http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0049MP ... os_product

I have an older computer kicking around, specs below

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Manufacturer Dell Inc.
System Model Vostro 400
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 11 GenuineIntel ~2992 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Dell Inc. 1.0.13, 3/21/2008
SMBIOS Version 2.5
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
Total Physical Memory 4,096.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 2.73 GB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 5.08 GB

and I want to make the computer capable of modding Doom3. Is the inexpensive card listed above capable of running Doom 3 and at what level of detail? Currently computer is using onboard graphics and cannot start D3.

Should be fine. I believe that's better then my ATI 3850 & I can run D3 in Ultra.

That video card has 64-bit VRAM which is extremely slow. Thus it's a bad choice.

Slightly more expensive, but better video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130534 (old architecture though, but faster than following link)

This one is brand new Kepler architecture: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814125426 (this one has 128bit VRAM, so it might be a bit slower than the previous link, but it runs cooler)

If you want to invest into a good GPU, be ready to spend 100+ USD, you will need it for modding anyway (level design, modeling, etc.; producing art requires better hardware).

This one seems to be a good choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130838

If this is something you need to get back into modding, i would be happy to contribute toward that end. If not, all of motorstep's suggestions seem good.

Avoid the 610/630's - I picked up a pair as test cards a while back, utterly overpriced compared to AMD's offerings. I mean, when you're buying low/mid range, you know they're bad, but these are beyond an insult to progress. Rather look at old mid/high; The 9800 posted or pick up some current AMD midrange cheapy.

AMD is crap. Yes it's cheaper, yes it performs very well in Direct3D, but OpenGL drivers the pretty poor and Linux support is horrible. Pay less now, have more issues later with ATI/AMD.

If you want to play any idtech4 games then forget ATI out of the box... Nvidia cards perform much better and have better compatibility for stuff like sikkmod, grimm and *cough* my mod *cough*

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814500283

Is another example. That particular card is at least 2x as fast as the 9800gt. And it's DirectX 11. Plus you get Duke Nukem...to use as a coaster presumably because I'm not sure why anyone would play it.

But as far as the 8400GS is concerned it's waay too slow to run Doom3. I maxed out my GTX 570 just messing with modding a couple of days ago.

Also, add one more opinion to the pile that says never buy an AMD. I have a 6770 here that I would just mail to you if it would do any good, but it's essentially useless in Windows with any of the Sikkmod shaders and newer drivers that have Catalyst AI hard coded.

Dashiva wrote:

Also, add one more opinion to the pile that says never buy an AMD. I have a 6770 here that I would just mail to you if it would do any good, but it's essentially useless in Windows with any of the Sikkmod shaders and newer drivers that have Catalyst AI hard coded.

Just disable surface format optimizations. They are not aware of DX/OGL orientation differences. You can do that with any driver version.

I'm just saying - the low/lowish mid range nV cards are insanely shit compared. Coming from the pile of test cards next to me.

That 550 pricing is pretty good tho mmm. Shame they arnt nearly as cheap over here.

Dashiva wrote:

Plus you get Duke Nukem...to use as a coaster presumably because I'm not sure why anyone would play it.

Because it's the best sequel ever that actually related to the previous game. Since Doom 2.

I've never had an issue with ATI (haven't bought one since AMD bought them). I've had LESS issues then people I've talked to with Nvidia's in some respects, same in many others. Some things only happened on ATI's, some only on Nvidia's. I've seen lots of people who have issues doing video editing with Nvidia cards. could be because they believe those cards are better then ATI/AMD so it's just a numbers game, but those people also always bought Intel CPU's and the issues they run in to I've never had. The resulting response when I say that is that "Intel & Nvidia are the best, there's no way it's the hardware, must be the software." Mine works. Meh. :/

Thanks a lot for all the great input, info and suggestions. The intent is to keep costs as low as possible and see what work can be performed within that pricepoint. Currently, I cannot even run widescreen on the intergrated video card of this old system, so movie-watching widescreen capabilities alone will be a bonus. I was never able to run Doom 3 on Ultra, so there will not be a problem of having to get used to working in lower resolutions. So long as Doom 3 can start, and the editor can run, I am good to go.

