Getting a new video card, What would be easier?

Question

I have a slow computer, its a Gateway with Windows Vista Home Premium. If I get a new video card for this computer does it still mean that the computer will be slow? And do you know any program that would help make my computer faster or something.

And if I get a video card:

-How much would it be to get the newest card for games that will come out in '09

-How much would it be to have someone install the video card in my computer OR

- if i do not get someone to do it, would I need knowledge about putting the video card in and stuff?

Or should I just get a new gaming computer to skip the complicated steps of getting a new video card.

Sorry its a complicated answer =[ thanks if you answer!

Answer 1

Firstly, video cards have nothing to do with the speed of your computer...so no...getting a new card will not make it go faster. You will only get higher frame rates in games.

Second, in some older computers, getting a new graphics card doesn't offer much improvement over older ones due to the lack of CPU capability.

Thirdly, I doubt that your computer would even handle the newest card of 09' so I wouldn't recommend buying it. Lol. You would have to make sure that you have a compatible PCI slot, your PSU can handle the load, and your MOBO is fast enough for it.

Finally, Installing will cost nothing if your smart. Putting a video card in a computer is a simple matter of pulling out the old one, and sliding the new one in the slot (and hooking up a power source if your card has a dedicated power port).

Answer 2

i suggest you just get a new computer. If you buy a GPU (video card) it will make your computer faster but not that much. Plus you need to upgrade all your other components. Now in terms of installing a video card it isnt that hard just make sure you buy the right one for the right slot. Then just put it in the slot they usually have a PCI-express slot or such. Graphic cards rang from 50-800 dollars where the graphics of a 800 dollar card make the ps3 graphic look nasty but then again it cost 800 lol.  

Answer 3

u probably have lotsa junk with the gateway version of vista: try pc decrapifier, then run ccleaner, eusing registry cleaner, and then go run Auslogics disk defrag. if ur gonna buy a new card ur gonna have to get a new power supply cuz decent video cards would need a better power supply with more amps on the +12v rail. if ur gonna get a new card then the ati 4870X2 would be a monster and get an antec truepower-trio and then download a fan speed profile hack to turn the fan speed up (it's 2 4870s in 1. make sure ur case can fit a 10.5inch video card though. otherwise a ati 4870 and an evga 280GTx would be find. (hint: never get an sapphire card, they have a lousy personal relations department, and crappy customer service. when you install the grafx card, don't put teh computer on the ground, put it on a chair or sumthin like a table. then touch the case with both hands to ground yourself. unplug all teh psu connections and then unscrew the psu. install the new psu, plug the stuff in, throw the card in. boot up and run driver cleaner pro, and install the ATI drivers.

otherwise i have a good config if ur gonna get a new gaming rig

Antec Sonata III (comes with 500w power supply)

Samsung Spinpoint F1 750GB (has better performance by a raptor)

Any DVD-RW Drive out there you can find (preferable samsung, LG, or the hard to find but uber pwnage Pioneer Drives)

Asus P5Q Pro

Mushkin Ascent PC2-8500 2x2GB

OCz Vendetta 2

Thermaright LGA775 Bolt Through Kit

Artic Cooling MX2

Windows XP

ATI 4870

Which would cost around 1600-1700 US. (I buy all my parts from NCIX they have super awesome service) NCIXUS.com is the site u want

i bought the parts to build my rig there. keep ur gateway plugged in when u build the new rig so then you can read the guide while building ur computer

Answer 4

listen gamer - vista is a very heavy operation system it does not make for a good gaming machine it take a lot memory to operate before spent a lot of money on a video card i would buy ram (memory)for it - i would have a lest 4Gz.---if you are playing on line this is the way to go

good luck miktill

Answer 5

if you get a new graphics card then it might speed up your computer when running 3d apps

and a program tht would help makle your computer seem faster would be windows xp :)

and it would cost you 500 dollars to get the newest card( just remember, newest doesnt always mean the best)

and i was only 12 when i found out how to do it

so you can obviously do it

just stick your card into your pci-e slot (the longest horizontal one with a hook)

and s***w it in

pop in the cd

follow the directions

restart

start up crysis on full settings

the best card on the market today is a radeon 4870x2

Answer 6

download tune up utilities 2008 and run registry cleaner and disk cleaner plus if your computer is around 3 years old theres a good chance your computer is agp port. get PNY nvidia geforce 7600gs graphics card!

all this will hep and if its still slow then you need to upgrade processor.

also scan for virus and spyware that may be slowing you down using anti virus/ anti spyware

get more ram too.

take the pc down to shop. they will get you all the right parts for your make modle of system for upgradeing things!

good luck

Answer 7

If your computer is slow you need more RAM.

Also try going to Start>Run, and type "msconfig." Then click the "Startup" tab, unclick the applications you don't want running on startup and when done click "Apply" once you exit out it will ask if you want to restart, you dont have to if you dont want. But, next time you startup it should popup that someting was changed in msconfig, just check the box to not show this message again and click ok. But be VERY CAREFUL when unchecking items, make sure your unchecking items you dont want running on startup like IE, AIM, AOL (Stuff like that).

If those solve you slow problem, try running your desired game. If your game has trouble running but not your other applications, try a new graphics card.