Low profile video card help please

bioman63 · 08-13-06, 07:31 PM

Hello I am in the process of upgrading my system to play this sim. Here are the facts. I have one AGP slot but it would have to be a low profile card to fit. I have three full size PCI slots. My power supply is 325 watts. I have a budget of 150 bucks. I would like to upgrade my memory also.
My question is what card would you suggest?
Here is the cards I am looking at.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814170092
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130255
Here are the specs on my pc. http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...n/ug/index.htm
Thanks for any help.
Scott AKA. Blackdog AKA. Bioman63

Gizzmoe · 08-14-06, 12:09 AM

The Geforce 6200 is the better card.

Kruger · 08-14-06, 03:12 AM

they're both 64 bit video cards. Of course they're no match for your intergrated display adapter, but really...don't expect much from them. On a 6200 64 bit, even the counter strike 1.6 freezes in smoke. And that's a direct x7 engine.

GT182 · 08-15-06, 09:58 AM

Scott, may I suggest you upgrade your PSU to a minimum of 450 watts. Then get a graphics card with a fan on it, I don't trust passive cooling. And seeing you only have 3 PCI slots you don't have room for a PCI slot fan to take out the heat from the 6200 128mb card you're looking at.

A better palce to find a card is PriceWatch.com. Many great bargains there. I'm using a GF5600Ultra 256mb card that runs SHIII just fine. Here's one that's as good of a bit better and has free shipping.... http://www.pricewatch.com/video_cards/5884-1.htm

Edit: The 6200 is better than the 5500. But the 5700 256mb card is about the same or even a bit better than the 6200, which has only 128mb of RAM but does not have a cooling fan. And you do want a fan for cooling seeing you're running the Dell which has no cooling fans other than the PSU.

Next computer you get, it would be better for you upgrade wise, if you build your own. You'll have a much better pc than you can buy, and for less money than for one that's comparable from any of the companies.... Dell, HP, Compaq or whatever.

Gizzmoe · 08-15-06, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT182

Scott, may I suggest you upgrade your PSU to a minimum of 450 watts.

That would be a waste of money, his 325w PSU is more than enough for such a low-end card.

GT182 · 08-15-06, 10:23 AM

As I said, he doesn't want a graphics card that has no fan. That means the 6200. His Dell has no cooling fans except for the PSU which is inadequate to cool the 6200. With the Dell passive cooling case he needs a card with a fan. Do a bit of reasearch Giz before you steer him to the 6200. Cheaper does not mean better.

He needs a minimum of 350watts then even for a card with a fan. I take back the450 watts recommendation. So he still needs to upgrade his PSU.

Gizzmoe · 08-15-06, 12:00 PM

Well, then instead of the case fan he can add a tiny fan onto the heatsink itself. The card even has a connector for that as you can see on the picture.

bioman63 · 08-15-06, 12:59 PM

Thanks for all the advice and yes. next time I will build a machine but this one was almost free.

Here is the card I bought.http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1130987962366

I got a discount because I new someone at the store

I added a gig of ram at the same time.

Everything installed fine but the game froze everytime the opening video started. I renamed the video files and they dont play and the game runs fine. Every now and then the screen will be off center???

I have finished the first 4 exams. Its a real thrill!!!!

Thanks again bd

Gizzmoe · 08-15-06, 01:06 PM

That´s the PCI version, why didn´t you buy an AGP card??? It also doesn´t seem to be a low-profile card?!?

bioman63 · 08-15-06, 08:42 PM

The pci would fit the AGP would not fit in the case. bd

08-13-06, 07:31 PM	#1
bioman63 Nub Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 4 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Low profile video card help please Hello I am in the process of upgrading my system to play this sim. Here are the facts. I have one AGP slot but it would have to be a low profile card to fit. I have three full size PCI slots. My power supply is 325 watts. I have a budget of 150 bucks. I would like to upgrade my memory also. My question is what card would you suggest? Here is the cards I am looking at. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814170092 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130255 Here are the specs on my pc. http://support.dell.com/support/edoc...n/ug/index.htm Thanks for any help. Scott AKA. Blackdog AKA. Bioman63

08-15-06, 09:58 AM	#4
GT182 Ocean Warrior Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Castle of Delaware Posts: 3,231 Downloads: 658 Uploads: 0	Scott, may I suggest you upgrade your PSU to a minimum of 450 watts. Then get a graphics card with a fan on it, I don't trust passive cooling. And seeing you only have 3 PCI slots you don't have room for a PCI slot fan to take out the heat from the 6200 128mb card you're looking at. A better palce to find a card is PriceWatch.com. Many great bargains there. I'm using a GF5600Ultra 256mb card that runs SHIII just fine. Here's one that's as good of a bit better and has free shipping.... http://www.pricewatch.com/video_cards/5884-1.htm Edit: The 6200 is better than the 5500. But the 5700 256mb card is about the same or even a bit better than the 6200, which has only 128mb of RAM but does not have a cooling fan. And you do want a fan for cooling seeing you're running the Dell which has no cooling fans other than the PSU. Next computer you get, it would be better for you upgrade wise, if you build your own. You'll have a much better pc than you can buy, and for less money than for one that's comparable from any of the companies.... Dell, HP, Compaq or whatever. __________________ Gary No Borders, No Language, No Culture =s No Country I'm a Deplorable, and proud of it. Last edited by GT182; 08-15-06 at 10:16 AM.

08-15-06, 10:23 AM	#6
GT182 Ocean Warrior Join Date: May 2005 Location: New Castle of Delaware Posts: 3,231 Downloads: 658 Uploads: 0	As I said, he doesn't want a graphics card that has no fan. That means the 6200. His Dell has no cooling fans except for the PSU which is inadequate to cool the 6200. With the Dell passive cooling case he needs a card with a fan. Do a bit of reasearch Giz before you steer him to the 6200. Cheaper does not mean better. He needs a minimum of 350watts then even for a card with a fan. I take back the450 watts recommendation. So he still needs to upgrade his PSU. __________________ Gary No Borders, No Language, No Culture =s No Country I'm a Deplorable, and proud of it.

08-15-06, 12:59 PM	#8
bioman63 Nub Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 4 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	video card update Thanks for all the advice and yes. next time I will build a machine but this one was almost free. Here is the card I bought.http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1130987962366 I got a discount because I new someone at the store I added a gig of ram at the same time. Everything installed fine but the game froze everytime the opening video started. I renamed the video files and they dont play and the game runs fine. Every now and then the screen will be off center??? I have finished the first 4 exams. Its a real thrill!!!! Thanks again bd

08-15-06, 01:06 PM	#9
Gizzmoe Silent Hunter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 3,668 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	That´s the PCI version, why didn´t you buy an AGP card??? It also doesn´t seem to be a low-profile card?!? Last edited by Gizzmoe; 08-15-06 at 01:10 PM.

08-14-06, 12:09 AM	#2
Gizzmoe Silent Hunter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 3,668 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	The Geforce 6200 is the better card.

08-14-06, 03:12 AM	#3
Kruger Commander Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 476 Downloads: 21 Uploads: 0	they're both 64 bit video cards. Of course they're no match for your intergrated display adapter, but really...don't expect much from them. On a 6200 64 bit, even the counter strike 1.6 freezes in smoke. And that's a direct x7 engine.

08-15-06, 12:00 PM	#7
Gizzmoe Silent Hunter Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 3,668 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	Well, then instead of the case fan he can add a tiny fan onto the heatsink itself. The card even has a connector for that as you can see on the picture.

08-15-06, 08:42 PM	#10
bioman63 Nub Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 4 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	card size The pci would fit the AGP would not fit in the case. bd