I didn't know if I should post this under Graphics Cards or building a system, but went with the pertinent subject. This'll be a wallop of a post though.
Basically, I am semi-computer savvy. I can troubleshoot 99% of my own problems and I am moderately comfortable switching out parts. I have never upgraded a mobo or a video card before, though.
My current PC is a 4 year old Dell (I've learned since then, sorry!) Dimension 8300. Phoenix ROM BIOS Plus v.1.10, P4 3.2ghz, and I have been using a 9800XT since then. PSU is 305W
Girlfriend is on Phoenix AwardBIOS v.6.0, she has a P4 3.0Ghz (2CPU's), a Geforce 6200, and 450W PSU.
We're both at 1 gig of ram.
Background: We both like to play games like Civ4, CS:S, TF2, and WoW, even when we have to gimp our settings. Dual-boxing WoW would be a perk if that's related on either machine. Not too familiar with the PC as a media center, but consider it as potential.
So first, questions:
1) What information, if any more, do you need to help us with selecting the right video card and upgrades about our systems?
2) We are college students living independently--broke, in other words. We do not need maxed out systems, just something that runs at nice settings and is reliable. Right now I have two 3850's (512MB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102715 on order. I really liked the price ($74.99 each w/ free shipping). How do these compare at that price point?
3) What would you approximate the cost of upgrading to meet the system requirements for those cards (or a comparable model, we're open to suggestions), be? What would we need to do so?
4) How do you "rank" video cards aside from a benchmark? What features are most important in determining performance, basically? The numbering system on them seems completely asinine in helping determine what card to buy...
Basically, I am semi-computer savvy. I can troubleshoot 99% of my own problems and I am moderately comfortable switching out parts. I have never upgraded a mobo or a video card before, though.
My current PC is a 4 year old Dell (I've learned since then, sorry!) Dimension 8300. Phoenix ROM BIOS Plus v.1.10, P4 3.2ghz, and I have been using a 9800XT since then. PSU is 305W
Girlfriend is on Phoenix AwardBIOS v.6.0, she has a P4 3.0Ghz (2CPU's), a Geforce 6200, and 450W PSU.
We're both at 1 gig of ram.
Background: We both like to play games like Civ4, CS:S, TF2, and WoW, even when we have to gimp our settings. Dual-boxing WoW would be a perk if that's related on either machine. Not too familiar with the PC as a media center, but consider it as potential.
So first, questions:
1) What information, if any more, do you need to help us with selecting the right video card and upgrades about our systems?
2) We are college students living independently--broke, in other words. We do not need maxed out systems, just something that runs at nice settings and is reliable. Right now I have two 3850's (512MB) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102715 on order. I really liked the price ($74.99 each w/ free shipping). How do these compare at that price point?
3) What would you approximate the cost of upgrading to meet the system requirements for those cards (or a comparable model, we're open to suggestions), be? What would we need to do so?
4) How do you "rank" video cards aside from a benchmark? What features are most important in determining performance, basically? The numbering system on them seems completely asinine in helping determine what card to buy...