Which card is right for me?

[Angusyoung]

Ok guys, I'm lookin for a new graphics card to run WOW and DOD Source and all that good stuff at a frame rate of about 60-70 on average on high settings, but the problem is that its really hard for me to find a decent upgrade from my current GeForce 6200 especially without frying my pc since im running on an AGP 300w system. And because its been a long time since ive really even got into PC gaming and all that stuff since i got a 360, it makes the task even harder seeing as i forgot most of the good knowledge of video cards and agp/pci/and the better brands of cards

so can anyone help me out? Maybe a list of compatable cards for my system?

Specs:
Compaq Presario SR155NX
AMD Athlon 64 2.4 GHz
SiS760 Chipset
1024 mb (1GB) Memory DDR SDRAM
Max Supported RAM 2GB
Hard Drive Capacity 200GB
Windows XP Home Edition
Max 300W Output power supply

thanks

~ang

[kow_ciller]

Well, heres the deal. You're not going to get much out of that system. I would suggest you go for a radeon 3850 and a 430w antec PSU w/ code : EMCBBAEAB

Other than that, all I can say is to get a new computer. Im pretty sure you can get a new motherboard/ psu/cpu/ram/ vid card for around $400-ish that would give you a couple hundred fps in source based games.

[Homer Gonerson]

Originally Posted by kow_ciller

that would give you a couple hundred fps in source based games.

A couple hundred fps?

[kow_ciller]

Originally Posted by Homer Gonerson

A couple hundred fps?

Yeah, I get 175+ with a 3870 on TF2. His cpu will hold him back, but he will obviously be able to play them with no problems.

[Oblivious]

HD 3850 $129 <-- link

That's really the only AGP card worth a damn, you can get some for $80 that are better than yours, but it's well worth the extra dough to just get the best one available.

Upgrading that Presario may be a pain beyond just the videocard, ram and such. But I agree you may want to just get a new system. That way you aren't spending money on (essentially) obsolete technology with an AGP card. Depends on your PC gaming needs. If it's just for source games for the forseeable future, you she be fine with just a videocard.

FYI - Your PSU may be a problem. amperage may be short as well as the voltage.

Here's a couple good cheap ones that should work fine (unless that Compaq has proprietary plugs/case etc.). Both are solid PSU brands.

Antec earthwatts 500w (30a) $50

FSP Group FSP400 400w (29a) $45

[Homer Gonerson]

Originally Posted by kow_ciller

Yeah, I get 175+ with a 3870 on TF2. His cpu will hold him back, but he will obviously be able to play them with no problems.

What I meant was that you're not gonna see a couple hundred (meaning more than 200) fps increase. And if you ever did, it's not noticeable.

[kow_ciller]

From what he has now you sure as hell can see a couple hundred fps increase.

[sunshineday]

I just got this deal for Radeon HD 3870, it's on sale for only $90



I used so far for over 1 month without a glitch. Installed in a snap and worked on Crossfire config flawlessy. When I got them they were the top-notch ATI cards.

[kow_ciller]

bad link. and the 3870 never came out for AGP.

[*The.Doctor]

Upgrade your ram to 2GB as well.

Not only will it help with just gaming, everything will get a performance boost.