Re: Upgrade Video Card for 300W System?
Friends,
Just to let you know what I've done, I chose the Nvidia GT240 w/ 1GB DDR5, specifically the MSI N240GT MDIG/D5. I'm getting 8-10x the frame rate I was seeing with my old Nvidia 7200 GS. Now TS2010 is enjoyable with only slight delays as new objects come into range.
I decided not to get a new power supply since my system is 3 years old. Turns out that with the new graphics card, my sysytem uses about 120 w vs. 170 w with the old card. Thanks for the recommendation of the 'Kill A Watt' power monitor.
Also, because of the age of the system, I didn't want to invest too much for a new graphics card, hence the selection of the GT240. So far, so good.
I discovered a benchmark program that may help others when comparing graphics cards, furmark:
http://www.ozone3d.net/benchmarks/fur/
Be sure to read the details of the posted results so that you're comparing apples to apples, i.e. the parameters of the test are the same.
Thanks to all who provided help with my problem.
Jim
Friends,
Just to let you know what I've done, I chose the Nvidia GT240 w/ 1GB DDR5, specifically the MSI N240GT MDIG/D5. I'm getting 8-10x the frame rate I was seeing with my old Nvidia 7200 GS. Now TS2010 is enjoyable with only slight delays as new objects come into range.
I decided not to get a new power supply since my system is 3 years old. Turns out that with the new graphics card, my sysytem uses about 120 w vs. 170 w with the old card. Thanks for the recommendation of the 'Kill A Watt' power monitor.
Also, because of the age of the system, I didn't want to invest too much for a new graphics card, hence the selection of the GT240. So far, so good.
I discovered a benchmark program that may help others when comparing graphics cards, furmark:
http://www.ozone3d.net/benchmarks/fur/
Be sure to read the details of the posted results so that you're comparing apples to apples, i.e. the parameters of the test are the same.
Thanks to all who provided help with my problem.
Jim