Graphics Card Upgrade

Hey guys!

My graphics card has just gone up in smoke! It recently overheated and now it's given me a reason to finally upgrade. Unfortunately i merely have basic knowledge about the world of computers and the evolution of graphics cards and what not. I would be eternally grateful if anyone has any recommendations for what card i should get. I'm looking for a card less than 150, and hopefully can support COD MW2. i know it's a long shot but maybe there's a miracle card out there. haha

Here are my computer specs:

Pentium 4 3 Ghz
80 GB hard drive
Blown graphics card
1024mb DDR2 RAM x2
Windows XP Professional with SP2

Let me know if there's other bits of information needed. And thank you for all your help!

IF... save the money, buy a new driver and watch MW2 at gameshops

lol! sounds good to me too! but i think i've bought all the clubs i can already and now i'm concentrating on getting better! the adams pro gold 20* hybrid with the ozik shaft is super tempting though..

bro, i think it's time to upgrade the whole computer....
esp if u are playing those PC games...

I agree with JT... if you want a machine to support MW2 properly, I would surely recommend a complete PC revamp. If you just swap gfx cards, you'll still be held back (and significantly held back) by the lack of processing power and 1MB RAM.

ahh those are the dreaded words i was hoping i wouldn't have to hear.. haha how fast do processors go these days? and i have 2GB of RAM. alright maybe scrap MW2, but maybe older games like Crysis?

I think most games these days need at least 1GB of RAM but run much better with 4GB of RAM. But then again, I'm not in the know these days. I've converted to a Mac user... and have been for 2+ years now.

if for purely gaming purposes, amd base would be better choice - cheaper then intel base..

u might need those core2 dual cpu, 4GB ddr3 at least, 250GB HDD, etc.... and of course those ddr3 256MB graphics card at least.. (sorry, i very long nvr see liao, might be out of date...)

hmmm looks like i have to start saving to build a computer soon! haha

and am i right to say graphics card with DDR3 RAM require my system to support DDR3 RAM? cos i think mine's only DDR2..

and thanks for all the feedback and advice so far mates. appreciate it!

ironfist wrote:

hmmm looks like i have to start saving to build a computer soon! haha

and am i right to say graphics card with DDR3 RAM require my system to support DDR3 RAM? cos i think mine's only DDR2..

and thanks for all the feedback and advice so far mates. appreciate it!

Don't think so. I think the mobo RAM is different from your gfx card RAM.

that's great! maybe i'll just get the card first and if it isn't helping my system much then i'll get the whole thing upgraded. haha

thinking of getting the Radeon HD 4850 512MB DDR3.
hardwarezone prices it at around $170..

ironfist wrote:

that's great! maybe i'll just get the card first and if it isn't helping my system much then i'll get the whole thing upgraded. haha

thinking of getting the Radeon HD 4850 512MB DDR3.
hardwarezone prices it at around $170..

Best to check with the store to see if your PC supports it. There are many instances where the gfx card is great but its use is severely limited by an under-powered PC. So, you may be spending money on something which may not give you the performance you expect... not because the gfx card is bad but because your PC isn't great.

bro ironfist.... the graphics card nowadays actually slot in either the PCIe or PCIX if i am not wrong... not the DDR3 memory slot... totally diff...

can go to sim lim to buy those ready made system but without OS, u can the OS n office SW from yr current system. (but remb yr old system will not be able to use, if not got license issue)

cheers..

ohh so like can't run both OS on both computers at the same time lah? haha

yeah if i do get a new system i'll just get the case, processor, motherboard, graphics card and hard drive. the rest i'll just salvage..

thanks ah guys.. this forum damn shiok. haha

ironfist wrote:

ohh so like can't run both OS on both computers at the same time lah? haha

yeah if i do get a new system i'll just get the case, processor, motherboard, graphics card and hard drive. the rest i'll just salvage..

thanks ah guys.. this forum damn shiok. haha

u r rite bro, can reuse whatever u can....

sim lim do sell those "bare system" i think they have <600 bucks tht comes with casing/psu with Motherboard, ram, cpu, hdd, graphics, DVDRW drive( u may reuse)

other then tht, i think u r cover almost everything liao...

depends on what games u are playing.....PS3 maybe the better option.

