Recommend me a video card
By
AngieB,
Posted on: 2011-03-12 13:59 in ALL ACCESS Gameplay Technical Issues Bugs
Your current GPU info isn't really necessary. You'd be better off posting your other system specs 
We'll see....
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 3:26:15 PM, on 3/12/2011
Platform: Windows Vista SP2 (WinNT 6.00.1906)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18999)
Boot mode: Normal
Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\AvastUI.exe
C:\Windows\System32\igfxpers.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Digital Line Detect\DLG.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\SetPoint.exe
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Windows\system32\igfxsrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logishrd\KHAL2\KHALMNPR.EXE
C:\Windows\system32\wbem\unsecapp.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnscfg.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\smart web printing\hpswp_clipbook.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil10m_Ac tiveX.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\update\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Users\Brian\Documents\CohHelper.exe
C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchProtocolHost.exe
C:\Users\Brian\Documents\HijackThis.exe
O23 - Service: Viewpoint Manager Service - Viewpoint Corporation - C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
O23 - Service: XAudioService - Conexant Systems, Inc. - C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\xaudio.exe
O23 - Service: Yahoo! Updater (YahooAUService) - Yahoo! Inc. - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\SoftwareUpdate\YahooAUService.exe
--
End of file - 1664 bytes
DxDiag gathered at March 12, 2011 15:23 (-05:00)
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Basic (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.100608-0458)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Inspiron 530
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Central Processor: Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 440 @ 2.00GHz, ~2.0GHz
Memory: 2036MB
.Net Memory Report: 921MB out of 2036MB available
Page File: 2764MB (1550MB currently in use)
C Drive: (ST3250310AS ATA Device) 129524MB out of 228121MB (56%) free
D Drive: (ST3250310AS ATA Device) 6285MB out of 10239MB (61%) free
F Drive: (STECH Simple Drive USB Device) 112312MB out of 305242MB (36%) free
E Drive: (PLDS DVD+-RW DH-16A6S ATA Device) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\Windows
DirectX: DirectX 11
DirectX Diag version: 7.00.6002.18107 (32-bit version)
Display Notes: No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor's Max Resolution: (blank)
Video Device Name: Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer / Chip: Intel Corporation / Intel(R) GMA 3100
Video Memory: 286 MB
Driver Version: 7.15.0010.1666
Driver Date: 2/26/2009 12:34:14 PM
Driver Language: English
Sound Device Description: Speakers (Realtek High Definition Audio)
Driver File: RTKVHDA.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0001.5555
Driver Date: 1/24/2008 10:06:40 AM
WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: 0RY007
Motherboard Version: ÿÿÿ
BIOS Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
BIOS Name: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
BIOS Version: DELL - 42302e31
BIOS Release: 20080320000000.000000+000
Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1920x1080
3D Resolution: 1920x1080 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: Yes
Maximized: No
Screen Position: 0, 0
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: Yes
Physics Quality: Medium
Maximum Particles: 50000
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No
Anti-aliasing: Off
Anisotropic Filtering: None
Texture LOD Bias: Crisp
Water Effects: None
Bloom: 1.000 (turned off)
Depth of Field Enabled: No
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: No
Shader Detail: Unknown (4)
World Texture Level: Very High
Character Texture Level: Very High
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 1.000
Entity Detail Level: 1.000
Shadows Enabled: No
Shadow Mode: Disabled
Shadow Map Shader: Unknown (0)
Environmental Reflections: Disabled
Advanced Occlusion Settings: No
Ambient Occlusion: Off
Occlusion Strength: Off
Blur: Bilateral
Ambient Resolution: Performance
Gamma Correction: 1.000
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: No
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: No
Close Suppression Range: 3.000
Show Advertisements: Yes
Audio Mode: Performance
3D Audio: No
FX Sound Volume: 1.000
Music Sound Volume: 0.600
Show Advanced Graphics Options: Yes
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.500
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 458929 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 1950.201102120907.1
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\City of Heroes
Mod files in the Data directory
.\texture_library\MAPS\city has 1 file
.\texture_library\MAPS\Midnight_Squad has 1 file
.\texture_library\MAPS\Safeguard has 9 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\sewers has 44 files
.\texture_library\MAPS\static has 40 files
.\texture_library\V_MAPS\Outdoor_Missions has 9 files
.\texture_library\V_MAPS\Static has 16 files
EVGA Nvidia 570
edit.
Oops sorry disreguard I missed the around 100 dollars criteria. I'll look around and edit again with a better suggestion
Hmm. Given your system I'd say a Radeon HD 5670. About 80ish bucks.
Sir Zane (Lvl 50, Inv/SS/Nrg Tank);Atomic Jake (Lvl 50, Kin/Rad/Elec Defender)
Nikolai (Lvl 50, DM/EA/GW Brute);Raging Stallion (Lvl 50 MA/SR/Weap Scrapper)
Archmage Tristam (Lvl 50 Ill/Son/Psi Controller)
--------------------------------------------------------------
-g=C800:5
Based on the specs that you posted, and based on the price limitation you have, i would suggest an ATI Radeon 4670. It goes for around $60.00 from Newegg or TigerDirect.
It's a good low budget card that might help you meet your goals of better gaming without Ultramode.
It should be easy to install, and does not require a power connector, so your PC power supply should be able to handle it.
My personal recommendation would be the ATI Radeon 5770, but it is more expensive and more than likely would require a new power supply for your PC. It goes for about $120 or so.
