advice for budget card

[erin.betters]

Can anyone suggest a budget video card that supports pixel shader 1.1?
I only need it for one game, as I am not a big gamer (at all).

Therefore I don't need a superstar card. Just a budget option.

Thanks in advance!~

 

[Guest]

Can anyone suggest a budget video card that supports pixel shader 1.1?
I only need it for one game, as I am not a big gamer (at all).

Therefore I don't need a superstar card. Just a budget option.

Thanks in advance!~

How much have you got to spend? Give the NG an idea and I'm sure plenty of
people will offer their advice.

 

[erin.betters]

How much have you got to spend? Give the NG an idea and I'm sure plenty of
people will offer their advice.

To be totally honest with you, I am a real Luddite and I don't even
know how much these things cost. I mean, I see some online for $300 and
I was definitely not wanting to spend that much.

I was hoping to spend under $100. I have no idea if that's reasonable
or not. Since I really am not a gamer, the cheaper the better.

I also do not know if eBay is a respectable option (i.e. how risky is
it with these things? Are they delicate?).

 

[T Shadow]

Can anyone suggest a budget video card that supports pixel shader 1.1?

To be totally honest with you, I am a real Luddite and I don't even
know how much these things cost. I mean, I see some online for $300 and
I was definitely not wanting to spend that much.

I was hoping to spend under $100. I have no idea if that's reasonable
or not. Since I really am not a gamer, the cheaper the better.

The ATI website has a compare page that probably shows what your asking.
Just start with the older cards and work your way up.

 

[Guest]

To be totally honest with you, I am a real Luddite and I don't even
know how much these things cost. I mean, I see some online for $300 and
I was definitely not wanting to spend that much.

I was hoping to spend under $100. I have no idea if that's reasonable
or not. Since I really am not a gamer, the cheaper the better.

I also do not know if eBay is a respectable option (i.e. how risky is
it with these things? Are they delicate?).

OK. Next questions: -

What game is it you play?

What card do you have at the moment?

Any preference as to chipset - ATI/Nvidia?

Do you need and PCI/AGP/PCI-E card? If you are not sure do you know what
motherboard you have? If you do not know what motherboard you have, do you
know the make/model of your PC?

As for eBay, a viable option but for the difference in cost I would rather
buy from a reputable on-line store and know that I am getting a brand-new
working card that hasn't been overclocked etc.

Glenn

 

[erin.betters]

[snip]

OK. Next questions: -

What game is it you play?

Nothing, at the moment! That's the problem! The game I bought is Black
& White 2. I stupidly neglected to look at the system requirements,
assuming my computer would be fine. I do not play any other games like
that.

What card do you have at the moment?

Evidently, I have an Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller

Any preference as to chipset - ATI/Nvidia?

None. Both were mentioned in the readme file of the game. I just want
it to be at least as good as what I have now, and hopefully support
Pixel Shader 1.1 (whatever that is).

Do you need and PCI/AGP/PCI-E card? If you are not sure do you know what
motherboard you have? If you do not know what motherboard you have, do you
know the make/model of your PC?

I don't know the answer to the first two....I even tried to figure out
what kind of motherboard I had, but I couldn't. The brilliant online
tech support couldn't tell me, either. Which does make me feel somewhat
better.

I have a Compaq Presario SR1000V.

As for eBay, a viable option but for the difference in cost I would rather
buy from a reputable on-line store and know that I am getting a brand-new
working card that hasn't been overclocked etc.

OK, yeah. I figured that could be the case. I just don't want to spend
tons. As you can tell, I am not a real technophile and won't be gaming
a lot.

 

[Guest]

It's possible to get a good video card (new) for about $100, and there
are lots of good ones for under $200.

You say that you have an Intel 82845 currently ... that is an Intel 845
chipset with built-in chipset video. That is an AGP chipset. However,
some motherboards with that chipset and chipset video don't have an AGP
socket for adding a video card. E.g. your only choice if the chipset
video is inadequate is a new motherboard (effectively a new computer).
You have to resolve that first, because it is so fundamental.

There was a superb review recently on the best video cards at price
points from under $100 to over $400. When I get home, I'll try to find
it. The best low end card was a card based on the ATI X1300, although
the card was not built by ATI. It was under $100.

