AGP Cards

stabiz · 05-25-10, 06:02 AM

Steve, how long has it been since you did a fresh format and reinstall of OS? You computer might need a "shower".

Other than that you can safely buy ATI, I am on my third in a row since switching from nVidia due to (wait for it) ... driver issues. So yeah, buy the card that meets your requirements, you will find people who love/like/dislike/hate both brands.

Jimbuna · 05-25-10, 06:46 AM

IMHO Steve your getting the benefit of some real quality advice here....I've been going to renew my system for over two years now (even set the money aside then) but constantly found myself pondering over whether to go dual or quad core, then pondered over leaving my XP Pro for Vista (heaven forbid).

Along comes the much needed Windows 7, yet still sitting on the fence undecided.

The problem I have (if you could call it a problem that is) my 3.2GHz Athlon, XP Pro, 2GB, 900watt PSU, nVidia 7800GS (BFG lifetime warranty) AGP system runs SH3 and 4 quite happily so I have difficulty in convincing myself to part with the Pesos atm.

One day graphical requirements etc will force a system renewal but until then I'll keep what I've got thanks.

I've never believed in trying to fix something that isn't broken.

Oh and I'm on the fence regarding graphics cards, I've tried them both without any hiccups or complaints

NeonSamurai · 05-25-10, 09:34 AM

quad core and dual boot if you want xp functionality, also defiantly go with 7.

As for upgrading. The big question is if it is worth it. If your old system does everything you want it to, then save the money. If it is lagging behind and not up to the task, then upgrade if you can afford it.

Sailor Steve · 05-28-10, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stabiz

Steve, how long has it been since you did a fresh format and reinstall of OS? You computer might need a "shower".

Umm...never? I don't I'm not sure I know how to do all that. I'm still working on doing a real registry cleaning.

Quote:

Other than that you can safely buy ATI, I am on my third in a row since switching from nVidia due to (wait for it) ... driver issues. So yeah, buy the card that meets your requirements, you will find people who love/like/dislike/hate both brands.

I went ahead an bought the ATI 4650. I've had both, and I've had good luck with both, so the only issue was money, and this 1-GB card was only $60.

Thanks for the advice, guys, and somebody tell me how to do the needed stuff to speed everything up again.

Sailor Steve · 05-28-10, 10:25 PM

OH!

MY!

WOOHOO!!!

I actually got the card yesterday, installed it per the instructions and ran into a world of trouble. The computer kept freezing. The drivers wouldn't load from the disc. Nothing seemed to work.

I finally reinstalled the old 256 card, and went online to ATI's website. Downloaded the latest 10.5 drivers and installed them manually. Shut everything down, put the new card back in, and I can't believe the things I've been missing.

When I played SH4 my best framerates in the harbor were around 8-10, and that was with every graphics function disabled. I lived with it because the game was still pretty.

I started SH4 with the new card, enabled every single function, and I'm getting 'only' 30 fps in external views! I can't believe the difference.

Now I have to go back and enable/disable graphics functions according to my taste, rather than necessity. I'm glad SH4 lets you do that on the fly, while playing.

Next I need to enable the SH3 mods that have been causing my computer to crash.

I'm loving this!

Jimbuna · 05-29-10, 08:54 AM

SINK EM ALL!!

Arclight · 05-29-10, 12:09 PM

Something that makes your favorite game even more enjoyable. Best kind of upgrade.

THE_MASK · 05-30-10, 07:52 PM

A good program which i use and is easy and actually speed things up is norton utilities . You have to buy it but it shouldnt cost much in the US .

THE_MASK · 06-06-10, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sober

A good program which i use and is easy and actually speed things up is norton utilities . You have to buy it but it shouldnt cost much in the US .

How is it all going steve . How is the card holding up .

05-25-10, 06:02 AM	#1
stabiz Silent Hunter Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Norway Posts: 4,224 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	Steve, how long has it been since you did a fresh format and reinstall of OS? You computer might need a "shower". Other than that you can safely buy ATI, I am on my third in a row since switching from nVidia due to (wait for it) ... driver issues. So yeah, buy the card that meets your requirements, you will find people who love/like/dislike/hate both brands. __________________

05-25-10, 06:46 AM	#2
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,437 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	IMHO Steve your getting the benefit of some real quality advice here....I've been going to renew my system for over two years now (even set the money aside then) but constantly found myself pondering over whether to go dual or quad core, then pondered over leaving my XP Pro for Vista (heaven forbid). Along comes the much needed Windows 7, yet still sitting on the fence undecided. The problem I have (if you could call it a problem that is) my 3.2GHz Athlon, XP Pro, 2GB, 900watt PSU, nVidia 7800GS (BFG lifetime warranty) AGP system runs SH3 and 4 quite happily so I have difficulty in convincing myself to part with the Pesos atm. One day graphical requirements etc will force a system renewal but until then I'll keep what I've got thanks. I've never believed in trying to fix something that isn't broken. Oh and I'm on the fence regarding graphics cards, I've tried them both without any hiccups or complaints __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

05-25-10, 09:34 AM	#3
NeonSamurai Ocean Warrior Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Socialist Republic of Kanadia Posts: 3,044 Downloads: 25 Uploads: 0	quad core and dual boot if you want xp functionality, also defiantly go with 7. As for upgrading. The big question is if it is worth it. If your old system does everything you want it to, then save the money. If it is lagging behind and not up to the task, then upgrade if you can afford it. __________________ SH3 Newbie Guide Links and other helpfull stuff

05-28-10, 10:25 PM	#5
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	OH! MY! WOOHOO!!! I actually got the card yesterday, installed it per the instructions and ran into a world of trouble. The computer kept freezing. The drivers wouldn't load from the disc. Nothing seemed to work. I finally reinstalled the old 256 card, and went online to ATI's website. Downloaded the latest 10.5 drivers and installed them manually. Shut everything down, put the new card back in, and I can't believe the things I've been missing. When I played SH4 my best framerates in the harbor were around 8-10, and that was with every graphics function disabled. I lived with it because the game was still pretty. I started SH4 with the new card, enabled every single function, and I'm getting 'only' 30 fps in external views! I can't believe the difference. Now I have to go back and enable/disable graphics functions according to my taste, rather than necessity. I'm glad SH4 lets you do that on the fly, while playing. Next I need to enable the SH3 mods that have been causing my computer to crash. I'm loving this! __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

05-29-10, 08:54 AM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 191,437 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	SINK EM ALL!! __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

05-29-10, 12:09 PM	#7
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	Something that makes your favorite game even more enjoyable. Best kind of upgrade. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

05-30-10, 07:52 PM	#8
THE_MASK Ace of the deep . Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 9,226 Downloads: 901 Uploads: 73	A good program which i use and is easy and actually speed things up is norton utilities . You have to buy it but it shouldnt cost much in the US .