Help On Choosing Graphic's Card.

mohamed_fatah

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Jul 10, 2011
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hi, i don't have any experience about computer components such as graphic cards, so i need your help to choose the correct graphics card if needed. Also i currently have no graphics card.

My Computer Specs are:

Software: Windows 7 Ultimate service pack 1 32 bit
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4400+ 2.30 GHz
(also can you tell me if the processor is good? thanks)
Installed memory (RAM): 3.00 GB (2.87 GB usable)
Motherboard : https://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01077676&lc=en&cc=no&dlc=en&product=3462906#N66
power supply : http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/B5748-Lite-On-PS-5301-08HF-300W-Power-Supply-5188-2627-/360298944519 ( i am 75% sure that this is the power supply).

Please Provide me with a good graphics card that will allow me to play games like left 4 dead 2 and cod.
i would also prefer the graphics card to be from either of these 2 website as i live in the uk
#1 : http://www.ebuyer.com/
#2 : http://www.amazon.co.uk/

thanks
 

mohamed_fatah

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Jul 10, 2011
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jtt283 so i guess this is the card http://www.ebuyer.com/190138-sapphire-hd-5670-512mb-gddr5-hdmi-dvi-vga-pci-e-graphics-card-11168-02-20r, what games would i be able to play and in what graphic settings, and thanks btw.
 
I would have to agree.The 5670 is going to be the most powerful GPU you can put in your system without causing a bottleneck.

Whats your budget?

What resolution is your monitor?

I was unable to find the specifications for the bus speed of that particular 5670.I would suggest you get a 2.0 version so that you don't run into any problems using a 2.1 card on a 1.0 mobo.
 

mohamed_fatah

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also what games in what resolution/graphic setting would i be able to play with all the specs i have and the graphics card
 
A bottleneck is when the CPU isn't fast enough to process what the GPU is sending.When the GPU is faster than the CPU this is called a bottleneck.Mainly a bottleneck can cause anywhere from minor to dramatic loss of performance.Think of the GPU on the bigger end of the bottle and the CPU is the smaller end.

 
I'm still not finding what version the bus speed is.I find that troubling because if it is a 2.1 card you may need a BIOS update for it to work and I know HP and they definitly won't have that BIOS update avalible.

I was also looking around and I too thought that a 1G card would be better than a 512 but all of the 1G cards run with DDR3 memory.In that case I would say the go for the DDR5 memory with the 512mb cards.You really only need the 1G card if your at 1080p.Faster RAM speed is much better than the extra RAM.

Yah I just checked and HP doesn't have any BIOS updates.
 
512MB is enough. And 60FPS is nice, but is not the "minimum" to enjoy acceptable game play. As low as 40FPS average should appear smooth as long as the minimums aren't too low, preferably >= 30FPS.
At your resolution I think this card will work well.
 
30FPS is plenty fine to the untrained eye.I remmber playing L4D in the high 20's and it didn't bother me.I also remember that when i started to play L4D2 it seemed less demanding,started getting in the high 30's.
 

mohamed_fatah

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yea i like 30fps thats what i use to get with counter strike source and was smooth enough for me, by the way i think my ram is ddr2 would it work with the saphire card?
 

And how do you train the eye? Push ups? Chin ups? Star jumps?

Sorry I couldn't resist. :ange: :lol:
 

mohamed_fatah

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DDR2 PC2-6400, DDR2 PC2-5300

Memory Type: DDR2 PC2-6400, DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 (non-ECC)
Maximum Memory: 8GB
Currently Installed Memory: 3GB
Total Memory Slots: 4
Available Memory Slots: 0
Ram which i currently have inside motherboard:
1. - 512MB DDR PC2-5300
2. - 512MB DDR PC2-5300
3. - 1GB DDR PC2-5300
4. - 1GB DDR PC2-5300


Each memory slot can hold DDR2 PC2-6400, DDR2 PC2-5300 with a maximum of 2GB per slot.*
*Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory.
 


Well for me it started with understanding how everything works and how it should be you.Then you start to notice when things aren't smooth.I guess it's different for me but i'm sure some people didn't mind playing in the 30's when they started playing games on the PC.But now i'm sure they don't like it as much,or maybe not.
 


I forgot all about that.I'm actually not sure.I've never heard of that PSU maker before so I don't know if it's a credable PSU or not.Without knowing any of the specifications on it I would stay on the safe side and go with a 5650 or 5570.Or if you can spare it add another 20-30 euors and you can get new PSU.