New Vid Card

[BaldEagl]

Get this ($275):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129113

Or this ($265):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

Or this if you don't want to spend so much ($170):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129112

And this no matter which of the above you choose ($89):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

Are you sure you're going to be able to connect the power supply?  You seem a little intimidated and there's a lot of wiring to connect (not that it's hard or anything).

[Serenity]

Get this ($275):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129113

Or this ($265):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

Or this if you don't want to spend so much ($170):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129112

And this no matter which of the above you choose ($89):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703005

Are you sure you're going to be able to connect the power supply?  You seem a little intimidated and there's a lot of wiring to connect (not that it's hard or anything).

I just cannot afford to replace this computer if I frag it, and I have no clue about computers. If there are instructions though, I can follow them. And 1701, I know the basics are simple, but each set combines in a different way, and has different qualities... and I dont speak the language theyre described in.

[BaldEagl]

I just cannot afford to replace this computer if I frag it, and I have no clue about computers. If there are instructions though, I can follow them. And 1701, I know the basics are simple, but each set combines in a different way, and has different qualities... and I dont speak the language theyre described in.

Then I would suggest you get the lower priced video card and the power supply and bring them along with your computer into Best Buy or your local computer shop to have them installed for you.  Call ahead to see what they'll charge you.

[drdeathx]

Serenity,


It seems you must be having problems with your system. Although it may be old, it may be salvaged for a year or 2 with basic cleanup,video card, ram  and/or power supply. You may  not need all of these but let us know what you are running.

Post your computer specs in this forum. I used to run Aces high on Athalon 3000 overclocked to 1.9 ghz with a Nvidea 6800GS(agp) and had  no problems. My computer was lean with 16 processes running. Mind you I had graphics in game low but I only ran into slight screen lag in high
traffic areas.

The guys will help you get your existing system running real nice depending how outdated it is. Do not run and get a new computer if you do not have the cash. For $350 or much less, the guys and myself will give you great advice and suggestions to get you up and running nicely.

Go to start/run and type dxdiag in the run box. Save the information and open it in wordpad. Copy the notes and paste them on this thread. Skuzzy,MrRip, BaldEagle, Challenge, Floatsom myself and others will help. I am not an IT pro but have built my second computer and have SOME knowledge. None the less, These guys are pros and we will get ya up!

[Serenity]

Serenity,


It seems you must be having problems with your system. Although it may be old, it may be salvaged for a year or 2 with basic cleanup,video card, ram  and/or power supply. You may  not need all of these but let us know what you are running.

Post your computer specs in this forum. I used to run Aces high on Athalon 3000 overclocked to 1.9 ghz with a Nvidea 6800GS(agp) and had  no problems. My computer was lean with 16 processes running. Mind you I had graphics in game low but I only ran into slight screen lag in high
traffic areas.

The guys will help you get your existing system running real nice depending how outdated it is. Do not run and get a new computer if you do not have the cash. For $350 or much less, the guys and myself will give you great advice and suggestions to get you up and running nicely.

Go to start/run and type dxdiag in the run box. Save the information and open it in wordpad. Copy the notes and paste them on this thread. Skuzzy,MrRip, BaldEagle, Challenge, Floatsom myself and others will help. I am not an IT pro but have built my second computer and have SOME knowledge. None the less, These guys are pros and we will get ya up!

Actually, im not having any problems with my current setup. Its still relatively new, and a HUGE leap up from what I started AH with. I run 1024 x 768 with 1024 texture sizes pretty well. I used to get a frame rate of 60, but when I turned anti-aliasing on, that dropped to 20. My mum just got a job on a big hollywood movie, so shes making piles of money, and since ive never really asked for much, and that I did ask for I only did so if I had great use for it and it was cheap, shes offered to get me anything I like for christmas with a $800 budget. Being me though, I would feel... wrong to spend nearly so much money, so im just going to get myself a nice little upgrade so I can have anti-aliasing on and still get a frame rate around 40-60. Im looking at what baldeagl posted and that seems to be a good deal. Im not at my mum's house and so im not on the computer I will be upgrading, so I cannot post the dxdiag for another 3 weeks though.

Im not really looking for top-of-the-line, basically what I would REALLY love is:

Anti-aliasing
Frame rate of 40+
Run in 1024 x 768
Texture Size of 1024
And do this with full-vis range.

I always have my ground detail range set to minimum while flying just because the trees make the picture look... not right, and I usually have object detail dialed all the way to faster, because everything seems to look the same anyway.

[drdeathx]

Still post your system as maybe the uprade in Ram, Video card maybe a better solution!

