A few years ago i took an old PC i had in to get a new power switch installed. 3 weeks later they called and said they could not locate a switch and that i should come get my PC. When i got there i was charged $15 bench fee. From that moment on i started fixing,building and maintaining my own PCs. I think all those PC repair shops are kinda a rip off!

they want to replace mother board now......how can i know? they gave me a 9400gs card to try and it is more stable no more sounds crackles but i cant get much more than 35-40 fps...usually around 15 -20......im wondering if i should just get a new card and hope for the best or not? any good cards for sale....or what should i get to repalce the 8600 gts

it depends on your budget. i had an 8600gts and it run the game well, however i changed to an nvidia 260 gts 867 mb and it runs like a dream.

I been playing on a Sapphire 4850 1g and it runs everything flawless.

About $120 USA

well i put in the wrong vid card....I had a nvidia 8600 gts they put in a 8400gs.....as far as i can tell this is a huge step backwards in cards.......it is running the game but max fps is high 20s to low 30s perhaps that is max for this card to produce? I called them today and they want me to buy a new vid card and put that in......they told me to be careful on cards due to hte power supply...i think they said 440? So i checked with a competitor of theres and he basically said any 1 gig card will work...is this correct? if so i ave about 200$ for vid card shoppping......I need some input please.....pci express type...or does anybody have a good used one for sale that will run todays games? GOOD?

For gaming, the speed and bandwidth are more important than the ram. You won't ever use 1gig of ram playing a game. A fast 512 or 768 is going to give you better frame rates. As far as the power supply, 440 is low. You might want to get at least a 600amp power supply. Be sure that the power supply has the right cables for your video card.
Here are a couple of cards to give you an idea of speed and 256 bit bandwidth. I prefer a 512 bit bandwidth card.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150357
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150439

Also, make sure the CPU won't bottle neck the card's performance.
I told you, you should have sent it to me. You would have already been playing.

ok just got off the phone with Dell....i can run a 9600gt 512 ddr 3 pci express 2.0 WITHOUT any power supply upgrade...does this sound like a decent card?

theuglyamerican wrote:
ok just got off the phone with Dell....i can run a 9600gt 512 ddr 3 pci express 2.0 WITHOUT any power supply upgrade...does this sound like a decent card?
It's just that, decent. The 440 may handle it if it puts out 440. But most power supplies lose 10% of their output yearly. How old old is your box? If you can afford 200 beaners, try something like this: with a Core Clock at 738MHz. This card is faster than a screaming lizard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339
and use the change to upgrade the PS.

BTW, you never told us what CPU is in your box. That may make a difference.
Another thing to consider is the size of your box. Will a longer card fit?

dell has the exact model number on file....since they built it.....i asked about upgrading power supply they said when they build they sycronize power supply mother board and processor...so to upgrade one with out all would not be good....i asked whats the biggest/fastest card this pc will handle and the 9600gt is it.......has to be hands and feet better than the 8600gts.....since that ran the game fine before failing the 9600 should be more than fine with this machine???i can get the card thru dell for 115$$ plus i have a 50 dollar gift card to use against it