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

[ash577]

edit:i wrote this before i read beosboxboy.                      

ok today i went to the nividia website and look at the prices for the geforce 8 series (because the 7 series crashes with the sims2 i heard) and the two cards that are cheap are the  NVIDIA® GeForce® 8500 GT graphics card and the NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600 GT graphics card  but with ati radon graphics cards i went on there website and quite frankly i'm confused

edit: going on the website now

[tylersada]

The ATI X1300 series has both 256MB and 512 MB video cards.  I've seen the 512 MB in my area for as low as $135.00 on sale but normal price $165.00.  The other series 1600, 1800, 1900 etc, etc as far as I can see are just bigger and better (more expensive too).  My daughter who has the same computer as I do, has the X1300 512 MB on her computer and it looks wonderful.  As I said I believe my specs are not as good as yours AMD 3200+ 2.2GHZ 400 FSB processor, 1Gig Ram.  My NVIDIA 256MB has wonderful graphics also, but beosboxboy is right, if you can get a 512MB you should.