fine for GW purposes. Unless he states a reason to throw out his current compy and get a new one then there's no reason to go that route.

Does someone pay you to go around judging people on forums? You know nothing about me or what machines I currently have. You just look ignorant to me.

Biostem · Feb 14, 2008, 02:44 AM // 02:44

OP: Since you have AGP, and if you have money to spare, consider an Nvidia Geforce 7900GS. I was quite happy w/ the performance on my last computer, and it should be quite affordable now. If and when you decide to upgrade the whole computer, you can always try to get one w/ both AGP and PCI-express, so you can use the card you buy now yet still have the option to upgrade to PCI-express at some later date.

Just as an FYI, I built myself a desktop w/ a dual-core 3Ghz processor, 2GB ram, 320GB hard drive, dvd burner, and a geforce 8600GT for about $700. And that was based off of a pre-installed motherboard & case, (that's the hardest part of building a pc).

Still, GW is rather light on the system requirements, so a simply video card upgrade on the rig you described would result in very nice performance.

moriz · Feb 14, 2008, 02:54 AM // 02:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by cebalrai

We have multiple computers. I only told you a little bit about one of them.

You're just plain wrong that a whole new system is necessary to play GW. His system is likely just fine for GW purposes. Unless he states a reason to throw out his current compy and get a new one then there's no reason to go that route.

Does someone pay you to go around judging people on forums? You know nothing about me or what machines I currently have. You just look ignorant to me.

i think he's approaching it from this perspective:

OP's current computer, if bought today, will be worth... about $150. the proposed graphic card upgrade will cost anywhere between $80 to $140. in other words, the upgrade is worth almost as much as the computer itself. that's the equivalent of dropping a 8800GTX into a $700 PC. the only difference is that the $700 PC is current, while the OP's computer is not. proportionally speaking, the upgrade is simply not worth it.

now here's how i'm gonna look at it:

since the OP's computer does not have an PCI-E slot, i'd suggest to hold off upgrading and just buy a new PC later on. the 5700LE is powerful enough to play GW. heck, if my fx5500 PCI can do it well enough, the OP's card is more than enough. overclocking it slightly should bridge any performance gaps necessary. if it blows up... oh well, it's not like that thing's worth anything anyways.

had the OP have an PCI-E slot, i'd suggest upgrading, simply because the card can be reused in his new computer.

Mr Pink57 · Feb 14, 2008, 10:13 AM // 10:13

1st I would ask about the psu before I start recommending a GPU. The system can probably handle a 7600GS but past that I would watch it.

2nd a 512mb card is overkill unless he is running some major resolution which I doubt since he has a 5700. Go cheaper with a 256mb.

Sounds like your running 3 sticks of ram which equals out of dual channel. Did you add a stick or did or come that way? Reason I ask is dual channel could give a slight boost.

As for card recommendations totally for a 7600GS, or if it exist a 1950PRO I dunno if it comes in AGP but its god of its class. I keep pci-e version in a lan rig and feel it may sometimes out do my 8800GTS.

Edit: His cpu will probably bottleneck most "top o line" agp cards.

pink

cebalrai · Feb 14, 2008, 11:47 AM // 11:47

According to everything I've read, no AGP cards ever had bottlenecking issues. Bottlenecking would have been an issue in the future, but AGP was just fine for the 7000-series Nvidia cards.

The Way Out · Feb 14, 2008, 02:03 PM // 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by cebalrai

We have multiple computers. I only told you a little bit about one of them.

You're just plain wrong that a whole new system is necessary to play GW. His system is likely just fine for GW purposes. Unless he states a reason to throw out his current compy and get a new one then there's no reason to go that route.

Does someone pay you to go around judging people on forums? You know nothing about me or what machines I currently have. You just look ignorant to me.

Do you even read any of the posts that I have put up? I told him his current rig was fine for guildwars... without an upgrade. I told him Intel integrated graphics are okay for guildwars.

What is wrong with you? I told the OP that "IF" he is going to pour money into a dying system, his best bet is to upgrade, because a new video card isn't going to give him the performance that a new system would.

