Gaming Graphics card update advice please

[Reloader]

I have found that I cannot play many of the more recent PC games, such as Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter, Vietcong 2, Company of Heroes etc., because my graphics card is no longer suitable. My PC(4 yrs old) has an 'ATI Radeon 9000 Pro' graphics card installed, which is no longer suitable for these and other latest games. Apparently I need one which has 'Shaders 2 or 3 compliant', although some games play perfectly well, like the 'Faces of War' game I've installed recently.(VG by the way)
I suppose I'll have to think about upgrading my graphics card before long, but I've looked online and there are so many choices it's confusing, between 'motherboards', 'chipsets' and grahics cards'! What am I looking for? If I do decide to upgrade, I would like to buy something that's not going to be out-of-date a short time later, but I also don't want to spend the earth to get it. And, if I do buy a new graphics card, can I remove the old one and replace it myself, or do I have to take my PC to a specialist?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, guys.

 

[Eagledriver]

Reloader, Any good video graphics card should come with a set of installation instructions with it. Basically, all you have to do is is unplug the old one, uninstall its program, plug the new one in, and install the new program from the disc that comes with the new card. I have the Radeon X300/X550 series card and can play any game I want to, but there are better cards out there.

 

[Bundu Basher]

Hi Reloader!

Being an avid Ghost Recon fan myself, I face a similar problem with my PC.
The following two links are worth bookmarking as useful links to solve this and similar scenarios:

To check a game to see if it runs on your PC - System Requirements Lab
To check the possible upgrades if it doesn't - Crucial System Scanner

Hope this helps to get you up to date and in game again!

 

[Hollis]

Bandu Thank you for the links..

 

[icat]

I'd recommend at least a mid range graphics card if your looking for smooth game play - no lag in the frames. You can pick up an nVidia Geforce 7 with a 12 pipeline cache now for just over £100

so a Geforce 7600 GS or similar would be good to look at. However as your PC is 4 years old you need to probably look for an AGP version.

 

[Reloader]

Many thanks for the input guys and especially for the links, Bundu Basher. That was a great help. Guess I'd better start saving my pennies!
PS - Sorry I took so long to check back in, my new wee granddaughter arrived last month & I've been smitten ever since! bou;

 

[Bombardier]

PS - Sorry I took so long to check back in, my new wee granddaughter arrived last month & I've been smitten ever since! bou;

Congratulations Grandpa solthum

 

[Reloader]

Thanks mate, she's a wee darlin', but then they all are aren't they?

 

[Reloader]

Latest - I've discovered that my card is an AGP type, which is apparently going to be phased out in favour of the PCI-Express ones. However, a mate who knows about these things and who is an avid gamer, is advising me and says there are still some good AGP cards available. I've just got to do a bit of looking around now, for a suitable one at the right price!
I have a great incentive - the new Brothers in Arms - Hell's Highway game for PC will be available soon! If you are interested got to the BIA website (you have to input your dob to enter), skip (or watch) intro, then click on trailers to see what it's all about. I think it looks superb!

http://brothersinarmsgame.us.ubi.com/hellshighway/index.php

 

[Bundu Basher]

Hi Reloader!

Firstly, a seriously belated congratulations on the arrival of your wee grandaughter (who probably isn't so wee anymore!)

I have an AGP card in my 'gaming' PC - a PNY Nvidia GeForce 7600GT.
It is fine for 95% of all modern games with no problems encountered so far.

I have recently started playing CoD4 - worth a look in as well.

Maybe catch you online sometime?

 

[Reloader]

Hi Reloader!

Firstly, a seriously belated congratulations on the arrival of your wee grandaughter (who probably isn't so wee anymore!)

I have an AGP card in my 'gaming' PC - a PNY Nvidia GeForce 7600GT.
It is fine for 95% of all modern games with no problems encountered so far.

I have recently started playing CoD4 - worth a look in as well.

Maybe catch you online sometime?

Thanks Bundu Basher - as they say, time flies, she's 14 months old now!

A mate has also promised me a loan of his COD4 too, which is another good reason for upgrading!

 

[Reloader]

I finally got around to doing an upgrade. Bought and installed an ATI Sapphire Radeon X1950 Pro graphics card, which makes a big difference. Got Half Life 2, which is very good, I'm enjoying that at the moment.
But - the fly in the ointment now is, my CPU (Pentium4, 2.53GHz) and system RAM (512GB) seem to be falling behind what's required for some of the latest games, such as Crysis, Medal of Honor Airborne, etc. Still to get a loan of COD4 & try that, although, thanks to Bundu Basher's links above, a check of my system appears to show that it meets the minimum requirements for that one.
I really don't think that I will be forking out for a more powerful PC in the near future, so I'll probably just have to get on with what I've got!

 

[GunBunnyInaMAB]

GET AN XBOX360!! The upgrades are included in the extended 3 year warranty that comes with the system as standard equipment when you purchase it. And the graphics are AWESOME!!!

 

[TurnerJohn]

I have no idea about this.