Graphics card upgrade

[RichardD]

Following on from

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...

it is time to upgrade the graphics card to utilise a hdmi or DVI connection between computer and monitor.

The PC is a few years old, P4, 3Ghz, 1g RAM, XP pro. It has a PCI express slot, but only 1.0

However a colleague at work had a loft clear out last year and donated me a wheel and pedals. So the urge to get a bit more (ok some, there is currently none) 3d power for some (older, I'm trying not to get carried away) driving games also exists.

The machine has a 300w psu.

I've made a shortlist of some ATI based cards, but I'm not sure of :-

1) how far it is worth going (how much is that PCIe a bottleneck?) and
2) what will actually work OK / at all !

4350 based : very low cost
4670 based : low cost and 3 * 3dmark performance relative to 4350
5750 based : medium cost, around 50% more GPU power relative to above.

I shall build a new PC up at some point in the future, but am wondering how far it is realistic to go with the current setup.

Any tips?

[defblade]

Have a look at CustomPC this (last now?) month. A good article on upgrades and bottlenecks.

[Mr_Yogi]

When you PCI Express 1.0 I assume you mean it's a PCI Express x16 version 1.0 slot as opposed to a version 2.0 slot. If so then that would in no way be a bottle neck to your system, The CPU will be though, but if you are going to build a new PC in the future anyway then get the 5750 and use it for your next PC.

So as long as you stick to games which run ok on a P4 you'll be fine.

[james_gt3rs]

I would just build a new PC now.

[RichardD]

james_gt3rs said:

I would just build a new PC now.

Far too many other things to spend on currently, hence it being in the pipeline, but not for now! Saying that I don't have time for games either really

Mr_Yogi said:

When you PCI Express 1.0 I assume you mean it's a PCI Express x16 version 1.0 slot as opposed to a version 2.0 slot. If so then that would in no way be a bottle neck to your system, The CPU will be though, but if you are going to build a new PC in the future anyway then get the 5750 and use it for your next PC.

So as long as you stick to games which run ok on a P4 you'll be fine.

Thanks. That is the sort of thing I'd like to do, reuse the existing card then in the even further future get a better graphics card when they improve again.

Re: the bus, can I send a PM please as I have a pic of the motherboard showing the slot. I've found some images on the www and think it is x16 .

[Mr_Yogi]

If you know what make and model your motherboard is the specs are bound to be online, post them up of you know them

[RichardD]

james_gt3rs said:

I would just build a new PC now.

OK, Mr Smartypants - reality has proven your advice to be correct !

Went to see the nice man at small local independant PC business. Was told the 5750 based card wasn't suitable as it wanted an additional power connection. Hence I went away with a 5670 based card instead.
Beep beep : beep beep beep said the computer with the card inserted - and a blank screen

Hence returned for credit note (after taking the base unit in and it only working with a basic PCIe card) - for when I build a new machine later in the year. Which at an initial guess will be Core i5 based...

[james_gt3rs]

RichardD said:

james_gt3rs said:

I would just build a new PC now.

OK, Mr Smartypants - reality has proven your advice to be correct !

You know you want a fast new PC...