Need a new video card for AH

[FGBullet]

My frame rates are around 35 fps in AH. I purchased TrackerIR today, and its pretty much unsable as the frame rates drop as low as 7 with the tracker on. It's time for a new video card (Prefer Radeon). I currently have a Radeon X1300 512mb card and looking for recommendations for a new card. DXDIAG listed below. I'm pretty sure the power supply is 300 watt. I'll verify tomorrow. Thanks...


-----------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/30/2010, 01:03:13
       Machine name: ADAMSCOMPUTER
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.100427-1636)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
       System Model: System Product Name
               BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU          6400  @ 2.13GHz (2 CPUs)
             Memory: 2046MB RAM
          Page File: 867MB used, 3071MB 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: Radeon X1300 Series   
     Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
        Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x7187)
         DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
       Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_7187&SUBSYS_0840174B&REV_00
   Display Memory: 512.0 MB
     Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (70Hz)
          Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
  Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
      Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
   Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6618 (English)
      DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
 Driver Date/Size: 6/7/2006 03:09:12, 260096 bytes
      WHQL Logo'd: Yes
  WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
              VDD: n/a
         Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 6/7/2006 03:08:58, 1580544 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-32C7-11CF-216D-4A28A1C2CB35}
        Vendor ID: 0x1002
        Device ID: 0x7187
        SubSys ID: 0x0840174B
      Revision ID: 0x0000
      Revision ID: 0x0000

[Krusty]

I have the same CPU and the same amount of RAM. I'm confident (from past experience I had with lesser cards) even a minor upgrade will help tons. I'm currently running a 9600 GSO budget card but it still lets me run 512 textures on a single monitor with moderate goodies, 2x (or is it 4x?) FSAA and good FPS. This is also a low power card. I wouldn't necessarily recommend it. I'm just giving you a baseline for browsing. Look for an 8800 GT for a low-budget upgrade, or possibly go to a HD 5770 for a more pricey but much more powerful card.

That x1300 is really killing you.

[columbus]

i got a GT 240 DDR5 version for sale. 60.00 + s/h  its runs same speed as a 9600 GT roughly

[Boozeman]

If you don't want to upgrade your PSU, you are very limited in your choices. You are basically stuck with cards that don't need and external power connector, i.e. cards like the HD4670 and HD5670 are really the very upper limit on what your PSU can handle. However, more infos on the current PSU are needed, foremost at how many amps the 12V rail is rated at. One thing is sure though, these cards already offer a huge perfomance leap over a X1300 card, but will not run AH at maxed settings smoothly.     

[Infidelz]

4 gigs will help if your chipset will support it.
Infidelz

[FGBullet]

Thanks for the tips. I'm willing to purchase whatever's needed for optimal performance. Krusty, do you think the HD 5770 would give me max frame rates with all settings maxed in game?

[LeDragon]

What power supply do you have?  The 5770 would be a good choice, but it's going to demand a good stable amount of power.

[FGBullet]

I ordered 2 more gigs of ram, bringing the total to 4gb. Additionally, my power supply is 450 watts, not 300. I'm looking for optimal performance in AH. 

Radeon recommendations appreciated. 

[LeDragon]

RAM is the least of your worries.  The recommended for the 5770 is: 450 Watt or greater power supply with one 75W 6-pin PCI Express® power connectors

The VC is your best investment at this point.  2 GIG of RAM is sufficient for AH on XP.

[FGBullet]

I'm now looking at the Radeon HD 6850 or 6870. Anyone have either of these cards; and do they proivde max fps at optimal settings in AH??

I'd also like to upgrade the Power supply to 600w +. How do I determine which power supply will work with my motherboard? Is the CPU a factor?

Board: ASUSTeK Computer INC. P5NSLI 1.XX
Bus Clock: 266 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD ASUS P5NSLI ACPI BIOS Revision 0601 07/13/2006

[LeDragon]

I have the same motherboard with 2 GB RAM, running Vista, and the 6750 processor lightly overclocked to 3.0 ( I think) with a 9800GTX+ 1 GB video card and run with sliders on full, AA x 2, high res pack at 2048, everything on including self shadow.  I run 59 or 60 FPS at all times.

I do have an 850 power supply but 90% is not needed even though I currently have 5 case fans.

[skribetm]

// 9800GTX+ 1 GB video card //

you forgot to detail what resolution, very important.

[FGBullet]

Thanks to everyone for the help. I've decided to go with the HD 6870 VC and an Antec 750 watt power supply.

[Tigger29]

Thanks to everyone for the help. I've decided to go with the HD 6870 VC and an Antec 750 watt power supply.

You might want to consider getting a hold of "TilDeath" on here.  Not only does he build systems, but he can also get parts usually cheaper than the websites can... if nothing else I'm sure he can make some good recommendations for you.

[LeDragon]

you forgot to detail what resolution, very important.

1680 X 1050 on 22" monitor