An Upgrade Due (Please Help)

x_Kiba_x

Ok, so I was looking to upgrade the video card and Ram on my computer for the newer games out there and I was wondering if anyone who is pretty good with computers could give me some suggestions.  I definetly want a card that can run WoW at least which ive heard dosent need a great card but I want one that is acceptable for better games than WoW too.

Heres one that Ive heard my suit my needs that is a good price:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062

^^would this suit my needs or is this outdated because I got this suggestion a couple months ago.

If anyone has any good suggestions for RAM and a link to it that would be good, or a good video card under $120 that would be appreciated too. 

Thanks!

b0rderline99

try the hardware forums

might get some better responses there

xxthecorexx

Originally posted by x_Kiba_x


Ok, so I was looking to upgrade the video card and Ram on my computer for the newer games out there and I was wondering if anyone who is pretty good with computers could give me some suggestions.  I definetly want a card that can run WoW at least which ive heard dosent need a great card but I want one that is acceptable for better games than WoW too.
Heres one that Ive heard my suit my needs that is a good price:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062
^^would this suit my needs or is this outdated because I got this suggestion a couple months ago.
If anyone has any good suggestions for RAM and a link to it that would be good, or a good video card under $120 that would be appreciated too. 
Thanks!

you have a pci-e slot or an agp slot ?

ya better check before you order that graphics card.

CleffyII

You can probably get a cheap ATI X1950 for under $120.  It would probably be the best pick for your budget.

Rayx0r

8600 GT  512mb for under $100

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814122033

leadtek is very reliable.  I believe its on sale so dont miss it

x_Kiba_x

Originally posted by xxthecorexx


 
Originally posted by x_Kiba_x


Ok, so I was looking to upgrade the video card and Ram on my computer for the newer games out there and I was wondering if anyone who is pretty good with computers could give me some suggestions.  I definetly want a card that can run WoW at least which ive heard dosent need a great card but I want one that is acceptable for better games than WoW too.
Heres one that Ive heard my suit my needs that is a good price:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130062
^^would this suit my needs or is this outdated because I got this suggestion a couple months ago.
If anyone has any good suggestions for RAM and a link to it that would be good, or a good video card under $120 that would be appreciated too. 
Thanks!

you have a pci-e slot or an agp slot ?

 

ya better check before you order that graphics card.

How can i check which one I have?

 

and Rayxor, is the one you supplied better then the one i have in the first post?

CleffyII

Look inside your computer and see if the slot your video card is brown.  If its brown then its AGP.  If its yellow then its PCI-e, if its blue then its PCI-e 2.0, and if its white you got PCI.  However, you might have to further investigate since some manufacturers don't follow color coding methods.

x_Kiba_x

Originally posted by CleffyII


Look inside your computer and see if the slot your video card is brown.  If its brown then its AGP.  If its yellow then its PCI-e, if its blue then its PCI-e 2.0, and if its white you got PCI.  However, you might have to further investigate since some manufacturers don't follow color coding methods.

Ok, I did all that...they were all brown but I read some of the text next to them and on the first row it said AGP1, the second one below it said PCI1 and the one below that said PCI2...so would this be a good video card choice or could I do better than this one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161074

 

and if so do you think you could take a few minutes to find one that you think would be suitable.

dikky

The minimum video card you want to get right now is an HD3850, it is cheap and VERY FAST for the money, anything lower than that is a waste of money IMO.

The absolute best card for the money is the 8800gt, but that's a lot of power and you need a good cpu/ram to take advantage of it and not to mention it's still really hard to get, and since it's so hard the price is inflated.

Classicstar

Originally posted by teiohFromSWG


The minimum video card you want to get right now is an HD3850, it is cheap and VERY FAST for the money, anything lower than that is a waste of money IMO.
The absolute best card for the money is the 8800gt, but that's a lot of power and you need a good cpu/ram to take advantage of it and not to mention it's still really hard to get, and since it's so hard the price is inflated.

True i got this card 8800gt a week ago and man that card is superb and its fair priced 230 euros almost as fast as GTX card.

x_Kiba_x

Originally posted by teiohFromSWG


The minimum video card you want to get right now is an HD3850, it is cheap and VERY FAST for the money, anything lower than that is a waste of money IMO.
The absolute best card for the money is the 8800gt, but that's a lot of power and you need a good cpu/ram to take advantage of it and not to mention it's still really hard to get, and since it's so hard the price is inflated.

are those cards both pci express though or pci? cause on newegg i searched the 8800gt and only found pci-e which im pretty sure i cant use because ive only got 1 AG1 slot, a Pci1 and a pci2 slot.

Varlok91

Originally posted by teiohFromSWG


The minimum video card you want to get right now is an HD3850, it is cheap and VERY FAST for the money, anything lower than that is a waste of money IMO.
The absolute best card for the money is the 8800gt, but that's a lot of power and you need a good cpu/ram to take advantage of it and not to mention it's still really hard to get, and since it's so hard the price is inflated.

The problem is the 3850 and 8800GT are not AGP cards.

To the OP:

If you could tell us some of your computer specs it might help (processor, power supply, etc.). The reason for this is to make sure you don't get a card that will be to much for your power supply or be bottlenecked by your other components.

x_Kiba_x

Well Ive got a Penitum 4 Proccessor 2.66Ghz but im not sure how to check the power supply....would i need to completly open up the motherboard again for that?  and I was planning on buying 2gb of Ram after i got the card.

