Video Card Upgrade

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  • datakillx99

    #1

    Video Card Upgrade

    Hi, as you can probably tell I'm new here but ive been on TotalBF2's site for a month now waiting until I got BF2 :laugh: Well, I finally bought it but I have to play it on my mom's laptop because my video card isnt good enough Fortunately, I recently won an essay competition and had a birthday so soon I will have $200 (flexible up to $220/$230) for computer upgrades. I'd like to know how well my system will run BF2 after my upgrade (video settings, speed, etc) and also any suggestions for different upgrades than the ones I have chosen. (Keep in mind my computer is several years old so it isnt the greatest but I cant afford a new computer)

    Previous PC Specs:
    -Intel Pentium 4 2.4 Ghz
    -Geforce 4 MX420
    -512 MB of RAM
    -~200-250 Watt Power Supply (Not sure on this, sticker is nowhere to be found on the power supply)
    -Dell MicroATX Case

    Upgraded PC Specs:
    -Intel Pentium 4 2.4 Ghz
    -Radeon 4x/8x AGP 9600 Pro 256 MB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102410)
    -1.5 Gigs of RAM (2 Slots: 512 MB + 1 Gig)
    -350 Watt Power Supply (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817181110)

    Thanks a lot for any help!!!
  • lil_jimmy_norton

    #2
    Re: How well will my comp. run BF2?

    Originally posted by datakillx99
    Hi, as you can probably tell I'm new here but ive been on TotalBF2's site for a month now waiting until I got BF2 :laugh: Well, I finally bought it but I have to play it on my mom's laptop because my video card isnt good enough Fortunately, I recently won an essay competition and had a birthday so soon I will have $200 (flexible up to $220/$230) for computer upgrades. I'd like to know how well my system will run BF2 after my upgrade (video settings, speed, etc) and also any suggestions for different upgrades than the ones I have chosen. (Keep in mind my computer is several years old so it isnt the greatest but I cant afford a new computer)

    Previous PC Specs:
    -Intel Pentium 4 2.4 Ghz
    -Geforce 4 MX420
    -512 MB of RAM
    -~200-250 Watt Power Supply (Not sure on this, sticker is nowhere to be found on the power supply)
    -Dell MicroATX Case

    Upgraded PC Specs:
    -Intel Pentium 4 2.4 Ghz
    -Radeon 4x/8x AGP 9600 Pro 256 MB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102410)
    -1.5 Gigs of RAM (2 Slots: 512 MB + 1 Gig)
    -350 Watt Power Supply (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817181110)

    Thanks a lot for any help!!!
    Upgraded will play mediums/lowish. You can really do better than the 9600Pro.

    Comment

    • scrat15

      #3
      Re: How well will my comp. run BF2?

      Hey buddy, the build you have there under "Upgraded PC specs" will eat up BF2 NO probs.
      To give you an idea, my PC is:
      GeForce 6600 128mb
      512mb RAM
      AMD 3000 # 1.8GHZ

      and it runs BF2 at about an average of 80 FPS with settings at: 1024 X 768, everything low apart from effects and resolution which are at medium. My draw distance is at 100 %.
      The game looks sweet and never suffers frame rate issues when explosions are going off etc.
      The only issue have is that my load times take at least 1.30 and I get serious startup lag which takes a while to go away. But that is only because I have just 512 MB of RAM.

      So as you can see, you will have a great machine to run BF2 on!

      Comment

      • datakillx99

        #4
        Re: How well will my comp. run BF2?

        Oh wow! You replied fast :p Um could you give any suggestions for a 4x/8x AGP card thats only $70-$100 give or take?

        Comment

        • lil_jimmy_norton

          #5
          Re: How well will my comp. run BF2?

          Scrape up another $35 and you'll be playing on medium/high.

          Comment

          • imported_Jazza

            #6
            Re: How well will my comp. run BF2?

