Requesting tips on building PCs

Generally considered to be a minimally adequate gaming card regardless of other components.

Monk

Let's see if we can consolidate the issue, because you've got two threads going, which are more or less about the same thing: getting you back playing your game(s)?

In this thread, you're having over-heating issues with your on-board graphics: Installing a custom fan.. Simple enough. You've got to either get a card because the game you're playing is too demanding, or dramatically increase your airflow... or just clean out dust bunnies?

If you want to spend no money, which is probably a good idea given the age and technical specs of your current rig, I'd just take the side panel off and place a room fan facing inwards. It's ugly, but it'll get the job done, and it won't cost you a dime.

If you're insistent about getting a card for your current rig, which is, by all accounts, ill-advised, then by all means, go for it... but it would probably be money better spent on a new machine? Afterall, you've lasted this long with that machine, right?

To answer your questions: low profile just means "thin". Many of today's gaming cards take up two slots; low profile cards just use the one.

I have no idea what's wrong with your browser? Have you tried clearing your cache and coming back? That usually does the trick.

1GB of video RAM means that you'll be able to use high amounts of anti aliasing and anisotropic filtering when you run your games. However, in your case, since the gpu you're looking at isn't that powerful, and the cpu you have pushing the gpu is also relatively slow, you won't be able to use high amounts of AA or AF... so for you, having 1GB of onboard RAM is meaningless: you can't use it. Well, I mean you can try, but as soon as you see it chugging along you'll turn off all the AA.

@FlaTLin3D: I followed your link and Newegg reports, "We apologize for the inconvenience, but the item you are looking for has been deactivated. Here are some similar products that you may wish to consider."

Two questions: are you adding a card to your existing machine or are you still inclined to assemble from scratch as you originally posted?

Secondly, if building a machine from scratch, do you have a figure in mind, e.g., an ideal cost and/or a maximum you do not want to exceed under any circumstances.

Monk

Sorry FlatLined, I didn't mean anything bad by what I said, I just see things a little differently.

If you can't play, whatever the cause, old machine or heat, then you can't play. To me, getting you back to playing is the important part, by whatever means. Anyway, I wasn't baggin on ya for 2 threads if that's what you thought?

Got it: I'll get back to you.

Monk

FLaTLiN3D said:

... I just got done playing like a 6 hour session with no problems at all. *I know, that's a bit excessive. FLaTLiN3D

Rubbish!