Author Topic: Video Upgrade time - suggestions? (Read 578 times)

gofaster · « **on:** April 07, 2003, 01:39:17 PM »

Bought a new 21" monitor recently and now its time to upgrade the video card. System is a WindowsME Dell Dimension P4 1.2Ghz. I can't recall what video card is in there and I'm not at home so I can't check. When I do, I'll edit this post with the info.

So what would you recommend would suit me for Aces High gaming for another year or two?

XNachoX · « **Reply #1 on:** April 07, 2003, 04:31:40 PM »

ATI 9700 Pro. Since the 9800 just came out the price will drop a bit. This card will last you another year or two, easy.
__________________

Misty tales and poems lost
All the bliss and beauty will be gone
Will my weary soul find release for a while
At the moment of death I will smile
It's the triumph of shame and disease
In the end Iliad
4,/JG 53

Animal · « **Reply #2 on:** April 07, 2003, 05:06:03 PM »

Nacho is wise.

AdmRose · « **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2003, 10:58:34 PM »

Windows ME? Why don't you just shoot the motherboard now, and save yourself some frustration ahead of time

Pfunk · « **Reply #4 on:** April 07, 2003, 11:48:01 PM »

Might wanna make sure that Dell has an AGP slot, alot of times those buggers have integrated video and lack and actual AGP slot to put the card in.

gofaster · « **Reply #5 on:** April 09, 2003, 08:39:59 AM »

I'll open the case up this weekend if the wife isn't looking (she gets nervous whenever I start poking around in there - it usually means I'm about to spend money). I believe it has an AGP slot but I'll verify visually as soon as I can slip into my ninja garb and slink under the case.

Reschke · « **Reply #6 on:** April 09, 2003, 09:02:36 PM »

Same way here gofaster. Although I have shown my wife that its time to spend some more money to upgrade so I can "do the emails for 'Gus Mayer' more effectively". It just so happens that she works for a high end boutique that has asked me to help out and do side work on their network and do graphic emails for their mailing list.

bloom25 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 09, 2003, 10:23:11 PM »

What CPU do you have? There's no such thing as a 1.2 GHz P4. The slowest P4 made was the 1.3 GHz Willamette model. (Which performed about as well as a 933 MHz P3, but that's not the issue here...)

The 9700 Pro is a great card, but if you really do have a 1.4 GHz P4 or something close you're really spending more money than you need to unless you plan on moving it to a faster system at some point.

I'd probably recommend something like a 9500 Pro, which can be found for well under $200. If, however, you can find a 9700 Pro for under $250 I'd probably get it. (I've heard that Best Buy has offered rebates on them recently, which makes them a relatively good buy.)

gofaster · « **Reply #8 on:** April 10, 2003, 09:06:08 AM »

Ah, then I must have the 1.3 Ghz. I remember it was the first-generation P4 at its lowest speed. I'm not at the machine at the moment so I can't verify, and when I'm at the machine I'm usually logged onto AH.

I can't even remember how much memory I installed (I added some after the first memory chips blew out). I'll pull the full tech specs tonight when I get the chance.

I'll start pricing the 9700 to find a source supplier, probably NewEgg.Com or ProVantage.com. They seem to have fair deals. I plan to upgrade the chip at some point later this year or early next, probably shortly after AH2 comes out, depending on system req's and performance on my current machine. I've managed to get by without a chip upgrade since we bought the Dell 2 years ago so I think its about time.

Pfunk · « **Reply #9 on:** April 10, 2003, 11:32:32 AM »

Thing about Dell or any other "retail" computer is your extremely limited as to upgrades. you might be able to upgrade to a 1.8ghz which in my opinion isnt worth the $$. If you want to upgrade easily stray away from the retail boxes and build or have someone build you one. I upgrade every 2 years and it costs me an average of $200 for a whole new motherboard,processor,and memory.

Manedew · « **Reply #10 on:** April 10, 2003, 12:26:13 PM »

might want to look at it before ya jump to 9700 ... with only 1.2ghz 9500 maybe better cheaper choice .... just somethign to think about

bloom25 · « **Reply #11 on:** April 11, 2003, 08:27:38 PM »

It's highly unlikely that Dell could accept a CPU upgrade. Even if it could, the Willamette type P4s only went to 2 GHz and were not good performers. (The Northwood 1.6 'A' GHz model and AMD 1500+ will even outperform it.)

If you can find the 9700 Pro at a good price, it would give you a significant performance boost over you current card. There are a few things to take into account though:

1. A 9700 Pro would be bottlenecked by your CPU. A 9500 Pro would deliver nearly the same frame rate. (It would also be bottlenecked by that CPU, but is the best bang for the buck as far as graphics cards go right now.)

2. Your power supply may be inadequate to power a Radeon 9700 Pro. Be sure you've got at least a 300W power supply. You should also be aware that some Dell systems do not use a standard ATX wired power supply. If you do end up needing to buy a larger PS, take your old one along to be sure the colors on the 20pin ATX connector (the larger one that plugs into the MB) match.

Siaf__csf · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2003, 01:50:35 AM »

Oh the joy and wonder of the OEM world.

I will never EVER buy a brand computer. You can (and will) be screwed in so many ways.