Figuring I will have to change my video card, for several months I have not been able to run Trainz Objectz Explorer due to some conflict with a file in ATI's software. Never had a problem before including with the older ATI card on the previous PC, but that was an XP system. TOE worked fine on this Vista system until I tried to use the card.
Also, my Windows Performance Index scores show Grapics and Gaming Graphics at the lowest 3.5-3.6 while the other areas rate 4.5-5.4 so I think I should boost the graphics score up some.
So my questions are these:
1 - Anyone using an ATI card that is not having problems running TOE?
2A - I contacted the computer manufacturer, they recommended a Verto 8500 GT. Is that good enough? I'm not looking for the latest thing and I haven't found anything indicating its Windows Performance Index score. But the price looks affordable.
2B - Also says this card needs minimum 300W power supply that I have but is minimum enough? I haven't installed anything else internally, only other changes using power are the speakers and the enclosure drive, both have thier own power cords.
3 - What is the difference other than price with some of the companies that sell nVidia boards? eVGA, XFX, PNY, BFG, I'm not familiar with any of them.
4 - And on a different note, anyone know if anyplace recycles video cards? If so are any of them in the New York City area? I've been reading up on E-Waste but have not seen anyplace that does video cards yet, I still have 2 older AGP cards too that I would like to get rid of, don't know anyone who needs them and I'm not in the mood to go through e-Bay nor do I expect to get any return back. But I would rather recycle than just trash them.
Thanks.
Also, my Windows Performance Index scores show Grapics and Gaming Graphics at the lowest 3.5-3.6 while the other areas rate 4.5-5.4 so I think I should boost the graphics score up some.
So my questions are these:
1 - Anyone using an ATI card that is not having problems running TOE?
2A - I contacted the computer manufacturer, they recommended a Verto 8500 GT. Is that good enough? I'm not looking for the latest thing and I haven't found anything indicating its Windows Performance Index score. But the price looks affordable.
2B - Also says this card needs minimum 300W power supply that I have but is minimum enough? I haven't installed anything else internally, only other changes using power are the speakers and the enclosure drive, both have thier own power cords.
3 - What is the difference other than price with some of the companies that sell nVidia boards? eVGA, XFX, PNY, BFG, I'm not familiar with any of them.
4 - And on a different note, anyone know if anyplace recycles video cards? If so are any of them in the New York City area? I've been reading up on E-Waste but have not seen anyplace that does video cards yet, I still have 2 older AGP cards too that I would like to get rid of, don't know anyone who needs them and I'm not in the mood to go through e-Bay nor do I expect to get any return back. But I would rather recycle than just trash them.
Thanks.