I have a mate who's just bought his first PC from Dell. As he's new to computing, he didn't realise the need for a dedicated graphics card but knows he wants to play games like Battlefield 2. I was thinking something along the lines of a GeForce 6200 128mb would do him fine as they are pretty cheap and seem only to have a single slot cooler so it will fit in the case whatever size it is. Is there really much to be gained by paying an extra £50 for a 6600, or would the 6200 be alright for him as I don't think he minds playing games at low options as long as they will run.

Depends, some 6200 chips, I think the ones without TurboCache, can be softmodded up to a 6600 non-gt chip using RivaTuner. With games like BF2, I think he would be much better off if he had a card with more kick, and the best balance in price and power is a 6600GT card from a reliable manufacturer.

Well it's his first PC, so yeah he's just a casual gamer probably, so I thought the 6200 would be alright but it kinda depends on how suited this is to running future games.

Quote: Originally Posted by reflux Well it's his first PC, so yeah he's just a casual gamer probably, so I thought the 6200 would be alright but it kinda depends on how suited this is to running future games.

Ther is no way to future proof the future.

Go with as much of todays standard that can be afforded.

Well with a Dell I can understand that he wouldn't immediately appreciate a custom computer, but you can fix that.

Since he already bought the computer, he'll have to go with that until he's up for the big upgrade, to help him understand what kind options are available when he does want to start, try sharing the stuff you learn here with him.

Quote: Originally Posted by Hibiki Depends, some 6200 chips, I think the ones without TurboCache, can be softmodded up to a 6600 non-gt chip using RivaTuner. With games like BF2, I think he would be much better off if he had a card with more kick, and the best balance in price and power is a 6600GT card from a reliable manufacturer.

I agree, Have him get a 6600 gt I am sure he be happy and it can still play all the games.

reflux, do not take this the wrong way i am not saying not or nor get new video card , maybe i am wrong about this you said your friend just bought a Dell PC, it would seem to me you would void the warranty from Dell if you tear out the old video card out to put a new one in. Unless the warranty is all done on the system they baught from Dell. If it is still a new Dell i would check with there customer service before you decide to put a new video card in it, just to make sure you do not void the warranty if there is one.

I am saying this just in case your freind has any problems with his pc, and would have to send it back to Dell for repairs then you might be voiding there warranty policy.

I would definatly would ask Dell, before you make any changes unless your freind does not care about the warranty and just wants to put a new video card in it.


Ps this is just suggestion good luck on what ever your freind decides to do.

Ps can anyone confirm this with me that he might be voiding the warranty, by doing this with out checking first from Dell.

Yeah, no problems Ranger, thanks for pointing that one out, I hadn't thought about that and obviously you don't want to end up voiding the warranty after just buying it.

I had a question about upgrading my RAM on my Dell laptop, and i think the Dell tech who's a member here (i forget his name) said that you can upgrade stuff but I'm not sure.

Quote: Originally Posted by reflux Yeah, no problems Ranger, thanks for pointing that one out, I hadn't thought about that and obviously you don't want to end up voiding the warranty after just buying it. I had a question about upgrading my RAM on my Dell laptop, and i think the Dell tech who's a member here (i forget his name) said that you can upgrade stuff but I'm not sure.

Yes you should be able to what i would do is call Dell customer service, Give them the model # and specs of the System you have, and they should be able to tell you how much the system will supports for ram and what type of ram you should get for it. You should be able to put any kind of brand name ram in it just have to make sure it is the rite type of ram your system will support.

I am not sure of the member here who is a tech for Dell but maybe someone else knows.

This is assuming he actually has a AGP slot, the dell I'm borrowing doesn't.

Quote: Originally Posted by SiathLinux This is assuming he actually has a AGP slot, the dell I'm borrowing doesn't.

Thats actually a very good point. Reflux, do you know if this Dell your friend has bought actually has an AGP or PCI-E slot?

What model Dell did he buy?

Most of the people I know with Dell's don't have AGP or PCI-E slots, just PCI. Is this computer one of the "cheap" ones? You know, that are under, say, $700 fully loaded?

Funny thing this dell only has 3 pci slots, Aud, 56k modem, 10/100 card.... no space for PCI vid card.

Yeah, unless he got one of the dells at the higher end of the spectrum it probably doesn't even have an AGP slot. It probably just uses onboard video.

want a cheap videocard? pm Thrasher2 and ask him

MSI or XFX 6600GT. Best. 6600-series card. Evar.

You're all close, but 6800's (with aftermarket coolers) are the best buy as they can unlock to 6800GT speed if you get the right 256MB one.. Theyre only $20-40 more than a 6600GT for nearly 2x the performance in certain situations when OC'ed /modded.
I'd reccomend the 6800 to begin with, but the 6600GT if he simply can't afford it or doesn't like customizing his components himself..

I'd set http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814122212 as the bottomline, it is actually a much cheaper, more capable piece of hardware than most 6600GT's.

Quote: Originally Posted by konai_konai666 You're all close, but 6800's (with aftermarket coolers) are the best buy as they can unlock to 6800GT speed if you get the right 256MB one.. Theyre only $20-40 more than a 6600GT for nearly 2x the performance in certain situations when OC'ed /modded. I'd reccomend the 6800 to begin with, but the 6600GT if he simply can't afford it or doesn't like customizing his components himself..

He is new to computers(didn't know that he even needed a graphics card), and he has a dell. Cant say that aftermarket coolers, pipeline unlocks and overclocking would be this persons bag of tricks. Also, a 6200 will fall on its face playing BF2. You need a 6600GT or better to enjoy it. They also come in AGP or PCI-E flavours.

Did they ever post saying that they can actually add in an AGP card??

The best PCI-Express budget midrange card is the X800GT. The best AGP budget midrange card is the 6600GT. If the X800GT came in AGP flavor, it would spank the 6600GT.