Helping me Upgrade my Graphics Card?

jasonkoltai1 · #1 09-02-2009, 12:31 AM

Hi there. I wanted to get a new Graphic Card so I am able to play games such as "Combat Arms" without lag. The problem is that I have been looking into some other threads about Graphic cards and I have read that even though you have a top of the line graphic card, you can still lag due to other components.

I'm hoping to get some feedback on what I should do and what should I get. Im looking for a Graphic Card which is almost guaranteed no lag (and that I can buy with $130.) Also, if you think I should upgrade anything else, please tell me.

*note: I dont know if this will change anything and it might mention this below in the system information, but all hardware in my computer is built into my motherboard... Yeah... Just leaving that out there incase it matters*

System Information:

Operating System System Model
Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (build 2600)
Install Language: English (United States)
System Locale: English (United States) VIA Technologies, Inc. KM400-8235
Enclosure Type: Desktop
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
1.85 gigahertz AMD Athlon XP
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Not hyper-threaded Board: ASUS A7V8X-MX A7V8X-MX
Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 1006 09/15/2003
Drives Memory Modules c,d
250.05 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
216.32 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8525B [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

WDC WD2500BB-22GUA0 [Hard drive] (250.06 GB) -- drive 0, s/n WD-WMAL72709989, rev 08.02D08, SMART Status: Healthy 1024 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory

Slot 'A0' has 512 MB
Slot 'A1' has 512 MB
Local Drive Volumes

c: (NTFS on drive 0) 250.05 GB 216.32 GB free
Network Drives
None detected
Users (mouse over user name for details) Printers
local user accounts last logon
Administrator 29/08/2009 8:36:11 PM (admin)
Jason 07/08/2009 7:27:13 PM (admin)
local system accounts
Guest 19/05/2009 10:39:07 PM
HelpAssistant never
SUPPORT_388945a0 never

DISABLED Marks a disabled account; LOCKED OUT Marks a locked account

Microsoft XPS Document Writer on XPSPort:
Controllers Display
Standard floppy disk controller
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller]
VIA Bus Master IDE Controller RADEON 9200 SE Family (Microsoft Corporation) [Display adapter]
RADEON 9200 SE SEC Family (Microsoft Corporation) [Display adapter]
ViewSonic VX700-3 [Monitor] (17.1"vis, s/n A23031915200, May 2003)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller (3x)
VIA USB Enhanced Host Controller Logitech Microphone (Pro 3000)
MPU-401 Compatible MIDI Device
SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
Standard Game Port
Virtual Audio Cable
Virus Protection [Back to Top] new Group Policies
AVG Anti-Virus Free Version 8.5
Virus Definitions Version Up To Date
Realtime File Scanning On
None discovered
Communications Other Devices

HID Non-User Input Data Filter (KB 911895)
HID-compliant consumer control device (2x)
HID-compliant device (4x)
USB Human Interface Device (4x)
Digital Still Camera
Logitech QuickCam Pro 3000 (08B0)
HID Keyboard Device (2x)
HID-compliant mouse (2x)
Apple Mobile Device USB Driver
Logitech USB Camera (Pro 3000)
USB Composite Device (2x)
USB Root Hub (4x)

Thank you to everyone in advance who spent their time look at this threat. Very much appreciated Staff&Members of ST&T,
Jason

jasonkoltai1 · #2 09-02-2009, 12:50 AM

Hi there. I wanted to get a new Graphic Card so I am able to play games such as "Combat Arms" without lag. The problem is that I have been looking into some other threads about Graphic cards and I have read that even though you have a top of the line graphic card, you can still lag due to other components.

I'm hoping to get some feedback on what I should do and what should I get. Im looking for a Graphic Card which is almost guaranteed no lag (and that I can buy with $130.) Also, if you think I should upgrade anything else, please tell me.

