Upgrading Graphics Card/Computer

Flaanders · Mar 14, 2005

I searched the this forum for advice, but most of the threads were outdated.

Here is my conundrum:
I am currently using a 4+ year old dell with an 866 P3 with 384 mb of ram and what my device manager describes as a "RAGE 128 PRO AGP 4X TDMS" which I believe is manufactured by Ati, but I'm not sure. Essentially, this computer has served me well thus far, but recently, I have tried to install various demos (Race Driver 2, Colin McRae 2005 and GTR) that don't work. GTR tells me that my graphics card doesn't support DXT texture compresssion. Now that I have a DFP, I am interested in actually using my computer for gaming as opposed to my PS2.

I know that I need a new graphics card, but could I scrape by just with that or would I need more? I am interested in being pretty cheap (about 50 USD) what card should I spring for, and what additional modifications?

Thanks for your help!

pimp racer · Mar 14, 2005

http://www.pricewatch.com/

donbenni · Mar 14, 2005

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/FX5200_Series.html

Top one on that page maybe. $50 is pretty low, you may want to spend a bit more to get something that''ll last more than 6 months. Especially as you are playing new games.

Flaanders · Mar 15, 2005

Thanks for the help. Thats a great site Pimp Racer, I'll have to use that.

toyomatt84 · Mar 15, 2005

http://www.shopping.com/

Believe it or not, but sometimes the most obvious names are the best. I've found deals on shopping.com that outrank pricewatch. Although, I have seen it the opposite as well, so check both sites to be sure.

And, to be quite honest, your pc is lacking structure to play the most current game titles. A P3, no matter how nice, is going to have issues with more than a single active agent in a game (meaning a single vehicle racing on a small course with no challengers is going to strain it). Then, since it sounds like you have SDRam, trying to get decent framerates will be tough as well, although you do have above 256megs, which is astounding for any home P3 system. If I were you, I'd set aside funds for a while to build a nice low-budget PCI-Express computer. That will last you atleast another 4 years, even on a shoe-string budget. I forked out a little over 1500 usd for my higher end PC, to give you a reference.

Jmac279 · Mar 15, 2005

Even the cheapest cards (GeForce4 MX440/ATI Radeon 9000) on the market will be an improvement (performance-wise) over the Rage 128 ...

PS · Mar 16, 2005

Does anyone know what an "S/PDIF Out" is? I have it on the back of my computer, along with a strange computer moniter hookup (the part you plug the moniter into is exactly the same as the plug itself), but I use my graphics card to plug my moniter into, and it has an S-Video Out. I know what the S-Video out is for, but what's an S/PDIF out? Oh, and can I play xbox using my computer moniter and sound system?

pimp racer · Mar 16, 2005

Flaanders
Thanks for the help. Thats a great site Pimp Racer, I'll have to use that.

No problem. You might also wanna try Ebay?

Flaanders · Mar 16, 2005

Yea, I was thinking about that, but I have always been weary of e-bay.

The Ernster · Mar 17, 2005

Meh, there isnt much difference than buying off websites than off ebay.

Jmac279 · Mar 17, 2005

S/PDIF
Short for Sony/Philips Digital Interface, a standard audio file transfer format. Developed jointly by the Sony and Phillips corporations, S/PDIF allows the transfer of digital audio signals from one device to another without having to be converted first to an analog. format. Maintaining the viability of a digital signal prevents the quality of the signal from degrading when it is converted to analog.

...

PS · Mar 17, 2005

What the hell does that mean? Does that mean I can record or transfer digital sound onto the PC, which is then recorded in...analog? Gay 3D cards...err