HD 4650 Upgrade?

[jtryan1]

Hi All - Just joined because I was so impressed by all the info on the site.

I thought my system would have no trouble with Empire Total War (checked it with System Reqs. Lab), but it is running slowly. Large-ish battles and even the campaign map are choppy. I tried a really large battle, and the system bogged down like crazy. I've got the graphics options set fairly low (grass turned off, trees on medium, all the special options unchecked, etc.). Also, the cooling fan (the graphics card's fan) seems to run more than normal when ETW is running.

•Windows Vista (64) Home Premium, Service Pack 2
•Intel Core2 Quad CPU 2.66GHz
•6 gigs RAM (three 2G sticks)
•ATI Radeon 4650, 1G (DDR2)
•DirectX 11

I'd like to upgrade the video card, but the system only has a 350 watt power supply. Any suggestions for a replacement card? Thanks!

 

[godfatherbih]

http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_9600_gso_us.html

or

http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_9800gt_us.html

or the best solution

http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_9800_gtx_us.html

 

[jay2tall]

What 350W PSU do you have? what are the specs?

Also, if you wait a little bit, the 5670 should be coming out soon. It would be a good fit for you. Just wait for the reviews to come out and snatch one up. I believe they are being priced at $100.

 

[jtryan1]

What 350W PSU do you have? what are the specs?

Also, if you wait a little bit, the 5670 should be coming out soon. It would be a good fit for you. Just wait for the reviews to come out and snatch one up. I believe they are being priced at $100.

Thank you both for your replies! The PSU is a HIPRO model HP-D3537F3R.

 

[jay2tall]

^
Yeah honestly I would just sit on what you have for now if you can. ATI hasn't released their 5xxx series lower end cards. If I was in you shoes I would wait if I could and get something new and shiny. Here is an article with some new on the 5670.

http://www.techpowerup.com/109618/ATI_Radeon_HD_5670_Pictured_Detailed_and_Tested.html