Need Video Card Suggestion ASAP

[nigel5000]

Hey guys, I have an easy situation...

I recently updated a computer to windows xp, gave it the antispyware and antivirus treatment, etc...however when we installed Sims 2 and tried to run it, we got an error message that said "Cannot find dx9 capable adapter in your system". Yes I know what the error means, and that's what I need to ask you guys about.

She has a 900 mhz stock Dell, not sure of the model number atm...but what I need to know is...

What is the cheapest dx9c graphics card I can get that'll run sims 2 without laggin too bad...

...anything within the 60-100 dollar priceline? or will I need to go higher. If I could get anyones educated suggestion with models "Ex: ATI 9550" and it's price, that would be great (especially before saturday evening!!).

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[GhandiInstinct]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102408

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: GhandiInstinct
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102408

Check if the machine has an AGP port before buying, otherwise you're limited to PCI cards which is most likely.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: biostud

Originally posted by: GhandiInstinct
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102408

Check if the machine has an AGP port before buying, otherwise you're limited to PCI cards which is most likely.

:thumbsup:

Also check FS/FT on here, might find a good deal there

 

[tungtung]

Well my gf is playing this game.

From what I can see the video requirement is pretty simple. Anything above 9600 Pro should work fine. The CPU requirement (which is not made too apparent) is actually heavier.

My gf uses an old P3 1.1 GHz with 9800 SE and the game well plays ok, it does lags quite heavily when the camera angle changes. It is playable however, as long as she's patient enough with the occasional lags.

 

[Pete]

Careful with the 9600 and 9800 series. They require an AGP 4x MB.

 

[tungtung]

Just a quick note ... my gf's card is the Sapphire 9800 SE ... it works fine with 2x AGP (on a very old Slot 1 board)
But yes as Pete says ... watch out for the AGP 4x requirement (more importantly the AGP voltage ... 1.5V vs 3.3V)

 

[nigel5000]

alright, thanks alot guys, i'll try one of those out =D

 

[Malak]

I'm willing to bet you don't have an AGP slot, and given the slow processor you probably won't have much of a chance of playing the game without lag.

 

[SonicIce]

Originally posted by: tungtung
Just a quick note ... my gf's card is the Sapphire 9800 SE ... it works fine with 2x AGP (on a very old Slot 1 board)
But yes as Pete says ... watch out for the AGP 4x requirement (more importantly the AGP voltage ... 1.5V vs 3.3V)

which is the current voltage for agp cards? how do you know if its the old kind?

 

[kylebisme]

Actually you don't need a DX9 level card to play Sims 2, but you do need at least a DX7 card with hardware T@L to play it on that slow of a computer.

http://thesims2.ea.com/help/detail.php?help_id=21

 

[OnEMoReTrY]

Yea that error sounds more like a driver problem. Make sure you download directx 9.0c even if you dont have a direct9x card.