Thinking about updating graphics card...

ID:181980
 
Apr 13 2009, 10:30 am
I hope someone here can shine some light on the small problem I'm having.

Basically, for my birthday, I want to get a cheap but pretty good new graphics card. Now, the one I currently have is a 256MB nVIDIA GeForce 8600GT. I'd like a card with the exact, or as close as possible, size so that it can fit into my Inspiron 530 case. I'm not sure if I my power supply is big enough for any sort of upgrade but it's 300 Watts. The processor is an Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.33GHz. I have 4GB of RAM but the 32-bit os only read 3.25.

Maybe if I upgrade my processor instead it will make the graphics card work faster? If so, I can do that.

My price range would probably be around $100-$200. Thanks in advance.
Apr 13 2009, 12:19 pm
$100-$200 will get you a fairly decent graphics card :) I got my ASUS AH3450 256MB 128-bit AGP 8X card for about $70 and it worked like a charm (until my motherboard decided to kick the bucket for unknown reasons). 300W should be plenty for a 256MB graphics card.

Unfortunately, upgrading the CPU won't have much affect on the speed at which your GPU runs. That all depends on the motherboard and bus speed you have (that ###-bit number aside from the speed of the card i.e. 128-bit, 64-bit, 256-bit). A 1GB GPU that has only 64-bit bus speed (I highly doubt they make those...) will work pretty much just as fast/efficient as a 256MB GPU with 128-bit bus speed.

Also note, Windows XP x32 will only register a maximum of 3GB to 3.5GB of RAM (depending...) I think Windows XP x64 can register up to 8GB? (don't quote me on that)

Now to ask the questions...
What density (eg 256MB, 512MB, 1GB) and kind (eg PCI, AGP, PCIe 1X, PCIe 16X) of GPU would you like? It would also help to know what purpose you'd need the graphics card for (the most popular reason being 'gaming').
Apr 13 2009, 12:59 pm
A C2D 2.3GHz should have no problem keeping up with a better graphics card. I'd suggest the 9800GT, for your need.
Apr 13 2009, 2:38 pm
In response to Alathon
Would this one do well?

Linky: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187030

I'm not getting this for hardcore gaming. I currently mainly play Runescape and my current graphics card has some trouble running the maxed high details. I am quite sure this would do the job nicely. I also play some other, bigger games, such as GTAIV and Prince of Persia.

I'm just a bit iffy about this one. Great price, seems like a great offer, but it's made by Sparkle? Anyone with good knowledge mind checking this out for me?

Also, how can I check if I can fit it into my computer. I wouldn't want to run into that problem.
Apr 13 2009, 2:48 pm
In response to Spunky_Girl
I don't know the exact specs either, but I'm near-positive it can hold more than that.
Apr 13 2009, 4:44 pm
In response to Jeff8500
32 bit OS means it can only address 32 bits worth of memory.

2^32 = 4 GB address space shared between CPU and GPU and anything else the OS needs to address as memory.

64 bit OS -> 2^64 = 17 179 869 184 GB of address space. Quite a bit more and it should last us a good long while (hopefully).

As per the graphics card, I agree with the notion of the 9800.
Apr 13 2009, 4:45 pm
In response to Stupot
Typically a 64 bit OS has a virtual limit, though, and there is no system currently in existence that could fit that much RAM.
Apr 15 2009, 12:05 pm
In response to DisturbedSixx
I've looked around a bit and I've realized my 300W psu isn't going to cut it for the card I want (link in previous post). I need help getting the right psu that can power the card (I think a 500W should do good) and fit exactly into my case. I'm not sure what details you need to know so ask me and I'll try my best to find out.