PCI cards

[mbailey]

Howdy gents

Anyone have any info on PCI cards and running the game. I am in need of an upgrade now that the new version is out. Unfortunalty my computer is a 5yrold Dell Dimension 3000 with an onboard Intel graphics card. I have looked and my computer will support a PCI card ( but not a PCI express or AGP card) Is there anything i can do with this system to get the game to play decently?


PLease keep in mind that i am completely computer illiterate, and only really know what graphics cards are due to reading these forums.

 
 

Any assistance would be appreciated.

<S> fellas

Mbailey

[Anodizer]

Howdy gents

Anyone have any info on PCI cards and running the game. I am in need of an upgrade now that the new version is out. Unfortunalty my computer is a 5yrold Dell Dimension 3000 with an onboard Intel graphics card. I have looked and my computer will support a PCI card ( but not a PCI express or AGP card) Is there anything i can do with this system to get the game to play decently?


PLease keep in mind that i am completely computer illiterate, and only really know what graphics cards are due to reading these forums.

 
 

Any assistance would be appreciated.

<S> fellas

Mbailey

Sadly, no..  I think the fastest PCI card available is the ATI X1550, which will be an improvement over your Intel IGP(integrated graphics processor), but not anywhere near enough..
After doing some checking, you can find an X1550 for around $100 which is a total rip-off..  AGP is roughly twice as fast, if not more..  When comparing PCI/express, there isn't even
a point in making a comparison..  You're talking impulse versus warp speed (if you're a Star Trek fan)..  Unfortunately, this is a big mistake that many people make when buying a factory built system..  It is best to get yourself at least a little bit familiar with computer hard-ware so you do not make the same mistakes in purchasing a system where everything is integrated and it's basically a throw-away system..  If not, you'll be relying on someone at a store that probably doesn't know very much if at all (a la Best Buy Dork Patrol [geeksquad]).. 

[hymi]

i got the ati 9250 pci card the other day, will run the game with 70 to 100+frame rates, but the detailed terrain is not available, hoping a fix will come out for this. If you get this card be sure not to download the lasted drivers as there is color issues with these. Had to download an old driver (catalyst 4.12) to get the colors correct on the game.

[gyrene81]

(a la Best Buy Dork Patrol [geeksquad]).. 

LMAO, ain't that the truth.

Anodizer has it right...those Dell dimensions were intended for people who just want to surf the web and play casino games...

That ati 9250 that Hymi mentions isn't a bad card (compared to the Intel graphics chip) but, as you can see by his post, it's a slim chance that you will get what you want out of the card.

[mbailey]

Thanks for the responses guys, kinda looks like im hosed. Unfortunatly a new computer isnt in the budget yet as im just back from vacation and back to school shopping ( twin 8yrolds boy,girl ) will be quite an expense.

Good news is my truck is paid off in October, that should free up about $500/month.

I really appreciate your help, if i can ever return the favor let me know

 <S> fellas

mbailey

[Anodizer]

Thanks for the responses guys, kinda looks like im hosed. Unfortunatly a new computer isnt in the budget yet as im just back from vacation and back to school shopping ( twin 8yrolds boy,girl ) will be quite an expense.

Good news is my truck is paid off in October, that should free up about $500/month.

I really appreciate your help, if i can ever return the favor let me know

 <S> fellas

mbailey

If I may suggest something..  There are MANY reasons why you never buy another Dell or any other factory built system..  Anything viable will cost you crazy amounts of money..  And anything that doesn't cost crazy amounts of money will get you into the same problem that you're in now..  If fact, it may happen sooner this time around..

Before you make any decisions on what to buy, please please please consult some one here or someone you know personally that knows about PC's..  You can build your own or have one built for much less than a Dell in the same flavor..  The only thing you'll have to worry about is the operating system..  IIRC correctly, Dells of that era came with an OS disc and not just restore discs or a restore partition like they have now..  You could probably use your old OS cd if your system came with one..  Just use the product code off the side of your case..  I've done this several times and saved people from having to buy an OS disc.. 

I understand you won't be ready for a few months..  When you are, there are many of us here that would like to help you..

[Skuzzy]

The 9200 series of ATI cards uses a video chip which was released in 10/2001.  Originally known as the ATI 8500.  The only difference is the 9200 series has been slowed down from the original 8500 release.

If you buy a "new" 9200 series card, you are getting a card with an 8 year old graphics part on it.