Need Help with type of cards

[Tmac7]

What would make my game have better Frame Rate? A Graphics card and/or sound card I was thinking. If thats the case can you name good ones that don't cost a hole lot. Thanks

Also I have a Compaq computer 2006 so I'm not sure what kind I need to buy and if it'll work. I'm looking at bestbuy for the card. Right now i found  a  GeForce 7300 GT OC Express Graphics Card and NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS 512MB DDR2 PCI Express Graphics Card

~Tmac73~

[BaldEagl]

Can you post your computer's model number?

[Hajo]

Tmac vid card might not be the answer.  As suggested give the specs of your PC including power supply.

Vid Cards are larger now.  they might not fit into your box!  Also....vid cards use more voltage now and

use a dangle from the power supply.  Is your video now integrated on the mother board?

Upgrading memory might be of help also. 

A lot of questions should be answered before you run off and purchase a video card.

[Denholm]

Yes, your Computer's model number should be included. Also please don't hesitate to post up a DxDiag so we have some idea of what needs to be improved in order for you to start enjoying the higher-end graphics of this glorious game.

[Tmac7]

Well I'm not exactly an expert so I'm not sure were to get my DxDiag and Computer model number. Sorry if you could help me get that I can get it for you.

[Fulmar]

The Geforce 7300 and 8400 are low end cards and aren't designed for gaming really.  I am imagining that you computer has onboard video.  Those cards would show an improvement - but I can't say how much.  My guess is only a slight improvement.

I don't know what kind of frame rate you get now, but to get a video card with some horsepower, you'll more than likely need to upgrade your Power Supply. 

You'll need to post your dxdiag for us.  Just go to Start -> Run -> type in 'dxdiag' and let us know the information you find there.

[Denholm]

There should be instructions on Compaq's website on how to retrieve your Computer's Model Number. As for the DxDiag, go to Start>Run. Now type in: dxdiag

Afterward press OK. Now after the application launches let it load (typically the loading bar is on the bottom left). After it finishes loading press, "Save All Information..." Now save the file to some place you can easily locate. After saving the file go to the location you just saved it to and open that file. Now copy the first third (1/3) of the file and paste it in a response here. That's your DxDiag.

[Tmac7]

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 1/5/2009, 15:57:53
       Machine name: ANTHONYS
   Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.080814-1236)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Compaq Presario 061
       System Model: RE467AA-ABA SR2010NX NA640
               BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: AMD Sempron(tm) Processor 3400+,  MMX,  3DNow, ~1.8GHz
             Memory: 446MB RAM
          Page File: 249MB used, 805MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 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: NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE       
     Manufacturer: NVIDIA
        Chip type: GeForce 6150 LE
         DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0241&SUBSYS_2A45103C&REV_A2
   Display Memory: 256.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (85Hz)
          Monitor: COMPAQ FS7600 Color Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1280,1024
      Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.8208 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 5/9/2006 14:50:00, 3955200 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 5/9/2006 14:50:00, 3535680 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4101-11CF-9C53-4F0A03C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x10DE
        Device ID: 0x0241
        SubSys ID: 0x2A45103C
      Revision ID: 0x00A2
      Revision ID: 0x00A2
      Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
 Deinterlace Caps: {212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
                   {212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                   {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalSt retch
         Registry: OK
     DDraw Status: Enabled
       D3D Status: Enabled
       AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
 D3D7 Test Result: Not run
 D3D8 Test Result: Not run
 D3D9 Test Result: Not run

[Hajo]

Well you have onboard video and a Sempron CPU.

Spending a lot of money on a high end video card wouldn't help you imho.

Someone with more knowledge of what your system could handle hopefully will comment.

[Fulmar]

You can try the 7300GT or the 8400, but like I said, I don't know if those cards will give you a 'whole' lot of performance.  You can put more RAM in your computer.  You only have 512mb right now.  I'd add 2gb which should run you about $20-25 if you buy from an online retailer like Newegg - I'd avoid Bestbuy for this.  That should give you the best performance gain for the buck.

Otherwise, you've got a low end Sempron processor and its tough to make a gaming machine out of low end computer.  The RAM upgrade would be my best bang for the buck quick solution.  The biggest problem you're going to face is that your computer has a Power Supply that is pretty much designed for the small amount of power is uses.  Throwing in even a low end decent video card is more than likely going to require you to replace your power supply.  I'm not sure how much money you're willing to put into your machine if thats the case.

I know a 7300GT is $75 at Best Buy.  That card costs about half of that on Newegg.com.  Even the 7300GT requires a 350W power supply.  I'm wouldn't be surprised if the Power supply in your Compaq is only 250W.  Thus, you'd need a new power supply.

$20-25 for 2gb of Ram
$40-50 on a Power supply
$50-60 on a video card.

A sound card isn't going to do a whole lot on your system.  I wouldn't think about upgrading the video card without adding more RAM.

IMHO.  Save you money for now, buy the RAM to help get buy.  But look to a new system.  Unless all you play is Aces High and thats all you're going to play.

[drdeathx]

The current price of video cards are a small investment and he should see a decent increase in performace over his onboard video. I wouldn't expect  that computer to run full anti alias of high quality graphics with a more current video card but it will be better. The Nvidea 9600 or ATI 3650 are about $60-$85. The problem is he may need a larger power supply. Nvidea recommends 400W but ATI uses less power. You may be able to get away with 300W with ATI 3650. Please post how many watts you power supply output is.

I ran a AMD 3000(Over clocked 1.9Ghz) processor with a Nvidea 6800GS for 1 year with little problems. Just a tad bumpy in high graphic areas and huge furballs but overall it was sufficient. If you keep your computer relatively clean and tuned and you have a decent internet connect, you will see a improvement with the edition of more ram.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3658661&SRCCODE=NEXTAG&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCWw0fzTCjCVqHCjCdwwp

http://www1.bottomdollar.com/p__Asus_EN9600GSO_MAGIC_NVIDIA_GeForce_512MB_DDR2_PCI_Express,__85969331/search=geforce%209600/st=product/sv=title

[Tmac7]

All i play is Aces High no other games and im willing to spend only on memory because by june i'll have enough money for a new computer. sounds better to do that.

[Fulmar]

The money you save now by not putting into a new video card, you can use to upgrade even further come June.

[Tmac7]

I found 2gb of memory for 18.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148086

it says laptop memory but will it work in my PC?

If I get a new Computer desktop. Got a question whats a good basic computer for the game. I'm looking at the graphics cards for the ones I found and they all seem the same when it comes to brand and type. For instances:

NVIDIA GeForce 7100 graphics (is that any good?)

And

NVIDIA GeForce 7100 XT graphics

All the computers i'm looking at range from 250$ - 500$. If I save my money up by this summer I should have a good $1,000 or more for it. And if I wait til next winter i'll have a good $2,500. But I want one around 250 and 500$ Maybe a little over.

[Fulmar]

I found 2gb of memory for 18.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148086

it says laptop memory but will it work in my PC?

Nope, laptop memory is a completely different size.  This is the cheapeast 2 x 1gb sticks I found.  $16.99 + Free shipping.  Can't beat that.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146526

Now your computer only has 2 slots for memory, so you'll have to junk/give away the current memory sticks you have in there now.  But 2gb of memory is a very good improvement over 512mb.