Video/Computer Upgrades

[MetalHead]

:::::UPGRADING VIDEO CARDS:::::

Although the NBA Live series have never been known to be graphically intensive, I have seen more and more issues on lacking video cards. And so, heres my guide for graphics. (and the like)

1.The first rule of thumb when purchasing a video card or upgrade, is your budget. Anything $100-200 is typically not worth buying. Buying something two or three generations old is pointless, and you'll end up upgrading sooner or later.

2. Your existing computer is also of much importance. You have to realise if the graphics slowdown is due to your processor, graphics card, RAM (or lack thereof) or all of the above. 512mb is disireable, and 1g is best. You can either pick up a fast Pentium(3.2 ghz+) or a speedy Athlon 64 (3200+). (Make sure your Motherboard supports the upgrade)

3. When picking up the new video card, pay attention to the power demand. Most of these new cards need a huge amount of power, and you might have to upgrade your power supply. 350 watts to 400 is more than enough. Also make sure your motherboard supports the upgrade. Make sure you have the proper ports for your new video card.

PCI - pre2000 computer
AGP - pre2004 computer
PCI-e - post2005 computer

4. The video cards themselves are sometimes difficult to install, and if you are installing both a new processor, motherboard, power supply, and video card, its likely you'll have to install the operating system as well. Backup your save games, rosters, important documents etc. before installing. Keep your Windows XP installation discs handy, and keep track of your progress;don't forget any procedures.

***Upgrading a computer's video card can be a costly process, so your budget should be at least at 400 dollars. Having to purchase a new video card sometimes causes a domino affect. Video card needs new motherboard>motherboard needs processor>motherboard needs new case etc. Just make sure you know what your budget can handle. Happy Gaming!!***

[Num33Baller]

1. I disagree... Anything over $125 is good. I bought my ATI Radeon 9550 256mb AGP a year ago for $125, and I see myself using it for at least another year.

2. 512mb is not desirable... Its minimum. 1gb is desireable, and 1.5 to 2gb is best.

3. I disagree here. If you buy a new computer, you want at least a 400w power supply, 450 or 500 is better. I have a 350w power supply and I feel limited by it. I have a 1ghz p3, an ATI Radeon 9550 AGP, 2 CD rom drives, Hard drive, zip drive, floppy, sound card, ethernet card, and modem. Those all add up to 300W at least.

You want to go about 80% of your maximum, no more, due to some power fluctuations.


"upgrading a computer's video card can be a costly process, so your budget should be at least 400 dollars...."

Unless you are incredibly rich, I would say no. Unless you have a top of the line CPU, motherboard, and RAM, you don't need a $400 video card.

a $200 video card will be fine.

[MetalHead]

1. I disagree... Anything over $125 is good. I bought my ATI Radeon 9550 256mb AGP a year ago for $125, and I see myself using it for at least another year.

2. 512mb is not desirable... Its minimum. 1gb is desireable, and 1.5 to 2gb is best.

3. I disagree here. If you buy a new computer, you want at least a 400w power supply, 450 or 500 is better. I have a 350w power supply and I feel limited by it. I have a 1ghz p3, an ATI Radeon 9550 AGP, 2 CD rom drives, Hard drive, zip drive, floppy, sound card, ethernet card, and modem. Those all add up to 300W at least.

You want to go about 80% of your maximum, no more, due to some power fluctuations.


"upgrading a computer's video card can be a costly process, so your budget should be at least 400 dollars...."

Unless you are incredibly rich, I would say no. Unless you have a top of the line CPU, motherboard, and RAM, you don't need a $400 video card.

a $200 video card will be fine.

1. Considering that the 9550 is an entry-level video card, and is clocked at 250Mhz, I pray you haven't tried to play anything recent--your video card is shit.

2. Also considering most aged motherboards dont even provide the 3rd RAM slot, your point is impractical. Go read the minimum specs of the box anyway.

3. Most computer manufacturers don't provide a 400 W power supply. So, unless you're thinking of building your own computer, of course its your decision. This is a guide for those trying to upgrade their mainstream manufactured computer, and don't know where to start. ANd besides, don't be retarded. A 1ghz Pentium and a 9550 takes next to nothing in terms of power.

