Casual Gaming Graphics Card

D

dpedroia15

Geek Trainee
Hello, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a mid-range graphics card that would give me enough power to play games like Team Fortress 2 and Half-Life at decent framerates. I don't need anything too powerful, but what I have right now is only getting me maximum 20 fps while playing Team Fortress 2 (that's with no other players nearby, in action it drops to around 10). I'd just like something that can allow me to enjoy playing games occasionally.

Here is what I've got at the moment:
Code: 
------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/4/2011, 17:15:43
      Machine name: HOME
  Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.110408-1633)
          Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
      System Model: p6510f
              BIOS: BIOS Date: 04/12/10 21:25:57 Ver: 6.03
          Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 630 Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
            Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 3832MB RAM
          Page File: 4278MB used, 3383MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
  User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
    DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 64bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
      Display Tab 1: The file aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL).  You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
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          Card name: ATI Radeon HD 4200
      Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
          Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x9710)
          DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
        Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9710&SUBSYS_2A92103C&REV_00
    Display Memory: 1912 MB
  Dedicated Memory: 252 MB
      Shared Memory: 1659 MB
      Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
      Monitor Name: Envision G918w1
      Monitor Model: G918w1
        Monitor Id: EPI1944
        Native Mode: 1440 x 900(p) (59.887Hz)
        Output Type: HD15
        Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1070 (English)
    Driver Version: 8.831.2.0
        DDI Version: 10.1
      Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
  Driver Attributes: Final Retail
  Driver Date/Size: 4/21/2011 13:37:27, 795136 bytes
        WHQL Logo'd: No
    WHQL Date Stamp: None
  Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-D450-11CF-A277-980ABEC2C535}
          Vendor ID: 0x1002
          Device ID: 0x9710
          SubSys ID: 0x2A92103C
        Revision ID: 0x0000
Driver Strong Name: oem72.inf:ATI.Mfg.NTamd64.6.1:ati2mtag_RS880:8.831.2.0:pci\ven_1002&dev_9710
    Rank Of Driver: 00E62001
        Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
  Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                    {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
                    {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                    {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                    {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
                    {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                    {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                    {3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                    {552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                    {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
                    {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
                    {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                    {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                    {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                    {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                    {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                    {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                    {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
      D3D9 Overlay: Not Supported
            DXVA-HD: Not Supported
      DDraw Status: Enabled
        D3D Status: Enabled
        AGP Status: Enabled

I'm optimistically hoping to spend less than $75, but if what I'm looking for cannot be found for that cheap I'd be willing to spend up to $100.

Any suggestions are welcome, thanks in advance.
 
Note on Team Fortress 2 System Requirements
Team Fortress 2 will require a directX 9 or better graphics card to take render the water effects, HDR lighting effects and other new graphics features.


Team Fortress 2 Minimum System Requirements
CPU: 1.2 GHz Processor
RAM: 256 MB
Graphics Card: DirectX 7 capable graphics card
Windows 2000/XP/ME/98
Mouse
Keyboard
Internet Connection
CD or DVD rom drive

Team Fortress 2 Recommended System Requirements
CPU: 2.4 GHz Processor
RAM: 512 MB
Graphics Card: DirectX 9 capable graphics card 256 MB
Windows 2000/XP/ME/98
Mouse
Keyboard
Internet Connection
CD or DVD rom drive

Team Fortress 2 Ideal System Requirements
For running the game smooth in 1280x1024 with High Quality graphics.

CPU: 3.4 GHz Processor
RAM: 1024 MB
Graphics Card: Radeon X800 or Geforce 6800
Windows 2000/XP/ME/98
Mouse
Keyboard
Internet Connection
CD or DVD rom drive

the cpu is alright, but i would say you need more memory especially in win7 environment.
i would do another 4gb if that is possible. 2 x 2gb micron memory sticks says they are new and belong in a hp machine $34
http://cgi.ebay.com/2-x-2GB-PC3-106...637?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27bb601865

is your video card integrated?
either way it sucks. so yeah you need to get something better.
disable the onboard video since its sucking up your real memory.
MSI NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT (NX8800GT512M OC) GDDR3 used buy it now for $52 or start bidding at $0.01 and $12.00 shipping.
http://cgi.ebay.com/MSI-NVIDIA-GeFo...951?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item35b2a9240f
i'm willing to bet that card's performance will blow your onboard crap out of the water.
since it seems like you play older games this would be a good fit and the price is right for your budget.

problem is your power supply sucks too. (250w) stock and you probably don't have the connectors for a better vid card.

antec 500w power supply new $46


Drive/Power Connectors (5) Molex 4-pin Connectors; (1) Floppy 4-pin Connector; (2) Serial ATA Connectors
Motherboard Power Connectors (1) ATX 20+4-pin Motherboard Connector; (1) +12V 4-pin Motherboard Connector
PCI-Express Power Connectors (1) PCI Express 6-pin Power Connector
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antec-Basiq-BP5...-/250825225906?pt=PCA_UPS&hash=item3a665936b2

all together, $132 unless you bid and win at a lower price on that vid card.
i think this would make you happier.
 
Do not think your helpful post went unseen and ignored, I took (almost) all of your suggestions to heart and here's what I ended up with:

Thermaltake Purepower 500W ATX 2.0 Power Supply for a bargain $13.75
XFX Nvidia GeForce 8800GT 512MB Alpha Dog Edition Video Card for $44.99 (free shipping!)

I ended up having to buy a DVI cable at a local Radioshack after realizing I didn't have one on me. It was kind of a ripoff for $32 but I didn't want to wait another week to order one online.

All in all: $90. I probably would have had room in my budget (and honestly, its not like I was/am strictly limited to being under a budget) to get some more RAM if I had gotten a reasonably priced DVI cable.

I got everything installed today and am now able to play TF2 at up to 60fps. Great recommendations on your part, you certainly turned me in the right direction.

Now I have one more question. My new powersupply has a larger fun on it's underside (see poorly drawn diagram) that is facing the fan of the graphics card. Do you know if this will cause any problems with cooling of either the powersupply, graphics card, or entire system? If yes, is there an easy (and hopefully cheap) way to remedy this?

Here's what it looks like essentially:
12129859.png
 
well its great that you made it this far and under budget.
$32 for a dvi cable! better have gold contacts! haha
i would say use the dvi cable for now and order one online and when you get the online one return the retail one.
maybe with that money saved, you can get the memory upgrade? your call...
as far as the psu and vid card being close are you sure the vid card fan is blowing out the card or into the card?
i can't tell from the pics but i do know some blow into it.
besides this, you can simply download an app to check temps of the cpu/gpu/system while idle/playing games.
based on temps you can see if your card is running hot. i wouldn't worry about the psu.
another way you can see is to throttle the system by playing games on it for say 20 min.
then take off the side cover real quick and feel the psu and the vid card (esp heat sink on gpu) to see if either are hot to the touch.
 
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