[gotmaxpower]

Hi guys, first post on the forum, been looking for a place that actually helps me with my computer lol. Basically im using my computer for a game called LFS (live for speed) and i cant seem to get more than 21fps in 1280x1024, so i downgraded to 800x600 just to see the change, and i got 35-45fps, depending on how many people were around me at the time.

My computer is totally stock and i am looking at buying a new gfx card, more memory, you know, whatever makes it run smoother. I know the utter basics of computer customisation but im not too sure on what im getting.

This is what ive currently got; (ive been told these are the main things to change, if you want to know anything else, feel free to ask and ill have a look)
Im running windows XP
Memory : 1024MB Ram
GFX Card : Nvidia Geforce 6200 LE - 256MB of memory
3.06GHz, i dont know what thats for :S

Ill be looking on this tommorow after school at around 5'ish, thanks for the help!

[Krlll]

More memory would be a help but your biggest drawback IMO is the graphics card.
You need to upgrade to a new AGP graphics card.Which one depends on how much you want to spend.
A link to your exact computer would be helpful as well to suggest compatible ram upgrades.
You need more MaxPower.lol

[alex]

Considering the cpu you have (3.06ghz) and the fact you're running XP, upping your ram isn't going to make much, if any, difference. You're already at the sweetspot for ram.

Krill's, once again, absolutely correct in suggesting you get a card upgrade.

As you're getting 21fps at 1280x1024 using the 'card' you have I'd be looking at a 7600GS or GT. Here are some examples.

No point getting a more powerful one as you've stated you only play that game and the card you have is already giving you 21fps.

[gotmaxpower]

Originally Posted by Krlll More memory would be a help but your biggest drawback IMO is the graphics card. You need to upgrade to a new AGP graphics card.Which one depends on how much you want to spend. A link to your exact computer would be helpful as well to suggest compatible ram upgrades. You need more MaxPower.lol

Right, ill have a look around and see if i can find a link to my computer, ive tried before but i didnt exactly know what i was searching for. :S Lol, im allowed £70-£100 to spend on a gfx card and yeah ofcourse i need more maxpower

Originally Posted by alex Considering the cpu you have (3.06ghz) and the fact you're running XP, upping your ram isn't going to make much, if any, difference. You're already at the sweetspot for ram. Krill's, once again, absolutely correct in suggesting you get a card upgrade. As you're getting 21fps at 1280x1024 using the 'card' you have I'd be looking at a 7600GS or GT. Here are some examples. No point getting a more powerful one as you've stated you only play that game and the card you have is already giving you 21fps.

Well basically, im looking at getting around 60fps, anything like that, not bothered if i cant reach that but the utter minimum is 40.
Ive got £70-£100 for a gfx card.

Thanks alot for the help guys =D im just going to go and find a link to my computer if i can so i can get some info on it.

[gotmaxpower]

I have £70-£100 to spend on a gfx card, just wondering if you guys have any suggestions for my computer, im just going to look for my computer on the internet now and see if i get any results.
Thanks for all the help guys i really appreciate it

[gotmaxpower]

sorry about that, double posted by accident

[Krlll]

http://compreviews.about.com/od/video/tp/AGPVideo.htm

[gotmaxpower]

i think im going to go with the 7800GS because its more powerful and stuff, what fps do you guys think ill get? will i need any fans or anything to cool it down, will i get any problems?
thanks!

[Krlll]

You will need to look for reviews and benchmarks.
Cooling will be stock unless you buy or find a card with after market cooling.

[alex]

3rd party manufacturers of cards, XFX etc, usually (well, mostly) fit their own coolers to the card's and do away with the stock reference one.

As these companies usually overclock the gpu and memory past the reference speeds they need a more powerful cooling solution. Hence doing this.

You'll be hard pressed to find a separate hsf for a 7800GS, well, a decent one anyway such as the Zalman vf900 because of the layout on this card's pcb. Also, not many AGP cards are being sold nowadays so it doesn't make economic sense.

[gotmaxpower]

what about this, would it fit in my computer?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/XFX-7600GS-5...0740966&sr=1-1

thanks,

[alex]

If your motherboard supports Pci-express cards then, yup, it will work.

But try and get a 256mb version instead of this 512mb version.

256mb of the ram on this model of card will never be used, so it's extra ram (that you're paying for) which will go to waste.

No game upto and including a resolution of 1280x1024 requires anything over 256mb of ram regardless of AA settings.

512mb of ram is only useful at higher resolutions, something this card can't hope to game at.