Topic: PCI cards for C&C Generals

[GenBollox]

Can anyone tell me if there are any PCI cards that can run C&C Generals well?  I've heard rave reviews about the Radeon 7500 PCI version, but the specs for Gens states very clearly that AGP is preferred and PCI is frowned upon as too slow to support the game.  I have a Dell Dimension 2350 with pentium 4, 256MB of RAM, a huge hard drive, and intel integrated graphics 845 chipset graphics card.  The game runs okay, just a little slow.  The problem with the 2350 is that it only has PCI slots, not AGP.  Am I just screwed, or will the Radeon PCI save my world?  Thanks for your help

[number6]

As far as I know the general requirements states AGP for an Radeon 7500 or a Geforce 2 or better with 32MB RAM. I am pretty sure you can only get AGP versions of Geforce cards. So the answer is no if you go by the minimum requirements and my experience has been if you don't meet the minimum requirements you are not going to have a good game experience. It would be better to get a motherboard that supports AGP and getting an AGP video card.  

[RotteVis]

Creative 3D Blaster 4 MX420 (GeForce4 MX420) PCI 32MB

Think this will do the job for u it will cost u bout ±100 euro´s

[Doc Nyar]

I'm surprised to hear that Dell doesn't have any AGP slots... especially with a Intel chipset which normally has it..

[number6]

A lot of the cheaper intel motherboards do not include an AGP port. I was searching for a cheap P3/P4 motherboard to replace my fried one and they all were missing an AGP port. I guess the manufacturers assumed that people going for budget systems don't care that much about graphics performance. All these budget boards had some sort of Intel integrated graphics chip on the motherboard itself. Needless to say I was unhappy with the selection so I went to old reliable AMD chipsets that do support AGP on budget boards. I tried, I really tried to give Intel a chance Doc. There stuff is nice but it is just too pricey for me.

[RotteVis]

... old reliable AMD chipsets ...

... ever had the "famous" Via KT133a chipset? I did, never again Via. Remember the soundblaster live! bug?

[number6]

Yes I do remember the Sound Blaster Live! bug. I am never an early adopter of any technology and I research what I am going to buy. I waited for the Athlon chipsets to mature before buying one. I have not had any problems with my motherboard until the capicitor went up. Now I know that is because of a cheap part being installed, but that is the risk you take when going budget. I am not up in arms about the motherboard being fried problem because I did not pay a lot for this motherboard and I may end up getting a replacement board from the vendor. I got the board, a chaintech 7AJA2,  with a 1Ghz athlon for $85. It could handle all the games I have and I never had a single lockup problem with a game.  I guess what I am trying to say is that I am being realistic with my expectations. If I paid $200 plus, which you can pay for some of these P4 motherboards, I would expect the thing to last for 3 years with heavy use. I am a little dissapointed that the cheap board did not last 2 years. I will chalk this experience to bad luck unless my new board does the same thing.  If lightning fries 2 boards the same way I will reconsider my purchase logic for motherboards.

Though your point has merit. I think that SBlive problem was more a  problem with the sound card drivers than the motherboard itself. In the end I believe Via made a patch because creative refused to address the issue.   I think it is best for early adopters to go with mainstream/high end components. If I wanted a mega game machine I would go with Intel Processor/motherboard, Best graphics card, best memory, etc... I want a mid level machine to play games on. I always weigh cost/performance and look for the middle.