New graphics card

[darrenbilly]

My computer setup:
AsusTek Computer INC
M2V-MX
PCI and PCI Express
DDR2 2560mb. Frequency 333.3mhz
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
Core speed= 2000.0mhz
Power supply make and model= Ezcool 450watt atx-450 jsp
Below the +12VDCline is 25A
United Kingdom

I am looking to get a new graphics card as my computer jumps like hell when i play games. The one i have is integrated with the motherboard. I only play games such as Sims 2and 3 and the simulator games such as Bus driver, most of the 18 wheels of steel games and online ones such as pogo. I do not play games such as World of Warcraft or any such other game. Other than the fan on my CPU i do not have any other (fans), would it be worth getting a generic fan just to keep it cooler in there, i recently upgraded to 2gigs of ram, giving me 2.5, i used crucials website to locate what ram to have. I was at a computer fair over the weekend and i told a man what motherboard i had and straight away he showed me a 512mb graphics card, i cannot remember the make but it was a well-known make and it would have gone into my PCI express slot, it also has a TV out , it was around £30, he said it would improve it a lot, i was also told it would take the strain off of my RAM? My budget it only around £30 for each. Main uses for my computer (other than the games) are creating and editing various microsoft office documents, using photoshop and downloading/playing and transferring music, which can also be a drag. Before i formatted my computer and put in the new ram it would freeze with the simplest task, such as changing the save location for a document. I feel it does still freeze every now and then even with the new ram. Playing games is stressful when it judders along, it may, for about 2 seconds run more smoothly, but as i said, not for long.

I think that this is the one, or similar to what he showed me, would this one be suitable. Would i need a new power supply with a new, more powerful graphics card? http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-164-AS&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=

 

[darrenbilly]

The ebuyer website says that in order for directx 10.1 to work i need vista, i am running xp, is this a problem. That card also allows for HD, to play hd, would i really need it as i do not have a hd screen or blueray/hd drive

Thanks

 

[darrenbilly]

That's great. As i said, i wasn't too sure of what one he showed me, so if, as long as it has similar spec to the one you suggested, it will work ok?

 

[darrenbilly]

Thats's great, one last question, you say it will work on sims 2 and 3 but how about the other games I mentioned?

Thanks alot for your help!

Darren

 

[darrenbilly]

Not allowed to edit previous;

someone said this in a review:
Bought this card for a silent Media Center on the understanding (based on pictures and reviews) that it was passively cooled - but the card delivered now has a fan on the heatsink.
Is this a problem? Heatsink not a fan? A fan will make more noise?

 

[darrenbilly]

Would the 4350 not be any good for me?

 

[Quitoman]

Note that no matter how much you upgrade, The Sims 3 will always be jumpy until they release a new patch.

I think you might want to upgrade your processor though, single core 3200 is pretty slow.

 

[darrenbilly]

I'm going with your one ct

I cannot afford a processor right now, but for when i can, could you give me a list of compatibles? Thanks for all your help ct1615

 

[darrenbilly]

Silly question: Will this work on my computer: Gigabyte GV-RX30L256TE

 

[darrenbilly]

oh its not that, just it was in an old computer, and why spend money on a new one when i had one, as it is not good enough, as soon as i get the money (tomorrow) i will be buying that one on ebuyer. Please bare in mind i am only a student!

Thanks again