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Need a new video card. Help me pick.

Discussion in 'Building a new PC' started by Chakan923, Dec 4, 2012.

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  1. Chakan923

    Chakan923 Member

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    I'm not sure about getting the right hardware for my PC. I want a new and better video card, but I don't want to have to upgrade anything else for it to work. Here are my current specs...

    Code:
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    System Information
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       Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_rtm.090713-1255)
               Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
    System Manufacturer: MSI
           System Model: Z1-7309
                   BIOS: Default System BIOS
              Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 255 Processor (2 CPUs), ~3.1GHz
                 Memory: 2048MB RAM
    Available OS Memory: 2048MB RAM
              Page File: 2098MB used, 1995MB available
            Windows Dir: C:\Windows
        DirectX Version: DirectX 11
    DX Setup Parameters: Not found
       User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
     System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
        DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
         DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 32bit Unicode
    ---------------
    Display Devices
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              Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 9500 GT
           Manufacturer: NVIDIA
              Chip type: GeForce 9500 GT
               DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
             Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0640&SUBSYS_241D1682&REV_A1
         Display Memory: 1777 MB
       Dedicated Memory: 1009 MB
          Shared Memory: 767 MB
           Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (59Hz)
           Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
          Monitor Model: VCF-32FDV1U
             Monitor Id: AMG0020
            Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
            Output Type: HDMI
            Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
    Driver File Version: 9.18.0013.0697 (English)
         Driver Version: 9.18.13.697
            DDI Version: 10
    Could anyone recommend me a better video card without having to upgrade anything else? Or is that not even possible? I mainly want something that can play games like Team Fortress 2, Left 4 Dead 2, NBA 2K13, Farcry 3, etc. at max or medium graphical settings without running slowly.
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2012
  2. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    what is your psu stated wattage & your budget?
     
  3. Chakan923

    Chakan923 Member

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    PSU stated wattage? I haven't a clue what that is. Budget would probably be $200. $250 tops.
     
  4. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    read the label on the side of your power supply as it will indicate the total wattage output. need that info because some videocards require 300 plus watts, never mind the rest of the computer.
     
  5. Chakan923

    Chakan923 Member

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    I think it may be 400w. There was a lot of stuff on the label. It's nothing over that, though.
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2012
  6. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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  7. Chakan923

    Chakan923 Member

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    I don't see how that link helps me. No offense. From what I've seen in that thread, people are just talking about games, there is even a post where someone reviews a game pretty much out of the blue.

    I have to be honest here, I thought this community was much more active, but all of my threads are responded to by just one person, you. It makes me think this place has seen better days, or people just don't care about helping me or others.

    You're attempts at helping me are appreciated, though I wouldn't exactly recommend this place to anyone. I think I'll be taking a leave from this particular community. Hopefully I can find better help elsewhere.
     
  8. Ripper

    Ripper Active member

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    Good one.

    Anyway, a $200 GPU is going to require a 450W PSU minimum generally speaking. Your CPU is going to fall behind at the higher end of a game like FarCry 3, most likely. You also don't have enough RAM.

    Go away and read the recommended specs, they may suggest an example GPU. If not, Google has plenty of suggestions (it took 0.40 seconds to find 300,000+ results). I would then read reviews on tomshardware of any suggested cards you come across, compare them and purchase accordingly.

    If I were in your situation, I would spend $150 on a GPU, $50 on additional RAM, $50 on a new PSU and then look into overclocking your CPU as typically I think they overclock quite well and you would notice the performance increase.

    As for your last post..

    [​IMG]

    Edit:

    What other threads? You only have one other, and I was actually the one who replied.
     
    Last edited: Dec 6, 2012
  9. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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