upgrading my card; avoid bottleneck

Have a look here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/03/06/the_best_gaming_...

ya i saw that, but someone else was telling me that with my specs, it wouldn't be worth getting some newer graphics cards because the rest of my computer wouldn't be able to handle/use it

There are other factors to be considered, such as what type of games you typically play, and at what resolution.

RTS usually are more CPU dependant, as opposed to FPS which is more GPU dependant.

Also, if you want to play newer FPS, you will have to bump up to at least 1GB of RAM.

-TyShoe

Your system wouldn't bottleneck CS source nearly as much as your current Geforce 3 is.

I'm confident you'd see MASSIVE gains with an X1650 PRO or 7600 GS. Just make sure your power supply can handle it.

Hell, a $40 9700 PRO from ebay would show you a colossal jump in performance.

Agreed.  

i had a system EXACTLY to your specs a year and a half ago, geforce 4 though. i bought an AGP nVidia 6200 card and it blew me away with the difference, and it was only $60 back then! and it uses almost no power (ran it on a 180W PSU)

Yea, I was going to recommend a 9800Pro from eBay for like $50, would run Source games much better than a GeForce 3.  

9800pro like Prozac said, or even a 6600GT:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/ite...

If your willing to do the rebate, then its a good deal.

yea ive got a 9800 and its a good card i can even play oblivion on it to a certain degree

thanks for the input people. i'm gonna get one of those cards you suggested. my only question left is what do you mean when you say, "just make sure your power source can handle it" my power source as in the sockets in the wall?

i feel stupid.  

Every computer has a power supply... it's the box inside your machine that the power plug goies into.

power supplies are not created equal. Some are cheap and underpowered. And if you're using an old computer, but upgrading to a new videocard, your power supply might not be able to handle it.

If so, it will cause crashing and instability.

What they are getting at is newer cards consume more power and if your power supply isn't sufficient it can cause instability or it will just turn off because there isn't enough power to keep the system afloat.

In reality the recommended cards don't consume much power at all, but they will consume more than your GF3. Do you have any idea how big your power supply is(as in watts rated, as well as the voltages on each rail)?

Dang it cleeve... you beat me to it... darn my slow typing! :tongue: