What video card should i get 4 the game

Here is my system

Processor AMD Athlon 2000 XP+, MMX 3DNOW,1.7GHz 80GB
Memory 512MB

Directx Version 9.0c

Display
S3 ProSavage DDR
Total Memory 32MB
DAC type S3DAC

Sound
Avance AC97Audio

ACPI Uniprocessor

My computer is a eMachine just to give an idea.I wanna no what would be a good video card for this system.I dont have a ton of money to spend either.I would like one with a tv tuner also.Also maybe upgrade my sound card as well.Any help would be appreciated thnxs

Wow your current GPU is really bad!!! I know cuz I have it for my laptop.

One thing you gotta be careful is finding out what is the wattage of your system. EMachines and Dell sometimes supply their comps with a 240W PSU which is too weak for most good GPUs.

Also, even if you get a good card like the 9800 Pro or over your system will bottleneck that card although you will see increase performance compared to your S3. I suggest investing on a new processor as well but you might have to change your mobo. But if you are an avid gamer the saying is that anything less than a 9600XT is UNACCEPTABLE especially with new gen games coming. But I recommend a 9800 pro or over especially when a 9800 pro is only about $40 more. Just newegg it.

As for your sound...it is integrated onto the mobo. Ac 97' is not that good but it is not really necessary to upgrade that unless you want more than 2.1 sound. Just get good speakers. Also what is your AC97' realtek codec? Some new codecs enable EAX and 3D sound.

What is your mobo...I am guessing that it is a Via mobo. Am I right? If you don't know mobo means motherboard.

But since you don't have enough cash...seriously don't upgrade this comp. Just save up and buy a new comp (NOT eMachines or Dell) or build your own which will save you A LOT of money. You can get alienware but those are really expensive and you can save almost or more than $1000 by building your own.

If you really want to upgrade your comp I suggest a new mobo with AMD64 cpu, 9800 pro, and another stick of RAM (512) preferably PC3200 or at least PC2700. Make sure the new mobo is dual channel for the RAM. If you just want to upgrade your vid card get a 9600XT minimum but make sure your PSU is at least 300 and 350 for any GPU better than that. Honestly though if you want a 9800 pro to run smoothly and your comp to get less heated (the 9800 pro is HOTTTTTTTTT) get a minimum 400 W PSU brand name (don't buy generic I have seen it blow before). If you can get a 9800 pro with the R360 core and just flash it to a 9800XT. Boom you have a MUCH more powerful card for a BUNCH less. But seeing your cpu...it will bottleneck the GPU big time.

i agree. i've had that problem (pc not being able to run a game properly) since day 1. feel free to take a look at my specs to get some ideas. i run nba live 05 on this configuration (pc) and it runs amazing on my pc, and i have it at 1280 x 1024 32 bit with maximum detail settings.

i couldn't agree more with iluvitlive about building your own pc. it gives you more control (unlike a console) to produce better results, graphics, smoother gameplay, etc.

regarding the vid card, i love my 9800 pro. i know that it produces a lot of heat, so i bought a fan card from spectrum, which helps a lot - http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=120565&CatId=804 and they are quite inexpensive. a small price to pay to protect your investment.

i used to think that upgrading the sound card wouldn't affect performance, but really, it does, so make sure you get a good sound card - i.e., one from soundblaster. i'd get the audigy 2 if i were you.


let me know if you have any q's - hope that helps.

Here is my system
Processor AMD Athlon 2000 XP+, MMX 3DNOW,1.7GHz 80GB
Memory 512MB
S3 ProSavage DDR
Total Memory 32MB
DAC type S3DAC
Avance AC97Audio

These guys're telling you to upgrade major items, which will cost a ton. What I'm going to suggest won't cost too much and should have you running Live 2005 with few problems.

- Find out what mobo & bios is in your pc, see if it will support faster Athlon XP processor. If so, you can replace the your 2000XP with a better one for about $100, such as the Athlon XP 2400, which should fit in your motherboard nicely with a bios upgrade from the mobo manufacturer) http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 336&depa=1 Make sure you're certain it will be compatible before ordering, though. And you may be able to get a few buck for your old one on eBay.

- That video card has got to go. You can get a respectable lower-level enthusiast card for between $110-$160, with the nice stuff starting at $199 or so (a big selection here http://www.newegg.com/app/manufact.asp? ... =48&DEPA=1 and here http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ThirdCate ... yCode=0122). The Geforce 6x00 and the ATI Radeon 9800 chipsets are found in some good low-priced vidcards. Read reviews of the cards in your pricerange to see what'll fit your needs best. Just google terms like "video card roundup" and you'll find toms of pages with just the info you need.