4. My point was that sometimes, a video card isn't the only thing you need, read the full post

[Num33Baller]

1. I disagree... Anything over $125 is good. I bought my ATI Radeon 9550 256mb AGP a year ago for $125, and I see myself using it for at least another year.

2. 512mb is not desirable... Its minimum. 1gb is desireable, and 1.5 to 2gb is best.

3. I disagree here. If you buy a new computer, you want at least a 400w power supply, 450 or 500 is better. I have a 350w power supply and I feel limited by it. I have a 1ghz p3, an ATI Radeon 9550 AGP, 2 CD rom drives, Hard drive, zip drive, floppy, sound card, ethernet card, and modem. Those all add up to 300W at least.

You want to go about 80% of your maximum, no more, due to some power fluctuations.


"upgrading a computer's video card can be a costly process, so your budget should be at least 400 dollars...."

Unless you are incredibly rich, I would say no. Unless you have a top of the line CPU, motherboard, and RAM, you don't need a $400 video card.

a $200 video card will be fine.

1. Considering that the 9550 is an entry-level video card, and is clocked at 250Mhz, I pray you haven't tried to play anything recent--your video card is shit.

2. Also considering most aged motherboards dont even provide the 3rd RAM slot, your point is impractical. Go read the minimum specs of the box anyway.

3. Most computer manufacturers don't provide a 400 W power supply. So, unless you're thinking of building your own computer, of course its your decision. This is a guide for those trying to upgrade their mainstream manufactured computer, and don't know where to start. ANd besides, don't be retarded. A 1ghz Pentium and a 9550 takes next to nothing in terms of power.

4. My point was that sometimes, a video card isn't the only thing you need, read the full post

1. If you flash it to the 9700 i believe it is, you basically have a 256mb 9700. I didn't do that, I just decided to overclock it. I run at 380mhz core (default 250, like you said), and 233mhz ram (default 200). It outperforms a normal, out of the box, ATI Radeon 9800. Which when I bought the 9550, was a pretty nice card. Obviously, if I went and bought a 9550 for $125 dollars, or $100 (i paid 100 for it a year and a half ago i guess), it would be a rip. But when I got it, it was a fairly good card.

2. More or less anything that supports a P4 chip will have 4 ram slots in it, unless it is a really, really cheap motherboard.

3. You're right. Most don't. Which is why, at least with problems I've encountered (through friends and family), the powersupply is at the root of the problem. Think about it: Most video cards now need one, maybe two molex (i believe thats what the power cables from the PSU are called) connections. But lets just say you have an ATI Radeon 9800. Then throw in a couple of 7200 RPM hard drives, and maybe a DVD burner and a DVD drive. A normal p4 chip, 1 PS2 mouse, two ram sticks, 2 fans (my computer has three, but the normal one has two i guess), 1 heatsink fan, 1 56k modem, 1 lan card, 1 sound card, and lets throw in one or two more PCI cards (for example, I have a firewire and USB PCI cards). Two USB devices (gamepads, for example, or flashdrives etc), 1 firewire device (mp3 player maybe), and 1 keyboard.

That comes to 377 watts. Now imagine if you have a video card that takes one or two molex connectors.

Now lets say you don't have a Pentium 4, but you have an AMD... It comes to 342 watts. Sorry, but a 350W PSU won't handle that. The flucuations will fry the mobo/CPU.

Lets say you have an AMD 64 or an Opteron. That comes to 368W.

Lets go back to the normal P4 machine. But instead of an ATI Radeon 9800, you have a PCI Express video card. That comes to a whopping 403W. You're going to need a 450W PSU for that. So you see, a 350W power supply won't cut it unless you have onboard video, etc.

4. I never argued that.

Edit: Heres the PSU calculator I used... but most any on the web will provide similar results.

http://www.vbutils.com/power.asp

[threatlockz]

About the PSU's... it all depends on the brand. An Antec 400W is more powerfull than some random brand 530W PSU. Those random brand state their peak W, while good brand give you what they constantly give.

[Num33Baller]

About the PSU's... it all depends on the brand. An Antec 400W is more powerfull than some random brand 530W PSU. Those random brand state their peak W, while good brand give you what they constantly give.

True.

But if you need a 450 PSU, a good quality 400W psu isn't gonna work period.


I use Antec btw. I would never let a crappy random brand PSU near my hard ware.