Need help deciding on a video card.

[DoW Lowen]

Hello fellow Escapists,

I'm not much of a PC gamer, the reason being so is because I have quite a crap computer. But good news I'm updating my specs including a 1TB hard drive with a 32MB cache and 8GB of RAM but I'm still keeping my Duo Core 2.66GhZ. I've never upgraded a computer before and I'll be honest I don't know much about hardware, I currently have a NVIDIA 8600 GT, the approx memory on my system says '1013MB', so does that mean that it's a 1GB video card, because I was going to purchase this ATI Radeon HD4350 1GB [http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ATI-Radeon-HD4350-1GB-Video-Card-/250847527916?pt=AU_Components&hash=item3a67ad83ec] for really cheap. I'm not looking for a space computer and I only have a VERY limited budget and I was lucky enough to get the HD and RAM at a bargain. So tell me is the card I've chosen worth getting, is it even better? Or are there better cards for a good price?

All the advice I get would be much appreciated.

 

[Appleshampoo]

personally I'd save a little more and get a better graphics card, a HD 5770 for example is pretty cheap these days, it's what I use for gaming and hasen't let me down on anything I've ran yet.

The 4350 isn't a great gaming card, low frames per second in games like Crysis, call of duty and Far cry 2 on the lowest settings doesn't give it much hope at all.

An Nvidia GT 430 is only slightly more expensive brand new, and far more powerful with playable frame rates on medium settings on Crysis, compared to low frame rates the other one has on low settings.

GT 430 info - http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/graphics-cards/361969/nvidia-geforce-gt-430

HD 4350 info - http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/graphics-cards/247519/ati-radeon-hd-4350

 

[thenumberthirteen]

I agree that the HD5770 would be a good choice if possible, and is a great value card (as is the nVidia GTX 460) for good gaming.

A 5770 costs £75 from my retailer of choice, but if you can get the card you're looking at for a few bucks then use it, and if you find yourself with some spare cash in the future upgrade it then. GPU upgrades are quite easy to do, and require, at most, a screwdriver. You don't have to upgrade it all at once.

 

[Crises^]

if your on a budget defiantly get the HD5770 best value card I've seen.
Also what games are you looking to play and I'm guessing that's a e6600 2.6 duo you have?
Personally Depending on how soon you need this computer i would wait for the new line from nvida and ati to come out this fall as it would reduse alot of card prices.

 

[DoW Lowen]

*snip

*snip*

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated. I've been meaning to write reviews for the Escapist, I haven't done one in ages but if my PC runs better I just might be able to now.

I'm looking at the HD 5770 and I can get one for under $30 AUS, but the exact title for it is 'XFX ATi Radeon HD 5770 HD-577A-ZNFC Graphics Card 1GB' is that the same card? It'd be fine right?

 

[Griffolion]

According to the Toms Hardware Hierarchy Chart for GPU's (http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/best-graphics-card,review-32225-7.html), you're actually making a downgrade with that GPU.

Also, 8GB of RAM will never be fully utilised by that C2D, you really need to move to a quad core to get the most out of it.

I agree with others saying that the 5770 is probably what's needed here.

 

[Appleshampoo]

*snip

*snip*

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated. I've been meaning to write reviews for the Escapist, I haven't done one in ages but if my PC runs better I just might be able to now.

I'm looking at the HD 5770 and I can get one for under $30 AUS, but the exact title for it is 'XFX ATi Radeon HD 5770 HD-577A-ZNFC Graphics Card 1GB' is that the same card? It'd be fine right?

Can you post a link? I'll give it a quick look over for you.

 

[DoW Lowen]

According to the Toms Hardware Hierarchy Chart for GPU's (http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/best-graphics-card,review-32225-7.html), you're actually making a downgrade with that GPU.

Also, 8GB of RAM will never be fully utilised by that C2D, you really need to move to a quad core to get the most out of it.

I agree with others saying that the 5770 is probably what's needed here.

Thankfully I just found a HD5770 for really cheap. But thanks for pointing that out, I wouldn't have known otherwise.

I had someone tell me that if I ran 64 Bit Windows 7 it should utilize a lot of it, what trouble would I have to go through to upgrade my CPU, it's an Intel E6750 Duo Core, how important is the CPU anyway?

 

[DoW Lowen]

*snip

*snip*

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated. I've been meaning to write reviews for the Escapist, I haven't done one in ages but if my PC runs better I just might be able to now.

I'm looking at the HD 5770 and I can get one for under $30 AUS, but the exact title for it is 'XFX ATi Radeon HD 5770 HD-577A-ZNFC Graphics Card 1GB' is that the same card? It'd be fine right?

Can you post a link? I'll give it a quick look over for you.

