What are the best graphics cards, and processors for 3D games?

I have an HP Pavilion A1250N with an Amd Athlon 64x2 and 2 GB memory, 250 GB HD, and I'm looking to upgrade for better proformance and better 3D gamming, should I replace the Processor to something better, and Put in a stand alone graphics card, or can I just Replace one or the other? What are the best graphics cards for the money, and a good proccessor if I need one?

What are the best graphics cards, and processors for 3D games?
Your AMD processor is fine, and will be for the next year or so. Gaming is all about the graphics card, the CPU is secondary. A single core Athlon 64 with an 8800 series Nvidia would outperform your AMD Athlon dual core with an x1950pro.





For your money, the best is the 8800GTS. It come in 320mb and 640mb flavors. You only need the 640mb if you have a high rez monitor (Dell 24" or a 21"+ CRT monitor) or you have a 1080p HDTV and you want to game on that.





At $260, this is easily the best card for the money. It has DX10 capabilities for the next gen games coming out Fall/Christmas.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...





At a more pedestrian budget of $130, we have the ATi x1950Pro. It's only DX9 compatible:


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...





Here is a chart that compares the two cards above. I'm assuming you have a 19" monitor. Look at the blue lines:


http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2...


The minimum you want in shooting/action games is 40 frames per second (FPS). For story / RPG 30 is okay.


http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2...





Either card will require a new power supply as they consume massive amounts of power and your HP probably has a weak 300watt no name in it. And not all 500 watt power supplies are the same. You get what you pay for has great meaning in the power supply world. SilverStone, FSP, Seasonic, etc are some great brands. You want 450-500watts. A cheap power supply can fry your motherboard and other expensive components.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...


Here is an install video:


http://youtube.com/results?search_query=...
Reply:Best AMD CPU right now is the Athlon 64x2 6000+


Best price for the bang in a video card is the Geforce 8800 320meg but it can cost as much as $300


If thats to much then try to find a Geforce 7800 or 7900.





If your useing the built in video card that is on you computers motherboard that is crap. So getting a stand alone card is a good idea.


But of course your computer would need an available PCIexpress slot to run the good video cards. If it as an AGP slot you can still get a decent stand alone card. AGP slots are generaly brown. PCIexpress are generally black.
Reply:You have a powerful computer already. You could upgrade to a quad core processor.
Reply:The best graphic card today is BFG's 8800GTX Ultra OC


http://www.bfgstore.com/ProductDetails.a...





The best CPUs would be Intel dual and quad cores. (not compatible for your PC)
Reply:Best graphics card at the moment:





Asus EN8800-GTS 640MB


Asus EN8800-GTX 768MB


MSI 8800GTX 768MB





And yes, for optimum performance, you should get a standalone graphics card. Your processor is pretty ok, definitely enough memory so it'll be good to invest in a higher-end graphics card that will last you for a few years. Depending on your budget, you can choose the latest 8800 series or 7950 / 7900 / 7600 series. Only the most hardcore of gamers setting the games at the highest specs would require graphics of the highest end. As for a good processor, you can choose any of those dual core e.g. AM2 EX62 or X5200 / X5000 / X4600. Note that these are AMD processors and check if your motherboard can support these newer processors first before upgrading.

safety boots