Thinking about upgrading my video card.

chrislo

chrislo

New Member
Well here's my problem, originally I planned to build myself a new gaming machine by this time. However I am saving for a car so building myself a new computer has taken a back seat until after I purchase my car (Summer 2010) but I really want to play Call of Duty World at War and Modern Warfare 2. Problem is this computer is too old to play these games, I tried installing World at War but the game doesn't install. I checked and learned my video card is outdated.

So I was wondering if it's possible to upgrade my video card. I want to get another year and a half out of this computer, by then I should be able to afford to build myself a new machine. I would like to spend $300 or less on this purchase, and I would like if the video card can at least play these games at mid-level graphic settings. So what do you guys recommend? If you need to know my computers spec's just read my signature. Thanks.

BTW, my computer also has a TV Card I don't know if that effects anything. However I don't use that function on this computer anymore.
 
does your computer have agp or pci-e? if its agp then the best graphics card you can get is a Geforce 7950 or 7800 and it will cost you over $100 on ebay (or possibly some other online retailer). if your computer is pci-e then i recommend you get a Geforce 9500 with ddr2 ram. my cousin bought one at a computer store for only $50 a year ago. it runs all games with video settings turned up moderately at worst.
actually your computer seems really fast and if i were you i would buy a geforce 8800/9800/260/280 and plan on keeping it a while (assuming its pci-e).
 
Destructo said:
does your computer have agp or pci-e? if its agp then the best graphics card you can get is a Geforce 7950 or 7800 and it will cost you over $100 on ebay (or possibly some other online retailer). if your computer is pci-e then i recommend you get a Geforce 9500 with ddr2 ram. my cousin bought one at a computer store for only $50 a year ago. it runs all games with video settings turned up moderately at worst.
actually your computer seems really fast and if i were you i would buy a geforce 8800/9800/260/280 and plan on keeping it a while (assuming its pci-e).
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Thank for your input, that would be great if I can get a video card like that for so cheap. However are you sure the video cards you mentioned can handle Modern Warfare 2? I know the game isn't out but I am unaware of the spec's. About the motherboard is it possible to know what kind of slots I have without opening the tower? If I have to I will open the tower and take a look but I wanted to know if an easier way exist. :P

Thanks again. :D
 
Well, that ATI Radeon card is simply amazing. Now from that to if it will work in your computer and if you have a good enough power supply I don't know. Instead of going with 9800 GTX, go with a 250 GTS.
 
Thanks, I need to figure out what kind of power source I am using. It's been so long I don't even remember the motherboard this computer is using. :o

Anyone know how I can find this information without opening my tower, right now I am really busy and don't have the time to open it.
 
Well to find out what kind of motherboard you have you can download CPU-Z for the PSU you will have to open the case. I already know you will need a new PSU even a brand new DELL computer PSU can't handle new graphics cards much less one from 3 years ago. Also we need to know if you motherboard has a PCIe slot(you should be able to find this on CPU-Z) if not then your graphics card selection will be very limited.
 
I'm running myself a Dell XPS too. If your set up is anything like mine, you will have a pci-e slot and a passable PSU. Don't try to go higher than the 4850/GTS250. You're most likely running the 460w version. There's a 600w or something out there, but they're hard to find, and its your only upgrade path as the XPS uses a proprietary PSU. Then again, seeing as how you're bottlenecked severely by your CPU (I'm in the same boat buddy) even a mid-range card won't be used to its potential. However if you do go ahead and get the mid-range card, it should still be worthwhile to hang onto for your new computer when you get around to building it, and it certainly won't hurt in the meantime.
 
To find out what slot you have, download GPU-z. It'll tell you everything you need to know about your card. As for the PSU, you'll have to open the case and have a look. It's not the wattage that matters too much, it's the amps.
 
Fatback said:
Well to find out what kind of motherboard you have you can download CPU-Z for the PSU you will have to open the case. I already know you will need a new PSU even a brand new DELL computer PSU can't handle new graphics cards much less one from 3 years ago. Also we need to know if you motherboard has a PCIe slot(you should be able to find this on CPU-Z) if not then your graphics card selection will be very limited.
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Oh good, thanks for the information. I downloaded that software and copied the data I will post the information to this thread. On the PSU if I upgrade it will it be simple? Or do I have to change all the wiring?

CardboardSword said:
I'm running myself a Dell XPS too. If your set up is anything like mine, you will have a pci-e slot and a passable PSU. Don't try to go higher than the 4850/GTS250. You're most likely running the 460w version. There's a 600w or something out there, but they're hard to find, and its your only upgrade path as the XPS uses a proprietary PSU. Then again, seeing as how you're bottlenecked severely by your CPU (I'm in the same boat buddy) even a mid-range card won't be used to its potential. However if you do go ahead and get the mid-range card, it should still be worthwhile to hang onto for your new computer when you get around to building it, and it certainly won't hurt in the meantime.
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Thanks, think you can give me some links to the cards you recommended? I also guess the cards I posted links to won't work on my setup. I really want to go with the best possible card because I will be pissed if I go with a crappy card and this computer can't play Modern Warfare 2. I had no idea my processor was so handicapped, I guess thats because it's pre dual core.