Here is the link [http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/XFX-ATi-Radeon-HD-5770-HD-577A-ZNFC-Graphics-Card-1GB-/160615650133?pt=AU_Components&hash=item2565705355]. Thanks =)

 

[Griffolion]

According to the Toms Hardware Hierarchy Chart for GPU's (http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/best-graphics-card,review-32225-7.html), you're actually making a downgrade with that GPU.

Also, 8GB of RAM will never be fully utilised by that C2D, you really need to move to a quad core to get the most out of it.

I agree with others saying that the 5770 is probably what's needed here.

Thankfully I just found a HD5770 for really cheap. But thanks for pointing that out, I wouldn't have known otherwise.

I had someone tell me that if I ran 64 Bit Windows 7 it should utilize a lot of it, what trouble would I have to go through to upgrade my CPU, it's an Intel E6750 Duo Core, how important is the CPU anyway?

You need 64-bit Windows to utilise more than 3.5GB of memory (including video memory). So that 8GB will go to waste otherwise.

The CPU is important, especially for gaming, moving to a quad core would benefit you profusely. Then again for the machine you've listed I'd suggest a full platform upgrade but your funds are limited.

 

[DoW Lowen]

You need 64-bit Windows to utilise more than 3.5GB of memory (including video memory). So that 8GB will go to waste otherwise.

The CPU is important, especially for gaming, moving to a quad core would benefit you profusely. Then again for the machine you've listed I'd suggest a full platform upgrade but your funds are limited.

Thanks for the input. Just one more question how is this CPU [http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AMD-PHENOM-II-X4-QUAD-CORE-955-BLACK-Ed-CPU-3-2GHz-/270775042116?pt=AU_Components&hash=item3f0b734044]. If I installed that one, would I also have to replace anything else like my mother board?

 

[Appleshampoo]

*snip

*snip*

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated. I've been meaning to write reviews for the Escapist, I haven't done one in ages but if my PC runs better I just might be able to now.

I'm looking at the HD 5770 and I can get one for under $30 AUS, but the exact title for it is 'XFX ATi Radeon HD 5770 HD-577A-ZNFC Graphics Card 1GB' is that the same card? It'd be fine right?

Can you post a link? I'll give it a quick look over for you.

Here is the link [http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/XFX-ATi-Radeon-HD-5770-HD-577A-ZNFC-Graphics-Card-1GB-/160615650133?pt=AU_Components&hash=item2565705355]. Thanks =)

That's the exact same card I have sitting in my computer right now. I'd heavily recommend that, you'll see a massive improvement on games against what you have now.

I will warn you though, it's a pretty beefy sized card, so make sure you have room in your case for it

 

[DoW Lowen]

*snip

*snip*

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated. I've been meaning to write reviews for the Escapist, I haven't done one in ages but if my PC runs better I just might be able to now.

I'm looking at the HD 5770 and I can get one for under $30 AUS, but the exact title for it is 'XFX ATi Radeon HD 5770 HD-577A-ZNFC Graphics Card 1GB' is that the same card? It'd be fine right?

Can you post a link? I'll give it a quick look over for you.

Here is the link [http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/XFX-ATi-Radeon-HD-5770-HD-577A-ZNFC-Graphics-Card-1GB-/160615650133?pt=AU_Components&hash=item2565705355]. Thanks =)

That's the exact same card I have sitting in my computer right now. I'd heavily recommend that, you'll see a massive improvement on games against what you have now.

I will warn you though, it's a pretty beefy sized card, so make sure you have room in your case for it

Most excellent, I'll make a bid for it now. Plus I'm in the local neighborhood, so free pick up =)

I have a lot of space already in my case, but if worse comes to worse I can just get another one.

 

[Griffolion]

You need 64-bit Windows to utilise more than 3.5GB of memory (including video memory). So that 8GB will go to waste otherwise.

The CPU is important, especially for gaming, moving to a quad core would benefit you profusely. Then again for the machine you've listed I'd suggest a full platform upgrade but your funds are limited.

Thanks for the input. Just one more question how is this CPU [http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AMD-PHENOM-II-X4-QUAD-CORE-955-BLACK-Ed-CPU-3-2GHz-/270775042116?pt=AU_Components&hash=item3f0b734044]. If I installed that one, would I also have to replace anything else like my mother board?

No, that's an AMD CPU, it will not be compatible with your current motherboard. You'll need to move over to something like this. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Intel-Core-2-Quad-Q6600-2-4GHz-Processor-/200627079394?pt=UK_Motherboards_CPUs&hash=item2eb64e48e2#ht_542wt_1139

You must stick with Intel, unless you wish to do a full platform change.

 

[thenumberthirteen]

You need 64-bit Windows to utilise more than 3.5GB of memory (including video memory). So that 8GB will go to waste otherwise.

