compatible video card upgrade 1

[sass65]

Hello,
I was wondering if I could get some advice on purchasing a new video card. I currently have the Nvidia GeForce 2 GTS 32MB card on my Dell XPS (384 MB Ram), Intel 3 processor, running windows ME. I have been having a problem with gray horizontal lines running from the top of my monitor screen to the bottom. The lines coincide with any text or graphic that is being viewed in any program or on any website. Also, the colors are distorted. I tried a new monitor and it had the same problem...I ran all the video tests and they tell me everything is fine. I'm not finding any incompatabilities and I've tried unistalling/installing video drivers to no avail. Basically I've tried just about everything and now that I'm thoroughly frustated I've decided to just get a new dang video card! So now the question is, which one would be best for my system since I do quite a bit of gaming and also who has the best prices???

Thanks so much-
SASS65

 

[Lemon13]

get the cheapest 3d card that supports directx9 you can get.
even this one will be slowed down by the rest of your system

 

[cdogg]

I doubt you'd need to go any higher than a GeForce4 Ti4200. Depending on the speed of you PIII, it likely won't even come close to its full potential. You could get DirectX9 cards pretty cheap, but some sacrifice in overall performance in DX7 related tasks compared to some of the faster GF4's. Besides, DX9 is not necessary for your system. Any new game that uses it won't be able to run very well with the extra detail enabled on your system.

But if you plan on "building" a new PC soon, then go ahead and grab a mid-range DX9 card.

~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
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[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[paparazi]

Lemon13
cdogg as usual has hit the nail on the head.
Under normal circumstances nearly all would recommend the fastest DX9 card you can afford ie:
ATI Radeon 9500/9500pro/9600/9600pro/9600XT/9700/9700pro/9800/9800pro/9800XT new X800
Nvidia FX
FX5600/FX5600ultra/FX5700/FX5700ultra/FX5800/FX5900XT/
FX5900/FX5900ultra/FX5950/new 6800
But non of these are going to run anywhere near their full potential in your system (because of CPU/memory and chipset bottlenecks) more to the point some if not all of these cards are likely to be incompatible with your motherboard.
The fastest card gauranteed to work with your system would be an older Geforce 4 4600Ti followed closely by the
GF4 4200Ti.
The very powerful GF3 Ti500 might also be an excellent replacement for your GTS (the GF3 Ti500 is more powerful than any of the GF4 MX range)
There is a very healthly trade in this type of older card at places like ebay, where you can pick up new/refurbished and second hand at knock down prices.
Martin


Start by questioning and soon you will be anwering.
So please take but remember to return and give when you can.

 

[sass65]

Thank you all for the information, it was exactly what I needed!

SASS65