Kornowski said:
To find out what slot you have, download GPU-z. It'll tell you everything you need to know about your card. As for the PSU, you'll have to open the case and have a look. It's not the wattage that matters too much, it's the amps.
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Yea I am going to open the tower and take a look, for now I will post the results from GPU-z. Thanks for your help. :)
 
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Here is the data from CPU-z:

CPU
CPU.jpg


Mainboard "Motherboard"
Mainboard.jpg


Graphics
Graphics.jpg


Memory
Memory.jpg


Caches
Caches.jpg


SPD
SPD.jpg
 
Looks like you have PCIe X16 which is good I am trying to find a card for your needs but first I need to know what your budget is and it would help if I new more about your PSU if you could give a model number or something so we could look it up that would help a lot. Right now I'm thinking you might have to go with a 4670 because I'm not sure you PSU will be able to handle a 4830/4850. Since you PSU is no a stranded size it will be hard to find a replacement upgrade and will probably cost a good bit.
 
Fatback said:
Looks like you have PCIe X16 which is good I am trying to find a card for your needs but first I need to know what your budget is and it would help if I new more about your PSU if you could give a model number or something so we could look it up that would help a lot. Right now I'm thinking you might have to go with a 4670 because I'm not sure you PSU will be able to handle a 4830/4850. Since you PSU is no a stranded size it will be hard to find a replacement upgrade and will probably cost a good bit.
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Well my budget will be around $300. The PSU I will check myself later today when I get a chance. I had no idea my PSU was so rare, hopefully it won't handicap me. :(
 
chrislo said:
Well my budget will be around $300. The PSU I will check myself later today when I get a chance. I had no idea my PSU was so rare, hopefully it won't handicap me. :(
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There is no doubt you PSU will handicap you if you have $300 to spend then you could get a new mobo, CPU, PSU, case and GPU something like this.

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147124

Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128342

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688

GPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102842

PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189014

for now use your same RAM, Hard drive, and CD/DVD drive

You should download windows 7RC to put on the new system because once you switch you hard drive to the new system windows will most likely not work any more. Use your same RAM for now but as soon as you get an extra $30 make sure you order some new RAM something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134488. Or you can keep your curren't CPU, motherboard, CD/DVD drive, and hard drive and just get a new case new power supply and GPU and maybe some RAM
 
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Fatback said:
There is no doubt you PSU will handicap you if you have $300 to spend then you could get a new mobo, CPU, PSU, case and GPU something like this.

Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147124

Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128342

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688

GPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102842

PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817189014

for now use your same RAM, Hard drive, and CD/DVD drive

You should download windows 7RC to put on the new system because once you switch you hard drive to the new system windows will most likely not work any more. Use your same RAM for now but as soon as you get an extra $30 make sure you order some new RAM something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134488. Or you can keep your curren't CPU, motherboard, CD/DVD drive, and hard drive and just get a new case new power supply and GPU and maybe some RAM
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I really don't want to get into the complexity of building a new computer right now, I wanted to wait until I get get the proper funds and build a high end deal. Right now I am only looking for an extension until I can afford it.
 
The best thing to do is get a new Case which will allow you to get a new Power supply which will allow you to get a better graphics card. Other wise just get a 4670 because with that PSU you can't handle any more then that.
 
Fatback said:
The best thing to do is get a new Case which will allow you to get a new Power supply which will allow you to get a better graphics card. Other wise just get a 4670 because with that PSU you can't handle any more then that.
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It's too much, I just want to pop in a new video card. So I will consider a 4670, can you please give me a link?

charles624 said:
With 300$ buy an Xbox 360 :P
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I have an Xbox 360 and I prefer to play with a keyboard and mouse.

BTW here is what I could find on my power supply, it was very hard to read the tag since the power supply was in the base of the tower and I couldn't pull the base far enough away from the tower to read the tag well because of the short cables. Here is what the tag said:

460 Watts
5 Volts/35 Amps
12 Volts/17 Amps
5 VFP/20 Amps
12 Volts/17 Amps
12 Volts/ .8 Amps
3.3 Volts/40 Amps

Output 32 Amps

It also says output power shall not exceed 240 watts.
 
chrislo said:
It's too much, I just want to pop in a new video card. So I will consider a 4670, can you please give me a link?

BTW here is what I could find on my power supply, it was very hard to read the tag since the power supply was in the base of the tower and I couldn't pull the base far enough away from the tower to read the tag well because of the short cables. Here is what the tag said:

460 Watts
5 Volts/35 Amps
12 Volts/17 Amps
5 VFP/20 Amps
12 Volts/17 Amps
12 Volts/ .8 Amps
3.3 Volts/40 Amps

Output 32 Amps

It also says output power shall not exceed 240 watts.
Click to expand...

That makes me think it is only a 240w power supply which worries me because if it is a don't think it will even power a 4670 do you have a specific model number for your XPS.

Here is a link to the 4670s any one will work just read the reviews to make sure it's ok.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...n=4670&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&srchInDesc=
 
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