- (Optional) You can upgrade your sound to a decent 2.1 (two satellite speakers and a subwoofer) card and speakers for as little as $35-40 and a decent 5.1 (four satellites and a subwoofer) for maybe $10-15 more. You'd be surprised how much better games can be with good sound.

- If you can afford it and your mobo will take it, you might wanna think about a little more RAM. It will increase your apparent system speed a bit, and no one was ever hurt by having more RAM (that I know of).

- Finally, after you've gotten all your upgrades together, make sure to download the latest version of the drivers for each new item (and any ones you're leaving in the machine) from the manufacturers' websites. Back up all your critical data to CD, write down every damned setting in Windows you can find, install all your hardware and reinstall Windows XP. If you google "reinstall windows xp" or "clean install windows xp" or somesuch, you'll find detailed instructions and troubleshooting guides for every skill level.

With some new hardware and a fresh install of XP (you'll want to get the Windows XP SP2 update from Microsoft as well), your old machine can feel like a new one.

Live 2005 runs smooth as silk on my pc (see below):
Athlon 64 3000+ | Chaintech VNF3-250 | 2x512mb Corsair Value Select PC3200 | BFG Geforce 6800OC, o/c to 400/800 | Maxtor 250gb PATA, 8mb cache, 7200rpm | Memorex True8x DVD+/-RW | Mad Dog Multi DVD/CDRW 52x | Thermaltake Tsunami Dream Case | Aspire 520w dual fan PSU | SB Audigy LS | Logitech Z640 5.1 speakers (72w) | Logitech Cordless MX Duo kb/mouse | Logitech Wingman Cordless[/list]

Yea, I'm reppin' VA and I need a graphics card too. I tried to play Live with the Intel Extreme 2 but without lighting, the game just isn't the same. If someone could help me find a card under $80 (I'm cheap only cuz i'm 15) that would run real smooth with all details on and stuff

PS - Currently, everything works fine and smooth just that with my dumbass integrated 64MB Shared memory card (which doesn't support the T&L thing) I can't turn on lighting and if that hasn't happened to you, you seriously have no idea how much it sux. Try playing a full game with it off.

System specs

HP Pavilion a465c

3.00 GHz
512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM
160 GB Hard Drive
Intel Extreme Graphics 2 64 MB Shared (82865G)


PS2 - (That's the second P.S. not the enjoyable console)

Also (and I know this is a longshot), but if anyone knows a way that I could possibly use an application or a way to tweak my comp so i could turn on lighting - cuz that would be beast for my cheap ass.
Thanx in advance to everyone for pretending that you care.

Your system specs are good, no need to upgrade anything there. That Savage 3D card has got to go. It is the the Yugo of the video card industry. I paid like $100 for my Radeon 9600 with 256MB DDR. Since it is an AMD XP 2000+ it should support DDR and AGP. I recommend anything that will support T&L with at least 64MB if not 128MB or more. Also beware of the SE branded video cards like the Radeon 9600SE or whatever. They are a watered down version of the original, not really worth the money. Check Ebay or NewEgg.com for some great deals on video cards in your price range that has at least 64MB and supports DirectX9 and T&L

Thanks Lots - I'll use that info wisely

I have the exact same system except I updgraded to a ASUS GeForce FX 5200 128 MB. I needed a cheap card. I got it for $95 about a year ago. It's run everything I have pretty well, but I'm wondering if I need to upgrade? If I do, I have looked at the Radeon 9550 for $60 but its an SE which I heard is a slower version of the mainstream card. Sorry for barging in on your thread, but I felt we were in similar situations

I think the "slow edition" Radeons are those 9200's. The R9550's ought to be "speedy editions"

Hey well thanks for the response. I'm still not sure on the SE stuff, maybe I'll look into it. I may just go another way and buy a new processor instead. I'll see, but thanks!

This is my motherboard:VIA KM 266
What do u guys suggest i should switch to.Also what is the price for a newer mobo.Also my Power unit is at 250 watts,so i need 2 replace that as well.My memory is 512 DDR PC2100 so i guess i need to upgrade that as well.Also what sounnd cards would u guys suggest i upgrade to?

i think you could keep the DDR, and you will definitely need to get rid of the psu. most mobo's have sound on board nowadays so I wouldn't worry about a sound card. Look for the cheaper ASUS or MSI boards, they're real good.