Video card woes

[brunswickite]

This is what I am currently running, I built this PC over three years ago and recently upgraded my RAM (had 512, now have 1 gig), and add a hard drive (160 GB Seagate). Recently I tried to play HL2, I dont play many games, but decided to start again. I figured my ti4200 should be able to handle it at some level, but it kept crashing. I ran 3dmark 2001, and it crashed midway through as well. I realized my gfx card is either overheating or crappying out, not sure which.

I have cleaned off the thermal grease and reapplied AS5, and it still happens. I have also never had a problem with overheating before. I was thinking of upgrading the HSF on it, and adding a PCI slot cooler for it. Any one have any other ideas? Also the thought of upgrading my card did cross my mind.

What would be the best AGP card I can buy that would not see my CPU as a bottleneck?

2.53 Pentium 4 533 FSB
1 Gig (2 x 512) DDR 333
80 GB 7200 RPM 8Mb Cache
Geforce 4 Ti4200 128 MB



Thanks for your help.

 

[The Green Bean]

Power Supply?

 

[brunswickite]

Originally posted by: The Green Bean
Power Supply?

Hmm Enermax 350 Watt.

This is the complete list of things I am running:

Pentium 4 2.53
2 512MB Dimms
TI4200 128 MB
80 GB HD
120 GB HD
160 GB HD (plugged into RAID controller Integrated on Mobo)
DVD-Rom
CD-RW
Linksys Wireless card
Intel Wired card
TV Card
Sound Card
USB wireless Mouse
USB wireless Keyboard
12 inch CC (not on, but plugged in)

5 80 MM fans (4 case, 1 on the CPU HS)
2 Fans attached to the PS.


That is actually alot of stuff.. do you think 350 watts might be too little?

 

[Captante]

Unless the power supply is on its way out you should be ok with your GF4, although if you buy any new GPU you will need to get a higher power unit, also be advised that HL2 is going to be rough sledding on a GF4 even if everything is working perfectly.. might be time to upgrade regardless.

 

[brunswickite]

Originally posted by: Captante
Unless the power supply is on its way out you should be ok with your GF4, although if you buy any new GPU you will need to get a higher power unit, also be advised that HL2 is going to be rough sledding on a GF4 even if everything is working perfectly.. might be time to upgrade regardless.

I would probably get a 450 watt power supply. What AGP graphics card would be the best for my system that would still not bottle neck my CPU?

 

[bamacre]

256 X800 Pro. I ran it with a P4 2.4Ghz 533, ran great.

 

[Captante]

Depends on your budget... If you want to go cheap, I'd suggest a "plain vanilla" Nvidia 6800 for roughly $150... next step up would be the X800GTO AGP for about $205 (most can be flashed into X850XT's) ... if you can afford to spend $299 & wait for a $50 rebate theres an X850XT on Microcenter.com thats a great deal.

X850XT link - http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0217999