Advice for a new graphics card

[Loké]

Okay, I'm going to get a new graphics card. I want one that can let me run Doom3 and FEAR and whatnot with all the trimmings.

I have no idea what to get though.

Me mum's set a price cap of £400, so basically, any graphics card. I've heard some of the newer cards are incompatable with older motherboards, so my motherboard is a 2004 RZ series motherboard in case it's relevant.

[Mirsky]

Er that's not really that much help. The RZ is a line of motherboards made by Gigabyte that encompasses pretty much every chipset known to man.

What CPU, motherboard (the exact make and number) and graphics card do you currently have ? Also do you happen to know the make and model of your PSU?

Based on the 2004 date it could be require either a AGP or PCIe graphics card, depending on what you have the answer will vary from buying a complete new system (well almost) to just an upgrade to a new card.

[Loké]

(rummages around) Ah, here we are... '8S661FXM-RZ', 'SiS 661FX chipset'. My current card is a ATI radeon 9550. Ie, a crappy one.

As for the PSU-what's a PSU?

[Mirsky]

er... umm ....er.

It's a P4 chipset that uses AGP. This limits your upgrade choices pretty severly.

You could spend some extra coin and upgrade to a now cheap P4 using the LGA775 socket, DDR2 RAM and then buy a relatively cheap PCIe video card. Obviously you'll end up spending more than the 400 quid.

Or you could take a look at higher end AGP cards. I've been out of the UK so I don't know the status on the best online stores to get hardware anymore (it used to be Dabs or Fox) so I'm going to link you to Newegg.com in the US where the cards are less than 400 quid in USD.

Nvidia 7800 GS is about the best AGP out there
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130269

I'm not sure about ATi but it seems that the newset AGP card out there is the X1600 - again I know nothing about this card

EDIT: PSU is the power supply unit. Some of the newer cards (especially the AGP ones) suck juice like there's no tomorrow so you need a relatively beefy PSU to make sure your PC doesn't crash.

[Noirceur]

(rummages around) Ah, here we are... '8S661FXM-RZ', 'SiS 661FX chipset'. My current card is a ATI radeon 9550. Ie, a crappy one.

As for the PSU-what's a PSU?
For some newer cards, you would need about 400W. Not having enough power can cause all kinds of random problems.

[Agent Law]

Shit, for £400, you could get the new ATI Radeon X1950 XTX and a new motherboard to hold it.

What resolution do you plan on playing at? (At 16x12, FEAR is taxing on any computer with all the trimmings on.)

[spartan]

You could get a 6600gt or x800 based card, both are showing their age and have been discounted considerably. If you have a generic 350watt PSU, I would recommend getting a good brand name quality PSU rated at least 450watts. That ought to last you long enough to be in your next computer.

If you wanted to go PCI-E you would need to build an entirely new system.

[Loké]

Shit, for £400, you could get the new ATI Radeon X1950 XTX and a new motherboard to hold it.

What resolution do you plan on playing at? (At 16x12, FEAR is taxing on any computer with all the trimmings on.)

846xwhateverthehellitis. It's the one I use for all my games-I'm just so used to it, the others just look plain weird to me.

[whuh?]

the x1600 is pretty bad. Ignore it. the 7800gs from evga is the way to go.

[Bald_Eagle]

Been stripping down old test systems at work, and I got my hands on an ATI 300xt PCIe with 128 megs.. I figured it would be an ok starter card when I upgrade my current AGP Motherboard

[Noirceur]

the x1600 is pretty bad. Ignore it. the 7800gs from evga is the way to go.
Agreed, every card I've gotten from EVGA has been awesome, aside from the lack of an updated drivers cd.

[whuh?]

If he wants to get the best price/performance ratio then he should wait for the 7600gt which should be out soon. Yes, theres a 7600gt for agp. Leadtek already made one, dunno why Evga isnt up to speed.

Lack of update drivers: go to tweaksrus.com and get some custom ones. Try a few of those. I like mine.

[Noirceur]

If he wants to get the best price/performance ratio then he should wait for the 7600gt which should be out soon. Yes, theres a 7600gt for agp. Leadtek already made one, dunno why Evga isnt up to speed.

Lack of update drivers: go to tweaksrus.com and get some custom ones. Try a few of those. I like mine.
Windows default work well enough for me.

[Agent Law]

You're using Windows default drivers on a 3D card?

[Noirceur]

You're using Windows default drivers on a 3D card?
Windows default meaning the drivers windows update gives me for my card; my bad.

[Hocus Pocus]

I second the 7600gt...I'm in love with it...ew

[spartan]

I got a 7600gt for $150-ish. I like how it doesn't require any external power sources. :)

[Mirsky]

I got a 7600gt for $150-ish. I like how it doesn't require any external power sources. :)

The 7600GS AGP version needs an external power source for it's AGP to PCIe converter.

[whuh?]

The 7600gt agp is the same about that as well.

[spartan]

Well, the PCI-E variant doesn't need any external power. :(

[Agent Law]

AGP doesn't provide as much mojo.

[Mirsky]

I know but the 7600 will be alot faster than his current 9550 and unless he's going to spend alot more on a new CPU, Motherboard and RAM ontop of buying a PCIe card then the 7600 will suffice for now.

[Agent Law]

I was speaking of power delivered through the port, but you make a good point anyway. :kak:

[whuh?]

if he say doesnt want to waste too much money that isnt his and wants to purchase now the 7600gs is the way to go. If you dont mind blowing the money for lots of power get the 7800gs. If you want to wait for the best deal, then wait for the 7600gt.

e- and a comparison of pcie to agp.

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=2814&p=3