Upgrading from nvidia gtx

[bobothesmart]

I'm using a Dell XPS 600 that I bought years ago. I am not yet ready to give up on the computer because it is in great working order and performs great even after upgrading it to Windows 7 recently. However, I was hoping to boost it's graphics performance a little bit. I play Civ V a good bit and it runs very slowly. I had considered either getting a new graphics card or possibly getting a second card of the same kind and running them together (SLI, right?). Anyway, I was hoping for some advice on what inexpensive graphics cards my system could handle that would give me some noticeable results, or any advice in general about this issue.

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System Information
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Time of this report: 10/8/2011, 20:42:56
Machine name: XPS-7-PC
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 32-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Dell DXG051
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A06
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs), ~3.0GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 1840MB used, 2250MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode
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Display Devices
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Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GTX
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 7800 GTX
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0091&SUBSYS_02F810DE&REV_A1
Display Memory: 1015 MB
Dedicated Memory: 248 MB
Shared Memory: 766 MB
Current Mode: 1600 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: W2040
Monitor Id: GSM4EB2
Native Mode: 1600 x 900(p) (60.000Hz)
Output Type: DVI
Driver Name: nvd3dum.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0012.8026 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.12.8026
DDI Version: 9Ex
Driver Model: WDDM 1.0
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/3/2011 07:50:00, 12636776 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-43D1-11CF-346C-F4221FC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0091
SubSys ID: 0x02F810DE
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Driver Strong Name: oem18.inf:NVIDIA_SetB_Devices.NTx86.6.0:Section001:8.17.12.8026ci\ven_10de&dev_0091
Rank Of Driver: 00E62001

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

Maybe a gtx460 at best. Also put in 2G more ram. Afraid your cpu is holding you back.

 

[inzone]

One thing that would give you a boost would be to add some ram , 2gb is kind of low and is probably the reason for your computer running slow. As for a video card you could look at this one which would be an upgrade;

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130609

I don't see your power supply listed , this card requires a minimum 300w power supply be installed in your Pc.

 

[dtechman]

with an old lga 775 system like that, i would just upgrade to any new dx11 card to get the best out of any new titles.plus finding a 7800 gtx identical to yours may be difficult. that rig would not give much of a boost from sli in that type of dx9 games anyways.or option 2 would build a new system with modern tech....it may be your platform thats slowing you down.try a GTX 550 or RADEON HD 6850 ,both great cards for the$

 

[dtechman]

ops i ment gtx 560 ..also dose your bios support any Overclocking if so have you ?or faster ram may help also if keeping that build is a must(im not talkin smack on old sockets..i still rock a q8300 oc'd to 3.3ghz 4gb ddr2 1066 oc'd to 1200. and a nice GTX570.)