I've recently been getting the legendary Blue Screen Of Death. It started when I'd be playing Skyrim. I recently bought Fallout New Vegas and it started happening with that game too, making it unplayable. Same thing when I went back to playing an existing game of Fallout 3. I've been doing some research lately as to what the problem could be. I realized that the stop code 0x00000116 error being displayed meant there was an issue with my video card (or something similar), and I performed numerous checks, scanning, and cleaning using various software. Now that I think of it, every once in a while, the screen would go black, then pop back on, with the words VGA in a small box in the center of the screen. I always just thought it was a bad cable, but as far as I know, the one I have is fine. Maybe it was the video card starting to fail? I have limited knowledge on this stuff. Anyway, after doing some research, I've come to the conclusion that maybe I should get a new video card. I've had my Nvidia GeForce 7900 GS for years now, and I'd like to be able to play the Bethesda games without lagging, up to and including Skyrim. I don't know much about this stuff, but if it's plug and play (which maybe most if not all of them are these days?)I'm sure I can install it myself without paying an outrageous amount of money. If it's not the video card, well I'll move on from there. So basically, I'm looking for a video card to replace mine that can handle the existing Bethesda games (and possibly State Of Decay, which looks like a fun game in my opinion), including Fallout 4 whenever I get around to buying it, and possibly within a range of $100 to $150 (or cheaper if that's an option) that will easily fit into my existing setup. Here are all my current specs:

Operating System: Windows 7 Professional, 64-bit (Service Pack 1)
DirectX version: 11.0
GPU processor: GeForce 7900 GS
Driver version: 309.08
DirectX support: 9.0c
Core clock: 480 MHz
Memory data rate: 1400 MHz
Memory interface: 256-bit
Total available graphics memory: 2047 MB
Dedicated video memory: 256 MB GDDR3
System video memory: 0 MB
Shared system memory: 1791 MB
Video BIOS version: 5.71.22.41.B5
IRQ: 16
Bus: PCI Express x16

The motherboard is an ASUSTeK P5G41-M LE.

Hopefully I can find one that's currently compatible with my existing setup and not have to get anything else. But I certainly won't exclude that possibility. If anyone needs any more info, feel free to ask. And thanks to anyone who can help.

what's your motherboard ref and CPU ref ?

4Go ram is less than 30$ ( look in the motherboard manual to know your ram type needed )

take a look on ebay to find a good price video card and gpuboss can help you to make your chose

http://gpuboss.com/

i think you can upgrade it with 100 - 150$

I'm not sure what you mean by motherboard ref and CPU ref. I DID find out what kind of motherboard I'm using and added it to my specs above.

use this tool:

http://www.alexnolan.net/software/sysspec.htm

I'm using a R9 380 but it's got a history of being a jerk with some dx11 games. It's a driver issue.


Runs Skyrim beautifully though.

What's your CPU and your Power supply?

If I'm not mistaken your GPU needs an 6 pin PCI-e connector. So your power supply should have one.

If you have at least a Core 2 Duo processor and a 350 Watt Power supply, you could easily get a small form factor GTX 950 GPU, like this one below:

http://www.microcenter.com/product/454827/GeForce_GTX_950_2GB_mini-ITX_Form_Factor_Video_Card

129.99$ after rebate...

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Length of the card: 17.3 cm (6.8")

It requires 2 PCI slots. Please double check you chassis and motherboard dimension prior to purchase to make sure it fits in your system!

https://www.asus.com/us/Graphics-Cards/GTX950-M-2GD5/

Is there a way to find out what my CPU and Power Supply is, mark5917? According to this page (https://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/184/geforce-7900-gs.html), my GeForce 7900 GS is single slot, 7.8 inches (198 mm). Where the GTX 950 is smaller, would it still work? I was actually looking at that video card yesterday.

Wow, I had a 7900 GTX a very long time ago. Thats a blast from the past. Must be 10 years old at least? Congrats on keeping it chugging along that long its must be almost a heritage piece by now.

If you can stretch to a GTX 960 that would be better

I have had it for a while. 10 years or so seems about right. Too long as far as gaming goes. I might be very tempted to just spend an extra $50 or so on the 960. Any idea if the 950 and 960 would fit in place of the 7900?

7900GS is a single slot card. Most if not all GTX 950/960 are dual slot cards. Beside the mini variants the GTX 900 series card are much longer (at least 9.6" long).

If you need maximum compatibility then you want the GTX 750 Ti. It will run Fallout 4, but it doesn't perform to the level of the GTX 960. My recomendation would be a completely upgrade to ensure completely compatibility but obviously funding play a role.

MSI 750Ti single slot*

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127836 (* Heatsink/fan may still cause clearance issues, but its still shorter than dual slot cards). It requires no extra PCIe power. Gaming power consumption about 68W compared to the 7900GS which is about 184W.

Unfortunately you must open your case and see what wattage your PSU has!

Normally if the 7900GS works fine with that PSU, then the GTX 950 shouldn't have problems on that PSU either.

If you can wait a little, a GTX 950 LP (Low profile) should arrive soon, according to that article below:

http://videocardz.com/58251/nvidia-working-on-new-geforce-gtx-950

Otherwise the GPU that Níeh?ggr suggested above will work also.

Even so, i have a mini ATX motherboard that's almost the same as the uATX mobo. (that you have)

I haven't any problems on my GTX 660 GPU on that mobo.

