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| Thread ID: 72617 | 2006-09-19 10:13:00 | Newby needing Video Card | AndrewF (11166) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 485772 | 2006-09-19 10:13:00 | Hi, I've just bought Elder Scrolls Oblivion (rumour has it I will be oblivious to the world for a while) and found my NVIDIA GeForce MX 440 video card isn't quite able, well it's an old dog. The game menu appears but when i try playing the game it shuts down. I dont want to spend over $200 on a card. So my question is: 1. what brands of video cards are okay quality but not expensive. :2cents: 2. what features / capatability do i need? 3. The game says it needs ATI Radeon 9500 series on up to ATI X1900 or GEForce 6000 series to 7000 series. Plus 128 MB direct3d compatable. :help: |
AndrewF (11166) | ||
| 485773 | 2006-09-19 10:27:00 | Welcome to PressF1 :) Before people can give specific information, we have to know the capabilities of your motherboard. Is it 4x or 8x AGP? If you are unsure, then just post the make/model of your motherboard. |
Jen (38) | ||
| 485774 | 2006-09-19 10:37:00 | I would say if you are not willing to spend over $200, don't bother about it at all. (probably will be corrected by others, but thats my opinion) | mejobloggs (264) | ||
| 485775 | 2006-09-19 10:47:00 | If your budget is 200 I'd suggest looking at finding what you could get new for +/- 350 dollars, and then buy one second hand, from the likes of TradeMe. Try PriceSpy to get an idea of prices. |
Greg (193) | ||
| 485776 | 2006-09-19 20:25:00 | Oblivion will screw any card over, even my 7800GTX... basically the more you spend the better off you will be in terms of performance... You can always buy off TradeMe, but just beware of any faulty cards But I would have to agree with mejobloggs on this budget... Hang on a second... by the sounds of it you have an AGP motherboard... cards for these are getting very expensive (new)... TradeMe would be the way to go in this case, that is unless you can't wait and save for a whole new system :D EDIT:1. Brands are sort of generic in a way, they all have the same (or VERY close) performance a part from overclocked models but I would say for nVidia ASUS or Gigabyte as value and XFX for overclocked. 2. Any card currently out will have the features that are needed. 3. Again I am not sure about ATI, but with nVida the 6000 series is the last generation cards and the 7000 series is this generations cards and there has been a large performance increase between them |
The_End_Of_Reality (334) | ||
| 485777 | 2006-09-19 21:00:00 | I didn't have any problems runiing Oblivion - but then I have an X1900XTX. $200 is not enough. A friend is running it well with a 6800GT. |
pctek (84) | ||
| 485778 | 2006-09-19 21:21:00 | Yeah, I think I would go for a 6800GS (AGP)... they just cost a bit.... /me checks pricespy... Whoah, looks like its a long time since I have looked at prices! 6800 GS 128mb, $220: www.pricespy.co.nz Although I think I would spend the extra to get 256mb: www.pricespy.co.nz That card should be able to handle it fairly well.... depending on the rest of your system |
mejobloggs (264) | ||
| 485779 | 2006-09-20 03:00:00 | Get the 6800GS, spending money on anything more is a waste on a system using the AGP bus. If i was you id be tempted to try and find a 6800GT or 6800Ultra on trademe, but remember in all likelyhood this video card wont be transferable to any new PC you may buy in the future because it uses the AGP bus. |
Pete O'Neil (6584) | ||
| 485780 | 2006-09-20 08:32:00 | Thank you for all your information, it's been very helpful. Last question, with AGP 8X am I compatable with all 6800GS or GT video cards inc. 256 MB and 256 bit? My Display Properties says I have a GeForce 4MX 440 with AGP 8X, which matches info in the motherboard manual (what's that?). Looks like I'll need to upgrade the motherboard sometime as The End of Reality suggested. :horrified All that for a game! Or get the 6800GS on TradeMe as suggested. Hmmm. I'll also PriceSpy as suggest. Thanx! |
AndrewF (11166) | ||
| 485781 | 2006-09-20 08:52:00 | All AGP cards are compatible with an 8X AGP slot, the cards that are 4X will only run at 4X, but the cards you are going to be looking at are 8X and will run perfectly. I said that because NOW all you might need to do is upgrade your GFX card a little, but in the future, who knows? you might need to upgrade your whole system if you want good performance... always going to happen :rolleyes: |
The_End_Of_Reality (334) | ||
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