Will my computer work a modern GPU?

I bought my computer for cheap a while ago, and decided to install oblivion. Sadly, I had to patch in oldblivion to get it to work, and it still crashes when there is a lot of action going on. So I decided that I need to get a better graphics card than my ♥♥♥♥ty onboard intel GMA 950 :p

So, will these specs work with something like an Nvidia 9800 GT or GTX?

-Intel Pentium D x86 (It's a dual core) @ 3.2 Ghz each
-3 gigs of RAM (expandable to 5.5 gigs)
-Windows XP Professional 32 bit

I'm not looking at running crysis or anything. I just want to play oblivion in general. I don't need to play at 1080p, I just want to play

if it has a PCI-e slot it will work.

suggested cards(by performance and cost):

9600GT
9800GT
4830
4850
4870


all of these cards can run crysis on high at 1080p albeit without AA, and they'll all eat up oblivion like it's nothing. If you want a texture mod to go with oblivion while running it at insane settings and AA, go for a 1GB card(especialy nVidia side as their cards eat up vRAM like nothing, while ATi's are more frugal and can get by with less), otherwise 512mb is MORE than enough.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/vid...s_8.html#sect2



that resolution is OVER DOUBLE 1080p

FYI numbers are LOWER than they are now. Both nVidia and ATi have improved their drivers. This means that games will generally run more efficiently and get better performance.

That is very good news! The only thing I need to check is if my power supply and fan will be able to handle the raw awesomeness of the graphics. Although right now my computer stays generally cool, and has a vent in the front and the back, so I'll probably save up some money and get a new GPU soon. And judging by those statistics, running oblivion will be a breeze, considering I only have a monitor capable of 1024 by 768, and will probably only buy a monitor capable of the widescreen form of that. So, all and all, that just made my day.

if power is a major concern

5750 or 5770

Well, that's the thing, I need to find out what my power is. *goes to check*

Edit: I think it says 115, which I'm assuming is bad considering I see so many people using 300. Regardless, I can always buy another power supply and fan if it is an issue. They can't be THAT expensive.

Originally Posted by nighthawkx

9600GT
9800GT

absolutely not, ♥♥♥♥ cards with ♥♥♥♥ prices with ♥♥♥♥ performance - if he wants budget he should look for 4770 or something... maybe even 4670. :3

The bottleneck in your computer would be the processor, though.

^ Oh no, I have money on hand. I was just saying I don't want to spend $500 on a card. Anything under and around $200 will be fine with me. What would you recommend for that?

Also, I will be getting a good power supply if I get a new GPU, so power won't be an issue.

Edit: And for what I want to do, I'm content with my processor. I just want to the games to even run. I won't be playing at a high res, either, so this won't be an issue. But if it really would be, what processor would you recommend? And it would need to be a Dual Core, because I don't have the motherboard for a Quad.

Originally Posted by Xeves

^ Oh no, I have money on hand. I was just saying I don't want to spend $500 on a card. Anything under and around $200 will be fine with me. What would you recommend for that?

260$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121349
includes Dirt 2

160$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127457

130$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131183
If using the bottom two you won't need a new power supply for a while unless it's over 9000 years old

Originally Posted by Xeves

Also, I will be getting a good power supply if I get a new GPU, so power won't be an issue.

What's your current?

Originally Posted by Xeves

Edit: And for what I want to do, I'm content with my processor. I just want to the games to even run. I won't be playing at a high res, either, so this won't be an issue. But if it really would be, what processor would you recommend? And it would need to be a Dual Core, because I don't have the motherboard for a Quad.

Your motherboard is old, upgrade that + processor later when you get the money. On lower resolutions, it's the processor that bottlenecks; the video card not so much.

Originally Posted by Danger

260$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814121349
includes Dirt 2

160$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127457

130$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131183
If using the bottom two you won't need a new power supply for a while unless it's over 9000 years old

Those seem pretty good, but will it be a problem that it doesn't support open gl? If it does, I'd like to know, but it isn't listed in any of the specifications. Some things that I want to do require Open Gl 2.1.

Also, is there something wrong with Nvidia? You seem pretty against them.

What's your current?

305 Watts, but I can always get a 580w on newegg for a low price.

Your motherboard is old, upgrade that + processor later when you get the money. On lower resolutions, it's the processor that bottlenecks; the video card not so much.

Is it the fact that it's a Pentium D or that it's a 3.2 Ghz? Because I'm pretty sure 3.2 Ghz is good. Also, do I really need a new motherboard? I mean, I just bought the damn thing.

