Posted: 12/1/2007 7:42:23 PM EDT
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Hope this is the right place for it... Is changing out my video card difficult? Is it simply unplugging the stock one and inserting a "better" one? Or is there software installation issues... I'm not much of a computer guy, but I can understand directions pretty well. I got COD4 and it is choppy...I suspect my bargain basement video card is the culprit... Suggestions? THANKS very much! |
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As long as you don't have an integrated card, you can pull out your old, install new (make sure you buy the same interface AGP, PCI, PCI express or have an open slot for your new card). You will have to install the new software that comes with your card and probably wouldn't hurt to uninstall your old graphics software for your old card. If you do have an intergrated card you will have to turn it off in the bios or through a seperate utility if your computer came w/ one. |
Well I upgraded an integrated card before with a dedicated card and in my case just putting the new card worked without having to turn off the old card. |
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Even it's possible ,upgrading an PC in most of the cases have NO sense - the FPS in the games depends from : graphic card CPU more RAM For a new model CPU you need new model MB, for a new graphic card you need new MB and probably new PSU,for a new MB you need new RAM,CPU,HDD,PSU..only RAM can be added to yours old system [if it's have free slots],but the RAM is not the main factor for FPS ! That's the deal if you have to upgrade PC more of 2 years old ! p.s. for better help post your system specs : MB [motherboard],CPU [central processor unit] ,Graphic card |
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I'm thinking for pure gaming, maybe I should focus on XBox 360 or PS3...will be cheaper in the long run versus upgrading a year old entry level computer....What do you think? Thanks very much for the help by the way...... Processor brand AMD Processor type Athlon™ 64 Processor speed 2.2GHz Frontside bus speed Info unavailable Level 2 cache 512KB Memory RAM expandable to: 2GB Storage/Drives Hard drive size 160GB 7200RPM Ports FireWire 1 Parallel port 1 Internet/networking Network Interface Card (NIC) Yes Modem 56K ITU V.92 ready fax/modem Graphics/video Video memory 128MB DDR (shared) Audio Speaker type Two amplified stereo General features Warranty Parts 12 Months Warranty Labor 12 Months |
i went with the 360 for this exact reason... i couldn't stand having to keep upgrading my PC every 6 months... |
Yours PC isn't too old! Ok, reach yours 2gigs RAM limit,buy a graphic card- unfortunately i'm 99% sure yours MB have a AGP video interface - this type of card are slowest and expensive from their's PCIx equivalent ,and ask about offer to upgrade your CPU ! Most important- it's good to full reinstal yours operating system- DO NOT use windows vista-it's just "eat" yours system resources without real advantages - WinXP is the choise ! It's bettet to use a professional help [computer service] if you not sure how to do these things ! RAM upgrading from 1g to 2gigs: 25$ Grafic card-GF 7600GS AGP - 100$ prise for professional comp. service - i don't know about the prices in US- overhere,in BG, this will be cost over 40 $ This system wiil be good enough to play smoothly COD4 and some modern games at low to medium graphic settings [exclude Crysys :)] have fun  |
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