[Nerd2Go]

I have been thinking about upgrading my video card for some time now and I now have the money to do so. I am a gamer so that should be some help. I just need a decent overlook on what I should get, a few friends have said GForce but I've enver actually upgraded my video card before so I wouldn't know. Price range isn't that big of a problem but I'm not building this to see how much money I can spend.

Current System Specs:
AMD Athlon 2000
768 RAM
40 Gig HD
Jetway N2PAP-LITE Mother Board
Video Card: [Edit] Nvidia Riva Tnt2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro
If there are any other specs you need to know, just let me know.

Edited by Nerd2Go, 22 April 2005 - 02:30 PM.

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i say u should get a geforce fx 5500 u can tell what kind of vidoe card u have buy going to Start->Run->Dxdiag-> than click the tab display it will tell u what kind of video card u got i think u should get the geforce fx 5500 because ur computer can handle it and if u get a better 1 i dont think ur comp cant handle it so i would get that because its a good video card for a comp like urs

[Clutch13]

i say u should get a geforce fx 5500 u can tell what kind of vidoe card u have buy going to Start->Run->Dxdiag-> than click the tab display it will tell u what kind of video card u got i think u should get the geforce fx 5500 because ur computer can handle it and if u get a better 1 i dont think ur comp cant handle it so i would get that because its a good video card for a comp like urs

[Nerd2Go]

Thanks for the input, I love the price also, ranges at about $80-$90. My current video card is a Nvidia Riva Tnt2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro. I don't know how big of an upgrade this would be, mine seems a bit ancient. Any input on if I should upgrade?

[audioboy]

wow, the old riva tnt2! have that in my 4 year old PC. its an OK card, but is reaching the end of its capabilities.
that card will play most games up (at 800x600 res) until the newest generation- doom3, half life 2, etc. wont like it.
if you know what games you want to play, check out what cards they will support. it should be listed on their web sites.
just make sure you get an AGP card, since that is the type of slot you have in your motherboard.
any card available today will be an upgrade, with more onboard memory, higher clock speed, etc.

Edited by audioboy, 21 April 2005 - 10:54 PM.

[Darkmocha]

i think u should get the geforce fx 5500 because ur computer can handle it and if u get a better 1 i dont think ur comp cant handle it so i would get that because its a good video card for a comp like urs

I don't see why his computer wouldn't be able to handle a beefier card. The only limiting factor would be his agp slot and his power supply. What he listed could handle any card out there.

I'd suggest that if you have the cash to buy the 6600GT or even the normal 6600, you'll see a MASSIVE improvement over your current card. And just for kicks, could you check your power supply and tell me how many watts it has?

[Nerd2Go]

Well, I would tell you the power supply but then again I don't know, and I really don't fill like opening the computer to find out, I think it's fairly new but not too sure. Ill see what I can find on it. [Edit] I just looked through and my power supply is 160 watts. Power Supply Model Number is: Power Win PW-250ATXE.

Edited by Nerd2Go, 22 April 2005 - 02:53 PM.

[Nerd2Go]

I may just stick with the 5500 considering it will cost me around $100 while the 6600 or 6000 will cost me around $400 from the stores around here. My power supply pushes out 160 watts, but the Fx 5500 AGP says I should have at least 250 watts. My mobo will support the AGP but looks like I will be needing to get a better power supply also. Thx for the help.

Edited by Nerd2Go, 22 April 2005 - 03:34 PM.

[admin]

Check out a FX5700 or 9600XT at newegg.com. If you look at their refurbs you can usually pick one up for under $100. Would match up well with your system specs, and give your DirectX9 support.

[Nerd2Go]

Whoa, thanx for the info, things are alot cheaper there, but I would still have to buy another power supply correct?

[admin]

Yes, you'd probably want a 300W+

This one is a pretty nice deal:
http://www2.newegg.c...N82E16817171003

[Darkmocha]

I'll recommend a few power supplies that are relatively cheap and offer adequate power for any setup out there. The power supply is one of the things you don't want to be cheap about, if you get a poor supply it would fry everything in your system or simply break in a few weeks (much more common). All in all it's always better to spend a little extra than to save a few bucks and get screwed.

Thermaltake 480w $55.00

This is the one I have, it's excellent and provides enough power at a relatively good price.

Enermax 370w $43.00

Also a great supply, the one my friend has. It works great and it's very quiet. It looks good in his case too.

Coolermaster is also a good company, so any of the three suggested would be a good choice. I just wanted to give you some of my experiences.

[Clutch13]

well i just say stick with the fx 5500 because u swould have to buy a new power supply which is around 20-30 dollars on ebay

Edited by Clutch13, 24 April 2005 - 06:45 PM.

[Clutch13]

http://cgi.ebay.com/...6761648178&rd=1
thats the one i bought for my new computer built