Ok help please!

[killergamer]

I really like a game called Eve but next month they are upgrading and are making the new system requirements higher and I was wondering what video card I would need to run it. Here are my details.

My computer:
Here (http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/gateway-dx200s/4505-3118_7-31628166.html)

Here is what the company said about it:
On March 10th, after the Apocrypha expansion, having a graphics card that supports ShaderModel 2 will be the minimum to run EVE.
I really really like this game and I'm willing to pay up to 70$ USD for it.
+Rep to any one that finds a card that I can use.

[LiTHiUM0XiD3]

first of all... what gfx port do you have? agp? PCI-E? seeing as its a gateway i would think neither but even emachines have the odd good part in them :P seems like the system is old and would have a AGP if anything... somethign like a 1600 ATI or 7300+ Nvid would do ya fine if your system allows it

[DaveW]

Well, you currently have on-board graphics. That means that the graphics card is built into the motherboard. Unfortunately, this is a bad thing.

Thing is, ShaderModel2 is pretty basic. We're well past that in terms of technology, so pretty much any modern graphics card would fit the bill.


While they are perfectly capable of handling most common computer tasks, they use an older chipset and lack a graphics upgrade path.

Unfortunately, I can't tell you what you need, because I haven't got enough information. The link you provided seems to suggest that there isn't an AGP or PCI-E slot for upgrading the graphics, so we might be in trouble. All in all, this is a older computer, and even in it's day it seems it wasn't a powerhouse.

If you take the side panel off and take a picture on the inside (no need to touch anything) we can help you a lot more. Alternatively, you could try installing a system tool like CPU-Z (http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php) to get information on your components.

$70 isn't a bad budget for a new graphics card. You can probably get a budget model that would fit the bill. However, I have worries about the rest of your system, and the power supply in particular, when faced with a modern graphics card.

In a nutshell, we'll help you no problem, but we do need more information.

-Dave

[killergamer]

Its got 2 PCI slots and a one x1 slot I took a picture of it but cant find the right cord for my camera.

[nevermind1534]

It looks like your motherboard is somewhat like the one from my parents' emachines in the way that there's no graphics expansion on the board. I think this is yours

http://cedcomputerservice.com/images/SOUTHLAKE%203%20G5.jpg

BTX, too, I think. You could get a new BTX board or a new ATX motherboard and a new case.

[nevermind1534]

Its got 2 PCI slots and a one x1 slot I took a picture of it but cant find the right cord for my camera.

Ok, so I got the right picture. You won't find any x1 graphics cards and you won't get great results from a PCI video card. You could get a 9400 or a 9500 (I can't remember what the best they make for PCI is). Newegg has some, but PCI video cards are bottlenecked by the type of bus and I think they are more expensive.

[BuzzKillington]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187059 ?
http://shop3.frys.com/product/5781092?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

[killergamer]

Do they support the Shader model 2? Thanks so far guys by the way. =)

[NightrainSrt4]

Both of those cards support shader model 4.0, so yes, they do support 2.0.

There are pci-e x1 graphics cards, but generally are too expensive compared to their pci counterparts. Example (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161197)

[nevermind1534]

the other example (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161079)

[mtekk]

You should be able to mod the motherboard by cutting the back off the pci-e slot, as long as you use a low power card it should work with x16 cards. See http://www.overclock.net/overclock-net-folding-home-team/439190-great-news-pci-e-x1-folding.html

PCI-e 1x will be less of a bottleneck than PCI, so if you are feeling adventurous it would be worth the effort to mod it.

[Twigsoffury]

Do they support the Shader model 2? Thanks so far guys by the way. =)

anything above a Nvidia Geforce 5500 or Ati 9550 supported shader model 2.0.

I'd suggjest a Jetway mainboard and a graphics card of your choice.

But purchasing a PCI-E 1x or PCI card is almost always more expensive then purchasing a new mainboard and graphics card in terms of fps per $ spent.

[killergamer]

So do is there a card and motherboard that I can use with this thats still under ok lets move it up to 90$ thats about the highest I can go atm. I dont know if the hard drive is SATA same with the card reader but the DVD is IDE.