The CPU is important, especially for gaming, moving to a quad core would benefit you profusely. Then again for the machine you've listed I'd suggest a full platform upgrade but your funds are limited.

Thanks for the input. Just one more question how is this CPU [http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AMD-PHENOM-II-X4-QUAD-CORE-955-BLACK-Ed-CPU-3-2GHz-/270775042116?pt=AU_Components&hash=item3f0b734044]. If I installed that one, would I also have to replace anything else like my mother board?

As said before that CPU would require a new motherboard. When looking for a new CPU be sure to check which motherboard you need. Even if you stuck with Intel chips they not be compatible with your Motherboard. The CPU you have now uses the 775 slot (which is what your Motherboard will have). If you wanted to upgrade your CPU, but not Motherboard you'd have to get another chip with the 775 slot. For an upgrade your best bet would be the Core 2 Quad series of CPUs.

Can I also ask have you made 100% sure the new RAM is compatable with the MoBo? Can you send a link?

 

[DoW Lowen]

You need 64-bit Windows to utilise more than 3.5GB of memory (including video memory). So that 8GB will go to waste otherwise.

The CPU is important, especially for gaming, moving to a quad core would benefit you profusely. Then again for the machine you've listed I'd suggest a full platform upgrade but your funds are limited.

Thanks for the input. Just one more question how is this CPU [http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AMD-PHENOM-II-X4-QUAD-CORE-955-BLACK-Ed-CPU-3-2GHz-/270775042116?pt=AU_Components&hash=item3f0b734044]. If I installed that one, would I also have to replace anything else like my mother board?

As said before that CPU would require a new motherboard. When looking for a new CPU be sure to check which motherboard you need. Even if you stuck with Intel chips they not be compatible with your Motherboard. The CPU you have now uses the 775 slot (which is what your Motherboard will have). If you wanted to upgrade your CPU, but not Motherboard you'd have to get another chip with the 775 slot. For an upgrade your best bet would be the Core 2 Quad series of CPUs.

Can I also ask have you made 100% sure the new RAM is compatable with the MoBo? Can you send a link?

I had a tech guy look at the inside of my computer and he was certain he could get the 8GB RAM working in there, I have no idea what RAM it is to be honest, he is buying it wholesale straight from his corporate account at work, he built my last computer (you know, back when these parts were considered high end) so I trust him for that and the 1TB HD, however he couldn't guarantee me a cheap video card which is why I scrounged the market for it myself. But that's alright, one should never buy a pre-owned HD over the net anyway.

But thank you for that, I'll keep that in mind when I go to my computer market on Sunday to look for a new processor. Based on the prices I looked up online, I might be lucky enough to get a quad core at 3.2GhZ for $70 AUS.

A word of advice, if you're ever in Sydney and you're aching for cheap computer parts, go to North Rocks on a Sunday.

 

[thenumberthirteen]

You need 64-bit Windows to utilise more than 3.5GB of memory (including video memory). So that 8GB will go to waste otherwise.

The CPU is important, especially for gaming, moving to a quad core would benefit you profusely. Then again for the machine you've listed I'd suggest a full platform upgrade but your funds are limited.

Thanks for the input. Just one more question how is this CPU [http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AMD-PHENOM-II-X4-QUAD-CORE-955-BLACK-Ed-CPU-3-2GHz-/270775042116?pt=AU_Components&hash=item3f0b734044]. If I installed that one, would I also have to replace anything else like my mother board?

As said before that CPU would require a new motherboard. When looking for a new CPU be sure to check which motherboard you need. Even if you stuck with Intel chips they not be compatible with your Motherboard. The CPU you have now uses the 775 slot (which is what your Motherboard will have). If you wanted to upgrade your CPU, but not Motherboard you'd have to get another chip with the 775 slot. For an upgrade your best bet would be the Core 2 Quad series of CPUs.

Can I also ask have you made 100% sure the new RAM is compatable with the MoBo? Can you send a link?

I had a tech guy look at the inside of my computer and he was certain he could get the 8GB RAM working in there, I have no idea what RAM it is to be honest, he is buying it wholesale straight from his corporate account at work, he built my last computer (you know, back when these parts were considered high end) so I trust him for that and the 1TB HD, however he couldn't guarantee me a cheap video card which is why I scrounged the market for it myself. But that's alright, one should never buy a pre-owned HD over the net anyway.

That's good. With you not knowing about which Motherboard slots you needed I was worried that you'd end up with RAM you can't use.

BTW for future reference Crucial have a really useful online scanner tool that scans your PC, and tells you exactly what kind of memory your computer takes. I use it all the time as it saves having to open the PC up, and check the labels on the RAM (if there are any).