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Advice on upgrading my Graphics Card

dcloud

dcloud

Member
I am writing to ask the members here about upgrading to another graphics card. My MB is a ASUS P4P800, and my current graphics card is a ASUS V9520 Magic GeForce FX5200. The user guide I got with the MB suggests I only install a 1.5V AGP card. I've been pretty satisfied with the FX5200, but recently I tried playing Sims2 and it lagged in certain spots quite a bit. I also do a lot of graphic design work, and I'm wondering if upgrading the card would help in that area, as well.

I am not a expert in any of this, so I'm posting here to get some ideas from those who know their stuff.

Thank you.

- dc
 
Make sure you have atleast 1gb of ram, Sims 2 is ram hog. The user guide requirement of 1.5v agp card is a technical way of saying no OLD ASSS Geforce 2 card or it'll fvck your board. For the video you should step up to a Radeon 9800 PRO from FS/FT for ~$100. Awesome card still even today.🙂
 
Lyfer, thanks. A couple other people suggested ATi Radeon 9500 and 9800. My user guide for the MB even suggests these cards. The thing is I'm not sure which one to go with. I look at the list of cards on Newegg for Ati 9800 and I see so many choices. What is FS/FT? Is that a website like Newegg?

Nick, like I said I'm not a computer expert, so I ran a report using Everest Home:

=======================

Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 5.1.2600 (WinXP Retail)
Date 2005-09-15
Time 21:35

[ Summary ]

Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Pentium 4, 2400 MHz (12 x 200)
Motherboard Name Asus P4P800 (5 PCI, 1 AGP, 1 WiFi, 4 DDR DIMM, Audio, Gigabit LAN)
Motherboard Chipset Intel Springdale i865PE
System Memory 512 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type Asus AMI (04/22/03)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM2)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 (128 MB)
Video Adapter RADEON 7000 / RADEON VE Family (Microsoft Corporation) (64 MB)
Video Adapter RADEON 7000 / RADEON VE Family (Microsoft Corporation) (64 MB)
3D Accelerator ATI RV100 DDR
3D Accelerator nVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Monitor Dell D825HT [15" CRT] (94051CAAEX97)
Monitor Jean JD155/JD166 (93213396)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter C-Media CMI8738/C3DX Audio Device
Audio Adapter Intel 82801EB ICH5 - AC'97 Audio Controller [A-2/A-3]

Storage:
IDE Controller Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive Maxtor 6Y060L0 (60 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/133)
Optical Drive LITE-ON DVDRW SOHW-1673S
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 58635 MB (49090 MB free)

Input:
Keyboard Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse Logitech USB TrackMan Wheel

Network:
Network Adapter 3Com Gigabit LOM (3C940) (24.247.1.224)

=======================

- dc
 
Thanks, nick. Here are two cards I found at Newegg:

ATI Radeon 9800PRO:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102361

ASUS Geforce 6600GT:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121195

In my MB user guide it says if I upgrade to a ATi 9500 or 9700 PRO series VGA card, that I sould only use the card version PN xxx-xxxxx-30 or later. It doesn't mention 9800 series, of course that could be because the 9800 came out after this guide was written. Would the ASUS GeForce 6600GT or ATi 9800 PRO still work for this MB?

Thanks again for your help.

Also I am getting more memory. I'm trying to decide on some Kingston or OCZ, 2 x 1GB. I am searching the specs now and trying to get the same kind as I already have.


- dc
 
again, what he said ^^^

and that 9800 pro is wayyy overpriced (should be around 130 for a 128mb model). 256mb on one of those dont really do much since that particular card wont be able to utilize that much memory before it craps out due to heavy usages.
 
Originally posted by: nick1985
Get This card instead of the Asus. Way cheaper, and it has a lifetime warranty. :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

For about the same money I got a BFG 6600 GT OC recently off eBay, only slightly used. They seller found a good deal on a 6800, so sold his 6600. I bought it for the dual DVI, but was amazed to find that it is nearly silent. I was fretting about some after market cooling solution because I want a quiet box, but it's not necessary with this card. Of course, the fan may die.
 
Nick, thanks much. That card looks sweeter than the Radeon 9800PRO. 🙂

So to get the RAM, and the next thing I should upgrade is my power supply. I notice the card you mentioned above requires a minmum 350W power supply and currently mine is only 300W. Maybe you could help me with this, too. I'm currently looking at either a OCZ Modstream 450W or 520W. Which one would you suggest for me?

