ATI RADEON 4350HD 512MB

[MexicanGunslinger]

So,

I am getting a new computer, nothing fancy but than again I have never had a fancy one.

I have the option of upgrading the video card to an ATI Radeon 4350HD 512MB, I know it is not bad for the price and I was just wondering if they are any good? Say for playing games (NWN) included from around 2005-2009.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Gracias senoritas.

[Paha]

It'll work, but it's meant for basic use. You'll be able to try and play stuff if you're willing to look at lagging at times and bit rougher graphics, but it does work. If you would be picky and wish for a decent smooth run on any better game, then it's not enough.

[AceOfSpadesX]

That upgrade would probably be a good idea, I have a similar video card and it runs NWN fine.

Also, MGS you're back?!

[Caster13]

What would you be upgrading from and for how much exactly?

[Drakill Tannan]

Also, MGS you're back?!

I pretty much don't give a shit about any other part of this thread.

[MexicanGunslinger]

Lol Drakill (Love)

I see Paha

CasterB upgrading from a PCI-Express Low Profile thats all it says to the ATI Radeon for $95, they place where I am getting the computer from does the upgrade for $95, thats including the graphics card.

Would it be more effective to just find a better graphics card on ebay and install it myself? I want NWN to run with no lag, maybe check the link out and tell me what you think of the computer as a whole. its nothing fancy but good for the price I think

Here it is -

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150400559451&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

I am also upgrading the ram from 2gb to 4gb

EDIT - Whats the best graphics card a computer like this could handle?

EDIT AGAIN - CasterB, would about a graphics card like this?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280512873588&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

much better?

[Paha]

On graphic cards you can expect to get what you pay for. If you pay little, you get very little. It's awful to say, but also a truth, that if you spend more on graphic card, you'll get a lot.

Nwn runs on lower cards surely, but I would recommend you to invest 100-200 to a card.

For example if you could look at Radeon 47xx or 57xx series, you could get much more out of your money.

On nvidia 250 or 260 gtx series would carry you very far and allow you to play even newest games to some extend.

[Caster13]

I wouldn't expect anything decent from that generic video card included in the original package. The 4350 should be alright for NWN, but the charts at Tom's Hardware doesn't give it any decent scores in more current games like Left 4 Dead.
 
If you don't plan on playing anything else but NWN, it'll do, but I'd recommend the same cards that Paha mentioned if you want to play games a tad more current. Cards in the $150 to $200 price range (I'm assuming the CDN, US, and AUS dollar are relatively close to one another) will certainly broaden the games you could play.
 
Is that $95 including the graphics card, the RAM, and labour?
 
If the computer is only going to be running Windows XP, you might want to reconsider the 4 GB RAM upgrade, I think Vista and 7 supports greater than 3 GB RAM but XP doesn't. You might need to do some more research on that to be sure.

[PureeOfPelican]

Correct.  You need a 64-bit OS to address more than 3GB of memory.  To take full advantage of it on a PC, you need a 64-bit version of Linux, Vista, or Windows 7.