Hello, I'm thinking of getting a new graphics card for my about 3 year old system and I have some questions.

First off, I am currently sporting a Radeon X850 XT Platinum edition and i'm thinking of getting a Asus GeForce Extreme N8800GT (more info). Now question one is if I can use this and windows XP (dx10 card with XP), question two is if my motherboard supports PCI-E 2.0. I'm not sure what my motherboards supports so I'm in need of a program that tells me what motherboard I have (like Everest Ultimate edition). And if there's anything else that I should know then please tell me.

I would be greatful for any help and sorry for the dumb quesitons, it's just that I don't want to get a card and then realise that something won't work with it. :)

Before buying an 8800 GT read this forum.
http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=58306dd41275e5bc26d17b0ec5b87592&t=82074&page=1
Some people I know have no trouble, others like me have endless trouble on older games. Personally, I think there are severe driver issues (with XP) which Nvidia doesn't give a rats a#$e about.

As to your motherboard - somewhere on it will be clearly identifying name and model numbers. Go to the manufacturers site and check its specs there.

I think general is right about the drivers sucking. It's either that or the firmware for all these cards is faulty. I have a pair of 8800 cards. Now, I don't play any older games so I never see these issues. My issue is with multiple monitor support (more than 2).

If after checking out the forums you decide to still go with the 8800 (I would.. again, not playing older games)...

Yes, the 8800 card series will work with XP. However, you will not get DX10. It will be DX9.

You need to just lookup your motherboard model to see what it supports. hopefully full 16x pci-e.

Sometimes you can find your motherboard model by going to Start>Run, type dxdiag and let it run. If that does show you the motherboard, then click the last tab for More Help, press MSInfo button. The system summary there should give you more information via your BIOS version

Thanks for the replies.

What do you define "old", are we talking CoD and UO or Bf1942? I heard there were problems with dx7. I can live without some old games but I'm abit of a nostalgic, so...

Personally i think one of the best cards on the market (for quality and price) is the ATI Radeon HD 2900pro, its the card im using and it supports dx10 and has 512mb of memory.

Man I luv my 8800! I've also played some old games and never had a problem...cod,,,even games back to 2003.I don t know which 8800 your going for but the top end 8800 take alot juice to run, take up alot of space and need very good ventilation as they run very hot.Here is a good site for you to check out. www.slizone.com

Hansgrubber what 8800 (GT, GTS, GTX or Ultra) do you have and what platform are you playing it on?

anoosMonkey writes...

I have endless trouble with UO, which is almost the only game I play. Some of the tips in the link I provided above seem to have provided workarounds, particularly turning off dynamic lighting, and the advice re nhancer.

I reiterate, some people I know have no troubles at all, others feel like trashing the card. Those that have issues, only have them on the older games. If I was buying now, and having purchased a "dodgy" Nvidia, it is unlikely I'd buy another, and I have preferred Nvidia for years.