[DaveW]

You should be able to mod the motherboard by cutting the back off the pci-e slot, as long as you use a low power card it should work with x16 cards. See http://www.overclock.net/overclock-n...1-folding.html

PCI-e 1x will be less of a bottleneck than PCI, so if you are feeling adventurous it would be worth the effort to mod it.

This isn't really a beginner's mod.

While you can get a 1x card, you're really limiting yourself. Most of these cards are designed for unusual circumstances or niche systems and setups. That being said, chances are you can use one of these to get the job done...just don't expect amazing results.

New Mobo and Graphy is a good road to follow. Be aware though, that with a new Mobo you're likely going to have to re-install windows.

-Dave

[SXRguyinMA]

:stupid: hooked my brothers HDD to a spare mobo I had to do some troubleshooting, told me I had to reactivate windows because of the new hardware :think:

[Outlaw]

If you are considering the motherboard and keeping the case, check the I/O Panel on the PC. Some of the OE stuff doesn't have a removable panel and you may have to cut it off. Just my 2cents

What about something like this? Just over a hundred bucks on newegg

-Galaxy 84GEE6HDFEXN GeForce 8400 GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Low Profile Video Card - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162026) (29.99 after 10 Instant rebate)
-Crucial 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Desktop Memory Model CT12864AA800 - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148166) (11.99)
-BIOSTAR P4M900M4 478 VIA P4M900 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138079) (59.99) (Same on tigerdirect)

Grand Total: $101.97 -> Of course this doesn't include shipping or if taxes apply.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

First off, this is the full specs of his computer (http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/DX200/1008550/1008550nv.shtml). Gateway's really good about that.

Depending on what you're willing to go for, here, your options are basically thus:

- New motherboard (an older socket-775 board will work, I'll find you a few in a moment) and case. The chassis, unfortunately, is BTX, and in my opinion you're not losing much by scrapping it.

- A PCI or PCIe x1 video card. Others have covered that route sufficiently, I think. That route would offer you a cheap fix that'll work for EVE just fine, but won't offer you anywhere to go beyond that.

Before I continue, here, I have to note two things. First off, Outlaw's advice is otherwise sound, but the board he suggested is for Socket 478, and thus won't work with your CPU.

Second, replacing your motherboard will most likely mean reinstalling Windows, or, if the new board is similar enough, re-entering your serial key and updating. I've had it go both ways.

If you're okay with that, the video card Outlaw suggested is adequate, and this cute li'l blighter (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131243R) is cheap, okay, and the chipset it uses supports Pentium 4 officially, even if it's not listed. I believe anything with an Intel chipset starting with a 9 (eg, 945, 965) will, but I'm not completely sure on that point.

[Outlaw]

Sorry, thats a my bad for assuming. I saw P4 and thought 478 before remembering they had 775 too. And the memory said just SDRAM

[XcOM]

that board you sugested fuzzy is an excelent board,

my bro plays eve premium on that board with an intel core 2 E4200, using the onboard gfx, 2GB of some cheap nasty $15 memory.

[killergamer]

Coolio hook me up with his character name and Ill say how cool his brother is. Thanks guys im still looking I really like the game so im almost for sure going to do what I can to keep playing it and some of the advice here is really helping. I have to admit i love this fourms becuase you guys are so willing to help.

[NightrainSrt4]

I used that asus board on the rig I built for my Aunt/Uncle. Pretty nice board. Worked great and wasn't expensive. Tiny little thing too. Just remember it only has one IDE, so your going to need to make sure your disk drive and hard drive are close to one another, as the single cable needs to run both of them.

[DaveW]

So how's it going man, made a decision yet? Do we have a plan?

-Dave

[killergamer]

yea some issues have come up with money and I have to give up EVE for about a month. Car needs a new battery some new tires new brakes and a fluid change and there goes all my spending cash.

[XcOM]

kick in the knackers that,

when you do come back on eve give me a bell and look up my bro,