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Community Area => Tech Support => Topic started by: Jon415 on March 06, 2010, 11:25:19 PM

Title: PC Graphics Cards
Post by: Jon415 on March 06, 2010, 11:25:19 PM
Can anyone out there tell me if an ATI Radeon HD 3450 256mb graphics card is a good graphics card?
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Xfire Keenmike aka cull on March 07, 2010, 02:12:15 AM
Which one is it? (http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=ATI+Radeon+HD+3450+256mb+graphics+card&btnG=Search+Images&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=)
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: aeria. on March 07, 2010, 06:30:41 AM
Quote from: Jon415 on March 06, 2010, 11:25:19 PM
Can anyone out there tell me if an ATI Radeon HD 3450 256mb graphics card is a good graphics card?

The 3450 isn't exactly a good card for gaming... at all... even when it was just released. You will have to turn down the graphical features on pretty much all the games you'll be playing unless it's something old like SWBF. This budget card was more or less designed for HD video playback (watch movies) so I'd strongly recommend you to not buy it if you plan to do gaming with it.

If there's one person who knows computer parts inside out, it would be Red. He can give you all the information you need to know about graphics cards. :)
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Soap Mactavish on March 07, 2010, 07:40:24 AM
Quote from: ag on March 07, 2010, 06:30:41 AM
If there's one person who knows computer parts inside out, it would be Red. He can give you all the information you need to know about graphics cards. :)

Or Google :P
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 07, 2010, 08:25:59 AM
Well that card is the best within my price range,so i guess i will just buy it and see if i can upgrade it later.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Xfire Keenmike aka cull on March 07, 2010, 08:35:50 AM
John415, how much will it cost for you?
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: aeria. on March 07, 2010, 10:04:31 AM
Quote from: Jon415 on March 07, 2010, 08:25:59 AM
Well that card is the best within my price range,so i guess i will just buy it and see if i can upgrade it later.

I would recommend you to spend more on the 3850 if you want to buy a card that's in the 3000 series. You'll regret getting the 3450 unless you are willing to tone down a lot of the video settings.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 07, 2010, 07:20:40 PM
Im looking at the personalization options for a dell inspiration 546, and the 3450 is the best thing there and it costs an extra $30.  I have no idea what else that computer supports, and it says i can only check once i get my serial number.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Xfire Keenmike aka cull on March 07, 2010, 08:34:44 PM
There are more options with standard motherboards. I bet others will have more help with dells.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 07, 2010, 09:28:44 PM
I'm just looking for decent graphics to play maybe swbf2 or CoD2 or KotOR or games like that.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Xfire Keenmike aka cull on March 07, 2010, 11:01:14 PM
You are not to limited with a 300w power supply and a PCIe x16(1) expansion slot, taken from tech specs. Which one have you choosen Jon415? (http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/desktops/desktop-inspiron-546/pd.aspx?refid=desktop-inspiron-546&cs=19&s=dhs)
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 08, 2010, 06:45:56 PM
It was http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/desktops_great_deals?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1 (http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/desktops_great_deals?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1)this one-the one in the middle.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Xfire Keenmike aka cull on March 08, 2010, 08:38:33 PM
There is no harm in trying your pc with the personlized 30 dollar option. Or you can save your 30 dollars and put it towards a video card that might cost you as little as 70.00 US dollars if you are search well. Most tempting cards will be in the 100 to 300 dollar price range.[url] (http://www.dell.com/content/learnmore/learnmore.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&~id=hmc_graphics_inspndt&~series=inspn&~lt=popup&modalheight=600&modalwidth=600)
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 09, 2010, 07:09:02 PM
So what does PCI-Express 16 mean?
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Xfire Keenmike aka cull on March 10, 2010, 01:07:02 AM
(https://www.swbfgamers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.whatthetech.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2007%2F11%2Fslot-types-thumb2.jpg&hash=a951088fd76b2ac7a85f970ed1c032b8ac7d87a6)
Introduction to How PCI Express Works (http://www.howstuffworks.com/pci-express.htm/printable)
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 10, 2010, 07:14:08 AM
Cool. So im guessing that express 16 is good?
And will i be able to upgrade graphics if i get an integrated radeon 3200 instead? because thats showing up as my only graphics option now.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Xfire Keenmike aka cull on March 10, 2010, 07:37:02 AM
Quote from: xfire keenmike on March 07, 2010, 11:01:14 PM
You are not to limited with a 300w power supply and a PCIe x16(1) expansion slot, taken from tech specs. Which one have you choosen Jon415? (http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/desktops/desktop-inspiron-546/pd.aspx?refid=desktop-inspiron-546&cs=19&s=dhs)
Expansion Slots  PCIe x16(1), PCIe x 1(1), PCI(2)
Look for that in the Tech Specs.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 10, 2010, 06:32:04 PM
ok-and for some reason the 3450 is no longer in personalization and the price on that computer was raised by $20 :(
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: aeria. on March 10, 2010, 07:03:49 PM
Quote from: Jon415 on March 10, 2010, 06:32:04 PM
ok-and for some reason the 3450 is no longer in personalization and the price on that computer was raised by $20 :(