[Serenity]

Still post your system as maybe the uprade in Ram, Video card maybe a better solution!

I think Fulmar posted my system specs a bit earlier in the thread. The dxdiag will have to wait until I get back.

[Fulmar]

I think Fulmar posted my system specs a bit earlier in the thread. The dxdiag will have to wait until I get back.

That I did.  If you're going to upgrade your video card, please add an extra 1 or 2 gb of RAM.  Adding RAM is a piece of cake to do.  Changing a video card is also very easy.  Replacing a power supply may be tricky for the first timer.  But it's up to you on if you want to do it yourself.  Some places charge up the butt on part installs, however easy they are.  Last time I checked, Geek Squad charges $35 for a RAM install which takes less time and is easier than brushing your teeth.

[drdeathx]

Those "specs" do not give cpu unless I missed something. Please post DXdiag. I think we may be getting too far ahead Fulmar. Lets let him post and see what he is running just in case. Looks like all you may need is a Video card, 1 x 1024 ram(must be matched to your existing ram) and a power supply. As for Video card the 4830 has been rated by numerous professionals as best bang for buck at $129-$150. Add a PSU for $100 and ram which we need your ram installed in your computer to look up. You should be able to get away with under $350.

[Serenity]

Those "specs" do not give cpu unless I missed something. Please post DXdiag. I think we may be getting too far ahead Fulmar. Lets let him post and see what he is running just in case. Looks like all you may need is a Video card, 1 x 1024 ram(must be matched to your existing ram) and a power supply. As for Video card the 4830 has been rated by numerous professionals as best bang for buck at $129-$150. Add a PSU for $100 and ram which we need your ram installed in your computer to look up. You should be able to get away with under $350.

The dxdiag is not going to be possible to get at for another 3 weeks unfortunately, as I wont have access to the computer until then.

Fulmar: I know how to plug RAM in, ive tinkered around the inside of a computer before, but it was one that didnt work anyway, I guess im just afraid to break this one. Does the power supply come with instructions?

[drdeathx]

Kinda but not really. All the power hook ups have different connectors so you really cannot screw it up. It's not like you can put  a 4 pin molex into a 6 pin connector. If you take your time its not hard. If you have a friend or family member that may have done this have them help you. If not, call your local computer store and inquire how much they charge.  I did my first psu many years ago and was noway!!! Im gonna fry this machine but I took my time made sure I reconnected as the first one was a boom done.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE GET HELP!


Another suggestion is this unit by visiontek:

http://www.visiontek.com/products/powersupply/VT_powersupply.html

This is an add on power power supply that is the size of your cd/dvd drive. It is real neat as it slides into your box under your cd/dvd drive. It has a seperate power cord you plug into your wall that goes out thru the back of your computer. All you have to do is install/plug 1-4 pin molex connector from existing power supply into visiontek unit/plug unit to video card and plug visiontek unit into wall. Boom done! This may be the direction to go! Priced at $100:

http://search.a1books.com/cgi-bin/mktSearch?act=showDesc&code=gbase&rel=1&ITEM_CODE=784090024923

Video card is simple. I just found a great deal on Nvidea 9800GT at DELL!! $111

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/category.aspx?c=us&category_id=5406&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd&ST=ati&dgc=ST&cid=14700&lid=364234


If you pull the ram out you can easily look at manufacturer and model. You need to match the ram with the same stick. Your motherboard instructions should list the slots to install 2 sticks. If it has 4 slots usually the 1st 2 slots closest to the cpu should be the right ones. Remember it looks like you have 1 stick x 1024 on the ram so go find the same stick x 1024 and your ram should be fine. Easy install

Skippy this should do ya up!!!!

[BaldEagl]

If it has 4 slots usually the 1st 2 slots closest to the cpu should be the right ones.

Nope.  Wrong again.  If it's dual channel then the first and third slots would be the right ones.

[Masherbrum]

Nope.  Wrong again.  If it's dual channel then the first and third slots would be the right ones.

Correct

[drdeathx]

ok i said check instruct.

[humble]

Then I would suggest you get the lower priced video card and the power supply and bring them along with your computer into Best Buy or your local computer shop to have them installed for you.  Call ahead to see what they'll charge you.

You dont need anything more then an 8800GT and can get by with less. You need to upgrade the power supply to handle the video card. You dont need alot of power. any 450W PS of decent quality is fine....

This PW is fine for $45 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341010

Looking at Toms hardware they recommend the 9600GSO as best video card under $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121255
$50 after rebate

so you can upgrade both PS and VC for roughly $100