I'm not typically a hardcore gamer but once in a while I will get into a game.

I got into the Witcher 2 and I figured my system would be able to run it nice and smooth but it's unplayable until i drop it down to like 1280 x or something and then my frames are at like 13 and thats ok i guess but not really once I come to realize it.

I suspect the current videocard I have is the culprit for this issue. I thought it was decent since last I really got into a 3d game, but by now I guess not.

Motherboard is a Asus P6T
I7 lowest one i think 2.6
12 gigs of ram
GeForce 9500 GT
Windows 7 64 bit
SSD drive is the windows and game drive.

I'm not looking to go gamer crazy but if there is something I could get cheapest possible to run it properly smoothly with high frame rates at typical 1900 resolution I would love to.

thanks in advance. you can facebook me at tvmike hustlin as well.

I've heard that if you're having issues with low framerates on a nvidia card to update to the beta drivers. Easier than buying a new card atleast.

Take a look here.

http://shop.amd.com/US/_layouts/shop/shop-amd.aspx?collection=shop-us-en&namedquery=radeon5000&filter=&filter=category%3aGraphic+Card&advanced=true&sortby=&filter=model%3aRadeon+HD+5850

I'd at least put in an hd 5850 or nvida counterpart, if you're going to buy a new gpu

Will these newer card even fit in my motherboard?

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2009/03/15/asus_p6t/

like I found a GTS 450 - for $120 but will it fit?

Low framerates are a known issue. Wait for the patch this week before deciding what to do. In the meantime, check the sticky.

Your motherboard is fine, according to that [H]ard review you've got three PCIe x 16 slots, which is generally what modern video cards use.

Now whether or not you have a beefy enough power supply, or the actual, physical room to fit the card into your box, those aren't questions we can really answer.

I would guess yes on both counts, but that's just a guess judging by the rest of the system (they put 12 gigs of RAM in there? More is generally better, but really only to a point...).

-HD

I had Radeons forever no probs really I switched over to nvidia cause friends kept saying Rads where shitty...so got an ASUS gtx570 directcu II and its great cept using orig driver 266.58 and its very good(lke the physics) I would suggest nvidia 560ti its cheaper and a good bang for the buck compromise. (mb is ASUS p6x58d so your P6t should work well) or ATI 6950 (or better)

What I'm concerned about is physically is there room for these new 2 slot sized cards. If I have a card next to the new video card and that video card takes up two slots... I don't think I do.

Currently have a Geforce 9500 gt and there is a fan coming off the board but not like these new cards which look massively huge.

I might be able to move some cards around but from my video work I have multiple capture cards for my cameras. Sound card, NIC card 2 capture cards (sometimes a third) As it is right now I have one slot open with my 2 camera config. If I replace this video card I think because it requires 2 slots... it will cover up the room needed to use the mini white slot in the picture. Right now using the picture from the hardware website...

http://www.hardocp.com/image.html?image=MTIzMzE3NjQzOGJlbE1INHhMRVFfMV84X2wuanBn

My Geforce 9500 is in the foremost right blue slot, then a capture card then the next blue slot is open then cards in the other ones to the left.

The beta nforce drivers are very...twitchy. I had actual BSOD with them, first set of drivers I've seen in a long time to do that.

If your going to upgrade, pop the extra $20.00 to $30.00 and get aleast a GTX 460. I'm very happy with it. I'm between 30 - 70 fps with it.

Your PC is exactly like mine PC only difference is that i have an a ATI HD5970 , certainly your only issue is your GPU , i can run the game all maxed ( without Nasa Ubersampling ) , and i get really nice FPS 40-60 (even when the game only uses 1 core of the 5970). Just get a new GPU like other members already stated :)

And yes any new card will run on an ASUS P6T you will need to check your power supply just in case.

Move the capture card from the PCIe x1 slot (the tiny white slot) to the white PCIe x16 slot (the second slot from the left; electrically it's a PCIe x4 slot). It should run fine in the longer slot and opens up the primary graphics slot for a dual slot graphics card.

I'm getting nice visuals from a Radeon 6870, though if you're looking at $120 cards I'm not sure if it's in your budget.

Edit: I misread the number of open slots; if you're saying the only other slot that's open is the second blue slot then try the PCIe x1 card in that (it should work, though it's unusual to use a PCIe x1 card in a slot designated for the secondary graphics card). Once you free up the PCIe x1 slot you can use a two slot card in the primary graphics slot.

Yea, what DClark said, I'm guessing your in and out of your comp swapping capture cards? moving your PCIe x1 over to the #2 PCIe x16 slot will not secure it, you just need to be careful. I have a 3slot video card(one of the quietest) so I spent a little extra and got the GTX-570 Direct CU cause I knew I would never SLI it because of the noisey fan side by side thing!! The only feasible option is for you to use external sound or capture cards..you can't have everything!! The $120 buck deal sounds good with what you saved buy some externals!! or make a gaming comp when you win the lottery....sorry