Author Topic: Video Cards (Read 484 times)

Corrs · « **on:** February 02, 2008, 09:14:44 PM »

I'm looking for a video card for my Dell Demension E310. I was looking at the VisionTEK X1300 or X1550 256 MB PCI. Looking for what will work w/ my PC and can run AH, MS Flight Sim, and down the road COD4 at near full graphics. I do not know much about the cards so any suggestions would be great. My PC specs below...Thanks

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 2/2/2008, 21:57:59
Machine name: D8P28H91
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_qfe.070227-2300)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Dell DV051
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A03
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1014MB RAM
Page File: 495MB used, 1945MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2582&SUBSYS_01C41028&REV_04
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4410 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 10/14/2005 22:06:58, 36990 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ialmnt5.sys
Mini VDD Date: 10/14/2005 22:15:18, 1302812 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-66C2-11CF-A262-CE21A5C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x2582
SubSys ID: 0x01C41028
Revision ID: 0x0004
Revision ID: 0x0004
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: SigmaTel Audio (emulated)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8384&DEV_7690&SUBSYS_102801C4&REV_1022
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: Emulated
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
WHQL Logo'd:
Date and Size:
Other Files:
Driver Provider: SigmaTel
HW Accel Level: Emulation Only
Cap Flags: 0x2F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 100000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

Description: Modem #0 Line Playback (emulated)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID:
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 81
Type: Emulated
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
WHQL Logo'd:
Date and Size:
Other Files:
Driver Provider:
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0x0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: SigmaTel Audio
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: sthda.sys
Driver Version: 5.10.4664.0000 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 8/17/2005 07:41:08, 1022040 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x1
Format Flags: 0xCC0

Description: Modem #0 Line Record (emulated)
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: No
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
Date and Size:
Cap Flags: 0x20
Format Flags: 0x0

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Mouse
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Hid
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x043D, 0x0093
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: CH FLIGHT SIM YOKE USB
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x068E, 0x00FF
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x265A
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 8/4/2004 00:08:44, 57600 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 8/10/2004 06:00:00, 4736 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ HID Keyboard Device
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x413C, 0x2003
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_keyboard
| Service: kbdhid
| Driver: kbdhid.sys, 8/3/2004 23:58:36, 14848 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/3/2004 23:58:34, 24576 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 02:01:08, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/3/2004 23:58:34, 24576 bytes
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x413C, 0x3200
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/3/2004 23:58:34, 23040 bytes
| Driver: mouhid.sys, 8/17/2001 14:48:00, 12160 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 02:01:08, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/3/2004 23:58:34, 23040 bytes

----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK

-------------------
DirectPlay Adapters
-------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider: Conexant D850 56K V.9x DFVc Modem
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Local Area Connection - IPv4 -

-----------------------
DirectPlay Voice Codecs
-----------------------
Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s
Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s
Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s
MS-PCM 64 kbit/s
MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s
Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s
TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s

-------------------------
DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
-------------------------
Flight Simulator (DX8) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: FS9.Exe (9.01.0000.40901) LauncherFile: ()
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: FS9.Exe (9.01.0000.40901)

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 105.5 GB
Total Space: 147.7 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: WDC WD1600JS-75NCB1

Drive: D:
Model: HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GWA4164B
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/10/2004 06:00:00, 49536 bytes

Getback · « **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2008, 02:58:01 PM »

Read a review on the x1550. Best look for a different card. Go to Tomshardware.com for reviews. You can get a ATI 3850 for about 195 bucks. It gets very good ratings.

Thats all I know.

Fulmar · « **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2008, 08:53:43 PM »

Neither of the cards you are looking at will give you COD4 with full graphics. You'll really need a lot better computer. Your computer is coming up on 2 years old if it already hasn't passed that mark from my guess. So even if you get a high end graphics card (which you'll more than likely need a bigger, better power supply to run it), your processor will become the bottleneck of your computer (as in it cannot keep up with the graphics card and you will poor performance in full graphics mode in COD4).

IMHO, if you want something to run COD4 at full graphics, you'll need a new MB/CPU, video card, more RAM (faster DDR2). If you are okay with just being able to run COD4 at lower settings, then an X1550 should do the trick for you, hopefully something a little more powerful.

If COD4 doesn't become your biggest concern, then either one of those cards you selected will do fine in AH. I'm not sure how well they will do if you want to run the high res texture pack or at high resolutions (1600x1050 etc).

RAM is pretty cheap right now and you have DDR2 400mhz. Your system support up to 2Gb so I'd look at adding another 1Gb to your system as long as you are getting a new video card.

Corrs · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2008, 10:52:53 AM »

thanks for the advice. COD4 is not a big concern with the PC, AH is. I'm thinking of buying the PS3 down the road for COD4. So I'll look to just upgrade my PC for AH and get through a few more years with it.
Thanks

Hoarach · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2008, 12:20:03 PM »

I myself have a pretty basic system and I run CoD4 pretty easy on my desktop.

I have a AMD 3200+ processor, Nvidia 7600GS 512MB card, and only 512MB system ram and have no problems running CoD4. Im pretty sure you can get this card for under $100 now at newegg or tigerdirect.

In AH this system gets at least 70 FR on high res.

I have to run CoD4 yet on my laptop but it should run fine considering it runs AH with at least 50FR on high res at a max refresh rate of 60 so its hard to see anything above 60 on my laptop.

Getback · « **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2008, 12:37:09 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Hoarach
I myself have a pretty basic system and I run CoD4 pretty easy on my desktop.

I have a AMD 3200+ processor, Nvidia 7600GS 512MB card, and only 512MB system ram and have no problems running CoD4. Im pretty sure you can get this card for under $100 now at newegg or tigerdirect.

In AH this system gets at least 70 FR on high res.

I have to run CoD4 yet on my laptop but it should run fine considering it runs AH with at least 50FR on high res at a max refresh rate of 60 so its hard to see anything above 60 on my laptop.

Yeah Corrs, I really don't think you need a totally new machine. I also think that Hoarach is correct about the 7600 GS. I read somewhere that the card does well. The only thing I would do is get another gig of ram, besides the card that is.

The machine I replaced recently was a 2.4gig amd and it worked pretty good. However, it severely overheated because 3 fans went out. Ooops, thought it was too quiet.

I think I read about the card in Tomshardware.com (Not exactly sure if that's the address but google it. (It'll make MS mad)

Corrs · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2008, 09:10:40 PM »

all sounds good. I'll look into those ideas. Any problems you see arising from putting a 512MB card into this PC? I'm not exactly sure as to what this PC can and cannot handle?

Skuzzy · « **Reply #7 on:** February 06, 2008, 07:07:05 AM »

That system has a major bottleneck in that the sound card is being emulated. In other words, there is no sound card drivers and the CPU is having to fake it and do 100% of all the work for playing sounds.

This will lead to stutters, pauses when youpull the trigger and so on.

alskahawk · « **Reply #8 on:** February 06, 2008, 01:03:14 PM »

I have 2-8800 GTX OC cards which is very nice. They are great for some other games such as Call of Duty etc. Outstanding eye candy. In Aces High I get over 200 FPS but I have to say its over kill. A good mid range card or cards is perfectly adequate for AH.