which graphics card should i buy
ash577:
i went to dell.com typed in my service code and ask them to customize my upgrade that would be best for my computer and it took me to this page http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&oc=PFYDON_Dim3000&mfgpid=166945&chassisid=8226 now i'm most deffenatly going to upgrade my RAM and buy the 512mb one but which of the 5 graphics cards (scroll down and click video card) shold i buy. which one is the best one on the list. my systems spec is dell dimension dim3000
intel[R] pentium[R]4 CPU 2.80GHz
2.79GHz,512MB of RAM my current "graphics card" is a plug and play monitor on intel[R] 82865G graphics controller i'v also included my dxdiag file. thanks
BeosBoxBoy:
bluh...
of the one's listed the Radeon 9250 256MB [$96] is the best of the lot -- but if I were you, I'd skip their craptastic line-up and add my own card because none of those listed are very good. the nVidia cards they offer in particular are truthfully 2 years obsolete if not more, and the Raedon 9250 is equally obsolete, but has a slight advantage - nothing to brag about, it is a case of which turtle wins the turtle marathon here.
But if you are limited to these and only these, then the Radeon 9250 256MB [$96] is the way to go - the other two are PCI (sucks) and 128 MB video ram (sucks)
ash577:
ok so what other card would you suggest i get ($180 and down)
tylersada:
I'm not a computer Guru but I install my own video cards. I usually go to Best Buy or Circuit City (any reputable store that has computer accessories and hardware will do). I go with all of my computer specifications printed out and ask the in store geek his opinion (I make my own decision but I do like to get as much additional imput from a real person as possible). I have had both ATI and Nvidia video cards. With the Sims the bare minimum in my opinion would be a 256 MB, if your computer supports it and you can afford it you may look at a 512 MB. I have seen both under $180.00 in my area. You will also need adequate RAM. I had 512 MB standard with my computer and it was not enough. I upgraded to 1 GB which is adequate with my 256 MB Nividia. I have an AMD not a pentium but your specs look better than mine so unless the Dell is proprietory, you should be able to get a great card for $180.00.
BeosBoxBoy:
Ash, what I would recommend doing is calling all the local stores in the area and find out what they have available.
What you want is an nVidia in the 7000 series or an ATI equivalent series with 512 MB of video RAM.
Not knowing what your slot-format your free slots will be, I can only speculate, so check out the video cards at the links below and try to make a decision based on price & slot format.
TigerDirect:
PCI-E $100-199 with 512 MB VRAM
AGP $100-199 with 512 MB VRAM
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