            Originally posted by scrat15
            Hey buddy, the build you have there under "Upgraded PC specs" will eat up BF2 NO probs.
            Hardly, my friends old pc was the following and he had to play it at 800x600 lowest and the FPS still dropped!

            AMD 2500+
            1GB DDR333
            128mb 9600 Pro
            200GB IDE Seagate

            Ran and looked like crap.

            Comment

            • datakillx99

              #7
              Re: How well will my comp. run BF2?

              Well I must protest that that could be because the processor is kind of outdated (not that mine isnt! :laugh: ) and the video card is 128 mb but hey, I'm still learning computers :p

              Edit: I just noticed that the 6600 GT is only a 128 MB card, does it still kick the 9600 pro's (which is 256 mb) butt? :laugh:

              Comment

              • NoToRiOuSmInUtE

                #8
                Re: How well will my comp. run BF2?

                Yep we have a 6600 at my cousins, It will get you there... much better choice.

                Comment

                • datakillx99

                  #9
                  Re: How well will my comp. run BF2?

                  I am kind of nervous on buying power supplies. Can anyone help me in picking one out? My case is a MicroATX and I need the power supply to be able to power the 6600 GT (I read one of the comments on newegg stating "The only thing you will have to get that it says you dont need is a 4-pin power cord to plug into the card. Or if you have a power cord that will reach (mine was really close to reaching)." Take a look at the power supply I had posted and ask me if that would work. Yet again, thanks for the help and especially how quickly I got replies!!!

                  Comment

                  • lil_jimmy_norton

                    #10
                    Re: How well will my comp. run BF2?

                    Is it a Dell MOBO, if so it most likely hava a proprietary power connector, and an off the shelf PSU won't work.

                    Comment

                    • datakillx99

                      #11
                      Re: How well will my comp. run BF2?

                      My guess is that it is a Dell Mobo as this computer was an off-the-shelf computer and not customized. So if this is the case, how would I go about upgrading my power supply? I need a more powerful one to support a new video card :hmm:

                      Comment

                      • lil_jimmy_norton

                        #12
                        Re: How well will my comp. run BF2?

                        Originally posted by datakillx99
                        My guess is that it is a Dell Mobo as this computer was an off-the-shelf computer and not customized. So if this is the case, how would I go about upgrading my power supply? I need a more powerful one to support a new video card :hmm:

                        Comment

                        • Raiden47

                          #13
                          Re: How well will my comp. run BF2?

                          Your "Upgraded Specs" will run BF2 just fine at medium specs.
                          And for the subject of Dell mobo PSU connectors, oh wow, I've had some "run-ins" with Dell over that.. subject. The PSU you have on that "upgraded" list, will suit you just fine.

                          Comment

                          • Motowater

                            #14
                            Re: How well will my comp. run BF2?

                            Originally posted by lil_jimmy_norton
                            Is it a Dell MOBO, if so it most likely hava a proprietary power connector, and an off the shelf PSU won't work.
                            Those were going to be my exact words. BUT if your dell is within a year old, they caught on, and decided to make their psu's non-proprietary, so they dont fry your mobos anymore :)
                            Yea the safest way this would work (if u want that new psu) would be to get a new mobo with that psu, along with a new case. This might not be bad though, most cases come with psu's that mite suit your needs (or budget in your case). Personaly i didnt risk using the psu that came with my case.

                            Comment

                            • datakillx99

                              #15
                              Re: How well will my comp. run BF2?

                              Ah, Little Jimmy that link may have solved all my fears of buying the power supply. Now are those just the power supplies built into the off-the-shelf Dells? Or are those ones you can upgrade with in Dell computers? Also, is there any way to tell what Dimension I have? Its been a long time and I can't remember.

                              Edit: Ahahaha I feel like an idiot! XD I just looked at the text around the power button and it says Dimension 4550

                              2nd Edit: Eww $120 for the psu for my dimension T_T

                              Comment

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