Varlok91

Originally posted by x_Kiba_x


Well Ive got a Penitum 4 Proccessor 2.66Ghz but im not sure how to check the power supply....would i need to completly open up the motherboard again for that?  and I was planning on buying 2gb of Ram after i got the card.

You would have to open up the case and read us the information on the power supply, like the wattage and amps on the rails. Or if you can just find the model we would be able to tell you the information.

x_Kiba_x

Ok well I cracked it open again and I found this: Im not sure if its what you need but I couldnt see anything else

Input: 120V ~ 4.5A

Output: 185.6W

and another number that said: 50/60Hz

If thats not what you needed then maybe you can find it: I run on a Windows XP Home Edition

 

Thank you

x_Kiba_x

OK Varlok, with all the help you've given me Ive come up with a couple of good buys that im potentially going to put in my computer, please tell me if these would all work well:

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227139

Card 1: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150210

Card 2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150174

Power Supply (If needed please tell me if the one I have now sounds good enough): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148008

In the links above card 1 is less expensive, but would I see a much greater performance out of card 2 if i decided to pay that little bit extra? If not tell me and I wont waste my time with it.

Thanks alot youve been a big help.

daelnor

Nvidia 7600gs OC is a good agp card. Just make sure it says AGP. They are pretty cheap now too.

D.

Varlok91

 

Originally posted by x_Kiba_x


OK Varlok, with all the help you've given me Ive come up with a couple of good buys that im potentially going to put in my computer, please tell me if these would all work well:
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227139
Card 1: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150210
Card 2: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150174
Power Supply (If needed please tell me if the one I have now sounds good enough): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817148008
In the links above card 1 is less expensive, but would I see a much greater performance out of card 2 if i decided to pay that little bit extra? If not tell me and I wont waste my time with it.
Thanks alot youve been a big help.

The RAM looks pretty good just make sure your computer is using DDR2 instead of older DDR (which is a possibility considering you have an older processor). I am assuming you bought it from a company such as dell, hp, etc. so to find out what type of RAM you have you can just go to their website and look up your computer model.

 

Power supply - Looks pretty good. I don't really know much about the brand though, but it has got solid reviews.

Video Card - Both are good choices except I though you had a ~$120 budget on it. If you need to save some money go with this www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx. Why? Because if you feel it isn't powerful enough for you EVGA has a 90-day step up program that will allow you to trade in the card and get a new one.

 

x_Kiba_x

Thanks alot varlok you've been a huge help, one last question though, with the card you suggested would I still be able to play the newer games like Warhammer and stuff or would I need to spend alot more money for a game like that?  And would I notice a huge lack of power if I bought your card compared to the other ones?  Lastly whats a popular power supply brand? Ive always been told to go with the name brands due to better parts.

Thanks Alot again.

 

Varlok91

Originally posted by x_Kiba_x


Thanks alot varlok you've been a huge help, one last question though, with the card you suggested would I still be able to play the newer games like Warhammer and stuff or would I need to spend alot more money for a game like that?  And would I notice a huge lack of power if I bought your card compared to the other ones?  Lastly whats a popular power supply brand? Ive always been told to go with the name brands due to better parts.
Is there anyother way i can find out if I have DDR or DDR2 because I cant find my model on the sony website.
Thanks

The 7600GS might be powerful enough to play Warhammer, it depends on your resolution. Like I said though if you don't think the card is powerful in the games you currently play though, you have 90-days to use the step-up program to trade your card in for something more powerful through EVGA.

As for the power supplies, antec and corsair are good, but after looking at some other Apevia reviews it seems like they make solid products so you should be fine with that power supply.

For the RAM you would have to open up your case again. Usually on the RAM sticks it will tell you what type it is. For example DDR 400 (PC 3200) or DDR2 667 (PC2 5400).

 

x_Kiba_x

Well if I find out that I need DDR then this will probably be the RAM I pick- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145486

 

Ill open it up now and check though

x_Kiba_x

I dunno I couldnt find what kind I had, I was looking at the sticks when I opened the case and couldnt find any writing on them to indicate which kind they were, would you just assume I only have DDR because my computer is so old? If so I might just take my chances and buy the DDR

Varlok91

Can you give me the model of your computer. I can probably find out if you do.

x_Kiba_x

Originally posted by Varlok91


Can you give me the model of your computer. I can probably find out if you do.

I dont know, I run on a Windows XP Home Edition if thats what you mean, I dont know the exact numbers.

Varlok91

Originally posted by x_Kiba_x

Originally posted by Varlok91


Can you give me the model of your computer. I can probably find out if you do.

I dont know, I run on a Windows XP Home Edition if thats what you mean, I dont know the exact numbers.

You said you bought the computer from sony correct? Usually there is a sticker on the box that tells you the model number. For example, on this emachines I have the model is T3256.

Or you can go to start -> settings -> control panel -> system and can find out from there under the general tab.

x_Kiba_x

Standard RAM

512MB PC-2700 333MHz DDR (expandable to

2.0GB)

thats what i got when i typed in the model type on sony