Thanks again.

- dc
 
dcloud,
Forget the 9500pro or 9800pro. Those cards are too old and are not worth it unless you can get them for _real_ cheap like maybe $30. Don't get someones 2nd or 3rd hand parts at your own expense. The 9800pro is way behind the 6600GT in every game benchmark.

The 6600GT and 6800 are probably the best cards for your system. Any higher and your cpu might be the bottleneck. The evga link above is a good one.

Edit: Since you're asking about PS, look at Fortron Source/Bluestorms and Seasonics. Best values for budget and high end.
 
Thanks, orangat. You guys are great. Also I noticed the EVGA card says "An available 4-pin Molex hard drive power dongle" under System Requirements. What does this mean?

- dc
 
I'm looking at 2 x 512MB Kingston for the RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820141423

I'm not sure if I should get better RAM, but I already have 512MB of Kingston PC3200 DDR SDRAM in the computer. I've read in the computer sites (and even in my MB guide) that you should stick with the same type of RAM you already have.

I notice that OCZ seems to be an up and coming RAM source. Their RAM looks like works of art, lol. But they are quite a bit more in price.

Also, would heat spreaders for the RAM be a good idea? I've read that many modders use them, but I'm not sure if I really need them or not. If they provide even a marginal boost it might be worth it.

- dc
 
It means you need to plug in a standard molex connector into your gfx card or it will go beeeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppp. Don't worry about it, every power supply has loads.
 
I noticed the RAM I currently have is running at a Cas Latency of 2.5. The RAM I mentioned above has a Cas Latency of 3. Is it important to get the same Cas Latency with the RAM? Or is this something you can set yourself in the BIOS?

This RAM from Kingston caught my eye:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820144114

On Newegg I checked for a 2.5 Kingston and the price shot through the roof. I wish I knew more about this stuff. My computer friend who I always asked these questions took off with my laptop last week. Man, you just don't know about some people.

Thanks for the help everyone.

- dc
 
I hate to keep asking all these questions. I have another one....I'm looking at the OCZ Modstream (either 520W or 450W but I'm leaning toward the 450W) and some of the issues buyers are commenting on seems to be that the PSU has a very short power cable and a fan that blows out the top of the unit.

Now I have an Antec case with no opening in the top and I'm wondering if this will be an issue for me as well. Would I have to cut a hole in the top of my case to accomodate this PSU? I'm not sure about the short power cable. Since they don't give a length for the cable I'm not sure if that would be a problem or not.

Another guy mentioned, "Just so you know this PSU has oly one 4-pin connector which means if you have a PCI-e motherboard that requires four different power plugs and a 3.5" floppy drive. You are going to need a floppy power adaptor because there is only one 4-pin connector that comes with this PSU."

I'm not sure what this means for me with my ASUS P4P800. Do you think it would present a problem? When I get home (I'm at work now) I'm going to get into the case and check the power connector on my current PSU to the MB.

- dc
 
Originally posted by: dcloud
... and the next thing I should upgrade is my power supply. I notice the card you mentioned above requires a minmum 350W power supply and currently mine is only 300W. ... I'm currently looking at either a OCZ Modstream 450W or 520W
Click to expand...
Either one would be fine for now and for a followup when you are ready for a more-current system level. Antec has been a brand to rely on, although I've seen threads saying there have been problems with higher- rated ones lately.

PC Power and Cooling make some of the highest quality psus available. I've used TTGI in my own last several systems.
Also I noticed the EVGA card says "An available 4-pin Molex hard drive power dongle" under System Requirements. What does this mean?
Click to expand...
The same plug that goes into any hard drive for power purposes is used by most nVidia-based high performance GPU's from the FX 5600 Ultra on upward. ATI Radeons were using the smaller 4-pin plug like the one for a floppy drive to get their supplementary power.
Also, would heat spreaders for the RAM be a good idea? I've read that many modders use them, but I'm not sure if I really need them or not.
Click to expand...
They aren't worth the trouble to add them, but when a RAM seller has already added them to help sell his product, I would not take them back off again!
... a fan that blows out the top of the unit.
Click to expand...
Wrong. No one makes a psu that way. But all of the sellers photograph their dual-fan psus upside down to let us see the fans in THE BOTTOMS! Also, no psu is designed to have any fan "BLOWING OUTWARD" other than the rear-facing one. The one in the bottom is an INTAKE fan.
Now I have an Antec case with no opening in the top and I'm wondering if this will be an issue for me as well. Would I have to cut a hole in the top of my case to accomodate this PSU?
Click to expand...
Of course not.
"PSU has oly one 4-pin connector"
Click to expand...
That's a floppy type plug he was talking about!