It was that bad of a card. Not kidding.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 13, 2010, 07:32:34 AM
Well i just found another computer that has that card for the same price, and luckily it has an option of getting an nVida GeForce GTS 240 1024 mb.  Is that any better?
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 13, 2010, 06:49:18 PM
Ill probly end up getting the radeon 3450 and upgrading later.  Anything is better than the current mac i have, which just lost support for gmail and youtube and has horrible meory and only about 5 gb hard disk space left.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Soap Mactavish on March 14, 2010, 01:17:56 PM
hmm losing support for internet sites shouldn't have anything to do with hardware issues, unless u are on a comp incompatible w/ the site (generally an issue w/ your browser and/or plug-ins)

idk if your GPU can handle swbf then it shoul be able to handle youtube or Gmail.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 14, 2010, 07:17:45 PM
Google is dropping IE6, and anything lower than firefox 3, safari3, and opera 10.  My computer is not powerful enough to download any of those browsers.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: aeria. on March 14, 2010, 07:24:23 PM
Quote from: Jon415 on March 14, 2010, 07:17:45 PM
Google is dropping IE6, and anything lower than firefox 3, safari3, and opera 10.  My computer is not powerful enough to download any of those browsers.

If your computer is not capable of running Firefox 3, then it is seriously too old.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jedikiller on March 14, 2010, 08:51:48 PM
i seriously can't think of a computer that can't run a modern web browser. Even the netbooks can run those.

How old is your computer, anyway? Is it made from dinosaur bones or something? :P
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 14, 2010, 09:03:10 PM
Mac mini G4-PowerPC
OS 10.3.9 panther
Says Apple computer Imc 1983-2004 so its at least 6 years old probly more.  I think it used to have mac os 9 classic.  I also have an iBook which also has ppc and many similarities to my mac mini with a tad less RAM.
Yes its quite ancient :P
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: aeria. on March 14, 2010, 09:22:03 PM
Quote from: Jon415 on March 14, 2010, 09:03:10 PM
Mac mini G4-PowerPC
OS 10.3.9 panther
Says Apple computer Imc 1983-2004 so its at least 6 years old probly more.  I think it used to have mac os 9 classic.  I also have an iBook which also has ppc and many similarities to my mac mini with a tad less RAM.
Yes its quite ancient :P

The G4 and iBook is still capable of running Firefox!

Requirements:
    *  Macintosh computer with an Intel x86 or PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor
    * 128 MB RAM (Recommended: 256 MB RAM or greater)
    * 200 MB hard drive space
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jedikiller on March 14, 2010, 09:54:47 PM
You missed the OS: 10.4, which he does not have.

He could always grab a Linux distro and install it, but that requires some technical experience :/
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: aeria. on March 14, 2010, 10:04:29 PM
Quote from: Jedikiller on March 14, 2010, 09:54:47 PM
You missed the OS: 10.4, which he does not have.

He could always grab a Linux distro and install it, but that requires some technical experience :/

Oh right, my bad.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 15, 2010, 06:49:47 PM
Whats a Linux distro?
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jedikiller on March 15, 2010, 07:05:02 PM
One of the Linux operating systems, like Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS (what MPC runs on), Red Hat, etc. They are fairly similar to OSX in terms of look and feel, with the advantage of being free. They do require some technical know-how to do anything with them, however.

Only a few work on PowerPC architecture. Most are Intel-based or AMD-based.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 16, 2010, 06:41:08 PM
Eh ill just wait till i get my new PC.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Soap Mactavish on March 19, 2010, 06:19:40 PM
lol! jon you take up 3 pages just to say you are gonna wait.

If you are going to get a new mac keep in mind that Intel i7, i5, i3 macbook pros are comin out this summer, so maybe you will wanna wait if you are buying a new one.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Xfire Keenmike aka cull on March 19, 2010, 10:43:30 PM
Quote from: Russell on March 19, 2010, 06:19:40 PM
lol! jon you take up 3 pages just to say you are gonna wait.
I agree with a lol. Jon415 is welcome just like all are.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 20, 2010, 10:59:58 AM
I just found a good PC which seems to have a good graphics card-and russell it also has a core i3, i5, or i7.
Is an ATI Radeon HD 5450 w/ 1GB VRAM a good card?
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: aeria. on March 20, 2010, 11:50:00 AM
As Red stated before, the ATI Radeon HD x4xx is horrible for gaming. It's incapable on maintaining a decent framerate in the newest games. Just DON'T GET IT. The 5450 is no exception. It's a waste on money if you want to do gaming. Save up more, get something that won't make you rage. Right now I own a 2600 with 256MB VRAM and it's more capable than the5450 with 1GB. Not kidding.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 20, 2010, 01:03:09 PM
what about nVida GeForce GT220 with 1024 mb VRAM?
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Soap Mactavish on March 20, 2010, 01:03:21 PM
told u jon. NVIDIA is the bomb.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: aeria. on March 20, 2010, 01:46:07 PM
The
Quote from: Jon415 on March 20, 2010, 01:03:09 PM
what about nVida GeForce GT220 with 1024 mb VRAM?

