Help me with Video card

[KurtRussell]

Hi guys,

This is my first post and I hope you can help me. I just wanted to upgrade my crappy video card that came with my dell. In the next few months i might have a little time to play a game or two. I am not gonna play the the newest games. I am thinking of some decent action games, RPG games that reguire lets say 128 MB video card (GeForce or whatever)... Since I never had time for games, I never kept up with video cards. But I was hoping if I give you my systems specs you could advise me on the best bang for:

My budget 50-60 dollars (many online deals now -- newegg, buy.com)

Here are the specs of my PC:

----- [System Info] --------------------------------------------------------------

Property Value
Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation
Product Name Dimension 3000
Serial Number 9MTF981
Chassis Mini tower
Machine Type AT/AT COMPATIBLE


Physical Memory 766 MB Total, 440 MB Free
Memory Load 42%

Virtual Memory 1877 MB Total, 1602 MB Free

SwapFile 1152 MB
Max used 166 MB
In use 78 MB
Registry Size 2 MB (current), 54 MB (maximum)

Profile GUID {6e0a9cc0-3df6-11db-821e-806d6172696f}

The system clock interval 15 ms



----- [Motherboard] ----------------------------------------------------------------

Property Value
Manufacturer Dell Computer Corp.
Model 0TC666

Chipset Vendor Intel Corporation
Chipset Model 82865G/PE/P, 82848P DRAM Controller / Host-Hub Interface
South Bridge 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) LPC Interface Bridge
SMBus Intel Corporation 82801EB/ER (ICH5/ICH5R) SMBus Controller @EDA0h

CPU Intel Pentium 4
Cpu Socket Socket 478
Processor Upgrade ZIF Socket
Max CPU Speed 3600 MHz

System Slots 3 PCI

OnBoard devices
Video (Enabled) Intel 865-G PCI Accelerated SVGA
Ethernet (Enabled) Intel Pro 100 VE Network Connection
Sound (Enabled) AC'97 Audio Controller

Memory Summary
Capacity 768 MBytes
Location System board or motherboard
Maximum Capacity 4096 MBytes
Memory Slots 2
Error Correction None
Name Physical Memory Array
Use System memory


----- [BIOS] ----------------------------------------------------------------

BIOS Version DELL - 8
Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A03
BIOS Date 01/05/06
BIOS Web Page www.phoenix.com
BIOS Vendor Dell Computer Corporation
Version A03
Release 01/05/2006
BIOS Size 512 KB
Characteristics - supports booting from LS-120
- supports legacy USB
- supports ACPI
- Multi Proccesor supported by BIOS
- supports INT 17 printer services
- supports INT 14 serial services
- supports INT 09 and 8042 keyboard services
- supports INT 05 print-screen
- supports INT 13 for Japanese Toshiba 1.2M floppy (3.5-inch, 360rpm)
- supports Enhanced Disk Drive specification
- supports selectable boot
- supports booting from CD-ROM
- ESCD support is available
- allows BIOS shadowing
- upgradeable (Flash) BIOS
- supports APM
- supports Plug-and-Play
- supports PCI


DMI Version 2.3 @000F0430


----- [CPU Info] ----------------------------------------------------------------

Property Value
Number of CPU(s) One Physical Processor / One Core / One Logical Processor
Vendor GenuineIntel
CPU Full Name Intel Pentium 4
CPU Name Intel® Pentium® 4 CPU 2.80GHz
CPU Code Name Prescott
Technology 0.09µ
Platform Name Socket 478
Type Original OEM processor
FSB Mode QDR
Platform ID 2
Microcode ID 09
Type ID 0
CPU Clock 2716.55
System Bus Clock 517.44
System Clock 129.36
Multiplier 21.00
Original Clock 2800.00
Original Bus Clock 533.33
Original System Clock 133.33
Original Multiplier 21.00
L2 Cache Speed 2716.55 MHz
L2 Cache Speed Full
CPU Family / Model / Stepping F / 4 / 1
Family Extended 00
HyperThreading 1
L1 T-Cache 12 KµOps
L1 D-Cache 16 KB
L2 Cache 1024 KB
RDMSR 00000080 00000000 15110715 00000000
MMX Yes
MMX+ No
SSE Yes
SSE2 Yes
SSE3 Yes
SSE4 No
3DNow! No
3DNow!+ No
DualCore No
HyperThreading No
IA-64 No
AMD64 No
EM64T No
NX/XD No
SpeedStep No
PowerNow! No
LongHaul No
LongRun No
Architecture x86



----- [Memory] ----------------------------------------------

Property Value
Memory Summary
Capacity 768 MBytes
Location System board or motherboard
Maximum Capacity 4096 MBytes
Memory Slots 2
Error Correction None
Name Physical Memory Array
Use System memory


Device Locator Slot 1
Manufacturer ProMos/Mosel Vitelic
Part Number V826632K24SATG-D3
Serial Number 8CF71A04
Capacity 256 MBytes
Memory Type SDRAM DDR
Speed PC3200 (200 MHz)
Data Width 64 bits
Voltage SSTL 2.5V
Error Correction None
Refresh Reduced (.5x)...7.8 µs
Manufacturing Date 2005, Week 23
EPP SPD Support No


Device Locator Slot 3
Manufacturer Golden Empire
Part Number CL25-3-3DDR 400
Serial Number 00000000
Capacity 512 MBytes
Memory Type SDRAM DDR
Speed PC3200 (200 MHz)
Data Width 64 bits
Voltage SSTL 2.5V
Error Correction None
Refresh Reduced (.5x)...7.8 µs
Manufacturing Date 2005, Week 18
EPP SPD Support No



