need a good video card

[mike 06]

My sons computer is not performing to his liking so he wants to replace his video card to achieve faster gaming with better graphics. He would like some opinions on which video card to purchase and install that is compatible with his system. He uses it for pc gaming mostly, and school work.

The computer is as follows:

Intel Pentium 3.4 ghz
2 gb ram
xp professional
Nvidia geforce 7300GS 512mb
9.0 direct x

I hope this helps thanks

 

[jay2tall]

Is it a brand computer? dell, hp, etc, or a pieced together pc? what model?
What games does he play?
What size screen does he have? namely what resolution is he playing at?

 

[aevm]

Also, what kind of power supply do you have?

How much is he willing to spend? Mind you, with that CPU, any card over $200 would not work at its best.

Is the existing card AGP or PCI-E?

 

[jay2tall]

I'm guessing PCI-E , I don't think they made a 7300GS in AGP. I was holding off on the CPU thing till we found out more. Heck if his board supports an 800MHZ core2 it would be worth upgrading that while he is at it. Some do some don't. I see alot of branded PC's cheap out on this.

 

[pauldh]

You need to find out if that 7300GS is AGP or PCI-e. The AGP version is rare, but they do exist so we can't rule for sure that it is PCI-e. Hopefully it is PCI-e as there are so many good choices at just about any price range now.

Specific games, power supply rating, and budget would help, but in general if it's PCI-e, some of the best deals on budget gaming in the USA are (worst performance to best)

MSI HD2600 pro 128 bit: $40 AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=msi+hd+2600+pro
evga 8600GT DDR3 $57 AR: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130085
HD2600XT ($50-60 AR): http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=+40000048&Configurator=&Subcategory=-1&description=HD2600xt&Ntk=&srchInDesc=
8800GS ($100-112 AR): http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=8800GS

 

[pauldh]

Oops, beat me too it.

 

[Onus]

The answers to jay2tall's and aevm's questions will tell us if there is a better answer.

If it is a "white box" machine, like a Compaq or Dell, chances are the PSU will not be up to a high-end video card; it may not even have the necessary power connector. If that is the case, about the best you'll do is an 8600GT if you prefer nVidia or an HD2600/HD3650 if you prefer ATI. You'll still need to find out whether it is AGP or PCI-E. Either of these, however, would be a huge jump over a 7300GS.

 

[jay2tall]

Some "whitebox" machines have at least adequite PSU's for lower end cards like the 8800GS. My roomate has a dell with a 400W that came with a 7900GS. He is thinking about the 8800GS to toss in there. I am assuming the PC is PCI-E and yeah I probably shouldn't. A model of PC or Model of Mobo would be good and the specs on the PSU as well are needed.

Also a list of games is a good idea and screen size.

 

[mike 06]

Ok I opened up the box and found the following components:

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 250 gb hard drive

Video card 7300gs PCI-E

Power supply L&C LC8460BTX 450 watt

The computer doesnt have a name brand it was built locally

He plays cs source, halo, and more but I couldn't tell you for sure.

Thanks

 

[Onus]

A couple of weeks ago I saw something really funny. My father's old Dell (he was getting my old e6750 rig) had a PCI-E power connector (not being used), but the PSU was only 250 watts.

 

[mike 06]

It has an intel motherboard 94 something. I don't know how to locate the exact model

 

[pauldh]

Is there a label on the side of the power supply that tells you how many amps on the +12v rail or rails? I fear it's a cheap one, but it easily may still have enough 12v for these cards. For those old games, the HD2600XT or 8600GT for $50 AR would be plenty. Even the 2600 pro would do well and is a huge step up from the 7300GS. Theses $50 cards are even good enough to play those most demanding new games (like Crysis) at low res and medium details. The 8800GS needs a PCI-e power connector, while the HD2600's and 8600GT do not.

 

[aevm]

I believe we're talking about this PSU:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicati...406-1088&SRCCODE=PRICECAN&CMP=OTC-PRICECANADA

14A+16A on the 12V rails, no PCI-E connector.

I'm guessing that the combined amps would be OK for cards like 8600GT. I'm not sure what exactly they are but it's probably around 25.

 

[jay2tall]

Yeah i can't find anything about that PSU other than FRISBY makes it. I thought they made plastic disks? haha

Anyways I'm betting its an Intel 945 board. But you'll want to find out a model number, should be printed on the board in the middle somewhere.

We need the 12V rail rating and look if it has a 6 pin PCI-E connector. It would be black and yellow cables.

 

[doomsdaydave11]

Budget would be nice-- Reasonable ($100) or rich kid? (unlimited)
I second the 8800GS. The processor won't bottleneck it too bad.

 

[mike 06]

Ok opened the tower up and found the following info:

PSU = +12V1=14A, +12V2=16A

Intel motherboard had two numbers D945P5N and D945GNT
LGA775

I hope these nembers help out. Budget around $100.00 give or take

Thank you

 

[jay2tall]

Yeah you want an 8800GS no question

 

[mike 06]

Thank you Jay

Will the 8800GS work with motherboard and the 450watt PSU or will I have to change other components?

Are all the 8880gs the same that Pauldh listed above, or should I select one over the other?

 

[jay2tall]

Does your PSU have a 6 pin PCI-E connector? It would be 6 wires going to a 6 pin plastic plug. It would plug into the video card. Most video cards come with adapters. Normally i would stay away from them but the 8800GS doesnt suck as much power as others so you maybe be ok with that.

I'd go with the eVGA card. It's already OCed. Normally I like XFX but their 8800gs just isn't what i think it should be. I've heard the fan is fixed at 100% so it might be a little loud and it has a lower clock than the eVGA.

It doesn't look like your board supports anything higher than a Pentium D processor. So really the only alternative to upgrading that would be a new moo, CPU, memory.

That video card should be ok for what you are looking for. Any futher upgrades will involved more.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130333

 

[mike 06]

Jay,

I appreciate your help. I have the tower open as we speak but there are no wires going to the video card from the PSU. What am I missing.

 

[aevm]

Mike, I think you need something like this:

LOGISYS AD201 12v Molex to 12V 6Pin Adapter - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812887001

It's funny how it costs $3 but also $6 shipping

Did you get anything of the kind with your PSU?

Edit: somebody please confirm it. I'm not sure, and I don't want him to waste $9 if I'm wrong.

 

[mike 06]

My son called the gentleman that built his computer. According to this man he wants to install an MSI video card 8800GT. He claims it would work without any problems. I don't know.

Aevm I listed the psu info above.

thanks

 

[dagger]

My g92 8800gts comes with a molex to pcie power adaptor. From what I heard, most cards come with it. Can't be 100% sure though.

As for the psu, it should handle the load, but only barely. There is a good chance it'll become unstable. So be prepared to get a new psu if that happens. No harm in trying it out though. Not having enough power can't damage your hardware.

 

[romulus47plus1]

Get the 8800GS, don't spoil your child with a 8800GT!
Just kidding, do what you want with the PC

 

[mike 06]

If I get for him he will be washing the car and cutting the lawn.

All kidding aside what should I know if I buy it from Newegg and try to install it ourselves. The store wants 260.00 installed.

Whats involved for us to install the 8800gt? is it difficult?
TY