Ahh..I didn't realize who you were. Check your pms.

http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0049MP ... os_product

I have an older computer kicking around, specs below

OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Manufacturer Dell Inc.
System Model Vostro 400
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 11 GenuineIntel ~2992 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date Dell Inc. 1.0.13, 3/21/2008
SMBIOS Version 2.5
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
Total Physical Memory 4,096.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 2.73 GB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 5.08 GB

and I want to make the computer capable of modding Doom3. Is the inexpensive card listed above capable of running Doom 3 and at what level of detail? Currently computer is using onboard graphics and cannot start D3.

Should be fine. I believe that's better then my ATI 3850 & I can run D3 in Ultra.

That video card has 64-bit VRAM which is extremely slow. Thus it's a bad choice.

Slightly more expensive, but better video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130534 (old architecture though, but faster than following link)

This one is brand new Kepler architecture: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814125426 (this one has 128bit VRAM, so it might be a bit slower than the previous link, but it runs cooler)

If you want to invest into a good GPU, be ready to spend 100+ USD, you will need it for modding anyway (level design, modeling, etc.; producing art requires better hardware).

This one seems to be a good choice: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814130838

If this is something you need to get back into modding, i would be happy to contribute toward that end. If not, all of motorstep's suggestions seem good.

Avoid the 610/630's - I picked up a pair as test cards a while back, utterly overpriced compared to AMD's offerings. I mean, when you're buying low/mid range, you know they're bad, but these are beyond an insult to progress. Rather look at old mid/high; The 9800 posted or pick up some current AMD midrange cheapy.

AMD is crap. Yes it's cheaper, yes it performs very well in Direct3D, but OpenGL drivers the pretty poor and Linux support is horrible. Pay less now, have more issues later with ATI/AMD.

If you want to play any idtech4 games then forget ATI out of the box... Nvidia cards perform much better and have better compatibility for stuff like sikkmod, grimm and *cough* my mod *cough*

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814500283

Is another example. That particular card is at least 2x as fast as the 9800gt. And it's DirectX 11. Plus you get Duke Nukem...to use as a coaster presumably because I'm not sure why anyone would play it.

But as far as the 8400GS is concerned it's waay too slow to run Doom3. I maxed out my GTX 570 just messing with modding a couple of days ago.

Also, add one more opinion to the pile that says never buy an AMD. I have a 6770 here that I would just mail to you if it would do any good, but it's essentially useless in Windows with any of the Sikkmod shaders and newer drivers that have Catalyst AI hard coded.

Dashiva wrote:

Also, add one more opinion to the pile that says never buy an AMD. I have a 6770 here that I would just mail to you if it would do any good, but it's essentially useless in Windows with any of the Sikkmod shaders and newer drivers that have Catalyst AI hard coded.

Just disable surface format optimizations. They are not aware of DX/OGL orientation differences. You can do that with any driver version.

I'm just saying - the low/lowish mid range nV cards are insanely shit compared. Coming from the pile of test cards next to me.

That 550 pricing is pretty good tho mmm. Shame they arnt nearly as cheap over here.

Dashiva wrote:

Plus you get Duke Nukem...to use as a coaster presumably because I'm not sure why anyone would play it.

Because it's the best sequel ever that actually related to the previous game. Since Doom 2.

I've never had an issue with ATI (haven't bought one since AMD bought them). I've had LESS issues then people I've talked to with Nvidia's in some respects, same in many others. Some things only happened on ATI's, some only on Nvidia's. I've seen lots of people who have issues doing video editing with Nvidia cards. could be because they believe those cards are better then ATI/AMD so it's just a numbers game, but those people also always bought Intel CPU's and the issues they run in to I've never had. The resulting response when I say that is that "Intel & Nvidia are the best, there's no way it's the hardware, must be the software." Mine works. Meh. :/

Thanks a lot for all the great input, info and suggestions. The intent is to keep costs as low as possible and see what work can be performed within that pricepoint. Currently, I cannot even run widescreen on the intergrated video card of this old system, so movie-watching widescreen capabilities alone will be a bonus. I was never able to run Doom 3 on Ultra, so there will not be a problem of having to get used to working in lower resolutions. So long as Doom 3 can start, and the editor can run, I am good to go.

Ahh..I didn't realize who you were. Check your pms.