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Name: x86-586
New graphics card again.
I just got another computer that I see to be more upgradeable then the Dell Dimension 3000 so I would like to work on this one for now.Dell Dimension 8200
2.0 GHz P4 / 400 MHz FSB
512Mb PC800 RD-RAM
64Mb NVIDIA Geforce4 MX 420 / AGP
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live 5.1 Surround Sound Edition
DVD-CD-RW Combo Drive
CD-RW Drive
40 GB 7200 RPM Western Digital
15 GB 5400 RPM Western Digital
I think that the CPU is getting out dated and I would like to upgrade it but not yet. I see the graphics card needing upgraded firstAm I wrong to think this?
For now I would like to upgrade the graphics card then in the future be able to keep the new graphics card and just upgrade RAM, CPU and Motherboard.I can currently run “Need for Speed Underground 2” on highest settings and it works flawlessly but “Doom 3”, “Doom 3: Resurrection of Evil” and “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas” Beryl run on lowest settings, so I see a problem.
I am still on a budget of $120 (USD) so I would like some advice on what to upgrade first and what to upgrade it to.Thank you for your time.
Sunset, expect
This to be your last with Our vast return
As Death is set
At three sixes where hill-beacons burnDarkness, undress
Your descending skirts yield a thirsting altar
Blood-
Upgrading the graphics card is certainly the wisest choice..The best bang for your buck card would be the 6600GT..The evga on newegg is $134.00 alittle over you limit..but if you shop around more you can find a better deal Im sure..Here is a link.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130001
Good Luck ;-)VeL
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$138.69 including shipping, that is a very nice card for the price.
Only problems I see is this:
System Requirements: Minimum of a 350 Watt power supply.
My current Power Supply is 200-250 watt (Dell) I dont know the exact rating becasue I havent cheched so im guessing.
I was looking at these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCompare.asp?CompareItemList=N82E16814150125,N82E16814161158&SubCategory=48
What do you think of them?
Are they worth the money?
will there still be a good increase in performance?
Sorry for all the questions but I'm curious to hear otheres facts and opinions. lol
Sunset, expect
This to be your last with Our vast return
As Death is set
At three sixes where hill-beacons burnDarkness, undress
Your descending skirts yield a thirsting altar
Blood-
0
I personally wouldnt waste my money on either of those two cards..The performance increase wont be worth the money you have to spend..You definitley would be better off getting a powersupply. You can get a good powersupply for 50bucks. If I was you I would just use that card you got untill you have the extra 50 bucks for the powersupply..
When you get it they are easy to install..so dont be concerned there..and you will be alot happier with your investment. I promise you if you get anything less than a 6600GT or a 9800pro you wont be happy..Just save your money..patience is a virtue. ;-)
VeL
0
Would it be a reall bad idea to get that graphics card first and use it untill I get a new power supply? (No more then a month)
Sunset, expect
This to be your last with Our vast return
As Death is set
At three sixes where hill-beacons burnDarkness, undress
Your descending skirts yield a thirsting altar
Blood-
0
Well If you just absolutley have to get a card. Since you have that situation with the powersupply and your budget..The best card you can get is this http://www.newegg.com/Product/CustratingReview.asp?item=N82E16814153012
Its a 9600xt this compares to a 6600"non"GT still alittle slower..but will run those games you mentioned ok. Best part will be its only 80bucks and you dont need a powersupply. If you buy this card you can expect to be able to play Doom 3 at medium settings..NFS and GTA at near full blast.
VeL
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Actually I just checked my supply of power supples and found a 300watt ATX P4 ready Power supply. If I used this one insted of the 200-250 in the dell do you think it would work long enough for me to get a new one?
Sunset, expect
This to be your last with Our vast return
As Death is set
At three sixes where hill-beacons burnDarkness, undress
Your descending skirts yield a thirsting altar
Blood-
0
High performance AGP cards like the 9800Pro & 6600GT must be plugged into the PSU, so if your's isn't putting out enough wattage/amperage, you're gonna run into problems. And since you have a Dell, it's very possible the PSU is proprietary so you may have to buy a Dell replacement PSU (cha-ching!). You can eliminate that problem by getting a card that doesn't require the plug-in...of course, your gaming experience might not be up to your expectations.
You could use more RAM too & RDRAM is fairly expensive. A 256MB PC800 stick goes for about $90 & they must be installed in pairs, so you'd be looking at $180 just to bring your RAM up to 1GB (provided the board has 4 slots)
This space for rent
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Its not so much that I have to get the card, its that every time I find a good deal they go out of stock before I get it and by the time its back in stock im not interested in that piticular card anymore. Plus I am a ver inpacent persion, I dont like to wait. lol
Sunset, expect
This to be your last with Our vast return
As Death is set
At three sixes where hill-beacons burnDarkness, undress
Your descending skirts yield a thirsting altar
Blood-
0
If it has at least 12amps you will be alright..IF..you unhook the power to that second 15gig hd and unhook your extra CDRW drive. This should free up just enough amps to get you by. You will be safe doing it this way..but dont connect anything else to it untill you get a bigger psu.
VeL
0
It says 15A, and the board does have 4 slots but I have 4 128Mb cards in it now.
I have already tryed this power supply and it works fine wich was a surpize to me, lol
Sunset, expect
This to be your last with Our vast return
As Death is set
At three sixes where hill-beacons burnDarkness, undress
Your descending skirts yield a thirsting altar
Blood-
0
Go ahead and get it then. I would still at least unhook those drives..until you get a good name brand powersupply. Good luck :-) Come back and let us know how it performs for you.
VeL
0
Well while I was waiting around I found this: http://extreme.outervision.com/index.jsp With my current setup but with the 6600GT they recoment I have 281 Watts or more so the 300 watt should be enough even with the extra drives right?
Sunset, expect
This to be your last with Our vast return
As Death is set
At three sixes where hill-beacons burnDarkness, undress
Your descending skirts yield a thirsting altar
Blood-
0
Those calculators don't take amperage into consideration & THAT is what really matters. And remember, when you see a rating such as 15A on the +12v rail, that is the max...& you certainly don't wanna be pulling 100% all the time, that's what causes PSU's to blow.
Unfortunately, the site you linked to doesn't allow "copy", so I suggest you go back to it & read what it says under ATTENTION:
"...the recommended minimum for +12v is 24A"
This space for rent
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This may sound like BS but in theary couldnt I some how mount a older AT power supply in the computer allso and power my drives on that and power supply and the rest off the ATX, It sounds complicated but I dont have to buy another power supply that way becasue I have plenty AT power supplys around. lol
Sunset, expect
This to be your last with Our vast return
As Death is set
At three sixes where hill-beacons burnDarkness, undress
Your descending skirts yield a thirsting altar
Blood-
0
The Dell psu will be just fine with a 6600GT, as they are very well built PSUs. Companies like Dell don't have the time to deal with lots of blown PSUs.
Up till recently, I've been running a highly overclocked X800XL AGP on a 230w (16 amps on the 12v) small form factor PSU in one of my "Cube-Shaped Movie Watching PCs"
It ran beautifully.
And last time I checked, 15 amps is only 1 less than 16. lol.
and btw, the computer had a DVD burner and 2 hard drives in her.
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"Companies like Dell don't have the time to deal with lots of blown PSUs."
LOL!
Maximize profit. Period. Ever opened a Dimension and looked at what's used?
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