Suggestions...

[Corsair Freak]

Hi all,

I've been wanting to get a better graphics card in my computer... but, since I have never bought a graphics card, I don't know which company to get from, or which card is best, any suggestions?

I'm running a...

Intel Celeron 1.2GHZ
256MB Ram
20GB HDD
Intel 82815 Graphics card, or controller?

I know, I know, my computers ancient! but, I don't have a job. The only Game i really play on my comp. is CFS2, and I only pull about 30FPS, sometime in the near future I want to build my own rig. I'm not looking for a heated debate, just some advice on which card you think is best.



Brandon

[_526th_Fireman]

Don't spend much. Try buying more ram also. I am quessing you are running older ram modules so they will be cheap.

I ran an ATI Radeon 8500 128MB card on my old machine and it did great with CFS2 and FS2k and 2k2. You can probably pick one of those up real cheap now.

Save the big money spending for when you decide to build you a BEAUT!

[the_autopilot]

I recommend a 6600 GT.

You will see a HUGE increase in performence over puny integrated gfx.

But you need to upgrade your RAM and CPU to get the most out of such a "good" gfx card. (The 6600 gt is technically a mainstream card)

BTW, one thing you need to check is if your computer has an AGP port. IF it does not, then you can buy a 5200, which is still a huge increase in performence over integrated gfx.

[Corsair Freak]

I recommend a 6600 GT.

er... who makes it?  :P

I know I need to... but I don't know if I want to upgrade my ram, I recently bought another 128, shoulda bought a 256, or 512... and yes, I ran CFS2 for 3 years on 128MB ram  ::)

I'm not sure if I have an AGP port, will belarc tell me?
I'm just looking for the cheapest, quality card out there.



Brandon

[the_autopilot]

The 6600gt is a high quality card and is the cheapest for the performence it offers.

The 6600 gt is a nvidia card, but is sold throug vendors like leadtek or eVGA.

I recommend a 6600 gt from either one of those vendors.

I don't know what belarc is, so I wouldn't know, but there is an easy way to find out if you have an AGP port. Open up your computer and look for a (usually) brown expansion slot that protrudes out more than the (usually) white PCI ones.
See pic:

[Corsair Freak]

Hey guys,

So far, I'm likin' fireman's suggestion. I took a look at tigerdirect for a leadtek 6600GT and it costs $189.99, I simply don't have that much money, and if I did... I would probably save even more to build a whole new rig... I'll take a look at the guts of my comp. tomorrow and see what she's got inside...


Brandon

[the_autopilot]

I agree with fireman to upgrade your RAM.

However, I think a 8500 would be a waste of money. Even an nvidia 5200 is better as it supports directx 9.

[congo]

First you have to tell us if you have an AGP expansion slot or only PCI slots. Otherwise we can't really advise.

If you have no AGP slot, then PLEASE don't waste your money on a PCI slot based video card. They won't offer you much  of an improvement at all due to the PCI bus limitations.

Please give your EXACT mainbord model number so we can help. It's written on the mobo's surface, only then can we google it to see what it's capable of.