[snip]

OK. Next questions: -

What game is it you play?

Nothing, at the moment! That's the problem! The game I bought is Black
& White 2. I stupidly neglected to look at the system requirements,
assuming my computer would be fine. I do not play any other games like
that.

What card do you have at the moment?

Evidently, I have an Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller

Any preference as to chipset - ATI/Nvidia?

None. Both were mentioned in the readme file of the game. I just want
it to be at least as good as what I have now, and hopefully support
Pixel Shader 1.1 (whatever that is).

Do you need and PCI/AGP/PCI-E card? If you are not sure do you know what
motherboard you have? If you do not know what motherboard you have, do you
know the make/model of your PC?

I don't know the answer to the first two....I even tried to figure out
what kind of motherboard I had, but I couldn't. The brilliant online
tech support couldn't tell me, either. Which does make me feel somewhat
better.

I have a Compaq Presario SR1000V.

As for eBay, a viable option but for the difference in cost I would rather
buy from a reputable on-line store and know that I am getting a brand-new
working card that hasn't been overclocked etc.

OK, yeah. I figured that could be the case. I just don't want to spend
tons. As you can tell, I am not a real technophile and won't be gaming
a lot.

Glenn

 

[JKBK]

If it`s this one then it looks like intergrated graphics with no Agp slot.
Big problem with the Compaq`s and HP`s. No real modern videocard solution
that I know of as pci has been dead for a while.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=407663&docname=c00163403#

[snip]

OK. Next questions: -

What game is it you play?

Nothing, at the moment! That's the problem! The game I bought is Black
& White 2. I stupidly neglected to look at the system requirements,
assuming my computer would be fine. I do not play any other games like
that.

What card do you have at the moment?

Evidently, I have an Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller

Any preference as to chipset - ATI/Nvidia?

None. Both were mentioned in the readme file of the game. I just want
it to be at least as good as what I have now, and hopefully support
Pixel Shader 1.1 (whatever that is).

Do you need and PCI/AGP/PCI-E card? If you are not sure do you know what
motherboard you have? If you do not know what motherboard you have, do
you
know the make/model of your PC?

I don't know the answer to the first two....I even tried to figure out
what kind of motherboard I had, but I couldn't. The brilliant online
tech support couldn't tell me, either. Which does make me feel somewhat
better.

I have a Compaq Presario SR1000V.

As for eBay, a viable option but for the difference in cost I would
rather
buy from a reputable on-line store and know that I am getting a brand-new
working card that hasn't been overclocked etc.

OK, yeah. I figured that could be the case. I just don't want to spend
tons. As you can tell, I am not a real technophile and won't be gaming
a lot.

Glenn

 

[erin.betters]

If it`s this one then it looks like intergrated graphics with no Agp slot.
Big problem with the Compaq`s and HP`s. No real modern videocard solution
that I know of as pci has been dead for a while.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=407663&docname=c00163403#

So in that case, there is no way to play the game on this particular
computer?

Hrm, what a bummer. And surprising, too, that a computer that is only a
couple years old is already too archaic to play a contemporary game on.
I guess that's what you don't know if you're not a gamer! :'-(

 

[erin.betters]

It's possible to get a good video card (new) for about $100, and there
are lots of good ones for under $200.

You say that you have an Intel 82845 currently ... that is an Intel 845
chipset with built-in chipset video. That is an AGP chipset. However,
some motherboards with that chipset and chipset video don't have an AGP
socket for adding a video card. E.g. your only choice if the chipset
video is inadequate is a new motherboard (effectively a new computer).
You have to resolve that first, because it is so fundamental.

