Considering upgrading older PC, need advice

[ebow86]

Hi all, glad to be posting here and hoping to get some advice and help.

Ok, here's my situation. Basically after having both my xbox 360 and PS3 die over the course of the last couple of years I am considering upgrading my older PC with a new graphics card, something I wanted to do since day 1 but never got around to it.

It's an HP model A450N desktop with the following specs, Pentium 4 3.0GHZ processor with H/T, 1 gb ram, and an FX5200 graphics card. http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...pportFAQ&prodSeriesId=384501&prodTypeId=12454
Running Windows Xp home edition

What I want to do is upgrade this PC specifically for playing some older titles that I enjoyed on the xbox 1. Games like Splinter Cell, Doom 3, Half Life 2, Far Cry, etc. I am not looking to play games like MW2, Crysis, Black Ops, etc, on high settings, I know that isn't realistic, although I would still hope to play some newer games on lower settings.

I only have a budget of around $150 and only an APG slot, so a PCI express card is out of the question. I have discovered that the fastest AGP card I can get new in my budget is the ATI Radeon HD 4670 1GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161337.

Here's the issue. Years ago I was extremely close to buying an Nvidia FX5950 Ultra, but what always scared me off what alot of the issues that plague PC gaming. I am afraid to death that if I spend the money on this ATI and a new power supply there is going to be an issue with drivers, my motherboard not being compatible, difficulty installing the card, etc. I have never installed a video card or power supply before, so that's another issue I'm facing. While I have never installed computer parts before, I do have a small amount of technical knowledge, so I'm not completely in the dark. But some of the reviews on newegg suggest that this card may have some driver issues, which is making me a little bit gun shy as well. The last thing I want is to spend all the money and realize the card won't work with my motherboard.

So my questions are the following

1. Considering my computer specs, what kind of performance can I expect on some older titles like Doom 3, Far Cry, Splinter Cell?

2. By looking at the specs on my particular computer model, is it likely that I'm going to be facing any issues as far as motherboard compatibility, card not fitting, drivers not working, etc?

3. I need a cheap power supply that will fit my PC but I don't know what kind will fit, but I believe it has to be atleast 400W and has to be no more than $30 US dollars, that's all my budget will allow.

I appreciate all assistance,Thank you.

 

[sangyup81]

HP PCs are proprietary.

For $150, I can put together a new PC including the case and power supply. It won't be the best parts but still way faster

A PCI-E 4670 is $35 after rebate. Do you really want to pay triple just to have it in AGP and have to deal with driver issues?

 

[Zorander]

I believe the HD3850 AGP is faster than its HD4670 brother, though you likely have to search for a used card. I used this AGP card with an X2 4600+ and 2GB RAM to play Dragon Age:Origins, Assassin's Creed 1 & Prince of Persia 2008 at 1920x1200 resolution at medium settings, and achieved smooth framerates throughout.

There should not be a driver issue. Just make sure you download the "AGP Hotfix" version, rather than the regular Catalyst release.

 

[toyota]

I would not spend 50 bucks on a card for that old pc. I have a perfectly good 6600 agp that can play those old games on decent settings at low res. except for Splinter Cell, I played those games on that 6600 and Athlon XP 3000. that cpu would be about like your 3.0 P4 and they played fine at 1024x768.

I will sell it for 25 bucks shipped and even throw in a 512mb stick of ddr ram if you want it. I do have a power supply for HP/Compaq pc but it would cost more than its worth to ship.

 

[ebow86]

The FX5200 that I own now is capable of playing these older games at lower detail, some of them higher detail. I want to play some of them at max detail, or atleast close to it.

I appreciate the reply, but I have no interest in buying a secondhand video card, so that's out.

I know it's easy for most of you to look at an older PC such as mine and say "I wouldn't upgrade that". But this PC is in good operating condition, and I have no intentions of buying another anytime soon, nor do I plan on building one at a later date, and although outdated, I believe it is perfectly capable of what I'm asking to do, run older games at high or max detail.

Can anyone point out a power supply that will fit in my computer and still come in around $30?

 

[toyota]

well its no different than you looking down at my 6600. that card is in perfect condition and sitting in an anti static bag in a box. it will blow away that 5200 and so for 25 or even 20 bucks its okay card for your particular situation.

 

[ebow86]

well its no different than you looking down at my 6600. that card is in perfect condition and sitting in an anti static bag in a box. it will blow away that 5200 and so for 25 or even 20 bucks its okay card for your particular situation.

Hi Toyota, my goal is to get the highest performing graphics card I can get without any major upgrades to my system, swapping motherboard, processor, etc, etc. I don't have the technical knowledge or budget to do so, upgrading my graphics card is the only feasible option for me.

Sorry, I wasn't "looking down" at your offer, but my budget allows for a higher performance card than the 6600, and I'm only looking for a new factory sealed card, but I do appreciate the offer. The 6600 is a good performer, but I'm looking for more power, and with $150 to spend, I think I can do better.

 

[toyota]

oh I was sort of kidding around by saying that. I was just pointing out that my card would get no respect just like your pc would not because they are both so old now.

I still would not spend 150 bucks to upgrade the gpu on a pc thats not even worth 100 bucks. perhaps there are some much better deals out there because anything faster than a 6800gt or 7600gt level of card is a waste anyway.

 

[sangyup81]

With $150, I think the Radeon HD 4670 is the best you'll get. At newegg, they have it for $99.99 after rebate.

A look around google has shown me that a regular ATX power supply should work on your PC.

How about this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171046

 

[ebow86]

That power supply looks great, I was eyeballing one similar but wasn't sure if it would work. I appericate all the advice guys. Does anyone know if I will have to run a power cable from the power supply to the video card or is this video card powered solely by the apg slot?

And I'm pretty sure I can install both the power supply and video card, however, can anyone point out some steps I should take before I uninstall the old card and install the new? Example, what drivers should I download? Do I download DX 10? Do I uninstall the nvidia GART driver? A step by step guide would be great for me, being inexperienced and this being my only computer I won't have access to the internet should I run into trouble, so if someone could give me the steps I need t take for installation I would appericate it.

 

[toyota]

you will have to plug in a molex connector from your power supply. I would at least save some money and get the cheaper $79.99 4650 with $1.99 shipping. with your cpu, you will never see the difference as even the 4650 will be severally held back.

 

[ebow86]

I would consider the 4650 but it doesn't have the HDMI output. I know a DVI to HDMI converter can be used but the 4670 seems to be able to output pretty decent audio directly from the card, and also seems to have much better cooling than the 4650.

 

[ebow86]

Ok, so from what I understand the first step I should take is uninstall my nvidia drivers, do I uninstall the nvidia GART driver as well?