hi
i have just purchased my first ever PC game - Harry Potter - quidditch world cup - but it wont play on my PC. I have a 'ATI technologies 3D rage pro agp 2x' but the system requirements are for a '16MB D3D with directx8.1 or higher compatible'. My computer only has a port for a PCi card - so im assuming i need a video and graphics card that will fit into my PCI slot. Please can someone advise on a good one?

I will suggest a card but first i will give you some advice. The PCI interface is severly outdated for graphics and whilst you will get away with playing this game i can assure you that many other games will not play well on it. For a worthwhile upgrade i would suggest buying a whole new computer. But like me, some people do not have the cash, so here is my recommendation:

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=8125056391&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=91364

Its an inexpensive upgrade and so you will not feel bad about upgrading it in the near future and should also play some newish games if you need it to.

Matt

www.bbcomputing.co.uk

matt@bbcomputing.co.uk

hi
thanks ever so much. I agree with you about the new computer. I had a decent one up to 6 months ago when it was stolen in a burglary, and at the moment I cant afford a new one. The one i have at the moment I literally got 3 weeks ago from my dads work who were getting rid of a load of them.
Thanks again

If you have an AGP 2x ATI card then you also have an AGP slot, right?

Zee.

AMD Athlon 2800+ barton @ 12.5 X 176 : 2200mhz
512Mb Corsair RAM
MSI KT6 Delta mobo
Leadtek AGP 6600 gt 128Mb
120Gb Seagate HDD

hi

No - thats the bit that keeps getting me confused - my PC only has a PCi slot - but have the cards on the market seem to have both words AGP and PCI in the title, even though theyre either AGP or PCI

'ATI technologies 3D rage pro agp 2x'

I believe that's onboard video. Even though you only have PCI slots, the onboard can actually run on the AGP bus. Whatever you get, make sure the memory is 128-bit, stay away from 64-bit cards. 128MB is fine, 256MB is a waste of money. DX9 support would be nice, but it's not absolutely necessary.

If you're willing to take a chance on a refurbed model, have a look at this FX5200 128MB/128-bit PCI card for $50:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145055R

Or for $67, the FX5700LE is even better:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814140041R

Either of these cards is better than the Radeon 9250 that was suggested by Taunet.

Asus A7N8X-X
1800+ @ 8.5 x 200MHz
768MB PC3200
Asus A9550 128MB/128-bit
Gamer Edition
WinME/WinXP Pro

well since pci is the route, I'd say go with the 5700le, I personally own and use that card. Its not an into the future card but, I myself was greatly suprised at the actual performance the card offers. ALTHOUGH obviously pails in comparison to its agp counter part but hell, us budgeters need to game too. I just bought GTA San andreas myself, it plays it with every setting on high at 800x600 resolution, as well as can play The Sims 2 with every setting to the top except anti aliasing (that has to be at medium). I'm not firmiliar with the current game your trying to play so I'd say give her a try. I believe its not a very high mantinance game myself. but without knowing your current ram/processor speed I have no idea how you'll be able to run the game.most people recomend 1 gig of ram for gaming but I think thats abit overkill for the games your interested in, 512mb should do, but I use 768mb myself so I'm not sure. Though 256mb would probably be pushing it since windows itself uses about that much (they say 128mb...)unless your using 98/me.

Best of luck
Doug

"Its not an into the future card"

Show me a PCI card that is. ;-)

"most people recomend 1 gig of ram for gaming"

I recommend 1 gig for avid gamers, or anyone who can afford it and play games that it makes a difference. Lock On Modern Air Combat IS one of those games it doesn't really matter who you are - enthusiast or just want to play this particular game - it runs WAY better on a gig than 512M.

Some games like HL2 don't require it, but it certainly runs noticeably better. It's very much like debating between Jam's favorite 9550 128-bit Radeon video card, and an Nvidia 6600GT. The 6600GT is NICE, but not necessary.

However, for new system builds, with RAM prices where they are now, in my opinion it's rather silly to consider 512M when 1 gig kits are easily found for $75 or less, whether you need it now or not. What always entertains me are people who spend $50 to go from say an Athlon 64 3000 to an Athlon 64 3200, but get 512M of RAM instead of a gig. Put in that perspective, general recommendations for a gig of ram make sense. ;-)

256M vs. 512M in XP? I don't care who you are, what you're doing on your PC, you WILL see a difference between the two! ;-) Translation: GET MORE RAM! :-)

"President Bush is doing everything he can to lower gas prices, including...making the oil companies so rich that maybe they'll get sick of money."

hello...=)
we are currently in process of upgrading our PC specs, can you guys help me pick the best video card but not too costly that can support for 3d gaming graphics.... i need to run half life 2, world of warcraft, halo and other high graphics games. Here are the boards that i have....
1. intel i915 PGN PCI-E Sata
2. ASUS P4PE-X/TE
3. ASUS A7V8X-X
4. ECS P4X400 -8235
5. ECS KT600-A
6. ECS K7 AMA3

Hoping you can help me...thanks!

:*mwah!

I think you should start a new thred for that ^

Zee.

AMD Athlon 2800+ barton @ 12.5 X 176 : 2200mhz
512Mb Corsair RAM
MSI KT6 Delta mobo
Leadtek AGP 6600 gt 128Mb
120Gb Seagate HDD