OK, so I found some stuff out from tech support. I realize this is very
pedestrian, but could you all read over this conversation and tell me
if you can see a possible solution to my problem?:

----START CONVO----
Morrie: The mother board model is ASUS: P4SD-LA PES

HP:Giovani2-GL6
Morrie: And the chipset is Intel i845GV.
ERIN: OK, thank you. So is it possible to change my chipset?
ERIN: That chipset does not support Pixel Shader 1.1 evidently
ERIN: basically, is there an Agp slot?
Morrie: I am sorry Erin, It's the integrated one. you can not add the
Pixel Shader1.1
ERIN: so is there any option that I have if I want to play a game that
requires support for Pixel Shader 1.1?
Morrie: You have two PCI expansion slots with specification
32bit/33Mhz.
ERIN: I'm sorry, but I'm not very experienced with computers. Can you
explain how I would use those slots?
Morrie: Let me have some time so I can explain it to you in detail.
ERIN: OK, cool
Morrie: Thanks for your patience and time.
ERIN: no problem
Morrie: As per the system specifications, I see that the system comes
with 8X AGP Graphics card,
Morrie: Since, the system has a PCI slot open for expansion, you can
purchase a 8x PCI Graphics card and install on the system.
----END CONVO----

.....so does this mean I could possibly buy a video card and install it
(god knows how) into that empty slot?

Thanks muchly!

 

[Guest]

You could add a PCI video card. However, this is not a good solution.
Expansion cards which can be used to add a video card include:

-PCI (least powerful)
-AGP
-PCI Express (Most powerful)(VERY NEW)

Because PCI slots are the oldest and least powerful slots of the 3 types
that could be used, the cards (very few cards, by the way, and
relatively expensive for what they are) made for PCI slots are not high
end cards. Adding a card is possible, you MAY even be able to find a
PCI card powerful enough to run your desired software, but it won't be a
"high end" card.

Frankly, a better solution would be to replace the computer. Don't
forget that you net cost is what the new computer costs less what you
can sell the older one for (classified, E-Bay or wherever).

Suggestion: don't buy a computer that does not have a PCI Express
expansion slot, even if it initially comes with onboard chipset video.
At this point, an NEW computer that uses AGP rather then PCI Express
should probably be avoided. PCI-X (express) is very new, but it's what
you want in a brand new computer.

 

[James]

OK, so I found some stuff out from tech support. I realize this is very
pedestrian, but could you all read over this conversation and tell me
if you can see a possible solution to my problem?:

----START CONVO----
Morrie: The mother board model is ASUS: P4SD-LA PES

HP:Giovani2-GL6
Morrie: And the chipset is Intel i845GV.
ERIN: OK, thank you. So is it possible to change my chipset?
ERIN: That chipset does not support Pixel Shader 1.1 evidently
ERIN: basically, is there an Agp slot?
Morrie: I am sorry Erin, It's the integrated one. you can not add the
Pixel Shader1.1
ERIN: so is there any option that I have if I want to play a game that
requires support for Pixel Shader 1.1?
Morrie: You have two PCI expansion slots with specification
32bit/33Mhz.
ERIN: I'm sorry, but I'm not very experienced with computers. Can you
explain how I would use those slots?
Morrie: Let me have some time so I can explain it to you in detail.
ERIN: OK, cool
Morrie: Thanks for your patience and time.
ERIN: no problem
Morrie: As per the system specifications, I see that the system comes
with 8X AGP Graphics card,
Morrie: Since, the system has a PCI slot open for expansion, you can
purchase a 8x PCI Graphics card and install on the system.
----END CONVO----

....so does this mean I could possibly buy a video card and install it
(god knows how) into that empty slot?

There are PCI only (as opposed to PCI Express/AGP Cards). There is a
much more limited number of them, but they are out there.

Here is an example which supports Pixel Shader 2.0

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1641739&CatId=0

$44.99 US for a new card with a warranty

Or if you prefer ATI chipsets:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2340202&CatId=0
$54.95

You might find these cheap on eBay.

James

 

[Guest]

So in that case, there is no way to play the game on this particular
computer?

Hrm, what a bummer. And surprising, too, that a computer that is only a
couple years old is already too archaic to play a contemporary game on.
I guess that's what you don't know if you're not a gamer! :'-(

No! Don't give up yet, there are still plenty of PCI cards to choose from. I
used www.pricerunner.co.uk (think there is also US version here
www.pricerunner.com). Select Computers>Components>Graphics Cards>Show All
Graphics Cards and then chose Interface>PCI and there are 4 pages (96
different hits!).

