New videocard... Help

[Xgthug]

Hey, I didn't build my computer,
so I don't know much about it.
I wanted to get a new videocard,
so if you guys could tell me which one would be best for me to get, then that'd help a lot.

Here's the only information on my computer I could get
off of a program I use:

CPU: 934 MHz GenuineIntel Pentium III
Memory: 256 MB

I can't figure out what my current videocard is,
because as I said, I didn't build my computer.
I've taken it apart many times to change modems & drives, and that's about it.
I'd really appreciate any help.

[Jeff]

They don't have AIDA32 anymore AFAIK, but there's this program called Everest which might be able to tell you what's in your system, then you can go from there.

[NutWrench]

Does your computer have an AGP slot? You would normally find it at the end of the row of PCI slots (towards the middle of the motherbord) and the slot is usually offset slightly and a different color.

I also recommend running Aida32 or Everest Home edition on your PC. You can use it to generate a report in HTML, then Zip it up and attach it to your next post. It would make it a lot easier to figure out what kind of hardware your computer xan support.

[Joonas]

jeffbthomson said:
They don't have AIDA32 anymore AFAIK, but there's this program called Everest which might be able to tell you what's in your system, then you can go from there.



AIDA32 still works, though, except it doesn't have the data on the latest hardware.

... and I just HATE Everest for stealing AIDA32 and making it a commercial product with more cons then pros! http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[Xgthug]

Here you go... I used Everest.

[Bludd]

You have an AGP port, but I'm not sure if any of the new AGP cards will work in your port. I think your card uses 3.3v and the new cards use 1.5v

Anyway, your computer is so slow that you shouldn't buy a high-end videocard. The best fit for your computer would be something mid- to low-end. You'll end up being CPU limited in virtually any game you will play. You should just get a new computer instead. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Xgthug]

Bludd - You should just get a new computer instead.


Ok, they're just so expensive, and it hardly seems worth it since they're just going to be outdated in a few years, though.
That's exactly what happend with my computer now.

I'd like to just build my own computer,
using as many parts from the old computer as possible. Hopefully that'd save some money.

[dark_angel]

The right thing to do is to sell this one and build a new PC from scratch.

Upgrading an old P3 is just useless...

The gain in performance will be highly limited by your CPU/RAM/and your FSB wich is 133 MHZ.

P.S: I guess Jimbob has the same specs as yours and he has a Geforce 6800 installed in there http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif!

[Bludd]

Yeah, build it. I don't buy prebuilt desktop computers.

If your case is big enough and good enough, you can keep it. I bet you will need a new PSU (get a good one with enough wattage and then some, this is pretty important and may save you some headache in the future), motherboard, CPU, RAM, videocard and possibly soundcard. I would also recommend getting a new harddrive(s)

If you get a new case and stuff, you could use your old one as a server or video encoder or something. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

jimbob has a 6800 paired with a P3? Geez, that's a lot of wasted power..

[Xgthug]

Exactly how much would this all cost?

[Bludd]

Xgthug said:
Exactly how much would this all cost?



It all depends. http://forums.3drealms.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Anyway, if you don't want to get all new stuff, you could find out if your AGP port supports the new cards and get a low-end Geforce 6 or ATI x-series.

[DudeMiester]

Genreally speaking you can get an acceptable CPU/mobo/RAM/vid/PSU for around $1000CDN. You can probably keep the case as long as it's ATX and not some custom job, and same with the HDs/DVDs/CD-ROMs/mouse/keyboard/speakers/etc

[TerminX]

Bludd said:jimbob has a 6800 paired with a P3? Geez, that's a lot of wasted power..


Aye. Complete waste. Video card would be worth more than the computer..

[Phait]

Well you can build a good computer (subjective) for about $500. My dads was in that range and it runs games well enough. The card could be better, and more RAM - but I'm pleased with it. (Half-Life 2 / Far Cry run quite fine, Doom 3 OK but could be much better)

If you want top-of-the-line then you're spending at least $1000.

[Hudson]

Yeah man, it's not what you wanted to hear.. but if you're going to have to build a new PC if you really want to get decent performance.

Depending on how much you want to spend, you should be able to get an Athlon XP system relatively cheap now.

[Evil Angel]

A new computer is the sensible way to go. It's probably not as expensive as you might think as long as you stick mid range.