*note: I dont know if this will change anything and it might mention this below in the system information, but all hardware in my computer is built into my motherboard... Yeah... Just leaving that out there incase it matters*

System Information:

Operating System System Model
Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (build 2600)
Install Language: English (United States)
System Locale: English (United States) VIA Technologies, Inc. KM400-8235
Enclosure Type: Desktop
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
1.85 gigahertz AMD Athlon XP
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Not hyper-threaded Board: ASUS A7V8X-MX A7V8X-MX
Bus Clock: 166 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 1006 09/15/2003
Drives Memory Modules c,d
250.05 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
216.32 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

HL-DT-ST CD-RW GCE-8525B [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

WDC WD2500BB-22GUA0 [Hard drive] (250.06 GB) -- drive 0, s/n WD-WMAL72709989, rev 08.02D08, SMART Status: Healthy 1024 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory

Slot 'A0' has 512 MB
Slot 'A1' has 512 MB
Local Drive Volumes

c: (NTFS on drive 0) 250.05 GB 216.32 GB free
Network Drives
None detected
Users (mouse over user name for details) Printers
local user accounts last logon
Administrator 29/08/2009 8:36:11 PM (admin)
Jason 07/08/2009 7:27:13 PM (admin)
local system accounts
Guest 19/05/2009 10:39:07 PM
HelpAssistant never
SUPPORT_388945a0 never

DISABLED Marks a disabled account; LOCKED OUT Marks a locked account

Microsoft XPS Document Writer on XPSPort:
Controllers Display
Standard floppy disk controller
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller]
VIA Bus Master IDE Controller RADEON 9200 SE Family (Microsoft Corporation) [Display adapter]
RADEON 9200 SE SEC Family (Microsoft Corporation) [Display adapter]
ViewSonic VX700-3 [Monitor] (17.1"vis, s/n A23031915200, May 2003)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller (3x)
VIA USB Enhanced Host Controller Logitech Microphone (Pro 3000)
MPU-401 Compatible MIDI Device
SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
Standard Game Port
Virtual Audio Cable
Virus Protection [Back to Top] new Group Policies
AVG Anti-Virus Free Version 8.5
Virus Definitions Version Up To Date
Realtime File Scanning On
None discovered
Communications Other Devices

HID Non-User Input Data Filter (KB 911895)
HID-compliant consumer control device (2x)
HID-compliant device (4x)
USB Human Interface Device (4x)
Digital Still Camera
Logitech QuickCam Pro 3000 (08B0)
HID Keyboard Device (2x)
HID-compliant mouse (2x)
Apple Mobile Device USB Driver
Logitech USB Camera (Pro 3000)
USB Composite Device (2x)
USB Root Hub (4x)

Thank you to everyone in advance who spent their time look at this threat. Very much appreciated Staff&Members of ST&T,
Jason

Kevin_gibson · #3 09-03-2009, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonkoltai1

Hi there. I wanted to get a new Graphic Card so I am able to play games such as "Combat Arms" without lag. The problem is that I have been looking into some other threads about Graphic cards and I have read that even though you have a top of the line graphic card, you can still lag due to other components.

I'm hoping to get some feedback on what I should do and what should I get. Im looking for a Graphic Card which is almost guaranteed no lag (and that I can buy with $130.) Also, if you think I should upgrade anything else, please tell me.

System Information:

Operating System System Model
Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3 (build 2600)
Install Language: English (United States)
System Locale: English (United States) VIA Technologies, Inc. KM400-8235
Enclosure Type: Desktop
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
1.85 gigahertz AMD Athlon XP
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Not hyper-threaded Board: ASUS A7V8X-MX A7V8X-MX

RADEON 9200 SE SEC Family (Microsoft Corporation) [Display adapter]

Hi,
If you're looking at a new card, you need 1 that'll be ok to match at least the minimum spcs of that game you're buying. But always go a bit higher incase you want to play more powerful games.

You mentioned most things are on board, I take it this includes Memory and your graphics card?

If so, then the graphics card and memory will of course share the memory, part for display, and part to run the machine and provide you with a computing experience.

But if you get a new Graphics card, make sure it's compatible with your motherboard, and if you want better graphics, also try and go for additional memory. You can go up to 1gb per slot, I've noticed you have 2 slots on your mainboard.

Your HDD size could also cause issues, if you have little space or to much clogging it up.

Read here for more info:

http://www.crucial.com/upgrade/compa...tml?click=true

This gives a better mainboard spec and details;

http://www.dealtime.com/xPF-Asustek-...B333-AUDIO-LAN

nandananushil1 · #4 11-07-2009, 05:54 AM

The best AGP Card from Nvidia in your price range is 7800 GS. you caneasily play games like Combat Arms in it without lag.

Play Hard