[computerdoof]

hello tech heads,

I have a 32MB graphics card and i want to upgrade because i would like to play some games on my pc.
i have been looking at some cards that would be good for me, then i thought "how do i know if this will work in my pc".
my question is "how do i know what cards are compatible with my system?".
on CPU-Z it says that the maximum transfer rate is 4x, does that mean the card that i buy has to be 4x or can it also be 8x.
any advice you guys have on buying a new graphics card would be great.

[AntonFZS]

download PC Wizard or Everest Home Edition and
post the
processor name and speed
graphics card name and speed
RAM name and speed
PSU (Power Supply) how many watts (and amperages on the 12 v rail if you can)

[Compiler]

Your systems sounds like an older AGP computer...

As AntonFZS says... use PCWizard (below - linked from my SIG) to let us know what kind of computer you have for sure. And pop open the case cover and tell us your PSU ratting (wattage)... its important. You may have 150w, 250w or 300w PSU. Your CPU maybe a Pentium3 1000 for all we know.

What games are you planning to play?

Here is a game card performance chart:
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/g...Dead,1454.html

Near the middle/lower end is 50fps are the $75~90 gaming cards... which about 512mb~1000mb of memory.

Your card that you have now could be 1/20th of the last card (8600gts).

[computerdoof]

processor name and speed - amd athlon xp 1900+ 1.2 GHz overclocked at 1.6GHz
radeon 7200 family 32mb agp
2x 512mb sdram
psu - ac input 115v 6a
230v 3a
frequency 50 - 60 Hz
peak load 300watts

i just put what it said on the sticker

[computerdoof]

i dont want to do high end gaming just a little bit of soft gaming. myabe some sims 2 or something

[AntonFZS]

I'm worried about your CPU, you had a 4x AGP slot?, but I'm not so worried about your PSU it should easily manage AGP cards, but one problem is that AGP cards are more expensive than PCI ones almost 50 bucks sometimes, maybe you should reconsider saving up to a new computer but i will post some graphics card for you, so dont worry.(your CPU is quiet weak but it should hold sims 2.)

[AntonFZS]

I got a list of cards for you i would go for teh 4650,7600,3850
Tiger Direct (US) HERE

[AntonFZS]

You should check that you have a DVI cable and that your monitor supports DVI.

[BG-0]

I wouldn't recommend anything to be run on a power supply that doesn't even list a stable power output. Peak load means nothing...
Your CPU will also be quite much struggling with even Sims 2... It'll play fine for, say, 5 hours with a new family, then you'll be getting ever worsening lag because everything starts to stack up...

[Mosquito555]

IMO a card like the Radeon HD 3850 is overkill for this computer, not to mention that you'll definitely need a new PSU for this card as BG-0 suggested. Even the Radeon 4650 can be considered high end for this machine. The GF7600 GS can be considered as an option but your PSU may not be able to run even that card...

IMO you shouldn't risk buying any of the mentioned cards. As long as you stick with games like the Sims 2 you can buy one of these:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-233-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-836-_-Product

They will be sufficient for the Sims 2 and you probably won't need to change your PSU.

EDIT: You already have 1GB of RAM - thought you only had 512MB, sorry.

[Compiler]

If from tigerdirect, the 3650 is STILL overkill... its $60. It says 300w or better, so it should be okay.

But what is the brand on the PSU?

The 6200 is way to underpowered...

Sim2 will still kinda drag on the computations with such a CPU - but the graphics will look okay.

[AntonFZS]

Mosquito honestly if his 300 w psu is medium quality one, it will run just 7600 gs jus fine the psu should run 3650,4650 quite good too.