Originally Posted by Xeves

Those seem pretty good, but will it be a problem that it doesn't support open gl? If it does, I'd like to know, but it isn't listed in any of the specifications. Some things that I want to do require Open Gl 2.1.

They don't write it down because virtually everything supports OpenGL.

Originally Posted by Xeves

Also, is there something wrong with Nvidia? You seem pretty against them.

I like Nvidia. They just don't have anything to compete with right now.
* GTX260 is outshined by HD5770, which also has lower power consumption and DirectX 11 as well with other goodies
* 9XXX series are relabeled 8XXX cards, aka ♥♥♥♥
* GTX275 and GTX285 is outshined by HD5850

Originally Posted by Xeves

Is it the fact that it's a Pentium D or that it's a 3.2 Ghz?

Neither, it's just an old socket. You might not have to upgrade, but I mean in the future if you get a 22" or so monitor and some money burning in your pocket.

Originally Posted by Xeves

Because I'm pretty sure 3.2 Ghz is good.

GHz mean nothing nowadays. My processor is 2.66GHz, even if I would disable two of the cores (so it would be dual core), it would still outperform yours.

Originally Posted by Xeves

Also, do I really need a new motherboard? I mean, I just bought the damn thing.

You got very, very fooled by whoever you bought it from. That processor and motherboard is from the same generation as my old computer, which is from 2005.

And you don't need a new motherboard until you change processor. When you do, you'll also need new RAM, so that upgrade part you can wait with.

What's with all the Nvidia hate as of late?

$70

Originally Posted by 8bit

What's with all the Nvidia hate as of late?

$70

A skimmed version of 9600 which is basically a relabel of 8600 (with small upgrades)? Sure, it's $70, but why?

And the reason why people might dislike Nvidia is their relabeling spree, them turning off PhysX for people with Ati cards even if they bought an Ageia PhysX card, them claiming DX11 is useless while pushing for ♥♥♥♥ standards like cuda and PhysX, etc, etc, etc. Not that I let this get to me, I prefer whatever card is the best value at the time.

Originally Posted by Danger

You got very, very fooled by whoever you bought it from. That processor and motherboard is from the same generation as my old computer, which is from 2005.

And you don't need a new motherboard until you change processor. When you do, you'll also need new RAM, so that upgrade part you can wait with.

I meant that I bought a cheapo computer with all of that, motherboard, processor and all, off of ebay for $200. Here are the full specs to show you what I mean:

DVD-RW drive
3.2 Ghz Pentium D Processor
3 Gigs of Ram
XP
305w power supply
I don't know what the motherboard is though. It's from Dell, and that's as much as I can tell you. The company I bought this from made it from a Dell Gx620 (which is ♥♥♥♥ with the original specs). It runs really fast, and I can actually get Oblivion running at full speed with all of the bells and whistle off (and if I replace the shaders using oldblivion).

However, I have another question. In general my processor does fine on the game unless I have all of the graphics on high, so if I got a new GPU and kept my current CPU, would the GPU help take some pressure off of the Processor? Or would it be about the same? Cause honestly, it only crashes when the FPS hits zero.

Also, why would I have to get new RAM when I get a new Motherboard? Can't I just remove the RAM from the old one, seeing as they were new cards?

Edit: Also, if it really does support Open GL, I'll get an ATI.

Edit2: My plan right now is to just replace the power supply and install a GPU. If it is too much for my processor when I install it I'll just get a new one, but I'm really hoping for that not to happen. So, if I get a high end graphics card, and run let's say "Oblivion" on medium to high settings, will it still crash? Cause my compy runs like lightning as of now. It only slows down when it can't handle the graphics (due to my onboard Intel GMA 950).

Originally Posted by Xeves

I meant that I bought a cheapo computer with all of that, motherboard, processor and all, off of ebay for $200.

Oh! Then it's worth it.

Originally Posted by Xeves

However, I have another question. In general my processor does fine on the game unless I have all of the graphics on high, so if I got a new GPU and kept my current CPU, would the GPU help take some pressure off of the Processor? Or would it be about the same?

Because the card is integrated it'd take off some steam, yes. Remember that things like shadows eat a lot of CPU too.

Originally Posted by Xeves

Also, why would I have to get new RAM when I get a new Motherboard? Can't I just remove the RAM from the old one, seeing as they were new cards?

