Need suggestion((s) w/ a Shader model 3 graphic's card.

Oddl3all · #1 (**permalink**) 16-09-2009, 06:38 AM

D-A-L Computer Hardware Scan Results

Hello DAL peoples,

I'm wanting to buy and install a new graphics card. My current card (ATI Radeon X800XT (265mb I think)) doesn't support the shader model 3 for the new games that are coming out. I'm not really good with comprehending what is and isn't compatible with my PC so here I am. I'm looking for a card that is no more than a $100ish, give or take 10 bucks, but I would like to go with the best cheapest card I can that has shader model 3 and enough memory to run a game like Arma 2/Dirt 2/NFS Shift etc..

I checked out Newegg.com, but I didn't see any info in the specification that states it had SM3 o_0' seems kinda of an important piece of information when buying a card not to make it upfront like the fruity names of the card title.

'

Also, when I do get get another card. I going to give my friend my current card and I bought my PC used and do not have the installation CD. Does he have to call and request one, or.......idk. Maybe I could find the install file in my c:/ and burn it to a disk? idk.

Any adivce or suggestions would be great, thx.

Digerati · #2 (**permalink**) 16-09-2009, 01:30 PM

Have a look here - Best Graphics Cards For The Money: September '09 : August Review / September Updates - Review Tom's Hardware

Oddl3all · #3 (**permalink**) 16-09-2009, 08:16 PM

Ok i decided on a Radeon HD 4650 DDR3,

By HD I think that means it has SM3 right, but how do I know that is compatible except the PCI slot?

Oddl3all · #4 (**permalink**) 16-09-2009, 10:20 PM

hello? anyone home?! lloll

Oddl3all · #5 (**permalink**) 17-09-2009, 03:08 AM

ok, nevermind

Not to rant, even though im going to, by the time I get a reply I can fiqure it out or test each card individually.

Thanks much you were very helpful.

Oddl3all · #6 (**permalink**) 17-09-2009, 03:20 AM

This is for the people that visit this post with the same question. Here are a couple of posted suggestions of my topic I found if you can't receive a reply.

# Click on 'Start ->Run' in the Taskbar. (XP/Vista users, hit the windows key and R at the same time.)
# Type 'dxdiag'. (This assumes you have DirectX installed)
# Hit Okay (Or Yes)
# Go to Display
# All system video card statistics will be shown.
# The kind of video card you have is under Name or Chip Type

*Check the cards dimensions to make sure it will fit inside your PC case.
*Make sure your power supply has enough wattage to power the graphics card along with the other hardware.
*Check your slot where you will be inserting the graphics card. Find out if its PCI or AGP Express
*After installation make sure you download the correct driver from the manufacturers website. *

Remember: the safest way to update drivers is to uninstall the current drivers, reboot into VGA mode, install the new drivers, and reboot again.
You DON'T need to do this with Nvidia drivers. Just use the installer.

I didn't find anything about motherboard compatibility, but I know older won't support the newer. Google it, I had more success that route.

Good upgrading!

Digerati · #7 (**permalink**) 17-09-2009, 04:40 AM

Your friend can get the drivers from the maker's website.

Motherboard compatibility is not a problem as long as you have the right interface (PCI, AGP, or PCIe).

Do make sure the power supply can support the new card.