Will a graphics card help this computer?

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Culub

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Nov 26, 2013
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Will a graphics card actually help this computer?
Right now I am running a Dell Dimension 8300, 2.8 GHz processor, Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 GPU, and 2gb of RAM running on Windows XP.

Right now the game that I want to run on it is League of Legends, but it is extremely slow. It started out at 2-3 fps, and after a little messing around with it I could get it to around 5 fps. Even for an old PC this seems way slower than it should be.

I'm not really sure if a new GPU would actually help since on my old laptop had a slower processor, and only integrated graphics, and I still got 20-30 fps. Comparing the specs of this PC to my old laptop it SHOULD get better performance in games, but it gets considerably worse.

I'm confused if this is a problem with just the graphics card or if there is a larger problem with the computer itself.

As of now I have the correct drivers, and there are no large programs running that would be slowing the system down.

EDIT: Also if the GPU is the problem what one would you recommend for a game like League of Legends?
 
Solution
rolandzhang3
That is certainly an old and rather outdated system which uses the AGP x8 slot for graphics

With old systems and aging components like these it could be many things which could be holding you back, it could either be your GPU, a heavily fragmented XP installation, an old slowing/dying drive with bad sectors etc.

Now in regards to graphics

From the minimum system requirements it seems that a Radeon 3450 should do

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814139053

These older cards are bloody expensive though

For reference, these are the fastest AGP cards you can buy, I don't think your OEM PSU could handle them though

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161308...
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rolandzhang3

rolandzhang3

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Sep 28, 2013
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That is certainly an old and rather outdated system which uses the AGP x8 slot for graphics

With old systems and aging components like these it could be many things which could be holding you back, it could either be your GPU, a heavily fragmented XP installation, an old slowing/dying drive with bad sectors etc.

Now in regards to graphics

From the minimum system requirements it seems that a Radeon 3450 should do

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814139053

These older cards are bloody expensive though

For reference, these are the fastest AGP cards you can buy, I don't think your OEM PSU could handle them though

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161308

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161337
 
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Solution
Thyrax

Thyrax

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Nov 18, 2013
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https://support.leagueoflegends.com/entries/234272-Minimum-System-Requirements-PC-

The link above shows LoLs system requirements.

Even before looking up their min sys req, it's not just the GPU you would need, you would a faster cpu and more ram to handle a game like that. I would say 4GB being good enough. You need a new rig and any rig these days can handle a game like that. Shop around and invest 500-600 bucks and you can make an efficient enough to run anything.
 
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mprhead

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Nov 14, 2013
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Sorry to say, but it seems that you would need more than just a new GPU. It looks like that Dell has AGP motherboard and I don't think that GPUs that fit in that are on market anymore. Same goes with processor, can't fit a new one to that anymore.
Considering the nature of League of Legends game, basically almost any new computer should run it just fine, or even a couple of years old second hand one.
 
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rolandzhang3

rolandzhang3

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There are still AGP cards for sale, they are just very expensive

You could consider a new $350 or so AMD APU based build for just League

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-your-own-budget-pc-overclocking,3623.html

Alternate component list

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A55M-DS2 Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($52.48 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $335.41
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-26 21:28 EST-0500)
 
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M

mprhead

Honorable
Nov 14, 2013
19
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10,520
Depending how much you want to spend money for new computer, you could go for the build of rolandzhang3. I think I would replace CPU and motherboard with something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1433583 . It would cost more, but would also give you more powerful CPU and separate, more powerful GPU and with that more flexibility. Of course the price would be about 550. Or you could downgrade from that packet to something along these lines: http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx?Submit=view What is best really depends on how much you want to spend and what you think your needs are. Do you think that you will be playing some other games also in near future, or are you quite sure that it will be LoL only?
 
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rolandzhang3

rolandzhang3

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Sep 28, 2013
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If playing other games then here's a build for around $550 after rebates (if you live in the US, that is)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($104.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: A-Data XPG Gaming Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Raidmax ATX-249B (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $544.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-27 09:21 EST-0500)
 
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