Video Card upgrade

Hello there,

I need you guys help choosing a video card, i havnt bought one since the radeon 8500 came out.
The p.c i have isnt the most powerfull so i didnt want to buy a card with more grunt than my pc can utilise so here is my specs:-

SiSoftware Sandra

System
Host Name : CHIRS-57AA63D04
User : Administrator
Workgroup : WORKGROUP

Processor
Model : Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz
Speed : 2.79GHz
Cores per Processor : 1 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 2 Unit(s)
Internal Data Cache : 16kB Synchronous, Write-Thru, 8-way set, 64 byte line size, 2 lines per sector
L2 On-board Cache : 1MB ECC Synchronous, ATC, 8-way set, 64 byte line size, 2 lines per sector

Mainboard
Bus(es) : X-Bus PCI PCIe IMB USB i2c/SMBus
MP Support : 1 Processor(s)
MP APIC : Yes
System BIOS : Dell Inc. A03
System : Dell Inc. Dell DV051
Mainboard : Dell Inc. 0JC474
Total Memory : 247MB DDR2-SDRAM (upgrading to 515mb)

Chipset 1
Model : Dell Computer Corp 82915G/GV/GL/P/PL/GL/910GE/GL Grantsdale Host Bridge/DRAM Controller
Front Side Bus Speed : 4x 200MHz (800MHz data rate)
Total Memory : 256MB DDR2-SDRAM
Memory Bus Speed : 4x 133MHz (532MHz data rate)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor/Panel : Plug and Play Monitor
Adapter : Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family

Physical Storage Devices
Removable Drive : Floppy disk drive
Hard Disk : WDC WD400BD-75MRA1 (37GB)
CD-ROM/DVD : LITE-ON CD-ROM LTN-4891S (CD 40X Rd)

Logical Storage Devices
Hard Disk (C : 37GB (16GB, 43% Free Space) (NTFS)
Audio CD (D : 0 byte(s) (CDFS)
3.5" 1.44MB (A : N/A

Peripherals
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM USB Universal Host Controller - 2658
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM USB Universal Host Controller - 2659
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM USB Universal Host Controller - 265A
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM USB Universal Host Controller - 265B
USB Controller/Hub : Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 265C
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub : USB Root Hub
Keyboard : HID Keyboard Device
Mouse : HID-compliant mouse
Human Interface : USB Human Interface Device
Human Interface : USB Human Interface Device

Power Management
Mains (AC) Line Status : On-Line

Operating System(s)
Windows System : Microsoft Windows XP/2002 Professional 5.01.2600 (Service Pack 2)
Platform Compliance : Win32 x86

Network Services
Adapter : Intel(R) PRO/100 VE Network Connection

Performance Tips
Notice 5901 : CD 1x= 150kB/s; Exercise caution when comparing measured versus published ratings.
Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip.

What would be the best card that my pc can take. Im not fussy about
NVidia or Radeon (unless i should be?)I want the most powrfull one that my pc can utilise.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated,

Thanks

Adey

 

How much video memory does your present card have? I'd guess 64MB. I see you have 256MB of RAM. Depending on what you do with your computer, I think adding more memory might be a more cost-effective upgrade.

 

At the moment it just using intels on-board chipset, i dunno the memory
of it but id be suprised if it is bigger than 64 like you said.

Im planning on upgrading the memory to 512mb, would 512 be enough
to house a good gaming card? Buy good i mean playing games like
half-life 2,doom 3 that kinda spec, i dont expect this pc ever to play brand new games.

Hope this clarifys

Adey

 

Well, I'm not a gamer, so I can't give very specific advise here. 512MB of RAM will definitely be much better than 256MB. If you can say how much you're willing to spend on a video card, that would be helpful to anyone reading this thread. If you're in the U.S., newegg.com has some EVGA brand video cards with rebate offers in effect until 1/31/08; take a look here.

 

If you plan on playing any newer games, like less than 2 or 3 years old, 512mb is really not enough. At least 1gb RAM (preferably more) with a good video card is highly recommended. Some good budget video cards are the NVidia 7600's, the ATI 1600 or 1650 series, and the newer low end 8400/8600 NVidia cards are OK too, as are the ATI 2400 (or is it 2600?). I think I have these numbers right, but it's hard to remember at midnight, I've been going since 6am.... I think it's time for bed :wave :zzz :zzz

 

Like the previous poster said, get at least 1Gb of RAM if possible. I am guessing you have a PCI E video slot. If you do, I have had good results from the ATI 3850 card.

E

 

you might need more than you think to upgrade. with only 16gb free hd space, you might be able to install one or two "newer" games. Also, most new games come on dvds not cd, and it appears that you don't have a dvd-rom. I would seriously look for alternatives before putting anymore money into this one. I've found new upgradable pc's in stores for under $500(US). Most will even play the newer games without any upgrades.

 

Wow great responses!!

Ive just installed a Phillips DVD-rw, and im planning on getting more ram.
tbo i was just curious as too how far this PC would upgrade too, given the processer and mobo, slightley hypathetical i suppose.

So lets say i install 1gig of ram, and free up space on my internal HD (i have 160gb external also to transfer files too)

Basically what im asking, could my pc take a 'next gen' vid card if i upgraded other components or would i need a more modern cpu/mobo setup to accomodate?

Sorry for draggin this out, im just clueless nowadays,

Adey

 

Sry for double posting but...

Ive just realised i have a pci-e 1x not a pci-e 16x, from what ive read video cards only work in the 16x version, it says that 1x is for raid cards, is this right? My only option then would be pci, which is older than agp so that would be a complete waste of time wouldnt it?

My bubble is looking very burstable at this present time!

Should i just forget the idea?

thanks
Adey

 

Do you have an AGP slot? Not too sure what is out for AGP these days but it should be much better than onboard. Honestly I would save up a bit and build a new one with a Intell dual core Conroe. You could use your old case and maybe the hard drives. You would most likely want to upgrade the power supply unit.

E