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☖ Forums → Discussion Forum → PCI-E Video Card for about $50 that "just gets the job done"
PCI-E Video Card for about $50 that "just gets the job done"
2010-02-13, 12:46 PM #1
Posting this for a friend. Currently has onboard video and can barely play Q3 based games even at low resolutions. Its a Vista system, 3gb ram (Dell I think...). Has a really short black (like 1.5" maybe) which I assume is a PCI-E x1 slot and then it has a longer black slot which I assume is the PSI-E x16 slot. Need any more information to find a compatible card?

Doesn't need to play the latest games...just need to ditch onboard video as cheaply as possible with a budget of about $50 and play Q3 based games without FPS troubles.
2010-02-13, 12:55 PM #2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131180&cm_re=hd_4650-_-14-131-180-_-Product

That's only 64bit, though...definitely not a fast card, but it should handle Q3 without a problem. Hell my budget laptop can run UT2k4 (barely)...

55 shipped for a 4670 - http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2040433&highlight=4670

Do you have the model # of the Dell system?
woot!
2010-02-13, 1:00 PM #3
Dude what

GMA 950 can run Q3 with no problems...
一个大西瓜
2010-02-13, 1:13 PM #4
It's a dell e520
2010-02-13, 2:17 PM #5
Then it should definately be able to run Q3, but that 4670 that JLee linked would most likely be one of his best bets.
nope.
2010-02-13, 2:38 PM #6
It's probably Vista sucking down all the RAM (hehe, stop laughing).

Under System -> Advanced System Settings (press Continue).

This should open the system properties window in the Advanced tab. Under the Performance section, click the Settings... button.

In the Visual Effects tab, change the setting to Adjust for best performance. Press OK on the Performance Options window. Press OK on the System Properties window.

Now try the games again and see if there's a noticeable performance increase.
2010-02-13, 2:52 PM #7
Originally posted by Alco:
It's probably Vista sucking down all the RAM (hehe, stop laughing).

Under System -> Advanced System Settings (press Continue).

This should open the system properties window in the Advanced tab. Under the Performance section, click the Settings... button.

In the Visual Effects tab, change the setting to Adjust for best performance. Press OK on the Performance Options window. Press OK on the System Properties window.

Now try the games again and see if there's a noticeable performance increase.


With 3Gb, I think it should be fine.
woot!
2010-02-13, 3:08 PM #8
Originally posted by JLee:
With 3Gb, I think it should be fine.


Yeah, but usually no more then 256MB is allocated to on-board video.

That's another thing to check in the BIOS as well, to make sure that the full 256MB is allocated to the on-board video.

Seriously, there's no reason why the hardware wouldn't easily run Q3 games. So, it's worth trying these things before spending $50 that you don't need to.
2010-02-13, 4:11 PM #9
Originally posted by Alco:
Yeah, but usually no more then 256MB is allocated to on-board video.

That's another thing to check in the BIOS as well, to make sure that the full 256MB is allocated to the on-board video.

Seriously, there's no reason why the hardware wouldn't easily run Q3 games. So, it's worth trying these things before spending $50 that you don't need to.


Quake 3 will run on a Pentium II 300 and a Voodoo3...so yeah, he should definitely be able to run it. New drivers maybe?
woot!
2010-02-15, 7:14 PM #10
if it's the gma 500 it's pretty much the same gpu as the iphone. i can see that having trouble doing pretty much anything
gbk is 50 probably

MB IS FAT

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