Some PC help

[jimmythekid1]

I know some of you guys are good with a computer. What I want to do is upgrade my video card and install and sound card(current is integrated in mother board). I can't play many games and I would like to start do so on my PC. I don't have any cards in mind as I have no Idea what would work smoothy with the rest of my hardware.


what will work with my system with out breaking the bank
thanks in advance

System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 3/3/2008, 20:36:35
Machine name: SALINAS-4JHWX9B
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.070227-2254)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Dimension 4600i
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A12
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz
Memory: 2558MB RAM
Page File: 653MB used, 2521MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce FX 5200
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0322&SUBSYS_01B910DE&REV_A1
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.6921 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 12/5/2007 01:41:00, 5773568 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 12/5/2007 01:41:00, 7435392 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4062-11CF-6768-B22100C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0322
SubSys ID: 0x01B910DE
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D


-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D5&SUBSYS_01741028&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Type: WDM
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.5246 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 1/27/2005 15:31:06, 260352 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Analog Devices
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 192000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 33, 32
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 33, 32
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: Yes
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): Yes
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

Description: Modem #0 Line Playback (emulated)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID:
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 81
Type: Emulated
Driver Name:
Driver Version:
Driver Attributes:
WHQL Logo'd:
Date and Size:
Other Files:
Driver Provider:
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0x0
Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

[darkendblades]

hey tell me what kinda game your looking at and ill let you know what vid card you need and on sound i bet i can get one for real cheap as well, but first off name of game you want?

[2wdpancar]

To play some high-res games such as DOOM, Nvidia makes the best.

They can go into the 200-300 range thoug.....

[jimmythekid1]

well a couple games I have that don't really run or if they do run its really poor.

Kane & Lynch dean men
TMNT
Halo type games

my wife plays
Sim games
zoo tycoon
these two run fair but at times they are very slow and glitchy

[jimmythekid1]

Originally Posted by blt456

To play some high-res games such as DOOM, Nvidia makes the best.

They can go into the 200-300 range thoug.....

i have one but my model is not getting the job done and i don't know what others with bolt up so to speak

[2wdpancar]

If you don't mind me asking, what year did you buy your card?
The new ones can run a LOT.

[jimmythekid1]

Originally Posted by blt456

If you don't mind me asking, what year did you buy your card?
The new ones can run a LOT.

ITs was an upgrade when I ordered my pc about 2005ish. the model is in my first post.

[darkendblades]

Originally Posted by blt456

If you don't mind me asking, what year did you buy your card?
The new ones can run a LOT.

yes the "new ones" can run alot but only if you buy the right ones

and for your games Jimmy i can Look into it tonight and sugest some good ones i was kinda thinking more along the lines of higher demanding games but these are easily taken care of by a 256mb card maybe even a 128mb card thats dedicated for just the games and your stock main board one can handle all the random other stuff, but like i said ill look around for a good cheap card for those games.

[Hardcore racer]

First off,what slots do you have on your motherboard PCI,PCIe,or,AGP???

[jimmythekid1]

Originally Posted by Hardcore racer

First off,what slots do you have on your motherboard PCI,PCIe,or,AGP???

I do believe PCI if I look at the properties for my currant card it says its installed in PCI slot 1

[TheB1GDude]

Originally Posted by jimmythekid1

I do believe PCI if I look at the properties for my currant card it says its installed in PCI slot 1

Your probably going to have to take the PC apart and take a look at the motherboard and identify the slots you have available, if your machine was purchased in 05 then assuming its of fairly good quality it might have an accelerated graphics port (AGP) which is going to be better than PCI once you know exactly what slots you have you can narrow down what cards are going to work for you!

What I will say is a few years back I put about 300 bucks into an Nvidia G-Force card and it rocked - it worked with either AGP or PCI, my board only had PCI but it didn't matter.... NVidia cards are normally pretty solid and a good place to start.

[jimmythekid1]

Originally Posted by TheB1GDude

Your probably going to have to take the PC apart and take a look at the motherboard and identify the slots you have available, if your machine was purchased in 05 then assuming its of fairly good quality it might have an accelerated graphics port (AGP) which is going to be better than PCI once you know exactly what slots you have you can narrow down what cards are going to work for you!

What I will say is a few years back I put about 300 bucks into an Nvidia G-Force card and it rocked - it worked with either AGP or PCI, my board only had PCI but it didn't matter.... NVidia cards are normally pretty solid and a good place to start.

well I did not open it up but I did check the review for my PC on cnet, they do not mention any AGPs so I would assume it does not have one. According to the review I should have two free PCI slots, and thats not including the slot the Nvidia Gforce FX 5200 is alread in. So I should get a good Nvidia (my currant is a budjet version). i have heard sound blaster is a good sound card is this true?

[1985_RX-7]

I have a nvidia 8600gt-s(PCI Express slot) and i can play COD4 and AA all day at max settings, but then again i also have a Dual-Core AMD Athlon x2 and 3.21ghz and 4gb of RAM so... hope this helps. I've also owned both Nivida and ATi cards and both have ran smoothly but Nvidia seems to run a little bit better and is a little bit more "Overclock" friendly.
If anything just try to get at least or more than 256mb of Ram on your Video card, whichever one you choose. You will be much happier.
Also, soundblasters cards are good, you wont be let down.

[xmodkidd33]

If I were you, I would get a few books or talk to some guys/nerds who know about this kind of stuff. Look at the minimum requirements on your games' boxes. Check out a couple sites, like NewEgg or Tiger Direct for good prices and selections. You may need to look into a new processor to be able to run the stuff you need.

[jimmythekid1]

this is what i have in mind
video
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=8154271
sound
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=8154271

I think my processor is good enough it exceeds most games requirements, I might add some ram too I have 2.5gbs right now.

[1985_RX-7]

Originally Posted by jimmythekid1

this is what i have in mind
video
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=8154271
sound
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=8154271

I think my processor is good enough it exceeds most games requirements, I might add some ram too I have 2.5gbs right now.

You can;t run either of those cards, they are both PCI-Express slots, which you only have PCI slots.
Your on the right track there though. Just keep doing research, read reviews and what-not. Also, Like previously stated, check out www.newegg.com they have great prices and fast shipping too. Also, 2.5gb of RAM should be enough for what games you play.

[jimmythekid1]

Originally Posted by 1985_RX-7

You can;t run either of those cards, they are both PCI-Express slots, which you only have PCI slots.
Your on the right track there though. Just keep doing research, read reviews and what-not. Also, Like previously stated, check out www.newegg.com they have great prices and fast shipping too. Also, 2.5gb of RAM should be enough for what games you play.

yep your right. I did some research and then tore apart my tower. I have one AGP, not sure what version and three PCI(32bits). Also my power supply is only 250watts, most of the cards that would make a decent improvement are 400watts. So I decided to just scrap this idea altogether. Bascially I just have a pc thats fine for online stuff and office type programs. The next time I order one I will now know what to look for and I learned allot about what stuff is and means.

My old lady said I can't get a new PC befroe the house is sold, also I want a Bowflex before a I spen 3gs on a gaming computer, hell it would be cheaper to buy a big HD flat screen and a PS3. I think I would go that route before buying a new PC maybe in other 3-5 years I will buy or build a PC.

thanks again every one for your help