Card Recomendations

[Slotback]

A static wrist strap might be preferable. You should use one.




But is it required?

No. Especially if you're not touching anything.

I have never used one (and don't intend on getting one either). Ever. Never damaged anything either. Of course, there is always a first and I have heard stories of people damaging hardware.

Touch a part of the metal case to discharge any static, which I'd assumed one would do while opening it unless the OP has a plastic (Dell?) case in which case I apologize for not pointing it out.

Well with that said, if I was looking for that sort of power, would I be better off (price wise) upgrading my comp or getting a new one?

A new videocard like the 9800GT should improve your performance hugely.

But if you did want the performance of a Radeon 5870 then you would likely need a whole new computer (Phenom II, Core i5 750, Core i7).

[Speed of flight]

1. What PSU do you have? Open up the case and find out.

You can't just open up the case, you first NEED to get a static wrist strap, otherwise you'll kill your computer with static electricity.




Not to pick on a guy, and no offense intended when I say, yeah, I would recommend that you use one, but I'll also tell you that it is REALLY rare that you'll do any severe damage if you don't. This is my 3rd build, and I don't even have one...

There's a ground prong on your power supply unit that is connected to ground, and it will discharge you if you simply turn it off by the switch, leave it plugged in, and touch the metal framework or case. Dude, I never use one. Don't be afraid to touch the stuff in there. Somebody had to assemble most of it (whatever a robot didn't do correctly), just don't disconnect the heatsink/fan (HSF) on the processor (at least until you have some thermal paste). Otherwise, you're fine! That's how I learned. I imagine there are some lessons I could learn, like the wrist thingy, but it's not that critical. You can open it, remove the RAM (just write down, draw a pic, or otherwise mark on it somehow, so you know which slot it was in) and read the stickers on it to see what it's specs are, and even read the model # off the motherboard to see what you can do with it. You'll know if you break something, trust me. It's somewhat difficult to do though, as long as you use care in messin with stuff. Go for it, mang!
Happy tinkerin'!

[B_7772]

Speed of flight, yes an anti-static wrist strap is not needed, but it is preferred and highly recommended.
Btw, it's best to touch the PSU for discharging.

[Speed of flight]

Speed of flight, yes an anti-static wrist strap is not needed, but it is preferred and highly recommended.
Btw, it's best to touch the PSU for discharging.

I wasn't trying to shoot you down, er nuthin, and I still recommend Thud get one. It sounded to me that he's somewhat new to the tinkerin thing, and I was hopin he'd get over any fear he has that he could ruin it, or anything. No offense intended, my fellow tinkerer!

[loomex]

Anybody have input on the ATI Radeon HD 4350?

[Slotback]

It's extremely slow.

[congo]

[quote]FSX says my current one is: Intel G33/G31 Express Chipset family.0
Is that any good? Because FSX has some problems