Advise on a new graphics card?

Sky999 · 12-08-09, 09:29 AM

My current graphics card is a ATI Radeon HD 3870.

I am looking to buy a new graphics card for SH5.

I am willing to spend up to £150 - 200 on a new one.

Can anyone advise me on what graphics card would be the best for SH5, would be superior than my current card and is in my price range? Is it just a matter of replacing the graphics card and then my PC will be top notch?

I will most likely hold back to nearer the release date in case a new, better card is released.

My specs are below.

Manufacturer - Dell
Model - XPS XPS_420
Rating: 5.9
Proccessor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2Quad CPU Q8200 @ 2.33GHz 2.33GHz
Memory (RAM) -4.00 GB
System type: 32-bit operating system
ATI Radeon HD 3870

PS: If there is anything else I can buy or upgrade to that will really increase my performance, let me know. I've heard people say upgrading from Vista to Windows 7 isn't really worth it.

- Sky999

Arclight · 12-08-09, 11:15 AM

With that price range, you can get a very decent card.

But to start of: can you check how powerfull the power supply is? Graphics cards are very demanding. A wattage will give a general idea, if possible a brand and model-number would be appreciated.

It'll require you to remove the sidepanel though to get a look at the thing.

I tried getting info on the model you listed: XPS 420, but everything I read states a different config than what you have. How did you determine what's in the case?

And yes, if the power supply is up to it, than a quad-core with 4GB and a decent card will go a long way.

FIREWALL · 12-08-09, 12:45 PM

I think CPU-Z freeware d\l will give you the answer.

Task Force · 12-08-09, 03:34 PM

Hmm... dell... well... what size case...

Sky999 · 12-08-09, 04:11 PM

I'm trying to find out the wattage on the power supply, but I'm not sure how, I am looking inside the desktop but I can't see anything with power supply on.

You're going to have to forgive me on this, I really know very little on computers.

Task Force · 12-08-09, 04:15 PM

hmm... well... what brand is your powersupply if you know?

Sky999 · 12-08-09, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Task Force

hmm... well... what brand is your powersupply if you know?

Ok I think I've found it, It says DC output: 375 W.

Task Force · 12-08-09, 04:22 PM

WOW... really low... defieantly need a new one...

Sky999 · 12-08-09, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Task Force

WOW... really low... defieantly need a new one...

Ok so that's a new power supply, which I assume I just buy from a PC shop, turn off the computer, take out the old one and put in the new one?

What power supply would be good?

AVGWarhawk · 12-08-09, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sky999

I'm trying to find out the wattage on the power supply, but I'm not sure how, I am looking inside the desktop but I can't see anything with power supply on.

You're going to have to forgive me on this, I really know very little on computers.

See in this picture the square metal box with the green sticker. Upper lefthand corner. This is the power supply. Should have name and wattage on the sticker.

12-08-09, 09:29 AM	#1
Sky999 Sailor man Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 48 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	Advise on a new graphics card? My current graphics card is a ATI Radeon HD 3870. I am looking to buy a new graphics card for SH5. I am willing to spend up to £150 - 200 on a new one. Can anyone advise me on what graphics card would be the best for SH5, would be superior than my current card and is in my price range? Is it just a matter of replacing the graphics card and then my PC will be top notch? I will most likely hold back to nearer the release date in case a new, better card is released. My specs are below. Manufacturer - Dell Model - XPS XPS_420 Rating: 5.9 Proccessor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2Quad CPU Q8200 @ 2.33GHz 2.33GHz Memory (RAM) -4.00 GB System type: 32-bit operating system ATI Radeon HD 3870 PS: If there is anything else I can buy or upgrade to that will really increase my performance, let me know. I've heard people say upgrading from Vista to Windows 7 isn't really worth it. - Sky999

12-08-09, 11:15 AM	#2
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	With that price range, you can get a very decent card. But to start of: can you check how powerfull the power supply is? Graphics cards are very demanding. A wattage will give a general idea, if possible a brand and model-number would be appreciated. It'll require you to remove the sidepanel though to get a look at the thing. I tried getting info on the model you listed: XPS 420, but everything I read states a different config than what you have. How did you determine what's in the case? And yes, if the power supply is up to it, than a quad-core with 4GB and a decent card will go a long way. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

12-08-09, 12:45 PM	#3
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	I think CPU-Z freeware d\l will give you the answer. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

12-08-09, 03:34 PM	#4
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	Hmm... dell... well... what size case... __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

12-08-09, 04:15 PM	#6
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	hmm... well... what brand is your powersupply if you know? __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

12-08-09, 04:11 PM	#5
Sky999 Sailor man Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 48 Downloads: 11 Uploads: 0	I'm trying to find out the wattage on the power supply, but I'm not sure how, I am looking inside the desktop but I can't see anything with power supply on. You're going to have to forgive me on this, I really know very little on computers.

12-08-09, 04:22 PM	#8
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	WOW... really low... defieantly need a new one... __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"