Graphics card advice PLEEEASE!

Hi everyone

I have recently purchased some new games one of which is NFS Carbon. Since trying the games out I found that I could play a level or so and then I would be booted out of it without warning or my PC would just freeze up. Never had this problem before.

Upon closer inspection of the minimum requirements of the game I notice that they require 64mb video cards.

I have an NVIDEA GeForce 6600 256mb card
also 1024mb dual pentium 4 (3.40Hz)

I have no idea myself, should this be sufficient?

If not, can anyone recommend a top spec graphics card that is compatible with my system???

Please help

Thanks

Ash

My system information so far...

Name NVIDIA GeForce 6600
PNP Device ID PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0141&SUBSYS_98141462&REV_A2\4&178951BB&0&0008
Adapter Type GeForce 6600, NVIDIA compatible
Adapter Description NVIDIA GeForce 6600
Adapter RAM 256.00 MB (268,435,456 bytes)
Installed Drivers nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version 6.14.10.7184
INF File oem0.inf (nv4_NV3x section)
Color Planes 1
Color Table Entries 4294967296
Resolution 1680 x 1050 x 60 hertz
Bits/Pixel 32

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Manufacturer HP Pavilion 061
System Model EC562AA-ABU w5171.uk
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 4 Stepping 3 GenuineIntel ~3401 Mhz
Processor x86 Family 15 Model 4 Stepping 3 GenuineIntel ~3401 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 3.24, 11/08/2005
SMBIOS Version 2.3
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United Kingdom
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.2180 (xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)"
Total Physical Memory 1,024.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 634.04 MB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 2.40 GB

If you have PCI-E mobo, I'd personally recommend X1950PRO. It's one of the best performing card out there for the price at the moment and you'll definitely see huge performance boost(especially switching from 6600)The price is around 125-175 depending on which make and how much memory it's got. I've tried Sapphire one that came with 256mb onboard memory which scored 9950mark in 3dmark05@stock, and it only cost me 130. Great deal.
BTW, welcome to the forums.

The good news is that your 6600 256mb meets the requirements for the game.

The bad news is that it shouldn't be the cause of your stability problems. It won't run the game smoothly, but it shouldn't be causing it to crash.

What is actually causing your problems is most likely to be your very out of date video card drivers (you have 71.84, they're now on 93.something). Go to www.nvidia.com and download the latest drivers - it should stop the crashes. I would also recommend searching for directX at www.microsoft.com and downloading the latest version of that as well.

I also own one of these pc's W5171.uk, can you tell me whet Graphics card upgrade you decided on in the end? as I think I am going to have problems fitting anything decent in the slot?

Throwing good money at a new video card is unlikely to solve the lock-ups.

Understanding where the fault lies first will though.

First thing to look at is the memory:

www.memtest.org

If it passes a couple of times on memtest, then you'll want to verify that temperature isn't an issue:

http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

although it's sometimes hard to get the temps with pre-build PCs (Dells for example)

altermatic83 I'm guessing you have an AGP based system?

Does your motherboard have an x8 speed AGP slot or is it an older x4 slot?

My wifes PC had a x4 AGP port with a Nvidia 6600GT card in it and I used to play network NFS on it and it used to lock up also. I recently swapped the motherboard out for one with a x8 AGP slot and gave her my old 6800GT video card and put 2GB of ram in it and the game plays much better now with no slowdown whatsoever.

I put a HIS X1950 Pro 512MB in my P4 3.4GHz system with 2GB of ram and the game plays perfectly at 1600x1200 :)

I'm guessing he's upgraded his system in the 10 months since he posted this thread... :p

I am looking for a PCI-E graphics card, I mainly use my PC for streaming videos to my TV but also play Counter Strike: Source alot; so if anyone has any recommendations for a good performing card at a reasonable price nothing over £150?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fayraz

I am looking for a PCI-E graphics card, I mainly use my PC for streaming videos to my TV but also play Counter Strike: Source alot; so if anyone has any recommendations for a good performing card at a reasonable price nothing over £150?

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x1950 Pro would be a good bet.

I have the Asus X1950 Pro Fayraz,

On CS:S i never drop below 40 FPS on full graphics and at a 1400x900 resolution.

Averages at around 80.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IainM

I have the Asus X1950 Pro Fayraz,

On CS:S i never drop below 40 FPS on full graphics and at a 1400x900 resolution.

Averages at around 80.

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Thanks for the info guys and this looks good enough for me and the price is not bad either.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kalniel

I'm guessing he's upgraded his system in the 10 months since he posted this thread... :p

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Holy thread resurrection Batman! I missed it completely.

I wish folks wouldn't raise the dead like this...