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Want to update my graphics card

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erowid   06-21-2009 at 02:46:23 PM

Hello there, i'm looking to upgrade my graphics card to something that will run games better, i don't know much about computers but i currently have a nvidia fx 5500, which i do know is a pretty terrible graphics card :D

What other graphics cards can i get that will be compatible and able to fit into the slot that is currently taken by my fx 5500?

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Bronze Graphics badge coozie7   06-21-2009 at 03:36:04 PM
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Please give us complete specs of the system.

------------------------------ Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding: Eienstien
 Reply to coozie7
erowid   06-21-2009 at 04:27:29 PM
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Not sure if this is the right info its from System properties :

System:
Microsoft Windows XP
Professional
Version 2002
Service Pack 2

Computer:
AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor
3000+
2.01 GHz, 1.50 GB of RAM
Physical Address Extension

I currently have Nvidia FX 5500 and am looking to upgrade to something better that can be bought around the 25-30 pound price on Ebay and will work with my computer.

Reply to erowid
Bronze Graphics badge coozie7   06-21-2009 at 05:33:18 PM
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We're getting close but we need to know the motherboard as well, without that we cannot tell which expansion slot it has.
Do NOT, ever, ever buy second hand except from a close friend and NEVER from E-bay.

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding: Eienstien
 Reply to coozie7
ct1615   06-21-2009 at 06:04:48 PM
- 0 +

coozie7 wrote :

We're getting close but we need to know the motherboard as well, without that we cannot tell which expansion slot it has.
Do NOT, ever, ever buy second hand except from a close friend and NEVER from E-bay.



shut up coozie!!!....i sell my old video cards on ebay, your killing my market :kaola:

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Bronze Graphics badge coozie7   06-21-2009 at 06:10:55 PM
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@ ct1615: I DID say 'close friends' :)

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding: Eienstien
 Reply to coozie7
ct1615   06-21-2009 at 06:19:46 PM
- 0 +

coozie7 wrote :

@ ct1615: I DID say 'close friends' :)



:na:

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erowid   06-21-2009 at 06:20:39 PM
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Haha, i'll think twice before buying from Ebay then.

My motherboard hmmm... could you tell me how i can find out what my motherboard is? Will it say somewhere on windows or do i have to open up my computer and look inside? Sorry i'm not the best at computers.

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ct1615   06-21-2009 at 06:55:23 PM
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what model PC do you have? Make & Model like Emachines T1210 or something as such.

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itzamedave   06-21-2009 at 07:06:00 PM
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DL CPUZ from here http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php and it will tell you everything you need to know about your MOBO or try GPUZ from here http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/ and it will tell you everything about your GPU and even what interface it is AGP or PCIEx. come on people this is old news get out from under those rocks! and have a nice day!

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erowid   06-21-2009 at 07:19:41 PM
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Thanks i've downloaded the CPUID program and it says :

Manufacturer : Micro-Star International Co. LTD
Model : MS-7181

There's some other information which can be seen in this picture if needed

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/227/mobo1.jpg

Reply to erowid
ct1615   06-21-2009 at 07:56:03 PM
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you have an AGP 8x slot

look into an ATI 3650 such as
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102814

you can purchase a 3850 for close to $100 but frankly with current system, it would be a waste of money

Reply to ct1615
erowid   06-21-2009 at 08:03:01 PM
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Is there no other Nvidia graphics cards that would work with my system? Like 6800, 7600 etc?

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erowid   06-21-2009 at 08:12:41 PM
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I'm looking for a half-decent card that is compatible with Warhammer online it has a list of the supported cards here - http://www.warcry.com/news/view/85 [...] s-Revealed

Just noticed that the ATI 3650 you mentioned is supported with the game i'm sure it's much better than my current graphics card but how good is it roughly?

Reply to erowid
ct1615   06-21-2009 at 08:56:56 PM
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1. nvidia stopped supporting AGP a while back
2. in the curreent market; nvidia AGP cards tend to be overpriced, currently newegg's top AGP Nvidia card is a 7600GS AGP for the same cost as a 3850, a far superior card.
3. I have nothing against Nvidia, most of the cards I have owned are Nvidia cards including my current one. I prefer Nvidia but in terms of AGP performance, going with ATI falls into the no-brainer category.
4. the 3650 is a far far superior card to a FX5500.
5. you can always purchase a used AGP 6800GT or 7600GT but those cards often sell for more money then then they did new a few years back. You can find new and used ones on ebay, most will not come with any warranty.


Message edited by ct1615 on 06-21-2009 at 09:01:17 PM
Reply to ct1615
erowid   06-21-2009 at 09:00:36 PM
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Ok thanks a lot everyone for your help, i'm going to be purchasing the 3650 then, the only reason i was interested in a Nvidia is because it was the only graphics card company i really knew about.

Thanks again i'll make sure to use this site if i need any other complicated (for me) questions answered :P

Reply to erowid
ct1615   06-21-2009 at 09:03:22 PM
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ATI is fine company is currently beating the pants off Nvidia in the entry and mid-level market in terms of dollars for performance. Then again both companies tend to go back and forth every 6-12 months for the performance crown.

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erowid   06-22-2009 at 12:38:03 AM
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Hi again i've found this card -

SAPPHIRE 100236L Radeon HD 3650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

It says its x16 does that mean it won't work with my computer?

Message quoted 1 times
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erowid   06-22-2009 at 01:05:15 AM
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The link u posted on newegg.com doesn't ship to UK i don't think and it's the cheapest one i can kind :(

Reply to erowid
erowid   06-22-2009 at 01:06:08 AM
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The link u posted on newegg.com doesn't ship to UK i don't think and it's the cheapest one i can kind :(

Reply to erowid
erowid   06-22-2009 at 01:41:41 AM
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Also i've found a card that is pretty much identical to the one you linked to except it says DDR2 instead of GDDR2, is this a problem?

Sorry to keep bombarding you with questions

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to erowid
ct1615   06-22-2009 at 02:04:54 AM
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erowid wrote :

Also i've found a card that is pretty much identical to the one you linked to except it says DDR2 instead of GDDR2, is this a problem?

Sorry to keep bombarding you with questions



not a problem, will work just fine


Message edited by ct1615 on 06-22-2009 at 02:09:14 AM
Reply to ct1615
ct1615   06-22-2009 at 02:05:36 AM
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erowid wrote :

Hi again i've found this card -

SAPPHIRE 100236L Radeon HD 3650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

It says its x16 does that mean it won't work with my computer?



correct, it will not work with your current motherboard

Reply to ct1615
erowid   06-22-2009 at 03:01:35 PM
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I'm having a lot of trouble finding one of these cards, it seems to be a lot more available in the US but unfortunately most sites don't *** internationally or charge $30+ for it.

Do you know of any other cards that are similar to the Sapphire but more available in the UK? Or a website that sells the one you linked but ships to UK?

Reply to erowid
itzamedave   06-23-2009 at 07:51:23 PM
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I agree and have owned a few ATI cards and sapphire makes the best Ive tested, my bro has a sapphire 3870 toxic and it scored 6.5 in windows 7 x64 ! and my 2x 9800GTs in SLI only score 6.0? but in gaming I destroy him..LOL

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