vPyro Forums: RESOLVED- Graphics Card Suggestions? - vPyro Forums

Hey vPyro techies - I'm in need of some assistance.
I've decided that I want to invest in a new graphics card, even though my mom said that the one she had installed in this compy when she bought it for me was top of the line [that was at least 4 years ago], and I still don't know if it was an entirely true statement.

I hear of these magical GC's that allow game play with almost no lag unless there happens to be a blitzkrieg finale, and gosh darn it - I want one! I just have no idea what to get, and if I do get one, I'd run the risk of only downgrading by some fluke.

So, hear are my specs...

Hewlett-Packard Company
HP Pavilion
AMD Athlon™ 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+
1.79 GHz, 960 MB of RAM
Physical Address Extension

I might be running on crap and wouldn't even know.

I have around $150 - $200 to spend, so what would you guys suggest?

I too have a question about Graphics cards.
Let's say a friend was to take out his old one and install a new one.
Now would I be able to use his old one in my computer?
Our would it have to be a specific fit...
Just wondering

Kablary, on Apr 22 2009, 11:28 PM, said:

Right, lets tackle the harder one first I've built my own PC so can advise you a little on what to get.

First, I am still trying to find the HP Pavilion PC that you have - strange thing is that the Dual core processor 4200+ is meant to be 2.2Ghz, not as you stated 1.8GHz. Where did you get this information?

So first thing for you to do is either:

1. Find out the exact model number of your PC - usually on a sticker at the back or something like that.
2. You can download this program - don't worry its not spyware, or anything like that. I have tried and tested this program and it hasn't done anything nasty.
Its a standalone program that analyses your PC and it will tell you the exact specs of your PC, post the results and then I should be able to track the model down online.

System Spec

From general view it looks like you might have 1 PCI x16 slot available, but let me know the model number/proper specs and we will go from there, I have PM'd you my msn ID so we can chat about it online live if you want.

p.s. Still want to hear how your celebration went

MadPyroMan, on Apr 23 2009, 12:28 AM, said:

And now to you MPM, Yes its possible, but need to know spec of your PC also and the graphics card that he is planning to "give you" (maybe for a price ). I have PM'd you also my MSN ID, so will be sat online for a while

Let me know

Pete

Thanks for the link Wodger!
It helps out a lot especially if you don't feel like using the "run" option on your start menu!

This post has been edited by MadPyroMan: 23 April 2009 - 03:33 AM

MadPyroMan, on Apr 23 2009, 04:33 AM, said:

Your welcome, but don't always click a link straight away unless you know where its come from (or who posted it ) - hold the mouse cursor over the link and look in the lower left hand corner of the web browser you are using (Firefox and Internet Explorer) - see where the link is going to send you -

e.g. "View my video" link and the web address in the lower left corner says hxxp://vimeo.com/143234 that's a video so ok, but if the link said:

"Click me", and the web address in the lower left hand corner says hxxp://www.downloadavirus.net then you know that its not going to a nice site.

Look out for this, and you will avoid risking the health of your PC

Pete

On a lighter note, anyone else that has any PC issues, just PM me and I will have a look

Greets

Pete

Ryan and Daniel, do you guys still have warranties on your computer? If so call the company that your warranty is under and you should be able to get a new graphics card for free. If not I would recomend calling or e-mailing Dell. You could also get on with one of their live assistants and dicuss the matter at hand with them. What I do NOT suggest is taking the computer into the Best Buy Geek Squad, as they will tell you that you need to completly upgrade the computer, as they did with me. Also never should you buy a second-hand graphics card, as they may have been refurbished, even if it is Dell that has refurbished them though they only tend to last a few weeks to a couple of months. Thats about all the knowledge of Graphics Cards that I have and hope that it can help the two of you. Oh, Daniel, if your friend has recently come across a new graphics card, you should be able to take the old card and install it into your PC as long as the two are compatible, for example if it was from a Mac it may not work so well for you.

greetea230, on Apr 23 2009, 11:30 AM, said:

So if you want to upgrade your PC with a new graphics card (i.e. the latest model, or higher speed), and your PC is under warranty, then the manufacturer will take your PC, take out the graphics card that's there (and still working) and replace it with the new model?

