help for graphics card

[The_gas]

How do i find out if i need a PCI or an AGP and what do these terms mean?

They are different slots on a motherboard for computer components. PCI has a higher bandwidth than agp, which is why more cards support pci.

To find out which you need do this.

Click>Start>Run>

Type dxdiag. Wait. Click to the video/display tab.
Save all information as a text file, and attach it to your next post.

 

[Kshitiz_Indian]

Firstly you need to tell your Motherboard.

Secondly, as Gas said X1650XT and 7600GT are ideal buys.

but have a look at this - http://www.legitreviews.com/article/336/1/

 

[The_gas]

Also, check out this review. Which shows that the X1650XT is a great performer when you turn the eye candy on.

http://www.techspot.com/review/31-radeon-x1650xt-vs-geforce-7600gt/page5.html

 

[lazy_chesnut]

Gas as you seem a knowledgeable chap on these sorts of things....

How much does one's amount of RAM affect frame rates? I've got 1GB and was thinking of upgrading to 2 if there will be much of an effect.

 

[Kshitiz_Indian]

I'll answer it even if you didnt ask me as i like helping

RAM is more into effect on onboard controllers. However with external graphics cards, especially like the 7600GT, lot of work will be offloaded to the GPU. Also More RAM comes into play in an operating system like Vista where more memory is used for background work

More eye candy means more RAM. Therefore if you are AA and AF fan more RAM is better

If you are a fan of eye candy then it should give you an increase of 10 - 15 fps. On vista the increase would be more. However after 2 gb of memory with external graphics card any upgrade would be a waste atm. Since you'll hardly have a performance gain.

 

[etho11]

Time of this report: 3/12/2007, 19:50:22
Machine name: END-5F2BCB2A8C6
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Dimension 4700
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A05
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 419MB used, 2040MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode
Card name: RADEON X300 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: RADEON X300 SE (0x5B60)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5B60&SUBSYS_03021002&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6476 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/25/2004 14:29:04, 209408 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: No
WHQL Date Stamp: None
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
Mini VDD Date: 8/25/2004 14:28:46, 787456 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-1820-11CF-FE6A-0823A1C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x5B60
SubSys ID: 0x03021002
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV8_B ModeWMV9_A

 

[The_gas]

Gas as you seem a knowledgeable chap on these sorts of things....

How much does one's amount of RAM affect frame rates? I've got 1GB and was thinking of upgrading to 2 if there will be much of an effect.

It seems to vary from game to game. For example, i used to run fear at the highest in game settings, but it had sudden micro hitching moments when something was about to happen. Since i added another gig of ddr2 to my system the micro hitching went away. But fear is a killer on even the best machines. It will help, more than hinder thats for sure.

I'll answer it even if you didnt ask me as i like helping

RAM is more into effect on onboard controllers. However with external graphics cards, especially like the 7600GT, lot of work will be offloaded to the GPU. Also More RAM comes into play in an operating system like Vista where more memory is used for background work

More eye candy means more RAM. Therefore if you are AA and AF fan more RAM is better

If you are a fan of eye candy then it should give you an increase of 10 - 15 fps. On vista the increase would be more. However after 2 gb of memory with external graphics card any upgrade would be a waste atm. Since you'll hardly have a performance gain.

Just a note on what Kshitiz has said, ideally you dont want your ram used up for graphic card tasks, that really is what video memory is for. But when cards run out of video memory, they use slower system memory instead. Hence, slowdown.

 

[Kshitiz_Indian]

P.S i forgot this point.

In games like where things happen suddenly with many possibilities and scenario changes more and faster RAM is needed. FOr example in cricket and football games, the graphics once loaded need to be loaded again like Stadium , faces etc.

But in games like Max Payne 2, GTA, specially first person shooter, more RAM is always better but as i said nothing above 2 gb is ncessary these days,

I think Etho has PCI - E i guess....

 

[The_gas]

Time of this report: 3/12/2007, 19:50:22
Machine name: END-5F2BCB2A8C6
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Dimension 4700
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A05
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 419MB used, 2040MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode
Card name: RADEON X300 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: RADEON X300 SE (0x5B60)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5B60&SUBSYS_03021002&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6476 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/25/2004 14:29:04, 209408 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: No
WHQL Date Stamp: None
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
Mini VDD Date: 8/25/2004 14:28:46, 787456 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-1820-11CF-FE6A-0823A1C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x5B60
SubSys ID: 0x03021002
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV8_B ModeWMV9_A

It appears you need a pci, as there is no mention of agp.

So i can point you to these.

X1650XT - Fastest/Best Image Quality
http://www.pricegrabber.co.uk/search_getprod.php?masterid=30477268&search=buy+x1650xt


Nvidia 7600GT - Cheaper Alternative. But not as Fast as the X1650XT
http://www.pricegrabber.co.uk/search_getprod.php/masterid=17663054/skd=1/search=buy 7600gt

 

[etho11]

gas can you answer to my specs

thanks i will investigate more.

 

[The_gas]

gas can you answer to my specs

Sorry mate what do you mean exactly?

 

[Kshitiz_Indian]

What answer do you want ? You never asked a question on specs....

 

[etho11]

dont worry you did answer while i posted that thanks for your replies i didnt no it was going to cost me $350.00 Aus.

 

[The_gas]

dont worry you did answer while i posted that thanks for your replies i didnt no it was going to cost me $350.00 Aus.

So, are both of those cards out of your budget? Tell us how much you have, and we'll find the best we can.

 

[etho11]

$100-$200 AUS or am i better of staying with what i've got RADEON X300