Need help choosing a video card

[scytheye]

Hi all

I am trying to play Oblivion but I'm limited by my motherboard I think.
Here's what I have:

Motherboard Chipset Intel Lakeport-G i945G
Video Adapter Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family (256 MB)

I don't think I have a PCI Express 2.0 slot, but I'm certain I have at least a PCI express slot of some sort.
On another forum, they recommended "at least a geforce 9500 GT or a Radeon 4650". I bought the lower end Diamond Radeon HD 4650 and Vista 32 wouldn't recognize the hardware - but it did give me a crappier display! I'm taking it back and want to get one that will work.

What video card can I buy that will run this game and that Vista will understand is new hardware?

Thanks in advance!

 

[87dtna]

What is your exact motherboard brand and model?

Oh and what kind of budget $ for the card do you have?

Ah one more thing what power supply do you have?

 

[scytheye]

Motherboard: EliteGroup 945GCT-M (V1.0) looks like this: (actually on mine it doesn't say pciex16, it says pci express but essentially it is the same image)

Budget: $100 max

Power Supply: model dps-300pb-3a (manufacturer unknown)

I purchased the pc from a local big box, called micro center. It is a "v201 powerspec" - in case that isn't enough info above.

 

[87dtna]

Given your power supply and only having a x16 1.0 slot on the board, I'm gonna recommend an 8600gts AND a power supply upgrade.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143101

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171031


The 8600gts is more powerful than a 9500gt, and is designed for a 1.0 slot so it's gauranteed to work with your hardware. The power supply is cheap, but decent. More than enough for your setup.

 

[scytheye]

Fixed it

I used the same card but just upgraded the power supply to 400W. It works now, lol. Thanks for the suggestions tho-

 

[87dtna]

What do you mean same card? The one you already had? Or the one I mentioned the 8600gts?

400w PSU is enough, I just was giving plenty of headroom for possible future upgrades.

 

[spynoodle]

What do you mean same card? The one you already had? Or the one I mentioned the 8600gts?

400w PSU is enough, I just was giving plenty of headroom for possible future upgrades.

I think since he said that it worked "now," he just finally got his Radeon HD 4650 to work, after he got a new 400w power supply.

 

[87dtna]

Oh LOL, I assumed he had already taken it back.

 

[spynoodle]

Oh LOL, I assumed he had already taken it back.

Weird scenario overall, though. Vista doesn't detect it and it's a PSU issue. if it was a PSU issue you'd usually look for something like his computer randomly shutting down and then exploding or something.