Old Comp, Needs some Upgrades

[Mr.Penguin]

Im looking for a new vid card for a kinda old comp, I just want a vid card that works and is descent enough to run counter strike basically. The computer:(I know its crap, me and a friend built it with stuff we found around his dads house) Intel Pentium III 550MHz, 320 MB ram, Windows 2000, 80 gb hard drive, some really old NECMultiSyncXV15 video card. I just want to give it a few upgrades so that I can actually use it, and I dont want to spend much( if it is possible) 1 more thing, What is the diffference between a AGP and PCI video card?

[Devil]

I would suggest to you to buy a new computer instead of just a video card... trust me, you won't regreat.

[Mr.Penguin]

bah, cant afford. This laptop set me back, soooo, thats not really an option.

[Liquor_Riss]

Thats about 200 MB more RAM than my PC and 62Gb bigger than my hard drive :|

[mr. box]

If your mobo can handle it, upgrade to a 1ghz processor and 512 megs of RAM. That's a cheap upgrade that can really help you out.

[Mr.Penguin]

What kind of proc tho? p4's are too expensive, though that would be my choice. And what kind of vid card, any cheap suggestions?

I heard these suck ---> http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=50195207&pfp=BROWSE I really hate to go that cheap, but if they are any good, itd save me a crap load of cash.

Possibly This --> I heard these are good.http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=290668&pfp=BROWSE

[chrisv]

What is the diffference between a AGP and PCI video card?From www.whatis.com

Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) is an interface specification that enables 3-D graphics to display quickly on ordinary personal computers.
PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) is an interconnection system between a microprocessor and attached devices in which expansion slots are spaced closely for high speed operation.
AGP runs at several times the bus speed of conventional Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI). Because of this, the data transfer rate using AGP is significantly greater than with PCI video cards. AGP employs eight sideband address lines, so multiple data transfers can take place concurrently.

So, there you have it. AGP is a dedicated graphics port. Whether you have a AGP slot will depend on how old the motherboard is.

[Shamus]

ok. I have about the same type of comp setup sitting next to me, minus all that hard drive space. If you want something that can handle CS, the CPU and RAM should be big enough already, just grab a GeForce 2 somewhere and you should be set.

[brentech]

Yeah. I would go with Shamus on that one.
Because if you want to upgrade that processor, more than likely, you will have to upgrade the motherboard in order to do so. So I would just get a video card.

[Mr.Penguin]

My friend mentioned something abotu only certain types of vid cards working with an ibm mother board, is this true?

[Shamus]

Possibly, but the only way you'd be able to find out what does work with it is to know what motherboard you have! :rolleyes:

[Mr.Penguin]

ystem Information report written at: 07/18/2003 02:49:37 AM
[System Summary]
Item Value
OS Name Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
Version 5.0.2195 Service Pack 3 Build 2195
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name BUILTBYKIDS
System Manufacturer IBM
System Model 6892U2U
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 7 Stepping 3 GenuineIntel ~547 Mhz
BIOS Version IBM BIOS Ver NVKT47.0
Windows Directory C:\WINNT
System Directory C:\WINNT\System32
Boot Device \Device\Harddisk0\Partition1
Total Physical Memory 327,204 KB
Available Physical Memory 216,080 KB
Total Virtual Memory 1,121,500 KB
Available Virtual Memory 910,740 KB
Page File Space 794,296 KB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys


This help any?

[Mr.Penguin]

I do believe I am buying this card in 2 days:
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=50280916&pfp=BROWSE

[Devil]

hummmmm, if you could find a 8500/9000/9100 it would be very better.. they are all at $100 .. normally

[Mr.Penguin]

I took pictues of the actual comp, inside of it, mobo etc. Anyone know soem free hosting where I could post them to show you guys? And from what you all can tell that video card will work right? By the way the card has to be a pci too.

[Devil]

ohhh so you don't have an AGP slot.. crap

Hummmm... the performances will be crap too.

[Mr.Penguin]

why is that, my friend has that same card, and it did wonders for his computer. Ive seen it myself, why do you say it will be crap?

[Mr.Penguin]

change: http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=298997&pfp=BROWSE

Getting that vid card

[Shamus]

Maybe you should try this one (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?description=14-140-014) on for size. If that doesn't float your boat, you could go here (http://www.newegg.com/app/manufactory.asp?catalog=48&DEPA=1) and search for 'Slot Type' 'PCI'. Newegg rocks. :)

[Devil]

wtf amd has to do with that ?

[Shamus]

ya, what?

[mr. box]

If you don't have an AGP slot, IMO, upgrading just the vid card isn't worth it at all. I bought a $70 PCI vid card for my old computer and it's pretty much worthless if your RAM and CPU can't keep up.

Save up, get a processor/mobo package from pricewatch (http://www.pricewatch.com) and buy a newer Radeon, like the 9100, or a GeForce4 ti 4200 if you have a bit of extra scratch.

[Shamus]

He doesn't need all that for a CS machine, box. :rolleyes:

Recommended System Requirements for Half-Life:
Windows 95/98/NT.
Pentium 166+.
32 Mb Ram.
3D accelerator card (OpenGL or Direct 3D).
Windows-compatible sound device.
400 Mb free hard disk space.

[Devil]

CS takes a lot more computer ressources than HL...

[NMO]

Half Life/Counter Strike works on a p90 with 52mb ram and no 3d accelerator card, I tried it on a friends computer, it's like playing Counter-Matrix.

[Shamus]

CS takes a lot more computer ressources than HL...
Why would it?

[Devil]

CS takes a lot more computer ressources than HL...
Why would it?
When you enter a game of CS, it precache every goddamn mother fucking ressources of CS, also, the models are very more detailed than in HL... Also, CS 1.5 is a lot younger than HL and profits the new technology that valve created to test their products... etc etc etc etc

[Shamus]

How much more resources do you really think it takes compared to HL?

[Mr.Penguin]

haha, so shamus says I dont need much, and box says I should go on a spending spree. I'm stuck here? I think I am going to buy the video card, and another 128 mb ram and see how it goes. I will have plenty of ram then.

[Devil]

How much more resources do you really think it takes compared to HL?
a lot more.

[Liquor_Riss]

Yeah, I tried running it on my sisters fairly recently bought PC on our network and it was unplayable, I don't know her specs though.

[Shamus]

lol

I have a PIII 500mhz ovclocked to ~600mhz with 384mb of RAM with a Geforce 2 GTS-V that runs CS at 1024x768 with no hiccups.

[Devil]

RAM helps to run things smoothly

[Mr.Penguin]

well. i went and bought it, and its great. Its a really good vid card, cept now i need help on 1 more thing. My friend game me this ViewSonic PT775 and when i plug it up to the computer, nothing happens. I unplug that one and it works. Have any clues?

[Devil]

is it a monitor ? Nothing happens ? Elaborate

[Mr.Penguin]

well, i gave up on it, and am getting a new 1, and also plan to buy 128 mb of ram soon, how do I find out what types/specifications will work with my mobo. the vid card rocks, some maps i get 99 fps, some 70-80l. Key is, its working and im happy, thx for the help people.

[Devil]

I bet on SDRAM 100mhz

[Mr.Penguin]

ok, I got another question, would I get better performance (Fps in this case) using 16 bpp; meaning that 32 would give me better graphics. Is this right?

[Shamus]

Maybe a few frames.

[Devil]

haha, of course 16 bit graphics will give you better frame rate as 32 bit graphics will give you better quality with a lower frame rate...

It's logical

[Mr.Penguin]

just checking! thx for the help :D