Advice on buying a new graphics card needed.

[Ymer]

Hello all, I have decided to upgrade my computer with a decent graphics card. My current card is too low-end compared to the rest of the system IMO.

I have some questions and I hope to get some answers.

1. Why is the Sapphire Radeon X800XL 512 MB GDDR3 PCI-Express cheaper than
the Sapphire Radeon X850XT 256 MB GDDR AGP8X?

2. Should I go for Radeon or nVidia/GeForce?

3. Some of the cards on the site where I am going to order
( http://www.komplett.no warning; Norwegian site) are cheaper than others, even though RAM specifications vary like in the question above.
I also assume certain vendors are better than others (for example, is Gainward better than Asus? I wouldn't know.) So if money is not an option, and my computer can handle it (specs below), what card would you recommend?

- My requirements for the graphics card:
It should be QUIET. My PC as it is now is really, really quiet and I love it. So while I want the power to play any given game at maximum options, I am more concerned about the noise pollution being kept to an absolute minimum.

- While I'm at it, I want more RAM - what should I get according to my sys specs?

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME IF YOU BOTHERED READING THIS EYH.

My system:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/14/2005, 17:33:36
Machine name: SEE-THREEPIO
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)
Language: Norwegian (Bokmål) (Regional Setting: Norwegian (Bokmål))
System Manufacturer: Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Dimension 8300
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A03
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 267MB used, 2193MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce FX 5200
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0322&SUBSYS_80CF1043&REV_A1
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: Standardskjerm
Monitor Max Res:
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.7189 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 4/1/2005 16:16:00, 3980288 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: i/t
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 4/1/2005 16:16:00, 3454656 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4062-11CF-E66F-C5A000C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0322
SubSys ID: 0x80CF1043
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: {212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC722-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Creative SB Live! Series
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0006&SUBSYS_10031102&REV_00
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: P16X.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0129 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 8/14/2003 17:58:12, 1296384 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Creative Technology Ltd.
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 8000, 96000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 64, 63
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 64, 63
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: Creative SB Live! Series
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: P16X.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0129 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 8/14/2003 17:58:12, 1296384 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xFFF

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
Creative SB Live! Series, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Microsoft MIDI-tilordning [Emulert], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Creative SB Live! Synthesizer [Emulert], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Creative SB Live! External MIDI [Emulert], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulert], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Creative SB Live! External MIDI [Emulert], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Mus
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Tastatur
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB rothub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x24D2
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 8/4/2004 08:08:42, 57600 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 9/2/2003 18:19:10, 4736 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------
+ Intel(R) 82801BA/CA PCI Bridge - 244E
| Location: PCI-buss 0, enhet 30, funksjon 0
| Matching Device ID: pci\ven_8086&dev_244e
| Service: pci
|
+-+ Game Port for SB Live! Series
| | Location: PCI-buss 2, enhet 2, funksjon 1
| | Matching Device ID: pci\ven_1102&dev_7004&subsys_10031102
| | Service: gameenum
| | Driver: gameenum.sys, 8/4/2004 08:08:21, 10624 bytes

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/4/2004 09:55:29, 52096 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/4/2004 09:57:17, 24448 bytes
|
+ Tastaturdriver for Terminal Server
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 10:03:48, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/4/2004 09:57:17, 24448 bytes
|
+ PS/2-kompatibel mus
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0f13
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/4/2004 09:55:29, 52096 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/4/2004 09:53:30, 22912 bytes
|
+ Musedriver for Terminal Server
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 10:03:48, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/4/2004 09:53:30, 22912 bytes

----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK

-------------------
DirectPlay Adapters
-------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider: Sony Ericsson K700 Serial Modem
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM1
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Lokal tilkobling - IPv4 -

-----------------------
DirectPlay Voice Codecs
-----------------------
Voxware VR12 1,4kbiter/s
Voxware SC06 6,4kbiter/s
Voxware SC03 3,2kbiter/s
MS-PCM 64 kbiter/s
MS-ADPCM 32,8 kbiter/s
Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbiter/s
TrueSpeech(TM) 8,6 kbiter/s

-------------------------
DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
-------------------------
Age of Empires II (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: Empires2.Exe (0.14.0014.0914)
Age of Empires II - The Conquerors Expansion (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: \age2_x1.icd (0.07.0025.0614)
Baldur's Gate2 (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: BGMain.exe (2.00.0000.0001)
Get Medieval (DX7) - Registry: Error, ExeFile: ()
Heroes of Might and Magic III (DX7) - Registry: OK, ExeFile: heroes3.exe (1.00.0000.0000)

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 7.2 GB
Total Space: 238.4 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: Maxtor 7Y250M0

Drive: D:
Model: HL-DT-ST CD-ROM GCR-8481B
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (Norwegian (Bokmål)), 8/4/2004 07:59:52, 49536 bytes

