Re: Graphic Card comparisons...

[ctjoyce]

Well the difference isnt much but it is there. This is a guide that will show you how 90% of the cards on the market function.

However before I make a recomendation, I need to know your specs. Processer speed, GPU interface (AGP or PCI-E)

Cheers
Cameron

[Lysander77]

Dear Cameron:
                         Many thanks for your prompt and helpful response. As nearly as I can divine, the Processor Speed is 2,932 MHZ from an Intel Pentium2.93 GHz chip.  The GPU interface(s): a PCIEX16 - into which I believe the graphics card is plugged - and a PCI1,2 and PCI3/PCIEX1.
                         That's about all I know of the innards of the computer.
                            Thanks again,
                                    Lysander77

[congo]

He already stated that in his description CT. (Compaq Presario SR1250NX)

Intel 915G chipset
(onboard VGA with a PCIe slot),

2gb DDR RAM
(I'm pretty sure the I925 chipsets went to DDR2 )

2.93ghz cpu

[ctjoyce]

Alright my child I am here to help. Modding two OEMs, and haveing to deal with my mother and sister's dells I feel your pain. But unfortunately your wallet is gonna have to feel some more pain than expected on this upgrade. Fortunately their is enough room in your case for a new GPU,  HOWEVER you are going to need a more powerful PSU than the 250Watt one that is in there now. I suggest this  This is the one I put in one of my old builds (Dell 4500 modded) and I liked it alot. Lots of power, and ran a 9800XT overclocked stable.

Now for the GPU. Usually I would suggest a 7800 or 7900GT as they are very cheap, however because you have to buy a PSU, so in this case I'm going to suggest a 7600GT from XFX or eVGA. Not quite as good as the 78 or 79s but will crush all other nVidia cards.

Well hope this helps.

Cheers
Cameron

[congo]

Finally, I know who to call for Dell support!

LMAO!  

[ctjoyce]

Well not exactly. I'll tell you to take the processer out of the thing, then huck it out a window, and start over again with newegg. However I cant bash dells too much. They have alawaies used WD drives, and use decent RAM (GeIL value). Also in a few of their newer models they are useing plextor and lite on DVD burners. But I must say the most horrific thing ever wsa opening up the case of my first computer (Dell 4500) and finding that my 530 Prescott had a fanless alluminum heatsink. If you guys want a full list of what I did to that poor thing I can tell you, and how to do them yourself.

Cheers
Cameron

[Lysander77]

Dear Cameron et al:
                                  Many thanks for your prompt, detailed, and encouraging responses.  Now I know how to proceed (and damn the expense!). One of the wonderful things about Simviation is the wealth of support that springs up when a problem proves too much for my aged brain and limited experience.
                                  My gratitude to everyone...
                       

[congo]

I really would have helped Lysander, but ctjoyce was more qualified on this one than me

[brucea]

[quote]Presently using an NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT graphics board with 128MB,

[Lysander77]

Thank you very much.  Most helpful.  Probably I should wait for the new generation of computers with the dual- CPU chips and the forthcoming version of MS Flight Simulator, since this will mean two major expenditures plus whatever else needs to be upgraded amongst the add-ons (which far exceed the first two costs).
Thanks again for taking time to respond to my inquiry and offer practical advice which will save me time, some money and much disappointment.