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Post by Argon on Mar 3, 2005 16:39:03 GMT
Greetings all! I'm looking to update my relic computer (P3, 500 MHz processor, 32 MB video card). Because I know less than a kobold about building a computer, I'm going to go with ordering one from Dell. I'm looking for advice on which video card to go with.
The base comes with a 128 MB ATI Radeon X300 SE. I'm thinking of upgrading to either a 256 MB nVidia GeForce 6800 ($135 more) or a 256 MB nVidia GeForce 6800 GTO Graphics Card ($248 more than base).
Anyone know anything about any of these cards, and is it worth the extra cash? I'd like to be able to use it for another 5-6 years if possible. (My current computer is 6 yrs old....)
Thanks in advance, any input would be greatly appreciated!
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Post by M.C. Menestrelle on Mar 4, 2005 16:15:53 GMT
Why are you ordering from Dell?
And it can depend on your motherboard. If your mother board or processor can't push the data through a 16x pipe then you'd be paying for more card than your computer can service.
Post your specs, please.
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Post by Argon on Mar 5, 2005 17:09:10 GMT
I'm ordering from Dell because I don't know how to do it any other way. Most kindergarteners know more about computers than me.... I've never unzipped anything, I don't even know what a motherboard is let alone how to find out which kind I have, and I've got a better chance of building a space shuttle from scratch than building my own computer. Dell makes it easy to order a complete system, and they have good tech help for free over the phone, which to me is more important than saving a few bucks. I'm always open to better options though, so feel free to advise, any advice would be appreciated!
As far as specs go, the best I can come up with is this:
Model: Dell Dimension 8400
Processor: Pentium 4 Processor 630 with HT Technology (3 GHz, 800 FSB)
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Memory: 1 GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533 MHz (2x512 M)
Hard Drive: 160 GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
Dual External Drives: 16x DVD + 16x DVD +/- RW with double layer write
Is that the info you were looking for? I'm not quite sure what it all means myself, or if there's any information about a motherboard in there.
Any advice at all about this whole process would be greatly appreciated. I use my computer for basic functions, but gaming is really the thing that places the most demand on my computer's capability. Thanks!
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Post by M.C. Menestrelle on Mar 6, 2005 23:59:40 GMT
OH OH OH ... I misunderstood. You're ordering a complete system from Dell ... not just the card. My bad.
(I am not a videocard enthusiast, but I have read up on these cards) So, should you spend the extra cash for the GTO?
From what I've read you're going to get nearly the same output from both cards. The GTO, I believe is built a little bit better, at lower speeds, using less power, and can overclock more.
If you have the cash and want to buy the best then yes buy the GTO. If it were me? I would be very very happy with the 256MB 6800 and the tv/out.
Either way you'll be ahead of the curve.
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Post by Argon on Mar 7, 2005 1:05:38 GMT
M.C. -
*blush* You didn't misunderstand, I just wasn't clear when I first posted. When I re-read my post, I didn't say I was getting a whole new system. (What, you guys can't read my mind??)
But yeah, I'm ordering a whole new system, and thanks for the advice. I was leaning towards the "regular" 256 MB 6800, but I'm always nervous about plunking down that kind of cash when I don't know what I'm doing. You made me feel better about going that way, thanks again. Hopefully I'll have it ordered, delivered, and up and running in the next few weeks, and then Higher Ground had better watch out! Muahahahahahaha!!!!
(I can't wait to see how the game is SUPPOSED to look. I currently have all the settings at bare minimum, with as many of the extras turned off as possible, just to get the game to run in the first place....)
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