Drive: E:
Model: _NEC DVD+RW ND-1100A
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (Norwegian (Bokmål)), 8/4/2004 07:59:52, 49536 bytes

Drive: F:
Model: Generic DVD-ROM SCSI CdRom Device
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (Norwegian (Bokmål)), 8/4/2004 07:59:52, 49536 bytes

Drive: G:
Model: Generic DVD-ROM SCSI CdRom Device
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (Norwegian (Bokmål)), 8/4/2004 07:59:52, 49536 bytes

--------------
System Devices
--------------
Name: Intel(R) 82875P Prosessor til AGP-kontroller - 2579
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2579&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_02\3&172 E68DD&0&08
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\AGP440.SYS, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 08:07:41, 42368 bytes

Name: Intel(R) 82875P/E7210 Minnekontrollerhub - 2578
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2578&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_02\3&172 E68DD&0&00
Driver: n/a

Name: Standard universell PCI til USB-vertskontroller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24DE&SUBSYS_01571028&REV_02\3&172 E68DD&0&EB
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbuhci.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 08:08:37, 20480 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 08:08:42, 142976 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\usbui.dll, 5.01.2600.2180 (Norwegian (Bokmål)), 8/4/2004 10:03:24, 74240 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 08:08:42, 57600 bytes

Name: Standard utvidet PCI til USB-vertskontroller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24DD&SUBSYS_01571028&REV_02\3&172 E68DD&0&EF
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbehci.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 08:08:37, 26624 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 08:08:42, 142976 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\usbui.dll, 5.01.2600.2180 (Norwegian (Bokmål)), 8/4/2004 10:03:24, 74240 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 08:08:42, 57600 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\hccoin.dll, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 10:03:11, 7168 bytes

Name: Standard Dual PCI Channel IDE-kontroller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24DB&SUBSYS_01571028&REV_02\3&172 E68DD&0&F9
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\pciidex.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (Norwegian (Bokmål)), 8/4/2004 07:59:41, 25088 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\atapi.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 07:59:42, 95360 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\pciide.sys, 5.01.2600.0000 (Norwegian (Bokmål)), 9/2/2003 18:12:56, 3328 bytes

Name: Standard universell PCI til USB-vertskontroller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D7&SUBSYS_01571028&REV_02\3&172 E68DD&0&EA
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbuhci.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 08:08:37, 20480 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 08:08:42, 142976 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\usbui.dll, 5.01.2600.2180 (Norwegian (Bokmål)), 8/4/2004 10:03:24, 74240 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 08:08:42, 57600 bytes

Name: Standard universell PCI til USB-vertskontroller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D4&SUBSYS_01571028&REV_02\3&172 E68DD&0&E9
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbuhci.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 08:08:37, 20480 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 08:08:42, 142976 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\usbui.dll, 5.01.2600.2180 (Norwegian (Bokmål)), 8/4/2004 10:03:24, 74240 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 08:08:42, 57600 bytes

Name: Intel(R) 82801EB SMBus-kontroller - 24D3
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D3&SUBSYS_01571028&REV_02\3&172 E68DD&0&FB
Driver: n/a

Name: Standard universell PCI til USB-vertskontroller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D2&SUBSYS_01571028&REV_02\3&172 E68DD&0&E8
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbuhci.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 08:08:37, 20480 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbport.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 08:08:42, 142976 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\usbui.dll, 5.01.2600.2180 (Norwegian (Bokmål)), 8/4/2004 10:03:24, 74240 bytes
Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\usbhub.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/4/2004 08:08:42, 57600 bytes

[Ymer]

Edited away unnecessary info

[Ymer]

There was even more system info but I guess this should be enough eh

[vikeor]

PCI-E cards are cheaper than AGP ones...
1Gb of ram is good...

u really didnt need to post all that info.. CPU ram and mobo is enuff
what kind of motherboard do u have?

[Ymer]

I'm not sure how I can find out what motherboard I have?
My computer-> properties shows "Motherboard" twice, but rightclicking shows only "Drivers" and all that stuff, no names.

[vikeor]

u wont find what kind of motherboard u have in your system specs...
ull have to find the box or look on the motherboard itself

[Ymer]

My PC is so awkwardly placed, I'd rather not be bothered removing everything and opening the case. What specifically do I need to know about the motherboard before purchasing a graphics card?

[vikeor]

well nothing really.. i was just wondering...
ull have to get an AGP card for ur comp since u dont have a PCI-E slot..

i personally would get the X800XT or XL 512MB.. u dont need 256MB

[Ymer]

Quote:

i personally would get the X800XT or XL 512MB.. u dont need 256MB

Not sure what you mean?

[vikeor]

crap... i meant get a 256.. u dont need 512MB
silly me sorry for the confusion