Computer Graphics Card help

[Wineguy]

My son plays some game called World of Warcraft, and he wants a new graphics card for his Gateway computer. He wants it for a smoother gaming experience. What is the best economical choice I can get for him? If you know a manufacturer or place to get it, or what to expect to pay. Thanks

 

[VaNurse]

Minimum system requirements for World of Warcraft

Windows? System XP/XP64/Vista/Vista64 OS:

- Intel Pentium 4 1.3 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 1500+
- 512 MB or more of RAM (Vista requires 1024 MB or more of RAM)
- 3D graphics processor with Hardware Transform and Lighting with 32 MB VRAM, such as an ATI Radeon 7200 or NVIDIA GeForce 2 class card or better
- DirectX? 9.0c (included) and latest video drivers
- 15.0 GB available HD space
- 4 x CD-ROM drive
- Broadband Internet connection
- For voice chat, an SSE enabled CPU is required.


You need to confirm which video adapter your motherboard will accomodate, PCI-E (PCI Express) or AGP (or PCI if the system is really old) and purchase the one that will work with his system.
I'd recommend at least 512MB RAM on the video card if not higher. I have highlighted the NVIDIA card above because I prefer it to the ATI Radeon's. I'm not really a geek but I enjoy gaming and have run most of them successfully with an NVIDIA. You can expect to spend $40 and upward. I hope this helps.

 

[The Joker]

Did you know that a guy died playing World of Warcraft?

 

[SixFive]

Did you know that a guy died playing World of Warcraft?

quit being a dick and help out Chuck. I know u know the answer.

Chuck, when my brother calls me back, I'll let u know what he says since he's a computer genius. BSUcards on here will also know the answer as he's in that same category.

 

[bsucards]

Minimum system requirements for World of Warcraft

Windows? System XP/XP64/Vista/Vista64 OS:

- Intel Pentium 4 1.3 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 1500+
- 512 MB or more of RAM (Vista requires 1024 MB or more of RAM)
- 3D graphics processor with Hardware Transform and Lighting with 32 MB VRAM, such as an ATI Radeon 7200 or NVIDIA GeForce 2 class card or better
- DirectX? 9.0c (included) and latest video drivers
- 15.0 GB available HD space
- 4 x CD-ROM drive
- Broadband Internet connection
- For voice chat, an SSE enabled CPU is required.


You need to confirm which video adapter your motherboard will accomodate, PCI-E (PCI Express) or AGP (or PCI if the system is really old) and purchase the one that will work with his system.
I'd recommend at least 512MB RAM on the video card if not higher. I have highlighted the NVIDIA card above because I prefer it to the ATI Radeon's. I'm not really a geek but I enjoy gaming and have run most of them successfully with an NVIDIA. You can expect to spend $40 and upward. I hope this helps.

Chuck

We need some more info about the system such as a model and how old it is. Like vAnurse said you need to know if it has a PCI-E or AGP slot in order to get the right type of graphics card

Not sure about Six Five calling me a computer genius but i read it 3 times to the step kids and they said I was a computer geek :shrug:

 

[SixFive]

Chuck

We need some more info about the system such as a model and how old it is. Like vAnurse said you need to know if it has a PCI-E or AGP slot in order to get the right type of graphics card

Not sure about Six Five calling me a computer genius but i read it 3 times to the step kids and they said I was a computer geek :shrug:

don't be so modest.

 

[Wineguy]

Thanks you guys. It is a new computer and he wants the graphics card for his birthday tomorrow. It is a Gateway Model 6732, Intel Pentium Dual CPU T2370 1.73Ghz, 3 GB Ram 32 bit processor. Does that help?

It is a great computer, he says the card will allow smoother movement if that makes sense. What should I get? Going to Staples because we have a corporate discount there, and if not, where do you go?

Again, thanks for the help.

PS....have no idea about the slot, where would I find it? But like I said, it is new this year and It says Windows Vista Home Premium

 

[SixFive]

Thanks you guys. It is a new computer and he wants the graphics card for his birthday tomorrow. It is a Gateway Model 6732, Intel Pentium Dual CPU T2370 1.73Ghz, 3 GB Ram 32 bit processor. Does that help?

It is a great computer, he says the card will allow smoother movement if that makes sense. What should I get? Going to Staples because we have a corporate discount there, and if not, where do you go?

Again, thanks for the help.

PS....have no idea about the slot, where would I find it? But like I said, it is new this year and It says Windows Vista Home Premium

Chuck, this is a laptop isn't it?? If so, you're probably out of luck because those are built into the motherboard. We actually can't find that exact computer on the Gateway website.

If he wants better game performance, he needs a desktop. sorry! :sadwave:

 

[ImFeklhr]

http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?locale=en_US&articleId=21085&parentCategoryId&pageNumber=1&categoryId=2332

That page has a list of cards the game does support... and a list of cards it doesn't support.

I would print out the list and bring it with me to the store. Without getting too technical spending around $100-150 should get you a good card. If you find one a bit under 100 no sweat, but going below 75 is likely going to net you crap. Similarly spending much more than 150 is just a waste.

For what it's worth...I also play World of Warcraft.:wall:

 

[Wineguy]

Thanks for your help everybody!