Tell me where you read this/heard this - I'd love to chat with them

I have dealt with the best buy boys before - and agree, best to talk to someone who knows something about PCs, has done degrees in computers, and has built his own...
All Dell live assistants will love to help you with a Dell, but not sure about other brands. I have had them laugh at me over the phone when I wanted advice - They never got my business again. Maybe its different in the US.

Agree, 2nd hand cards are usually a no go, unless they come with a proper warranty from a reputable company. I have never bought 2nd hand cards before so can't be certain on reliability as I have always bought new parts to repair/upgrade PCs.

Pete

This post has been edited by Wodger: 23 April 2009 - 01:02 PM

Wodger, on Apr 23 2009, 01:50 PM, said:

With the warranty thing, my desktop recently needed a new graphics card, we called up Dell in in the mail we got a brand spankin new graphics card. With BestBuy there no better here in the US. There solution for everything is, "You need a new Operating System". Of course this will fix everything, as it wipes out your computer. I am lucky enough to have a computer geek in my family who works for Dell, and he told me of a study some other computer geeks [ ] performed. Sorry to go off topic, but I am warning you of BestBuy.

In this study the computer technicians messed with their computers making then malfunction on purpose. They then brought the computer to BestBuy and 9/10 times the solution that BestBuy gave them was, "You need a new Operating System." They gave them this solution because first, they have no other clue what to do to fix the computer, and second, because when the Operating System needs to be repaired it will not be under the warranty. It will not be under a warranty because it is a software issue, and it will cost a minimum of $100. So I would highly suggest getting a second opinion rather than just going to BestBuy and have them take you on a Joy Ride for your money.

greetea230, on Apr 23 2009, 01:12 PM, said:

The card was breaking down? The brand new card was a new version? - Sometimes manufacturers discontinue components of a system (cost related).
When a card starts to have problems, they will try to replace it with the same if under warranty and if they have spares or a close/similar version. On some occasions, by paying a little additional cash - they will upgrade the graphics card.

greetea230, on Apr 23 2009, 01:12 PM, said:

You are the lucky one, are all your PC's/laptops Dell?

Greets

Pete

Wodger, on Apr 23 2009, 01:22 PM, said:

Yes, all my PC's [one new one older] and my new laptop are all Dell.

In the computer I play RCT3 on I currently use a NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT but the other computer in the house in which I play all the newer games on is a ATI RADEON HD 4670. Before you buy it, I'd do a bit of research on whether your computer supports PCIE on your motherboard and a 400 Watt powersupply.



Im not sure of the specs for the NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT. Might need to do a bit of research.

I dont know of your motherboard supports pcie?
But ATI Radeon HD4870 is good enough, i play
empire total war on high settings with this card

for that money you guys can buy a really nice graphics card. It depends on the connection of the motherboard though. If it says somewhere @ specification pci-e 16X then you have the right connection for a monster card. i would recommend if you go for ati the 4850 or 4870. if you choose nvidia i would go for the gtx275 or gts 250 or something like it. its been a long time ago that i've buyed an nvidia card. If your still not sure what to buy go and look out for some benchmark of a couple of graphics cards.

@ ati the high end videocards are the 48XX (the x is a multiple variable like 4830, 4850,4890)

@ nvidia the high end card that i would go have like gts or gtx in it. This is harder though as nvidia has a pretty messy naming table for there cards and thats why i lost the sight of what is better.

Again check some benchmarks on the internet if you want to be sure! i self have a hd4830 and i'm really satisfied with it.

btw i just noticed that your specs of the computer are old so it could be that these cards are limited by the rest of your computer. Everything has to be nice and balancy in a computer or else some part (in this case the processor) can limit the other part ( the graphics card). And another tip is never invest in the best of the best. Always go for the best bang for bucks. As in the it world everything goes so fast its possible that you buy one of the fastest cards for 300 bucks and a half year later a card of 110 bucks can already be better then the 300 bucks card .

Good luck guys!

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