Aging system: AMD 64 4000, 2gb, Win Xp what vid card?

[SilverTrine]

Hi I am seeking the expertise of this forum to help me pick the best price/performance card for this aging system.

I have a 350w power supply so that might also be a factor though the PSU calculator I used said I should be ok. Though under full load with the latest cards I would be cutting it close.

I realize that probably the latest card for this system would be overkill. Currently I have an X800xl which is getting a bit long in the tooth.

Any recommendations please?

 

[Budarow]

Your video socket is PCI-E? Is your PS a "good" unit (e.g., Antec or better) with decent amps on the 12V rail (e.g., 15 amps+)?. If so, look for a deal (~$100 or less) on a 3850 512MB Ram, 8800GT 256MB Ram, 8800GT 320MB, or a 8800GS 384MB Ram.

All of the above cards have been available lately for ~$100 (or less, many with a game) and will give you plenty of horsepower for most games with plenty of eye candy settings at resolutions less then 1680x1050 (NO AA and ~4-8x AF). Your CPU will hold these video cards down some, but I think you'll still like the performance increase.

If you really dig around and are patient, you might find a stray 9600GT for ~$110 like I did a coupld months ago.

Of course the above cards/prices are after MIR

 

[s44]

Real PSU: 9600GT.

Not a real PSU: buy one.

You can carry both over to your next build.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Yeah, the power supply is going to possibly be an issue. My HTPC was originally a AMD X2 4400+, with the same hard drives, 2GB DDR RAM, a 7800GTX and a 430W Seasonic S12 power supply. I still use that same Seasonic S12 with a Core 2 Duo E6600, 4GB DDR2 RAM, a 8800GT and the same hard drives and other equipment (see sig for details), and it works fine. The 7800 GTX uses about 80-90W of power. A 8800GT will use around 100-110W. A 9600GT will use around 95W. You need to know if your power supply really supports 350W or not. The good name brands it will be, but if it is a no name, or some off the wall generic...