----- [Video] ----------------------------------------------------------------

AdapterCompatibility Intel Corporation
AdapterDACType Internal
AdapterRAM 96 MBytes
Availability 3
Caption Intel® 82865G Graphics Controller
ConfigManagerErrorCode 0
ConfigManagerUserConfig false
CurrentBitsPerPixel 32
CurrentHorizontalResolution 1280
CurrentNumberOfColors 4294967296
CurrentNumberOfColumns 0
CurrentNumberOfRows 0
CurrentRefreshRate 72
CurrentScanMode 4
CurrentVerticalResolution 1024
Description Intel® 82865G Graphics Controller
DeviceID VideoController1
DeviceSpecificPens -1
DriverDate 20050123150506.000000-000
DriverVersion 6.14.10.4020
InfFilename oem5.inf
InfSection i865G
InstalledDisplayDrivers ialmrnt5.dll
MaxRefreshRate 75
MinRefreshRate 60
Monochrome false
Name Intel® 82865G Graphics Controller
NumberOfColorPlanes 1
PNPDeviceID PCI\VEN_8086DEV_2572SUBSYS_019D1028REV_02\3172E68DD010
Status OK
VideoArchitecture 5
VideoMemoryType 2
VideoModeDescription 1280 x 1024 x 4294967296 colors
VideoProcessor Intel® 82865G Graphics Controller
BitsPerPel 32
DeviceName Intel® 82865G Graphics Controller
DisplayFlags 0
DisplayFrequency 72
LogPixels 96
PelsHeight 1024
PelsWidth 1280
SettingID Intel® 82865G Graphics Controller
SpecificationVersion 1025
BitsPerPixel 32
ColorPlanes 1
DeviceEntriesInAColorTable -1
HorizontalResolution 1280
RefreshRate 72
VerticalResolution 1024
VideoMode 1280 by 1024 pixels, True Color, 72 Hertz

Video Bios Version Hardware Version 0.0

Video Bios Date 04/16/20

Name Intel® 82865G Graphics Controller
Chip Type Intel® 82865G Graphics Controller
DAC Type Internal
Memory 96 MBytes


Thank you guys in advance!!

 

[KurtRussell]

Maybe this:

http://www.chaintechusa.com/tw/eng/product_spec.asp?MPSNo=14&PISNo=201

??

 

[KurtRussell]

44 views and no replies? Could someone reply please?

 

[ellover009]

Just to make sure, from what I understood the graph card you are running is onboard, the expansion video card slot is standar pci slot.
Heres a list of some standar pci cards
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...048+1069609642+4026&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=48
of the group I like this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130255
I am not a chaintech fan.
Honestly man I would not even invest in a graph card I would invest in a overhaul for your pc. And no more prebought pcs, the mess up with some upgreability. You can make a decent pc with around $650. Good luck.

 

[yevaud]

I see that you are already aware that you don't have an AGP slot, or PCI-e slot on your motherboard. You're going to be limited to PCI graphics cards.

I think it's appalling that Dell, Gateway, et al. are selling boxes like this.

Enough rant. Here's my suggestion

 

[KurtRussell]

I see that you are already aware that you don't have an AGP slot, or PCI-e slot on your motherboard. You're going to be limited to PCI graphics cards.

I think it's appalling that Dell, Gateway, et al. are selling boxes like this.

Enough rant. Here's my suggestion

Thanks guys, yes, it is a PCI only choice

Could you and ellover009 kind of explain why each of you goes with your choice. I mean ellover009 suggest a geforce fx5500 and you, yevaud, suggest a Radeon 9250 128-bit. Any of the specs that make you suggest those models. Even though I am limited to PCI I still would like to know that I bought the best I could have.

Thanks!

 

[digital_exhaust]

Here's my suggestion

+1... in my opinion it's the best pci card your going to get within your budget.

 

[yevaud]

I chose the 9250 because it has 256mb of ram and a 128 bit memory interface. The 5200/5500's have only 64bit memory interfaces AFAIK.

Both have 4 pipes- but in my experience for this gen, the ATI pipes were more effective vs. Nvidia.

It also has DVI, VGA, and Svideo outputs. I didn't catch what monitor you're using, but IIRC, the integrated Dell mobo only had a VGA port. The 5500 recommendation includes a DVI and s-video port only. You'd have to get a DVI-VGA adapter if you wanted to run your current monitor with this card.

BTW, can I get an autographed "The Thing" poster?

 

[KurtRussell]

I chose the 9250 because it has 256mb of ram and a 128 bit memory interface. The 5200/5500's have only 64bit memory interfaces AFAIK.

Both have 4 pipes- but in my experience for this gen, the ATI pipes were more effective vs. Nvidia.

It also has DVI, VGA, and Svideo outputs. I didn't catch what monitor you're using, but IIRC, the integrated Dell mobo only had a VGA port. The 5500 recommendation includes a DVI and s-video port only. You'd have to get a DVI-VGA adapter if you wanted to run your current monitor with this card.

BTW, can I get an autographed "The Thing" poster?

Well,

1) the 256, as I am reading will not be utilized, thus 128 is kind of optimal. Even some people claim the 128 performs better.

2) as far as fx 5200 and no 128, not true
e.g. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145087
( i think it is also supports VGA)


Autograph, ha, no problem

 

[yevaud]

well, I'm talking about two different things. Memory size and memory interface width. True, the 256mb of ram may or may not be used (depends on app), but the 128 bit mermory interface is always used, and it is superior to the 64 bit interface of the Nvidia 5200/5500 cards that have been mentioned.