Socket 1156, AM3, and 1366 (let's call it "motherboards that support new processors) for example, uses DDR3 RAM. It won't fit - and you wouldn't want to have

Originally Posted by Xeves

Edit: Also, if it really does support Open GL, I'll get an ATI.

Everything supports OpenGL.

Originally Posted by Xeves

Edit2: My plan right now is to just replace the power supply and install a GPU. If it is too much for my processor when I install it I'll just get a new one, but I'm really hoping for that not to happen. So, if I get a high end graphics card, and run let's say "Oblivion" on medium to high settings, will it still crash? Cause my compy runs like lightning as of now. It only slows down when it can't handle the graphics (due to my onboard Intel GMA 950).

It could be many things causing the crash; most likely it'll be solved.

Originally Posted by Danger

absolutely not, ♥♥♥♥ cards with ♥♥♥♥ prices with ♥♥♥♥ performance - if he wants budget he should look for 4770 or something... maybe even 4670. :3

The bottleneck in your computer would be the processor, though.

the 4770 costs MORE than the 4850 and performs worse...
wasn't really thinking about the 4670, that card never really impressed me, but it IS on par with the 9600GT and costs less. An oversight on my part.
don't know what your issue with the 9800GT is though, other than the fact that the superior 4850 can be had for 10-15% more...

Originally Posted by Xeves

305 Watts, but I can always get a 580w on newegg for a low price.

RATED wattage is NOT the only thing which matters as there are no standards for rating power supply output unfortunately.
cheapest PSU I'd recomend would be the 380W antec earthwatts(which is solid and affordable)
other than that, if there aren't any sales, just buy something from corsair, corsair's units are solid and VERY competitively priced for what they are. I'd take a 400W high quality PSU that puts out clean power at 420W, over a poorly rated 580W PSU which blows up(taking the rest of the system down with it) at 500W load. Skimp on maximum rated output, NOT the quality of the output up until there.

Is it the fact that it's a Pentium D or that it's a 3.2 Ghz? Because I'm pretty sure 3.2 Ghz is good. Also, do I really need a new motherboard? I mean, I just bought the damn thing.

Ghz is, unfortunately NOT a measure of performance. A 166Mhz PentiumII, outperformed a 233mhz pentium 1...
a 2.0Ghz Core 2, outperforms a 3.6GHz Pentium D.
CPU performance doesn't mater in games much though so dont' worry about it a ton. Quick question though, what board did you get? There ARE core 2 boards out there which support Pentium Ds and Pentium 4s, i in the future you wanted a CPU upgrade, it's good to know that you do infact have the option.

Also, is there something wrong with Nvidia? You seem pretty against them.

right now no, they DO technically have the fastest cards on the market. The GTX 200 series is FASTER than the 4870
the GTX295 does have a performance edge voer even the 5870
their main problem though is that making these GPUs isn't cost effective and nVidia can't price as well as ATi can(it costs less than half as much to make a 4870 GPU than it does to make a GTX 285)

I like Nvidia. They just don't have anything to compete with right now.
* GTX260 is outshined by HD5770, which also has lower power consumption and DirectX 11 as well with other goodies
* 9XXX series are relabeled 8XXX cards, aka ♥♥♥♥
* GTX275 and GTX285 is outshined by HD5850

umm dude? overall the 5870CF>5850CF> GTX295>4870 x2>5870>5850>GTX285>4890>GTX275>GTX216sp rev2>4870 1GB>GTX260 216sp>4870 512mb>GTX260 192>4850 >4770>GTX250>9800GTX
the after that it gets fuzzy(after driver updates I'm not even sure how accurate the below is anymore, it's been a while) because both nVidia and ATi launched A LOT of products which overlap in performance (3870~= 9600GT~=8800GTS 640mb ~=8800GS = 9600GSO rev1>9600GSO rev2~=8800GTS320 ~= 9600GT 256mb)

the 9800s are pretty much the same as the SECOND wave of 8800(which was a cost reduced version of the first wave in 2006) so yes the 9800s are 3 year old tech for the most part... they're still useable.

I bought my 4870 for $110. It was a budget choice to replace my friend 8800GTS 640. It runs well and Im very happy with it, it's generally more than I need. nVifdia's next comparable card cost 50% more so I didn't even consider them. DO get your facts straight(FYI my listing is even somewhat in FAVOR of ATi, most review sites lean more towards nVidia but I gave a bit of an edge to ATi due to more overclocking headroom, and better scaling at higher settings and AA)

Originally Posted by nighthawkx

the 4770 costs MORE than the 4850 and performs worse...