The only problem would be if you have a small form case, like this picture below:

http://imgur.com/OGLMMgu

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About your CPU specs, you can check them if you click on Start (The windows orb bottom left) -> Computer (right click on that and choose) -> Properties

It's under System Processor

Looks like my CPU is a Pentium Dual-Core, E5200 @ 2.50Ghz 2.50 Ghz. One of my side panels stays off to help with the cooling, so it shouldn't be too tough to find out how many watts my PCU has. I'll get back to you on that. My case is tower sized, so I don't think I'll have a problem fitting anything. I'm definitely interested in the GTX 950 (or the 960 depending on funds).

This GTX 960 is short enough!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487093&cm_re=EVGA_GeForce_GTX_960_02G-P4-2962-KR_2GB_SC-_-14-487-093-_-Product

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If you are short of money, a GTX 750Ti will do the trick just fine. For 88.99$ after rebate.

http://www.ncixus.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=94331&vpn=02G-P4-3751-KR&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1307

My new machine has that GTX 960 - 4gb card, and yeah, just under 7 inches. Compared to the GTX 460 SE in my old machine.... well, it's smaller, but has a LOT more memory and is a couple inches smaller.

Now if someone could only manage to shrink appliances the way they have pieces-parts for computers.... (I say this because I'm going to need a new refrigerator and dishwasher this year.... and the house is 30 years old.... and appliance now are BIGGER than they were when we built it....)

How you expect them to fit a LCD screen so that you can facebook with your refrigerator?

ROFL!! Well, I don't.... because I really do NOT want my house, appliances, vehicles etc. to "interface" with me. I don't use social media btw - not fb, not twitter, nothing. *shudder*

So that's a no for Skype Chat integration in the microwave.

Yup. Just.... spare me. You can call me a "new Luddite" I guess - love my computer, hate the rest of the crap.

Well it's settled. The GTX 960 it is. Hopefully things work out. Maybe I'll save this link and come back with an update as soon as I get it. Could be a few weeks or so.

Also it would be a good idea if you stick with that GTX 960 and upgrade your PC in the near future...

...to buy a better PSU if yours is too old. It shouldn't be an expensive one, just a new one with an affordable price!

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Also if you have in mind to play Fallout 4 in the near future you must upgrade your memory to 8GB (max mobo allowed)

Of course that would be a bit difficult, as you have already some ram modules, and beside that you must look to find appropriate DDR2 modules.

I don't know if that's worth the trouble after all!

At the end, if you wanna make the jump for playing modern games, you should consider to renew all your computer components except the GTX 960.

Let alone, you will have a performance penalty with those DDR2 memory modules, on almost any new released game out there.

@OP

You don't want to skimp on the PSU. Its probably the most important but underrated computer component. If you aren't familiar with reputable brands AND series, then please start a topic for a suggestion. Power supplies are built by different OEMs and brand names DO NOT always use the same OEMs, so series of the same brand name can vary in quality dramatically.

Higher wattage doesn't mean higher quality. Keep this is mind. A poor quality can damage other system components when it breaks or worse.

Don't get crazy on this one.

There are quite some good budget PSUs out there, that will do the job just fine.

There are excellent choices of budget PSUs for basic system builds from Corsair and EVGA.

> A poor quality can damage other system components when it breaks or worse. <

Those to blame are the no name PSUs (and even then not all of them), and the "cheapo" PSUs that are the worst of anything you can imagine as a working PSU.

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> If you aren't familiar with reputable brands AND series, then please start a topic for a suggestion. <

I thing i am very well aware of the diffrent brands and series out there. I build computers since, let's say 1995 (?!?) (i really don't remember exactly the year anyway). lol

There is no need for a new topic for that. I always keep my suggestions between the limits of budget and quality.

Also there is nothing to skimp about that. There are hundreds of reviewers out there. So at the end the costumer will get the best possible device (or near to that) for his budget.

As stated brand name on a PSU doesn't guarantee quality, as they are built by various OEMs. Corsair and EVGA branded PSU can be low quality (T4), as well as top quality (T1). The brand name is only half of the picture.

Yes, no-name PSUs are overwhelmingly poor quality.

For example: Corsair CX/CXM series is of poor quality. EVGA NEXB is of poor quality.

They will work just fine. You will have zero problems with those.

Actually those budget PSUs are not intended for you, but for users like the OP.

Poor quality means they will brake after a while. How do you know that?

Even an expensive one can brake if something goes wrong internally.

Every system setup has it's "own" appropriate PSU.

Those PSUs - you called them poor, so garbage - will work far better as a no name and aged PSU that obviously the OP has inside his RIG.

Also if he hasn't any problems with his budget, i would suggest him a more qualitative product. There is no doubt about that.

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So, as i said - if it was for you, i wouldn't recommend those anyway...so you can sleep peacefully tonight.

The PSUs in question have been taken apart, and the lower quality ones have thinner gauge wiring, lack of protection circuitry, poor quality capacitors, incorrectly wired circuitry, lack of heatsinks of voltage regulators, build quality issues (poor soldering), etc...

Budget PSU should be from the T3 category not T4. While any PSU can die, ones without protection circuity or other issues can damage other components when they die. Its not uncommon for a lower quality power supply from damaging the motherboard when it dies. Plus better quality PSUs will save you money in electricity with better efficiency.

There are plenty T3 or better PSUs that won't break the bank. Not asking for the OP to buy a 100+ USD one, just something that's not potentially dangerous.