PCI Video Cards

[Phoenix2715]

Okay, so I'm going to buy a new video card, because my current one just won't cut it. The thing is, I need a PCI card that isn't outrageously expensive, that is A) supported by Oblivion, and B) has a 600 MHz P3 processor, 256 MB RAM, and T&L.

I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing, and the specs above are just specs I got for the three games I play the most (Oblivion, The Sims 2, and Star Wars KotOR). I really need help.

I searched around the forum, but the only topic I found was recommending AGP cards.

Does anyone have a PCI card that they love that works with Oblivion really well(my guess is, if it works with Oblivion, it'll probably work with the other two) ?

[fierydemise]

No offense but you are really clueless. Before I start a lemme clear up something for you, a 600 MHz P3 is a CPU not a video card and 256MB of RAM is just that RAM also unrelated to the video card. Now thats out of the way, PCI has been on the decline for a few years now it was replaced by AGP and now PCI-Express so you're not going to find a good PCI video card. The best I can find in a quick search is a Radeon 9250 or a nVidia 5500, neither of those will run oblivion well, the Radeon 9250 will need you to download old oblivion to run oblivion at all then you'll need to turn the visuals way down. The 5500 won't need old oblivion but you'll still have to turn the visuals way down. Both can be found for under $50 and should work just fine for KOTOR or the Sims 2

[Maximus38]

I would suggest you buy a new computer! Your system as you describe it would barely run a bath let alone one of the most graphics-hungry games on the market.
I had to upgrade my computer to cope, in the end I bought a Radeon 9600 Pro graphics card from ebay for 30 pounds, and and extra 512 Mb of RAM for about 20 pounds, to bring my memory up to 1,278 Mb.My processor is only 2.0 Ghz but the big memory is what helps it to run smoothly, if you do buy a new system I would recommend you go for at least 1Gb of RAM.

The problem with upgrading is that you are bolting new parts onto an old chassis, and sometimes the chassis can't cope. I'm still experiencing a few glitches for this reason, that's why I'd recommend a new machine if you can afford it.

[yrthwyndandfyre]

[QUOTE=Maximus38]I would suggest you buy a new computer! Your system as you describe it would barely run a bath let alone one of the most graphics-hungry games on the market.
I had to upgrade my computer to cope, in the end I bought a Radeon 9600 Pro graphics card from ebay for 30 pounds, and and extra 512 Mb of RAM for about 20 pounds, to bring my memory up to 1,278 Mb.My processor is only 2.0 Ghz but the big memory is what helps it to run smoothly, if you do buy a new system I would recommend you go for at least 1Gb of RAM.

The problem with upgrading is that you are bolting new parts onto an old chassis, and sometimes the chassis can't cope. I'm still experiencing a few glitches for this reason, that's why I'd recommend a new machine if you can afford it.[/QUOTE]
Absolutely. You can put a 454 Hemi in a 1952 Morris Oxford. You just have to know what you're doing. A really, really lot. And you have to replace a few other things. The transmission (a 454 will tear the stock tranny apart), the differential (ditto), and you have to relocate a few things (like putting the cooling system in the boot - no more room left under the hood).
Same goes with computers. I have 4. Not because I need 4, but because the upgrade curve eventually became steeper than the cost of replacing them outright. That curve is getting steeper by the month.

[Phoenix2715]

Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who helped, and I AM really clueless.

I found a video card that should work, so thanks, again. If it doesn't work, I think I'll just get another computer. Mine's pretty sad...