Which video card for my system?

External Since: Mar 15, 2004 Posts: 2

I have the following system.

CPU: AMD Duron 1018 MHz
Motherboard: ECS K7SOM+
Memory: 448 MB DDR (+64 MB for on board video card)
Hard Drive: 60 GB 7200 rpm
Operating System: Windows XP
DirectX Version: 9.0
AGP Rates (Current/Available): 4x / 1x 2x 4x
FSB: 110 MHz
Graphics Chipset: SiS 315 (on board)
Video Memory: 64 MB
Resolution: 1024x768 32bit
Texture Format: Compressed
FSAA: Disabled
Z-Buffer Depth: 32bit
Frame Buffer: Double
Rendering Pipeline: D3D Software T&L
Power Supply: 250 W

What should I do to improve my sad 3DMark2001 SE score of 832! I
don't want another CPU, just need to up my score to something more
reasonable. How about a Sapphire Radeon 9600SE for $75? Will it up
my score to 7000 ish? or should I get a 9600 Pro for $175 in case I
decide to upgrade my CPU? I mostly like to play GTA:Vice City and NHL
2004. Is 7000 even good enough for these games? GTA is really
sluggish at 832!!!! Do I also need a new power supply?

I plan on getting a new system in a year and just want to survive
until then. Thanks!!

External Since: Dec 28, 2003 Posts: 332

For the price, the ATI 9100 (Direct X 8.1) is a good buy $60-$65, on
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.pricewatch.com" target="_blank">www.pricewatch.com</a>
The 9600SE is a memory castrated 9600.
The 9600 PRO is down to $125

If you 250W is a good quality unit, it should do the job.

"Cory" <surfacehoar2004 RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:4a41c1ba.0403152205.2425e525@posting.google.com...
> I have the following system.
>
> CPU: AMD Duron 1018 MHz
> Motherboard: ECS K7SOM+
> Memory: 448 MB DDR (+64 MB for on board video card)
> Hard Drive: 60 GB 7200 rpm
> Operating System: Windows XP
> DirectX Version: 9.0
> AGP Rates (Current/Available): 4x / 1x 2x 4x
> FSB: 110 MHz
> Graphics Chipset: SiS 315 (on board)
> Video Memory: 64 MB
> Resolution: 1024x768 32bit
> Texture Format: Compressed
> FSAA: Disabled
> Z-Buffer Depth: 32bit
> Frame Buffer: Double
> Rendering Pipeline: D3D Software T&L
> Power Supply: 250 W
>
> What should I do to improve my sad 3DMark2001 SE score of 832! I
> don't want another CPU, just need to up my score to something more
> reasonable. How about a Sapphire Radeon 9600SE for $75? Will it up
> my score to 7000 ish? or should I get a 9600 Pro for $175 in case I
> decide to upgrade my CPU? I mostly like to play GTA:Vice City and NHL
> 2004. Is 7000 even good enough for these games? GTA is really
> sluggish at 832!!!! Do I also need a new power supply?
>
> I plan on getting a new system in a year and just want to survive
> until then. Thanks!!