Sorry, I don't know American prices... here the 4770 is ~10$ cheaper than the 4850 512MB.

Originally Posted by nighthawkx

RATED wattage is NOT the only thing which matters as there are no standards for rating power supply output unfortunately.
cheapest PSU I'd recomend would be the 380W antec earthwatts(which is solid and affordable)
other than that, if there aren't any sales, just buy something from corsair, corsair's units are solid and VERY competitively priced for what they are. I'd take a 400W high quality PSU that puts out clean power at 420W, over a poorly rated 580W PSU which blows up(taking the rest of the system down with it) at 500W load. Skimp on maximum rated output, NOT the quality of the output up until there.

Indeed. Corsair are incredible quality.

Originally Posted by nighthawkx

CPU performance doesn't mater in games much though so dont' worry about it a ton.

o_o?
I have a Radeon X850XT.
I had a Pentium IV 3.0GHz.
After I upgraded to the i5, I've bumped the settings up like this:
Audiosurf - 1440x900 lowest settings > 1920x1200 highest settings, a bit higher fps too
TF2 - 1024x768 low/medium > 1680x1050 medium, much higher FPS
Heroes of Newerth - 1440x900 all low ~30fps > 1920x1200 low/medium, 60 solid fps all the time. I could bump everything to high without too much of a performance loss except for in team fights.

Originally Posted by nighthawkx

the GTX295 does have a performance edge voer even the 5870

It's also a dual GPU solution without DX11, Eyefinity, and eats a ton of power. Again, the gap will keep decreasing when the HD5870 gets better drivers.

Originally Posted by nighthawkx

their main problem though is that making these GPUs isn't cost effective and nVidia can't price as well as ATi can(it costs less than half as much to make a 4870 GPU than it does to make a GTX 285)

I'm not talking about raw performance, I mean performance/cost.

Originally Posted by nighthawkx

(3870~= 9600GT~=8800GTS 640mb ~=8800GS = 9600GSO rev1>9600GSO rev2~=8800GTS320 ~= 9600GT 256mb)

See, why do Nvidia have to complicate matters for its customers?

Originally Posted by nighthawkx

the 9800s are pretty much the same as the SECOND wave of 8800(which was a cost reduced version of the first wave in 2006) so yes the 9800s are 3 year old tech for the most part... they're still useable.

Indeed they are, but are they worth it?

Originally Posted by nighthawkx

DO get your facts straight

I can't see what's so incorrect about my post except for you interpreting "anything to compete" as "Ati has the fastest cards right now".

Originally Posted by nighthawkx

(FYI my listing is even somewhat in FAVOR of ATi, most review sites lean more towards nVidia but I gave a bit of an edge to ATi due to more overclocking headroom, and better scaling at higher settings and AA)

I don't care what is in favor of Nvidia and what is in favor of Ati, as I don't care at all about companies; I care about value and quality.

well at the very least don't say that the GTX260 is outshined by the 4770... if I had a choice between each card for free, I'd sure as hell be going for the GTX260.
f you meant 4870 though, I could see what you're saying...

Originally Posted by nighthawkx

well at the very least don't say that the GTX260 is outshined by the 4770...

I never did. Remember, when I suggested 4770 we were talking budget.

Originally Posted by nighthawkx

if I had a choice between each card for free, I'd sure as hell be going for the GTX260.
f you meant 4870 though, I could see what you're saying...

Or 5770, which also has dx11 and ridiculously low power consumption. Seems like the perfect card for him.

Originally Posted by Danger

I never did. Remember, when I suggested 4770 we were talking budget.

Or 5770, which also has dx11 and ridiculously low power consumption. Seems like the perfect card for him.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127457

This one? Would I need a new power supply if I got it, because I'm not sure a 305w can handle anything that powerful. Would this be a good one?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182032

On the plus side, the 5770 has amazing specs, as well as TWO HDMI PORTS. This is definitely one I'm keeping an eye on.

Fun Story: I tried Avira Anti Vir yesterday and it thought that oldblivion was a Trojan because it overrided oblivion.exe. Way too hyperactive of an anti-virus for me, seeing as I scanned it with the same program and it detected nothing. So I went to avast, the program that didn't cry wolf.

card is fine.

any PSU made by rosewill is crap. It's like playing the lottery except you can't win, you can only loose.
f you want a budget PSU...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341016


or something which is truly worth $60...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139004

and I'll admit to misreading 5770 as 4770. I'd still say that the 5770 is slower than the GTX 260, but i is the better value for sure.