Rig update - add a video card to a 3 year old photoshop rig?

[Turin39789]

So I've started to get the itch to build a gaming rig again, and it is causing distress in the home. Besides the cost of me wanting the latest and greatest, there is the fact that I don't spend near as much time on my computer now that it won't game as I did when I was on a 6 month upgrade cycle. And I really do keep busy enough that I'm not going to be able to game for hours on end.

But I'd still like to play something. So while I still dream of ssd's, i7's etc, Is it going to be possible to scratch the itch by tossing a video card into my rig? I originally built this for my wife 3 years ago as a photoshop rig.

The basics -


Abit NF-M2 mobo
x2-3800 cpu
2gb pc3200


What video card is pathetic enough to warrant going into this system and what can I expect to play?

 

[Pederv]

I've dropped a 5750 into an X2-4800 system.
It scores better in the graphics benchmarks than a 4670 in an X4-620 but not as good as a 5750 in an X4-620 (even when down clocked to 2.4GHz).
This might give you an idea of the performance range best suited for your system.

 

[Turin39789]

i suppose the limiter will be what abbears to be a 1.0 pci x16 slot

 

[Turin39789]

update

still looking for a vid card recommendation. Want something to make most modern games playable, eye candy is nice but I have
2gb ddr2
abit nf-m2 mobo
x2-64 3800+
Samsung SyncMaster 971p monitor(1280x1024)

I was tempted to drop ~$150 on a card until I realized all you kids today are running 2343232x2080 resolution, and unless I want to start from scratch it might not make sense to go too high.

 

[MisterDonut]

A cheap 4890 or 5770 depending on whether you want DX11 or not.

 

[Davidh373]

Get something like a 5770 or at most a 5850, the 4890 is a power sucker... I have it...

It will still play games, but don't expect 1080p due to the processor. I'd say it will max @ 1280 x 720 at fairly high graphics.

I'd say for now buy a lower end card like a 4870 or 5770 and get back on-cycle ASAP. Feel no need to get the i7 off the bat, you'll probably see a great improvement with the i3 and 4GB ram, then with that motherboard, you can move to the i5 quad, and then the i7.