Also, I am here to help people out, not judge, however, you make that a bit difficult when you clearly have no clue what you are talking about.

Rushin Roulette · Feb 14, 2008, 03:39 PM // 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Articus Red

Wow is it really as low as 800 bucks? I've never thought of building my own computer but if I can get all parts for 800 give or take a few...I would do it. I think I'll look into it, thanks.

Yup, its deffinitely possible to build a good computer for that price.

I build one a year ago for about EUR 550, and the only thing I have added since then is 2GB of Ram instead of one and a dedicated soundcard because both were selling for a good price. I can still play nearly every new (Windows-XP) game at top or close to top settings.

I wont bother posting specs, because the system is a year old and the prices have dropped significantly for the parts I have... but I just wanted to say it is possible

P.S. You might want to keep your HDD if it is a SATA une and either use it as the only HDD, or as a second HDD ontop of the new one if you really need more space. Same for teh monitor, Keyboard and mouse. If they work and you are happy with them, then save the money of buying a new one and invest it in the computer.

The Way Out · Feb 14, 2008, 04:14 PM // 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rushin Roulette

Yup, its deffinitely possible to build a good computer for that price.

I build one a year ago for about EUR 550, and the only thing I have added since then is 2GB of Ram instead of one and a dedicated soundcard because both were selling for a good price. I can still play nearly every new (Windows-XP) game at top or close to top settings.

I wont bother posting specs, because the system is a year old and the prices have dropped significantly for the parts I have... but I just wanted to say it is possible

P.S. You might want to keep your HDD if it is a SATA une and either use it as the only HDD, or as a second HDD ontop of the new one if you really need more space. Same for teh monitor, Keyboard and mouse. If they work and you are happy with them, then save the money of buying a new one and invest it in the computer.

It is possible to build a decent system for around $450, if you have software. If you don't, and you can only afford around $350 to $450 for everything, go to HP's site and pick up a low-budget media pc. Just keep an eye out for what they are giving you for a video card.

jax falcon · Feb 14, 2008, 05:13 PM // 17:13

Guys if your showing him graphics cards u need to have alook at his power supply cos standard pc's have cheap power supplies that can't run a decent graphics card. Also you need to work out which connectors your power supply has because not all power supplies have the right pins.

This doesn't apply so much to the ATI cards as much as they are getting more power efficient.

However I wouldn't buy the 3800 series card's yet as their drivers arent' very good yet.

Seeing as you've got AGP have a look at the x1950. It's a good card but you will need a decent power supply.

iridescentfyre · Feb 14, 2008, 06:17 PM // 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Articus Red

Also I know GW2 is coming out in about a year, I want a pretty good card that will run that game smooth as well so when it comes out I'm ready to play and be happy

None of us have any idea what GW2 is going to require. If this is your primary reason for upgrading, I say wait a year or so. A lot can happen in the year or two until its released.. who knows, by then you may have to be running a DirectX 10 card, and if that's the case you will need a whole new system so you have access to PCI-X

DX10 as a requirement for GW2 is probably highly unlikely, but its just an example of how these things can change unpredictably. IMO its a bad time to start making predictions about GW2.

Wrath Of Dragons · Feb 14, 2008, 06:45 PM // 18:45

Im fairly certain Gaile said that gw2 would support dx10, but do fine on 9

The Way Out · Feb 14, 2008, 07:12 PM // 19:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrath Of Dragons

Im fairly certain Gaile said that gw2 would support dx10, but do fine on 9

I thought I had read that somewhere also, however, I didn't want to post that and bring out the angry teenieboppers that love to argue about the color of rain.

Mr Pink57 · Feb 14, 2008, 09:10 PM // 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by cebalrai

According to everything I've read, no AGP cards ever had bottlenecking issues. Bottlenecking would have been an issue in the future, but AGP was just fine for the 7000-series Nvidia cards.

I'm not talking about AGP I am talking about the bottlenecking between his CPU and his card. And furthermore we have not even fully used the AGP bus on the round of card. Technology moves faster then we do on the buses, a future released 8900 will probably just start to use up x8 lanes but nothing else has.

pink