recently my step sister decided to go into gaming and asked if her computer was good enough for the games she wanted to play. she didn't want anything major in the way of resolution, just that her games looked good but she did want full detail (i figure 1024x768 would be good since it's a well used rez). anyways, i took a look at her computer and though i didn't open it up here is what i can conclude:
it's running with an intel pentium D @3GHZ and has 2 gb of RAM
the graphics card is a pci-e x16 ATI radeonx300 with 128mb of ram.
since it's obviously a somewhat new computer (at least '06 if not newer) i think it's safe to say that the memory is DDR2. i don't know if it supports crossfire yet but since it's a dell i have my doubts.
so far the most promising candidate is an XFXGeForce8600GT with 512 mb of ram but i was wondering if anyone had a better suggestion for the money. below is a link to the card:
XFX GEFORCE 8600GT PCIE 512MB DDR2 540M (XFX PVT84JYAJG) | UpgradeNation.com
so, is there a better suggestion out there or what? lol
__________________
to those of us with low-end rigs playing high-end games, 800X600 is a lifesaver!
rig name: death on the road
cpu: 2 ghz dual core AMD Turion 64
RAM:3 gb
GPU: 256 mb geforce 8200 w/ up to 1407 mb video memory
current speed records and benchmark scores:
aquamark3: 22,762
warhammer 40,000-the dark crusade: 76 fps
world of warcraft: 68 fps
F.E.A.R.: 96 fps