Upgrading AGP Graphics card, any suggestions?

Kenjd

Hi,
I need to upgrade my graphics card. My 3d apps aren't running smoothly at all.
I currently have a ATI RAGE 128 PRO ULTRA GL AGP.

I was thinking of upgrading to something like this:http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230182204790&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=013
Here's a spec of my machine:

Dell OptiPlex GX240
System Memory Configuration
Standard Memory: 256MB
Maximum Memory: 1GB
Expansion: 2 Sockets
CPU & ChipSet: Intel Pentium 4 Intel 845E
Operating System: WINDOWS XP
Bus Architecture: AGP; ISA; PCI
Mfgr's System P/N's: N/A

Any help regarding this would be much appreciated. I took the video card into a well known British computer chain store and the "Tech Guys" just looked at me like i had ten heads. Their solution was to buy a new PC!! I wish i had the money to but at the moment I'm stuck with this.
I also took the RAM in to hopefully upgrade. They told me they didnt sell PC133(??) RAM and I'd find it hard to get it, when i looked around the shop I'm sure there was some sitting on a shelf, so i didnt take their advice!
Thanks In Advance
Ken

Grim.

not sure what type of psu it has so cant coment on gfx card but this should be the right ram http://www.komplett.ie/k/kl.aspx?bn=10239

Kenjd

Thanks Grim.
Thats exactly what i need!

I think this is the spec of the card:
Processor
Graphic Processor ATI Rage 128 pro GL
Key Features
Card Interface AGP 4x
Compatibility PC
Memory
Installed Memory 16 MB
Memory Tech SGRAM
Installed Memory / Technology 16 MB (SGRAM)
Technical Features
Form Factor Plug-in card
Max. Screen Resolution 1600 x 1200
Refresh Rate at Max Res 120 Hz @ 1600 x 1200
Input / Output
Display Interface VGA - 15 pin D-Sub x 1

Oh yeah, this card has a "AGP 4x Interface", will my machine take a "8x interface"? I presume an 8xinterface will fit the AGP slot anyway?
Thanks
Ken
Anyone else got any comments/suggestions??

Grim.

Kenjd wrote: »

Hi,
Ithis:http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230182204790&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=013


Ken

if your willing to pay a bit more this card would be alot better than a 7300 http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=324393

TerrorFirmer

What speed processor have you? And what 3d Apps do you need to run? You'd probably benefit from more ram as well.

I'd recommend getting some cheap 2nd hand parts from adverts.ie. No point putting a lot of money into such an old computer. 50 euro should get you another 256mb of ram and an AGP card much better then your current one. In fact 200 euro would get you a 2nd hand machine vastly more powerful then what you're using. You're not going to need anything expensive though generally, as if what you run still works on an old Rage then any half decent older card would be a massive upgrade. a 7300GT and a 7600gs particular are not necessary and probably much more then you need as well as completely throttled by the rest of your system anyway.

Kenjd

Grim.the card you suggested is 256MB, the one I was looking at was 512mb? would my card just be a waste?
Havok, thanks for you comments.
I have a P4 1.6Ghz. The main 3d app I use is 3dsMax. I cant really do much in it cos my machine just freezes. Im running it in software mode because I dont have opengl. Jaysus my old Voodoo3 had opengl! I might try and install that! And Counter Strike looked a lot better on that old card.
I'm going to go and check out the adverts.
Thanks