Upgrade vid card

[Death.Trap]

Just wondering what a good upgrade from a 850 XT would be. I havn't looked at hardware in like 2 years so I have no idea whats out and whats good.

 

[MRG]

This is a huge question with almost countless answers.

We need some info as to what type of PC you currently have. Sounds like you have an AGP based system if you have an 850XT installed.

Whats the Processor? Speed?
WinXP? WinVista?
How much RAM?

The reason I need this info, is that there is no point in you getting an amazingly powerfull video card, like say the AGP X1950 video card, if you are running a PC on older & slower hardware. The 850XT is/was a great video card. If you have older & slower hardware, you would notice more of a performance boost with a better CPU/Motherboard + RAM.

Give us some more info and then either myself or another member here will be happy to help you pick out a better video card.

-MRG

 

[Death.Trap]

Intel Pentium 4 550 Prescott 3.4GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80547PG3400E

SAPPHIRE 100106-RD Radeon X850XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card


ASUS P5AD2-E Premium LGA 775 Intel 925XE ATX Intel Motherboard

(x2)CORSAIR XMS2 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 (PC2 5400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X1024-5400C4PRO


Had to check my order history off newegg, built this thing >2 years ago.

But yeah that's pretty much it.

Oh, and I'm running XP

 

[No Limit]

What kind of power supply and how many amps does it provide on the +12VDC rail.

 

[Javert]

If your PSU can handle it, and you have cash to burn, I'd recommend a 2600XT or 8800 GTS. Your CPU is a limiting factor.

 

[Death.Trap]

What kind of power supply and how many amps does it provide on the +12VDC rail.

Where can I check that at?

 

[DEATHMASTER]

The sticker on the side of the PSU.

 

[MRG]

Your processor is indeed holding you back. I advise you to think about replacing it with one thats a little more powerful. It'll support Intel's Pentium D Dual Core line of processors which will give you better performance than the Single core 550 you currently have installed. Provided you don't want to upgrade your mobo & CPU + RAM which is advisable since if you get a blazing fast video card, yet holding yourself back with older hardware, you'll be shooting yourself in the foot.

Like everyone here is saying, the 8800 series card is the way to go. If you like ATI better, then the X1950Pro. (I am not all that jazzed up about ATI's current line of DX10 cards.)

I would also advise you to get another 1GB of RAM. You currently have 1GB. (2x512mb) I advise 2GB (2x1GB) Dual channel DDR2. You'll notice a huge boost in performance.

DirectX 9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121031
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143090

DirectX 10
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130038

Just a few ideas.

-MRG

 

[MRG]

The sticker on the side of your PSU will look something like this: http://eu.shuttle.com/archive/en/prod/xpc/sn41g2_psu_sticker.jpg

-MRG

 

[Death.Trap]

Your processor is indeed holding you back. I advise you to think about replacing it with one thats a little more powerful. It'll support Intel's Pentium D Dual Core line of processors which will give you better performance than the Single core 550 you currently have installed. Provided you don't want to upgrade your mobo & CPU + RAM which is advisable since if you get a blazing fast video card, yet holding yourself back with older hardware, you'll be shooting yourself in the foot.

Like everyone here is saying, the 8800 series card is the way to go. If you like ATI better, then the X1950Pro. (I am not all that jazzed up about ATI's current line of DX10 cards.)

I would also advise you to get another 1GB of RAM. You currently have 1GB. (2x512mb) I advise 2GB (2x1GB) Dual channel DDR2. You'll notice a huge boost in performance.

DirectX 9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121031
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814143090

DirectX 10
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130038

Just a few ideas.

-MRG

I have 2 gigs of ram. And thanks for the info. :cheers: