Upgrade Advice

[RaptorF22]

My specs:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33 Ghz
ATI Radeon HD 3400 256Mb
6Gb of RAM

I run FSX at almost everything max at 12-14 fps, and I'm thinking of upgrading.
What do you think I should upgrade with a maybe $100 budget.

[Rich H]

My specs:
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 @ 2.33 Ghz
ATI Radeon HD 3400 256Mb
6Gb of RAM

I run FSX at almost everything max at 12-14 fps, and I'm thinking of upgrading.
What do you think I should upgrade with a maybe $100 budget.

Can you bear such low fps? :-/
I would upgrade your graphics card first, then when you next upgrade, aim to change your processor.

It might help if you can increase your budget, not sure you'll get something very worthwhile on $100?

[RaptorF22]

I prefer graphics over fps, although getting some higher fps would be really nice.
What graphics card would you recommend and what kind of fps could I expect with it? And how expensive would it be? I could just save up until I have enough for it, I don't know what good cards run.

[Groundbound1]

I prefer graphics over fps, although getting some higher fps would be really nice.
What graphics card would you recommend and what kind of fps could I expect with it? And how expensive would it be? I could just save up until I have enough for it, I don't know what good cards run.

Is this a laptop? If so what make and model?

[Slotback]

9800GT, GTS 250. Check if your PSU can run them first though.

[RaptorF22]

I prefer graphics over fps, although getting some higher fps would be really nice.
What graphics card would you recommend and what kind of fps could I expect with it? And how expensive would it be? I could just save up until I have enough for it, I don't know what good cards run.

Is this a laptop? If so what make and model?

No, this is a desktop, a Dell Studio 540 I belive.
Thanks for the replys, I will look into those cards.

Edit: BTW, how can I find out if my PSU can handle it?

[Groundbound1]

If it says Dell on it, you'll likely need a psu upgrade.

Joking aside, there should be a label on the psu telling you what the wattage and amperage ratings are.

Just a random shot from the web, but the link below will take you to a shot of a Dell psu label.

http://www.txcesssurplus.com/catalog/10 ... -label.jpg

Note the 305 Watt max output(DC output: 305W), as well as the +12v_A and +12v_B ratings of 18 amps each. That means this psu has two 12v rails with a combined rating of 36 amps.


Those are the two "important numbers" when looking at psu ratings. When you find a video card you like, the manufacturer of that card will usually tell you how much power is recommended. (Case in point below, under "requirements")
http://www.evga.com/products/moreinfo.a ... P3-N871-AR

Hope this helps.

[markag]

You're in need of a better graphics card. For 100, you probably could go back a generation or two and get a top of the line older card. You will run into issues with a high end card and a dell power supply though, they aren't rated for high performance GPUs. Also, if you have a "slim" desktop, you probably are going to be out of luck for a graphics upgrade. It will be hard to find a graphics card that fits. I don't know if you can still get 8800 series graphics cards, but an 8800 GT, GTS (512), 9800 GTX, etc can probably be had in your pricerange and would give you incrased performance.