Ideally, i would suggest building a new PC (see Father X-Mas posts for a a budget gaming PC) but i understand that that you might be limited as far as budget is concerned.
Others more tech savy than me might be able to point a card that might a better match to your system specs, but i believe that based on your system, no desire for UM and your shopping budget that the 4670 might help you.
Hope this helps.
@AngieB & @Angie B
Ms. Paragon City 2009
"The ingenuity of game players is a formidable force that, if properly directed, can be used to solve a wide range of scientific problems." - Firas Khatib
Quote:
Thanks.
|
Originally Posted by Sir_Zane
EVGA Nvidia 570
edit. Oops sorry disreguard I missed the around 100 dollars criteria. I'll look around and edit again with a better suggestion Hmm. Given your system I'd say a Radeon HD 5670. About 80ish bucks. |
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by AngieB
Based on the specs that you posted, and based on the price limitation you have, i would suggest an ATI Radeon 4670. It goes for around $60.00 from Newegg or TigerDirect.
It's a good low budget card that might help you meet your goals of better gaming without Ultramode. It should be easy to install, and does not require a power connector, so your PC power supply should be able to handle it. My personal recommendation would be the ATI Radeon 5770, but it is more expensive and more than likely would require a new power supply for your PC. It goes for about $120 or so. Ideally, i would suggest building a new PC (see Father X-Mas posts for a a budget gaming PC) but i understand that that you might be limited as far as budget is concerned. Others more tech savy than me might be able to point a card that might a better match to your system specs, but i believe that based on your system, no desire for UM and your shopping budget that the 4670 might help you. Hope this helps. |
Thank you.
Another question: How do I know if I will need to upgrade/change the power supply to support the new card?
Quote:
When you look up the card that you want to get, from Newegg for example, the specifications will note the power required to efficiently run the card. For example 300 watts.|
Originally Posted by WolfSoul
Another question: How do I know if I will need to upgrade/change the power supply to support the new card?
|
Look in the back of your PC at your power supply and it should have that info labeled. If not you can look it up at the PC manufacturer's website or the paperwork that came with your PC (if you still have those).
You can also google Power Supply for (your specific make/model PC).
@AngieB & @Angie B
Ms. Paragon City 2009
"The ingenuity of game players is a formidable force that, if properly directed, can be used to solve a wide range of scientific problems." - Firas Khatib
Inspiron 530 has a 300w power supply. Ughh. Good luck. You may try to find a PSU that will fit that case or just save up for a new system.
One other issue you may run into with some of these cards.
I shipped my old GTX260 to a friend. Unfortunately she can't use it for two reasons.
- The card is just Too Damn Long.
- Some Dell setups DELIBERATELY put PCI-E motherboards into cases that can't accomodate the PCI-E slot. Essentially the PCI-E slot is up in a location above the first expansion port on the back of the case. While the PCI-E slot WORKS, there's no way in hell to get a card in there.
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
Quote:
I chose my suggestion because it did not need a dedicated pci power lead. It works off the power from the PCIe bus which you have.
|
Originally Posted by WolfSoul
Another question: How do I know if I will need to upgrade/change the power supply to support the new card?
|
Sir Zane (Lvl 50, Inv/SS/Nrg Tank);Atomic Jake (Lvl 50, Kin/Rad/Elec Defender)
Nikolai (Lvl 50, DM/EA/GW Brute);Raging Stallion (Lvl 50 MA/SR/Weap Scrapper)
Archmage Tristam (Lvl 50 Ill/Son/Psi Controller)
--------------------------------------------------------------
-g=C800:5
Quote:
Got to love microBTX motherboards and cases. NOT. They weren't designed with double wide graphics cards in mind.|
Originally Posted by Hyperstrike
One other issue you may run into with some of these cards.
I shipped my old GTX260 to a friend. Unfortunately she can't use it for two reasons.
|
However looking at the service manual here, it appears that the system uses a standard microATX motherboard so that doesn't matter.
Since you are upgrading from an old Intel integrated graphics (GMA 3100), just about anything will be a significant improvement. I concur with Sir_Zane about the HD 5670 or if power available is still a concern, the lower power HD 5570 (about 30% slower than the HD 5670 but uses 1/3rd less power). Either will be many times faster than the GMA 3100.
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
Tempus unum hominem manet
This is why I like this game and these boards so much. Thank you all for your input, it has made it so much easier to understand what I need. 
Just installed my new card. I think my brain exploded. I can not believe how fantastic everything looks! My characters look so much more real! I am absolutely flabbergasted!
Thanks all so much for the help.
Glad to hear it. So what did you get?
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
Tempus unum hominem manet
Quote:
I got the 5670. Still boggling. This game is do damn purty. |
Originally Posted by Father Xmas
Glad to hear it. So what did you get?
|
Hi all, As the title says I am asking those of you who are more tech minded than I am to help me pick out a new video card. I would like to keep it under $100, if possible. I don't really need one to run Ultra Mode, but I would like to be able to participate in more group activities without the extreme lag (Rikti Raids, task forces and the new incarnate stuff.)I have a screenshot of my GPU info. I hope that helps. I have also done the HiJackThis! and COHhelper. I will post those if they are needed, but I don't want to clog up the post if I don't have to. Thanks for all your help!
GPUInfo by WolfSoul32474, on Flickr