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      08-09-2007, 09:42 AM   #32
Josh49
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Drives: E90 325xi
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Boston, MA

iTrader: (33)

Update -

Pretty much realized that the integrated video card wasn't going to do what I was looking for..

Bought a nvidia 8600 gt video card
Bought a 430 watt power supply

Install of the power supply was a joke. I'm embarassed to have asked about its difficulty. I took one screw off the back to take the side cover off. Marked four cables with blue painters tape as I took them off. Pulled out old power supply. Installed new power supply. Installed four connectors respectively. Done. Maybe took 10 minutes total being slow and careful. And while the old one was out, I installed the video card. Results - incredible. I could not believe it. Night and day difference.

Next day pulled out the video card, and traded up to the nvidia 8800 gts chip. Holy crap. First off, this thing is a monster. They make laptops the size of this thing. If it was bigger in any direction it wouldn't have fit. It is two cards wide and takes up two slots, the entire top is cooling, and it exhausts in the back. 6 pin connector off the psu as well..

Performance - Unreal. I have no clue how to explain it. Every game I owned I have never seen work or look like this. Every graphics option is maxed out. I see every particle, shadow, detail, in every game now. It runs smooth like water. It's like watching a movie. I was naseous within 2 minutes of playing Halo. This is the performance I was looking for. I am extremely, extremely happy with the results and my new computer now..

Not to mention in windows now instead of adjusting for best performance, I now have it adjusted for best appearance. They run just as fast as each other.

I can't wait to get home from work. I have Flight Simulator 2002 that I want to install, and an old joystick as well. I cannot wait to see how that looks. No more turning down the resolution all the way, turning off the effects, details, etc, and still having choppy results.

Damn. So happy with the results of this system. Upgrading made such a huge difference.. :rocks:

Thank you for all your help in this thread, 533..
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E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.
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