Could someone help me choose a better video card?

[AxlRocks]

I hope posting this here was ok, I searched and didn't find anything but it seemed better to post here than general discussion of course. Well, it's like this, my video card actually runs decently. It's a NVIDIA GeForce 9400 (GF9300+GF8200). It's integrated, however, I do have one PCI Express x16 expansion slot. I can currently run Fallout at 1440x900 res, no antialiasing, and no anisotropic filtering. I also have no screen effects and I use medium textures. (Which I'm actually pretty happy with, but I would like them bigger if possible.) I experience stutter during certain parts of the game, and when I'm in my Megaton house for example. A lot of interiors make me stutter. I'd really appreciate if someone could help me and tell me what card will let me run Fallout on High settings, and also Ultra. My budget is pretty low, 300 at the very most but I'd like under 200, so Ultra is probably out of the question, but I'd like to see. Here are all my other computer specs: My Specs. If anyone could help, I'd really appreciate it. I only run Fallout and Oblivion, but I'm absolutely sick of the lag lol even if it's not THAT bad. My only goal is to be able to run those with high settings, without lag. I'd do this myself, but I know plenty about the software side, and very little about hardware. Please help? Thank you,

 

AxlRocks

[Wookie120]

I hope posting this here was ok, I searched and didn't find anything but it seemed better to post here than general discussion of course. Well, it's like this, my video card actually runs decently. It's a NVIDIA GeForce 9400 (GF9300+GF8200). It's integrated, however, I do have one PCI Express x16 expansion slot. I can currently run Fallout at 1440x900 res, no antialiasing, and no anisotropic filtering. I also have no screen effects and I use medium textures. (Which I'm actually pretty happy with, but I would like them bigger if possible.) I experience stutter during certain parts of the game, and when I'm in my Megaton house for example. A lot of interiors make me stutter. I'd really appreciate if someone could help me and tell me what card will let me run Fallout on High settings, and also Ultra. My budget is pretty low, 300 at the very most but I'd like under 200, so Ultra is probably out of the question, but I'd like to see. Here are all my other computer specs: My Specs. If anyone could help, I'd really appreciate it. I only run Fallout and Oblivion, but I'm absolutely sick of the lag lol even if it's not THAT bad. My only goal is to be able to run those with high settings, without lag. I'd do this myself, but I know plenty about the software side, and very little about hardware. Please help? Thank you,

 

AxlRocks

hello, I use a NVidia GTS/GTX 260 I got from Newegg.com It runs the game great and was under 300 USD. Give Newegg.com a shot and i am sure you will find a video card within Your budget. best of luck.

[Dragunover]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017

^ assuming your PSU is a fail for a graphics card over 100 dollars

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102878

^ actual graphics card

 

Now, how much space do you have for your PCI-E slot? measure the space viewing the left side of your case, from left to right.

[vettexl]

I hope posting this here was ok, I searched and didn't find anything but it seemed better to post here than general discussion of course. Well, it's like this, my video card actually runs decently. It's a NVIDIA GeForce 9400 (GF9300+GF8200). It's integrated, however, I do have one PCI Express x16 expansion slot. I can currently run Fallout at 1440x900 res, no antialiasing, and no anisotropic filtering. I also have no screen effects and I use medium textures. (Which I'm actually pretty happy with, but I would like them bigger if possible.) I experience stutter during certain parts of the game, and when I'm in my Megaton house for example. A lot of interiors make me stutter. I'd really appreciate if someone could help me and tell me what card will let me run Fallout on High settings, and also Ultra. My budget is pretty low, 300 at the very most but I'd like under 200, so Ultra is probably out of the question, but I'd like to see. Here are all my other computer specs: My Specs. If anyone could help, I'd really appreciate it. I only run Fallout and Oblivion, but I'm absolutely sick of the lag lol even if it's not THAT bad. My only goal is to be able to run those with high settings, without lag. I'd do this myself, but I know plenty about the software side, and very little about hardware. Please help? Thank you,

 

AxlRocks

 

 

Hey Again :biggrin: I use an EVGA NVIDIA GeForce 220 and I can run any game on Ultra without problems. [link to amazon.com]

[bben46]

Before spending a lot on a new video card, make sure your power supply can handle it. Many inexpensive brand name computers such as Dell and HP have very weak power supplies - usually just enough to power the stock components. Many newer video cards require quite a bit of power. Mine has 2 - 6 pin power connectors added - and you must either have the connectors already on your power supply cables or have several available 4 pin hard drive connectors that can be adapted - usually the adapters come with the video card. I recommend at least 450 watts. But check the board specs to see if that will be enough - and remember, you will still need enough power to run everything else.

 

Another consideration is length. I thought my oversize case could handle any video card. But I had to remove a hard drive bracket to fit the new one in.

 

Then there is cooling - newer cards run hot and you must have a good path for air to reach the fan on the new card. As my video slot was at the bottom of my case I was able to cut a new hole under the fan intake to supply cooler air to the card.

[vettexl]

Before spending a lot on a new video card, make sure your power supply can handle it. Many inexpensive brand name computers such as Dell and HP have very weak power supplies - usually just enough to power the stock components. Many newer video cards require quite a bit of power. Mine has 2 - 6 pin power connectors added - and you must either have the connectors already on your power supply cables or have several available 4 pin hard drive connectors that can be adapted - usually the adapters come with the video card. I recommend at least 450 watts. But check the board specs to see if that will be enough - and remember, you will still need enough power to run everything else.

 

Another consideration is length. I thought my oversize case could handle any video card. But I had to remove a hard drive bracket to fit the new one in.

 

Then there is cooling - newer cards run hot and you must have a good path for air to reach the fan on the new card. As my video slot was at the bottom of my case I was able to cut a new hole under the fan intake to supply cooler air to the card.

 

@stock power supplies, yeah, I found out the hard way XD I upgraded to a 550watt PSU and everything runs smoothly. I don't really need to worry about cooling though as there are actually quite a few fans inside as well as a 220mm fan on top of the case.