Need Help Picking a Videocard For My System

[rondz]

I am currently using a Dell Dimension 5150 as listed in the link here http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/dimen_5150?c=us&cs=28&l=en&s=dfb

My Current Specs:
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Dell DM051
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3326MB RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 11

Card name: ATI RADEON X800 XL (Microsoft Corporation - WDDM)
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor (0x554D)
Display Memory: 1661 MB
Dedicated Memory: 253 MB
Shared Memory: 1407 MB
Monitor Name: SyncMaster 245B/245BW/245BPlus(Digital)
Monitor Model: SyncMaster

Power Supply: Standard 305W

It's pretty obvious that I am not good with updating my computers videocard since mine is pretty old already. But now I think it's time to upgrade and I don't know where to even start. I did some research on Google but was limited to an extent that I can understand, the rest was over my head. That's why I thought this forum would be the best place to get an honest opinion about what videocard would be the best for my computer based on the specs.

The main videocard that came to mind was the Sapphire ATI Radeon 4670 512MB and 1GB. As far as the videocard memory goes, I don't understand how that works? Meaning, will my Dell Dimension 5150 motherboard/processor limit the videocards memory or will it allow it to use all without the power supply giving up on me? I'm confused as of what the videocard memory will do for or against me if I install the 512MB or 1GB version, what would be the best for me? Also, for the computer that I own according to the systems specs, am I looking at a pretty good videocard that it can support or is there better ones that I can get without worrying about memory limitations and power supply problems?

Anyways, any help would be deeply appreciated. I am not that good at understanding computer hardware but would like to get my computer system up to date without having to buy an all new set up.

The main reason I would like to buy a new video card is because I know my current one is outdated, I want to be able to play Battlefield Bad Company 2 and also watch HD videos online without the choppiness.

I am willing to spend $70-$170 on a card and maybe a new power supply, thats the budget Im working with. Also let me know if the upgrade is even worth it compared to the videocard I currently have.

 

[friend'scatdied]

IMHO your CPU will severely limit your upgrade and still hold BFBC2 back. I would not sink any money into an old-ish OEM system -- it only leads to disappointment (I've tried upgrading Vaios that were long overdue for retirement).

 

[Excalibur55]

With a quality brand 400w PSU and a Radeon 4670 512MB, you could play Battlefield 2 at medium settings; certainly not with all the eye candy on (just my opinion here, I haven't play that game). You Pentium D will be limiting your game performance (I'm having the same problem here too).

You can either take that road or save your money for a new system; the choice is yours.

 

[The Cobra]

With a quality brand 400w PSU and a Radeon 4670 512MB, you could play Battlefield 2 at medium settings; certainly not with all the eye candy on (just my opinion here, I haven't play that game). You Pentium D will be limiting your game performance (I'm having the same problem here too).

You can either take that road or save your money for a new system; the choice is yours.

+1 The pentium d's have a super slow bus that really limts their use. I have a dell optiplex 360 with a pentium d and 4gb of ram running serve 2008 r2. That is all it is good for anymore.

 

[rondz]

Nice, I really appreciate the honesty in the responses. That really helps me make a better decision for what to do next as far as PC upgrades. I'm going to really look into a new system most likely now that my options are limited to a old computer. It's about that time I guess. Thanks each of you that has responded.

 

[Dangman]

The main videocard that came to mind was the Sapphire ATI Radeon 4670 512MB and 1GB. As far as the videocard memory goes, I don't understand how that works? Meaning, will my Dell Dimension 5150 motherboard/processor limit the videocards memory or will it allow it to use all without the power supply giving up on me? I'm confused as of what the videocard memory will do for or against me if I install the 512MB or 1GB version, what would be the best for me? Also, for the computer that I own according to the systems specs, am I looking at a pretty good videocard that it can support or is there better ones that I can get without worrying about memory limitations and power supply problems?

Your mobo/CPU will not limit the GPU's VRAM. Totally seperate from one another. Generally, more VRAM means better performance. However you also have to pay attention to what kind of RAM the GPU's VRAM is. I.e 1GB of GDDR2 RAM will be significantly slower than 512MB of GDDR3 RItAM. And then there's the GPU core, number of shaders, etc, etc, etc. A whole variety of features and factors that determine the performance of a video card.

I recommend getting the $70 9600GT if you are gonna upgrade as it is significantly faster than the HD 4670 1GB and only costs about $7 to $9 more. PSU wise, Dell packages some semi-decent PSUs so you should be fine.

But I do agree that the Pentium D will be probably be your main bottlneck depending on what resolution you'll be playing at.

 

[ryken]

My advice to you, because you are on a budget, is to think long term with this upgrade. I don't think it would be terrible to upgrade gpu and psu now, and then in a month or two upgrade cpu/MB.

According to a quick google search, your RAM should be DDR2. This would be great, because then you could look at a budget motherboard and a cheaper AMD processor. Do you live next to a microcenter by any chance? They have a pretty good deals on processors and sometimes motherboards too.

 

[noquarter]

Does the $70 9600GT still exist? Prices seem way up on all of Nvidia's cards now since they EOL'd them while switching to overpriced GT240 stuff..

As far as the amount of RAM on your video card goes, anything low end like we're talking isn't going to be able to handle the resolutions and settings that would make 1GB of ram more useful than 512MB so I wouldn't spend extra money on a 1GB version.

Also the Pentium D is a socket 775 chip and a lot of those older socket 775 mobos can handle a Pentium Dual Core or Core2Duo so dropping in a new CPU like an E6300 along with a Radeon 4670 or Geforce 9600 GT for not too much money isn't out of the question.

 

[Dangman]

Does the $70 9600GT still exist? Prices seem way up on all of Nvidia's cards now since they EOL'd them while switching to overpriced GT240 stuff..

Yes it still exists:
$70 - 9600GT 512MB

Also the Pentium D is a socket 775 chip and a lot of those older socket 775 mobos can handle a Pentium Dual Core or Core2Duo so dropping in a new CPU like an E6300 along with a Radeon 4670 or Geforce 9600 GT for not too much money isn't out of the question.

It's a Dell mobo. More than likely it cannot support the newer 775 CPUs.

 

[noquarter]

It's a Dell mobo. More than likely it cannot support the newer 775 CPUs.

Good point, unlikely that they'd update the BIOS for them.

 

[Zinn]

My gut feeling seeing the initial specs was also "9600 GT", although for BFBC2 your CPU is going to hold you back. You can build a pretty capable gaming machine pretty cheap these days if you do it yourself, especially if you live near a Microcenter, so you might want to look into that.

 

[cannondale06]

you can forget about playing Battlefield Bad Company 2 with that cpu. the min just to play the game is a 2.0 Core 2 Duo and your 2.8 Pentium D isnt even close. not to mention that the min requirements rarely even play a game worth a crap anyway.

sorry but its time for a new pc if you want to play the most demanding modern games.

 

[Jeffredo]

sorry but its time for a new pc if you want to play the most demanding modern games.

I agree. His Pentium D is actually pretty well matched with the X800 XL. Time to start planning for a new PC if the old Dell no longer cuts it.