for video cards, usually the new models require newer spec motherboards, which in turn can support faster RAM and can only support newer CPU.....upgraded many times liao, and everytime ended up with new MB, RAM and CPU. Only really salvage my HD, PSU, Casing and CD/DVD roms.

btw to really know what to upgrade, need to know ur motherboard brand & model.

personally i don't like consoles cos i prefer the feel and sensitivity of the mouse.

thanks jt i'll definitely go check out simlim soon. i just blew some cash on a pair of specs so i gotta cool off for a bit first though.. haha and anyway even if i don't salvage anything all in all a badass system would cost abt 1000 at simlim? hate it how technology progresses so fast.. can't every game have the system requirements of worms II!

and thanks for the reply tronos. my motherboard manufacturer is Dell and Model is 0J8885. dunno what those numbers mean.. haha

IF, I too thought like you at first but having played COD:MW, KZ2, R:FOM, BF, GOW, Halo etc on my consoles, I've realized that playing without a mouse isn't a fatal thing. In fact, you get a lot of control with the console controller and the game is just, if not more, fun

More importantly ironfist bro, do u know the specs of your comp?

what's your Processor, i think i saw you have 2gm ram, and previously what graphics card were you using?
From there then maybe easier to see what new card is better for u, and whether got chance to get birdie chance for COD:MW2

lol MW2 would feel more like a double eagle lah! haha

thanks for the reply dranixx. processor name is Intel Pentium 4 3.00GHz and i was using an ATI Radeon X600 256MB graphics card.

and yeah maybe i'll give PS3 a go one day tspaz.. i've been lusting for Assasin's Creed II! lol and who knows? maybe sony will come up with keyboard/mouse firmware compatibility one day..

i googled ur model number - good thing with Dell is though they claim the customer can customize the PC to their liking, they are still based on some basic specs:

<<< System Summary >>>

> Manufacturer : Dell Dimension DIM5100
> Mainboard : Dell 0J8885
> Chipset : Intel i945G/GZ
> Processor : Intel Pentium 4 531J @ 3000 MHz
> Physical Memory : 2560 MB
> Video Card : ATI Technologies Inc Radeon X600 Series***
> Hard Disk : WDC (80 GB)
> DVD-Rom Drive : HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GWA4164B
> CD-Rom Drive : HL-DT-ST CDRW/DVD GCC4482
> Network Card : Intel Corporation 82801GB I/O Controller Hub LAN
> Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 5.01.2600 Service Pack 2
> DirectX : Version 9.0c (December 2007)


Not sure if u've updated to Windows Vista on your own yet - but basis the little info that we have, yes i think the ATI HD4850 is a good choice
Though some may argue that ur comp is slightly on the old side, so might not need so good card - so maybe u see what a few of your other ultra-tech-savvy friend's opinion, but some good choices of cards that definitely fit ur budget and may save u a bit to put into your PS3 fund are:
MSI R4650 512MB DDR2 Tv-Out/DVI..............118
MSI R4670 512MB DDR3 Tv-Out/DVI..............135

or as a nVidia alternative (some people very strong loyalty to ATI):
Leadtek PX9600GT 512MB DDR3 S-Fanpipe.....139

The brands of the graphics cards itself is up to ur own liking (i.e. Asus, MSI, XFX, PowerColor etc)

oh wow. that is really detailed. thanks so much for taking the time bro. you really know your stuff!

and that's my system! i haven't changed to Vista cos i think it hogs up too much memory. wah so strange how all my system info up there.. haha

great i shall go for the 4850 then since it isn't a big jump pricewise from the 4650. can't wait to get to sim lim and get the card now! haha

and thanks guys once again, for all your advice. don't know what i'd do without you ppl.

Always a pleasure dude.
Didn't take alot of time, i have been looking to upgrade too, so had some of the info handy.
I'm personally waiting for Windows 7 to come out, then i'll buy a new bigger hard-disk and get the new windows and finally leave Windows XP behind.

Fwooar... that's a really detailed explanation with great suggestions. Awesome response, dran1xx

oh i was doing some research and read that direct-x 11 compatible graphics cards are gonna be out this year! so i guess that should drop the prices of the direct-x 10 cards.