Upgrading a dated system

[Stashy]

I know that the old *What graphics card should I get* question has been asked a thousand (maybe a million ) times, but this is a fairly unique situation, so looking at past reccommendations doesn't really answer the problem.

Anywho, my friend needs to upgrade her ailing old Gateway PC to run EverQuest 2. If any of you have beta tested it, you know it's a performance hog. Pretty graphics indeed, graphics that hurt my very own Geforce 6800 GT. Anyways, here's what shes running:

Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1.50GHz
Intel D845PT Mobo (I assuming that alphanumeric is the model number..SiSoft Sandra says it is, dont know much about intel stuff being an AMD guy)
AGP 4x Max
1 Gig of RAM
Geforce 2 MX400 64MB POS

And the wattage of the PSU I'm not sure on, but I'll pray its 250W at least. Being a Gateway i have my doubts.

Thats about all I can think relevant to the situation, but if more information is needed, please ask As you can see, that PC is on its last legs. Prolly should be put out to pasture, but she can't afford a new computer. The 9800 Pro seems to be the one most reccommend, but I dunno if it will even run on this PC. I fear about its power requirements. She'd prefer the card price doesnt top 250 USD. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated, and if anymore info is needed dont be afraid to ask. Thanks for takin the time to mull over the situation!

 

[Cawchy87]

Get a 9700pro and sell the 1.5 ghz for a 2.0ghz cpu.

Games like everquest are hogs on cpu useage as well. Money would be better spent on a new cpu than a 6800nu. 9700pro's can be had for ~130 on the fs/ft forum here.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: Cawchy87
Get a 9700pro and sell the 1.5 ghz for a 2.0ghz cpu.

Games like everquest are hogs on cpu useage as well. Money would be better spent on a new cpu than a 6800nu. 9700pro's can be had for ~130 on the fs/ft forum here.

 

[Cawchy87]

at about 20-30 dollars more i would highly recommend the 9700np or 9700pro over the 9600 series. The differance is amazing.

But, if you are going to be psu limited, the 9600 series takes very little power and you can use the saved money and power towards a new cpu.

 

[Stashy]

Thanks for the quick reply Unfortunately, CPU upgrades are not in this girls future. She has limited knowledge of PCs..especially the innards. Her father can do Graphics cards, but im not gonna try to get her to do the CPU..heh..would be disaster. Far as the 9700 Pros..those arent made anymore to my knowledge, and she definitely wouldnt buy off a trading type..site..or the like. Would have to be on newegg or at best buy, basically. Thank you reguardless for taking the time!

EDIT - Holy heck you guys are fast By the time i replied a ton more of ya responded! So with the new information in mind, does anyone think a 9600 (Eh..they're 9600 Xts now i think..theres so many of them ) with that 1.5GHz crapper could run EQ2? Thats all this PC needs to do. Shes not a gamer at all, just and EverQuester.

 

[Cawchy87]

Here is your friend's card.

http://www.allstarshop.com/sho...pid=6227&ad=pwatch

Ya, i guess there isn't much you can do for a pc like this. However with this upgrade her graphics card will not be the bottleneck for sure.