I need a good video card for my computer (to play games)!?

Question

My computer is a Medion M3 Composer 5200...

I have a:

3.2 GHz Intel Pentium 4 w/ HT processor
256 MB GeForce video card (don't remember what model)
1.5 GB RAM

I got the video card a couple years ago for gaming and it was good up until now... I played Company of Heroes and noticed the framerate dropped pretty low, even with a lot of the detail settings turned down.

I'm thinking about buying BioShock for my PC instead of for Xbox 360, but am worried about having to play on low detail with a crappy framerate. Can anyone suggest a new video card that is a) affordable, b) compatible with my motherboard, and c) will be powerful enough to let me run BioShock at decent graphics settings?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Your motherboard has a PCI Express x1 bay which isn't very popular. Look here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161017

This is a affordable video card that should handle some good graphics.

Answer 2

Your PC is very outdated for gaming tasks.

For about the price of an Xbox360 ($400-479), you can build a decent gaming PC through newegg.com.

$62 - AMD 3600+ dual-core (easily overclocks to 2.4ghz on the stock cooler/fan).
$75 - 2gb DDR2-800
$65 - Biostar TForce motherboard
$115 - ATi x1950pro graphics card
$25 - Rosewill basic mid-tower case
$30 - DVD / CD burner
$60 - 250gb 7200rpm Sata hard drive
$50 - 450watt+ power supply with 30+amps on the +12v rails.

The above will play most current games at high settings on standard 17"-19" LCD monitors or 720p HDTV's.

So, you should sell your current PC on craigslist for $150-200, add some cash and build one.

Install videos can be found on youtube.com

Answer 3

you won't be able to easily acquire a "Card" from the information superhighway. specific, you downloaded the Sound Card driving force off the information superhighway, however the particularly card grow to be already interior your pc. that's the comparable situation including your video card. Your situation could desire to stem from the Video card DRIVERS no longer being put in precise. if this is so, you will get the suitable drivers out of your pc producer's internet site.

Answer 4

Make sure the card's power requirements don't exceed that of your power supply, and that the supply can deliver enough current from any voltage specified (a certain amperage from the 12-volt line, for example).

Also, make sure you have the proper connectors (a 6-pin, two molex connectors, or whatever else).

Answer 5

check to see if your motherboard supports dual channel ram, if it does pull out the 512mb stick leaving only 2 x 512mb sticks (better timing essential for gaming)
for video card check into ati's x1950 class or nvidia 7950 (i assume your on agp)