Again, it's a budget card, so don't expect to be running anything on maximum settings that's released after 2007.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 21, 2010, 04:30:04 PM
So which is better GT220 or HD 5450?
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jedikiller on March 21, 2010, 04:37:43 PM
I believe the conclusion is that both suck.

Where are you pulling these from? Are you getting them off one of the manufacturers' websites? If you're just looking to buy a card we can give you several much better options.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 22, 2010, 07:36:40 PM
On the dell website-the dell studio xps 8100 personalization-in not gonna spend more than $50 on graphics.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: vf501 on March 24, 2010, 04:18:58 AM
Quote from: Jon415 on March 22, 2010, 07:36:40 PM
On the dell website-the dell studio xps 8100 personalization-in not gonna spend more than $50 on graphics.

Which is why you're running into problems.  85$ dollars minimum to get anything remotely good for gaming.

ATI x7xx, x8xx, x9xx- best for gaming.

nVidia x6xxGT, x8xxGT, GTS/GTX 2xx- best for gaming.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 24, 2010, 07:14:35 AM
I understand that these cards suck, I just want to know which card is better, even by the smallest margain.
nVidia G310 512mb, the ATI HD5450, or the nVidia GT220.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Soap Mactavish on March 24, 2010, 02:30:40 PM
i think jon will be satisified with the graphics card for swbf. Once he can rack up the money he can get a GPU worthy of MW2 or bc2
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 24, 2010, 09:08:15 PM
QuoteI understand that these cards suck, I just want to know which card is better, even by the smallest margain.
nVidia G310 512mb, the ATI HD5450, or the nVidia GT220.
Yes russell is right.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Xfire Keenmike aka cull on March 26, 2010, 03:03:00 AM
Jon415, could you repeat again the games you will be playing.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Soap Mactavish on March 26, 2010, 10:33:22 AM
barbie dream house xD

oh wait u mean video games... :P
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 26, 2010, 12:56:24 PM
ill probly want to be playing KotOR 1 and 2, swbf 1 and 2, and maybe CoD 2.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: aeria. on March 26, 2010, 03:07:34 PM
Woah those are really old games, either card will run it. I have preference of ATI so I would recommend you to stick with that, but people would disagree with me.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Soap Mactavish on March 26, 2010, 04:26:53 PM
You wanna play cod4, L4D, and bc2, also. You just dont know it yet. :P
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 27, 2010, 06:29:23 PM
Ok thanks for the help.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Darth Verik on March 29, 2010, 02:20:43 PM
Guys...i know this is a bumb but have you guys any idea what your saying? i just looked at the posts and all i could get were words like i'll switch OMG look at this!
Quote from: Jon415 on March 21, 2010, 04:30:04 PM
So which is better GT220 or HD 5450?

Quote from: Red on March 20, 2010, 03:03:25 PM
GT 220 < GT 240. The GT 240 is the lowest spec card I'd recommend you buy if you want to do gaming.

Quote from: Russell on March 20, 2010, 01:03:21 PM
told u jon. NVIDIA is the bomb.
WHAT THE HACK IS NVIDIA!
Quote from: Jon415 on March 20, 2010, 01:03:09 PM
what about nVida GeForce GT220 with 1024 mb VRAM?

i knew you guys were strange but this! WHAT THE AHCK ARE YOU GUYS TALKING ABOUT!

(im sorry i posted this, but i just needed to let go of my reaction)
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Darth Verik on March 29, 2010, 02:49:14 PM
but the goverment has shut down google from our country
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Soap Mactavish on March 29, 2010, 03:48:18 PM
There is a thing called yahoo, use it.

Same goes for bing, dogpile, ask etc.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jedikiller on March 29, 2010, 05:29:34 PM
Google is not blocked in any country. Even China is allowed to get on it (with filtering). That is a terrible excuse.
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Soap Mactavish on March 29, 2010, 06:21:05 PM
jedi, google was temporarily down yesterday for a couple hours. I think that is what darth meant
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: Jon415 on March 29, 2010, 09:09:01 PM
Thats wierd i didnt notice anything on google yesterday.

I just realized that on the subject i spelled cards wrong  :slap:
Title: Re: PC Graphics Crads
Post by: shadow on March 29, 2010, 09:44:54 PM
Ok guys. On topic please :P

Any somewhat modern card will run the games you want to play. Just throw a coin or something. :P
Title: Re: PC Graphics Cards
Post by: Jon415 on March 30, 2010, 08:22:37 AM
Yea the nvidia and ati cards im looking at are prety much equal but nvidia is my choice.
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