Video Card part II

Jaguar · November 15, 2003, 17:07

I went with the Radeon 9600 SE. I got it for 129.99, but there's a 20 dollar rebate and a coupon for a free half-life 2 copy. And, let's not kid ourselves, even if I didn't have a coupon, I'd still end up shelling out 50 dollars for HL2, so I'm saving $50 as well. So the end result is that it effectively cost me only 70 bucks.

The one thing that I'd like to know now is whether my computer is AGP, PCI, or both. I'd prefer not to open up the computer, and so I'm wondering if there's an easier way to check. It's a Dell Dimension 4100, PIII 1.0 Ghz, and it's current card is a Geforce 2 MX. It's 2 years and 5 months old.

If it's PCI, then I'm gonna have to return the Radeon, and the place I bought it only lets you return in 14 days. Am I gonna have to open up the computer, or is there an easy way to check?

Evil Knevil · November 15, 2003, 17:29

It'll be AGP trust me. If you've got any card beyond a Voodoo-3 (and you do) it'll doubtlessly be AGP. Just open 'er up

On a simular note, I think I might wait for the 9800 and HL2 bundle thats coming along. Then again I need a general upgrade, but I don't know wether to do the g/card or the processor/mobo first (XP 1800).

Will the 9800 be a decent long term investment?

Nubclear · November 15, 2003, 17:36

Open up the computer.
Would you rather hear "Yea! It's AGP!" and then 30 days later....it's not?

Or would you rather save money and simply open it up?!

Evil Knevil · November 15, 2003, 17:39

Your also going to need a faster processor and at least 512 of ram for HL2 I think. No point strapping a ferrari engine to a Ford mondeo. The speed of your PC is as fast as its slowest components. At least in terms of dataflows and bottlenecks.

Jaguar · November 15, 2003, 17:40

Quote:

Originally posted by Evil Knevil
It'll be AGP trust me. If you've got any card beyond a Voodoo-3 (and you do) it'll doubtlessly be AGP. Just open 'er up

On a simular note, I think I might wait for the 9800 and HL2 bundle thats coming along. Then again I need a general upgrade, but I don't know wether to do the g/card or the processor/mobo first (XP 1800).

Will the 9800 be a decent long term investment?

It looks good, but I'm not gonna spend much money on a graphics card for a 30 month old PC

Evil Knevil · November 15, 2003, 17:42

If your upgrading your card just to play H/L 2 then I think you're wasting money. The entire PC will need an overhaul to run it at the levels your card demands.

Nubclear · November 15, 2003, 17:46

But why would anyone upgrade for HL2?
Deus Ex 2 looks sooo much better.

Evil Knevil · November 15, 2003, 17:48

Deus Ex 2 is less demanding though

Hopefully It'll run on my GF4 Ti4400.

Jaguar · November 15, 2003, 17:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Evil Knevil
If your upgrading your card just to play H/L 2 then I think you're wasting money. The entire PC will need an overhaul to run it at the levels your card demands.

Also for Halo, Simcity 4, and Railroad Tycoon 3. Those three games all are fine with my PC speed, but are more demanding video-card-wise.

Nubclear · November 15, 2003, 18:00

Quote:

Originally posted by Evil Knevil
Deus Ex 2 is less demanding though

But it's much better

Adagio · November 15, 2003, 18:16

Quote:

Originally posted by Jaguar Warrior
(...) Simcity 4, and Railroad Tycoon 3 (...)

Don't buy that card, if you intend to play those two games...

Since I installed my card, those two games freezes my computer

Jaguar · November 15, 2003, 19:08

It freezes your computer, but it won't necessarily freeze mine. Computers are mysterious things. Plus I consider Halo more important than either of those two games.

alva · November 15, 2003, 20:31

Sim never froze mine (except on the fastest setting which is a known issue and has nothing to do with the 9600 )

Still having problems ADG?

You know they very recently released new drivers? I think it was about a week or 10 ago, give it a go, you never know ( hey, that rhymes

)

The Mad Monk · November 15, 2003, 22:25

...I'm still trying to figure out how he's going to install that card without opening the computer...

Urban Ranger · November 15, 2003, 22:29

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too.

alva · November 16, 2003, 01:46

It's a USB 2 version

reds4ever · November 16, 2003, 02:56

Quote:

Originally posted by The Mad Monk
...I'm still trying to figure out how he's going to install that card without opening the computer...

I'm glad someone asked that question!

Mr. Harley · November 16, 2003, 03:25

Jaguar Warrior, the folks telling you that the Radeon 9600 is overkill on your system are correct. For HL2, if you want to play it will all the bells and whistles, you are going to need more of a system upgrade if you want to have it run well. Check their site to see the minimum, and then check several gaming sites to see what's recommended.

Still an awesome buy, though. If you were going to purchase HL2 anyway, combined with the rebate I'd probably purchase the card and then upgrade components as time and resources permit. Be careful. AMD machines and some of the modern video cards have had compatability problems, but patches almost always fix them. Watch your power supply, if you have a 250 watt or less power supply (some cheaper celeron system do), contact Dell or Radeon and see if they think it will handle the new video card. Also, some cheaper systems have integrated video, open your case and make sure you have an AGP space. By the way, a new motherboard/CPU combo (athalon XP 2400) can be had for $98 (pricewatch). But then you will probably need a new power supply, etc. Good luck.

alva · November 16, 2003, 03:38

IIRC JW said in a previous thread he will upgrade his PC soon

Urban Ranger · November 16, 2003, 03:40

Quote:

Originally posted by shawnmmcc
Watch your power supply, if you have a 250 watt or less power supply (some cheaper celeron system do), contact Dell or Radeon and see if they think it will handle the new video card.

Or just grab an industrial strength Emermax power supply.

Jaguar · November 16, 2003, 04:54

Quote:

Originally posted by shawnmmcc
Jaguar Warrior, the folks telling you that the Radeon 9600 is overkill on your system are correct. For HL2, if you want to play it will all the bells and whistles, you are going to need more of a system upgrade if you want to have it run well.

My dad has a 6 month old PC. When I get a new PC, which shall be within a year, I will install the Radeon on it if it doesn't come with a good card, and if it does, I will give the Radeon to my Dad.

I installed it just fine. Halo and Battlefield 1942 are both running now, and they wouldn't before.

Mad Monk, I wasn't planning on installing the card without opening the PC up. I just wanted to make sure it had AGP without having to go through the trouble of opening it up.

Adagio · November 16, 2003, 06:03

Quote:

Originally posted by alva
Still having problems ADG?

Yeah, I haven't had the time to reinstall Windows... I can't do this before the exam project is done, a few days before Christmas

Mr. Harley · November 17, 2003, 06:07

Jaguar Warrior - congrats. I have video card envy, mine is only a Nvideo TI 4400. Drool.