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Best compatable graphics card

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Kyle B   10-12-2008 at 06:04:07 AM

I'm looking to upgrade my computer a little more to tide me over while I wait and save to buy a new system. The computer I"m using is an older sony vaio (coming up on 9 years old).

I'm currently using a raedon 9600 XT, and before that a GeForce 4 Ti 4200. I would just get the one recommended in the "best graphics card for the money" thread, but that's when I come to a problem. My power supply is only 280 watts, which from my understanding wouldn't be high enough to operate those cards. So I"m looking for the best I can get without having to upgrade the power supply, which unless someone can point me in the direction of some really cheap ones, would be more money then I want to spend. Recommendations?

System specs:
1.5 Ghz P4 (looking into upgrading to 2.0 Ghz)
512 RDRAM (looking into upgrading to 2 GB)
Ti 4200 >> 9600 XT >> ??????
280watt power supply

Oh, and it'll be using an AGP 4X slot.


Message edited by Kyle B on 10-12-2008 at 06:07:51 AM
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customisbetter   10-12-2008 at 07:48:03 PM
- 0 +

truthfully. there really isn't much point in upgradeing this system. The processor an ramm are soooooooooo slow that it won't really matter what gpu you get. But if you still want to waste the money (i hope you don't) then a hd 2600 agp would really be your only option. But for over a hundred dollars, it is in no way worth it. the cheapest system at your local best buy would blaze your current setup. Sorry.

 

good luck!


Message edited by customisbetter on 10-12-2008 at 10:39:23 PM
------------------------------ e4400 2.75Ghz MSI G33 4x1GB DDR2-667@826 Palit 4870 3DMark 12112
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Bronze Graphics badge coozie7   10-12-2008 at 08:20:40 PM
- 0 +

The HD2600 sounds like a good bet.
I`d leave the processor alone and just get a little more RAM.
BTW, what OS are you using?

Reply to coozie7
mactronix   10-12-2008 at 10:12:57 PM
- 0 +


I dont often do this as i like to beleive there is life in older systems but in this case i gotta say as far as gaming/upgrading goes yours really isnt worth it.
What customisbetter said is the best thing to do, IE get a new one.
Again Sorry :(

Mactronix

Reply to mactronix
Kyle B   10-13-2008 at 04:14:05 AM
- 0 +

I am running Windows XP.

I'm certainly not looking to spend over $100 total for upgrading the system. The CPU's I was looking at were around $30 on ebay, and probably around the same for a used gpu, ram might be a bit more since it's Rambus. I know the computer isn't worth much, and I am planning on getting a new system a few months from now. I'm mostly just trying to squeeze a few more fps out of Doom 3, F.E.A.R, and Farcry (the most tech. advanced games that I've found run decently on it), and maybe run photoshop a bit faster. It does all these things fine now, so no, I don't really NEED any of this stuff, but I want to scratch my upgrade itch without caving into buying the whole new system before I'm ready.

I just recently upgraded the RAM from 384 to the 512, and though I haven't ran any games on it since, I did notice some improvement in windows usage, so I'd expect a reasonable amount of gain from doing the above things.


Message edited by Kyle B on 10-13-2008 at 04:16:40 AM
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customisbetter   10-13-2008 at 04:28:08 AM
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i say save your money. you will feel that much better when you can afford a part that 100 dollars more in a decent system. trust me.

------------------------------ e4400 2.75Ghz MSI G33 4x1GB DDR2-667@826 Palit 4870 3DMark 12112
 Reply to customisbetter
cyber_jockey   10-13-2008 at 11:57:47 PM
- 0 +

Keep that system of yours just like that and start saving. A cheap system with E2140 G31 mobo and 1 gig ram is all you need for that giant leap in technology. Save save save

Reply to cyber_jockey
Kyle B   10-14-2008 at 04:24:45 AM
- 0 +

Yes, I'm sure you all are right. I should just keep the money to invest in the new system. It just feels so far away... *sigh* :P

Reply to Kyle B
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