:disgust:
 
Kiwi,

Thanks for all the great info. Just to let you all know I bought a new PSU last night online at TigerDirect. You have to check this deal out here:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...sp?Sku=ULT31556

According to the reviews I read on other sites (including one on this site by Chris Wood) this seems to be an excellent PSU, and it's modular, too. I couldn't believe this deal. A Ultra X-Connect 500W modular PSU for $59.97 with a $30.00 rebate! Compare at the original price of $99.99 that's a savings of just over $70 !!

w00t!

- dc
 
Well, it doesn't look like nearly as good of a deal as it might, considering that too many of those X-Connect psus have showed some quality problems; maybe not like those various "whatever-Max" psus, but problems nevertheless (run a search here on AT with the term X-Connect). I would just treat it as if it had about HALF the capacity that it claims. I much prefer my TTGI units.

(New Edit -- Incidentally, I was thinking about getting a "Spare" psu in case a new project comes along and just has to go together extra fast:

http://www.directron.com/sf450ts1.html

Those 450 Watt TTGI's are already a very good value at the $40 Directron usually gets, but at $29.95, that's like a gift. I could've added this before, I had left the ad minimized in a Mozilla window while I mulled over the purchase.)

😉
 
Well I had asked in many computer forums about which PSU was good and a couple of them mentioned this one. Usually I would have my computer friend to help me figure these things out, but the bastard took off with my laptop and I haven't seen him since. From what little I know I was thinking the OCZ Modstream would be a good choice, but at $125 that's a little too much to pay for a PSU (for me anyway, I'm on a budget). People say this X-Connect is awesome and then people say it's not. In the end I have to make up my own mind and go with what I can afford.

- dc
 
Originally posted by: dcloud
Well I had asked in many computer forums about which PSU was good and a couple of them mentioned this one. Usually I would have my computer friend to help me figure these things out, but the bastard took off with my laptop and I haven't seen him since. From what little I know I was thinking the OCZ Modstream would be a good choice, but at $125 that's a little too much to pay for a PSU (for me anyway, I'm on a budget). People say this X-Connect is awesome and then people say it's not. In the end I have to make up my own mind and go with what I can afford.

- dc
Click to expand...

Bear in mind you can get entire Dell P4/3.0 *Systems* with 19" LCD for $480, so I think $125 for a PS is extreme.
 
I agree. Which is why I took the X-Connect. Worse thing that can happen is it doesn't perform well and then I can just return it. TigerDirect is pretty good about that.

- dc
 
Just an update to let you all know how my new PSU is doing. I got the Ultra X-Connect from TigerDirect. It was going for $59 with a $30 rebate. The PSU arrived on Monday and it's a beauty. Had no major problems hooking it up, except that I had to take the heatsink off the CPU in order to fit it into the top of the case. I got some thermal paste and reattached the heatsink. The cables are awesome. They are really well made rounded cables (silver) and the only issue with these was the MB power cable - it's a big mofo and if I had more than the Lite-On drive there would have been a problem getting the cable in there.

Other than that it is running great. I also downloaded the latest BIOS update for my MB and installed a couple temp utilities (Motherboard Monitor and the Asus Probe) to keep track of the CPU and case temps. There have been a couple weird glitches, once when I rebooted the computer after updating the BIOS I got "CMOS Checksum Bad" on the post screen, but it did not reappear after that. And just this evening I was awaken out of a sound sleep by the MM monitor beeping - it said the case temp was 125C ! I shut everything down and opened the case, but everything was cool (literally). Must have just been a glitch with the program (it is a bit old, 2004).

But everything is going great with the PSU. The new cables from Ultra have cut down on the clutter inside my case by at least 90% (I have a couple other rounded silver IDE cables and one rounded floppy I bought seperately off newegg).

- dc
 
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