[chaz100]

I know very little about computers, so have a question about my graphics card. Please excuse my all round stupidity when it comes to these things.

I have an NVIDIA GeForce 7500 LE with 256mb RAM that came already integrated into the computer.

Also, someone has brought me Bioshock for Xmas... one of the things I do know about my current card is that it isn't very good, and was wondering two things:

1) Will I be able to run Bioshock at at least medium graphics while still be playable? I know I meet the minimum graphics requirements, but will that be enough?

2) Is it possible to upgrade this graphics card to something better for around £50?

Thanks in advance.

[mrdaveyk]

depending on the rest of your specs i doubt its going to run it anyway

what OS are you using also

and as for an upgrade i think, depending on your OS you can get a decent upgrade if you stretch to about £70/80

[chaz100]

I'm using Window Vista. Dual Core Processor. 1 GB RAM

That was graphical RAM I typed in above. I checked and I meet the minimum requirements for Bioshock, but not the recommended, does this mean playing it on low graphics?

[Macmac508]

Yes, well it definately means you won't be playing them on high. I would expect Low-Med settings. You might have some trouble with framerates and such. I would expect it would be playable on a low res but i think you're looking at fairly low settings.

[chaz100]

Thanks for the help. I'm slightly confused about upgrading my card though, I've been looking through game recommended requirements, and a 7900 card with 512mb video RAM seems to be what I need, but I guess this is really expensive?

[Macmac508]

A 7900 card would be quite expensive. Don't get too hung up on the amount of memory the card has thats not the most important factor. The most important thing is the GPU which is just the model of the card.

A 256MB 7900 Would also do a fine job, if your running Windows Vista think about getting an Geforce 8-series card; maybe an 8600GT for around £70?

[chaz100]

Originally Posted by Macmac508 A 7900 card would be quite expensive. Don't get too hung up on the amount of memory the card has thats not the most important factor. The most important thing is the GPU which is just the model of the card. A 256MB 7900 Would also do a fine job, if your running Windows Vista think about getting an Geforce 8-series card; maybe an 8600GT for around £70?

Thanks, I've had a quick look round, this one any good?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...=56&subcat=912

[mrdaveyk]

aye the 8600gts is a good card

ive got the 8600gt and it handles bioshock fine

what the exact difference is between the gt and gts im not sure, im more for the gts being better, but ill have to check for ya

second thought im sure its better than the gt, so you should be fine

also, if you ever got a few pretty pennies lying around upgrade ya ram

i upgraded mine from 1gb to 3gb (max for vista) and its worked wonders all over

[chaz100]

Thanks for the help! I think thats all questions answered!