I would suggest something like an ATI X600 Pro or Nvidia FX5500 with 128Mb
or 256Mb- both of which have at least Shader model 2. If you want to spend
even less then ATI X300 or FX5200 would do but remember - you get what you
pay for.

Agreed, a PCI card is not going to blow your mind in terms of speed, but
compared with what you've got I think you will still be pleasantly
surprised.

Hope some of the above helps.

Glenn

 

[Victor]

So in that case, there is no way to play the game on this particular
computer?

Hrm, what a bummer. And surprising, too, that a computer that is only a
couple years old is already too archaic to play a contemporary game on.
I guess that's what you don't know if you're not a gamer! :'-(

Erin,the best pci video card that will fit your computer is the
GeForce 6200 / 128MB DDR / PCI Video Card.It will play your game
fine.You can buy it at Tiger direct:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2427231&CatId=319

 

[Barry Watzman]

Here is the review I mentioned earlier. This is an excellent starting
point (and perhaps ending point) in the search for a video card:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1945652,00.asp

 

[JKBK]

Sorry I didnt mean to imply that there was no way of doing what you want,
just that for some of these companies a popular thing is to not put in a
AGP slot when using intergrated graphics. I think it`s a rather nasty thing
to do to a uninformed/inexperienced buyer for the sake of a buck or two. If
you`re in Canada I just saw a PCI card at The Source(EX Radio Shack) that
should work for you (EVGA FX 5500 PCI $79.99). There are options.

 

[Danny G.]

OK, so I found some stuff out from tech support. I realize this is very
pedestrian, but could you all read over this conversation and tell me
if you can see a possible solution to my problem?:

----START CONVO----
Morrie: The mother board model is ASUS: P4SD-LA PES

HP:Giovani2-GL6
Morrie: And the chipset is Intel i845GV.
ERIN: OK, thank you. So is it possible to change my chipset?
ERIN: That chipset does not support Pixel Shader 1.1 evidently
ERIN: basically, is there an Agp slot?
Morrie: I am sorry Erin, It's the integrated one. you can not add the
Pixel Shader1.1
ERIN: so is there any option that I have if I want to play a game that
requires support for Pixel Shader 1.1?
Morrie: You have two PCI expansion slots with specification
32bit/33Mhz.
ERIN: I'm sorry, but I'm not very experienced with computers. Can you
explain how I would use those slots?
Morrie: Let me have some time so I can explain it to you in detail.
ERIN: OK, cool
Morrie: Thanks for your patience and time.
ERIN: no problem
Morrie: As per the system specifications, I see that the system comes
with 8X AGP Graphics card,
Morrie: Since, the system has a PCI slot open for expansion, you can
purchase a 8x PCI Graphics card and install on the system.
----END CONVO----

....so does this mean I could possibly buy a video card and install it
(god knows how) into that empty slot?

NO


What I get out of that is you have a video card that is plugged in to a AGP slot.
Basically the existing display card is removed and the new one goes in its AGP slot.





"Morrie: The mother board model is ASUS: P4SD-LA PES"
"Morrie: As per the system specifications, I see that the system comes with 8X AGP Graphics card,"

A quick search at HP.com for P4SD-LA shows a AGPx8 slot.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00062430&dlc=en&lang=en


I don't think the support technician could figure out what you are trying to do. Try just saying, "Can I replace my AGP video
card?"

GL
Dan

 

[T Shadow]

NO

What I get out of that is you have a video card that is plugged in to a

AGP >slot. Basically the existing display card is removed and the new one
goes in > its AGP slot.

"Morrie: The mother board model is ASUS: P4SD-LA PES"
"Morrie: As per the system specifications, I see that the system comes with > 8X AGP Graphics card,"

A quick search at HP.com for P4SD-LA shows a AGPx8 slot.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?lc=en&cc=us&docname=c00062430&dlc=en&lang=en


I don't think the support technician could figure out what you are trying

to do. > Try just saying, "Can I replace my AGP video

card?"

GL
Dan

Or it could have on board graphics and an AGP slot. If it uses on board
graphics they may have to be disabled in BIOS or just putting in an AGP card
may disable it. Friend's E Machine had an Intel chipset that worked that
way.