Need Help!- Concerning 123D

[SPEEDRE]

This free download requires certain graphic card capabilities that I do not have currently. What is the lowest price graphics card that would allow the use of Autodesk 123D ? I'd like to upgrade but on a limited budget it can be daunting

[lovebugjunkie]

I have an old NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 1 gb ram and 123D runs fine with it.

What ever you get make sure it has the right interface for your motherboard.

Newegg.com - NVIDIA GeForce GT 430

Search Results for GeForce GT 430 at TigerDirect.com

Here is the system requirements they suggest you have, be sure you also meet these. Getting a new video card to run something and then find you processor or memory are lacking is a real disappointment. Been there done that.
system requirements

Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit), Windows Vista® (32-bit or 64-bit), Windows® XP Professional or Home Edition (SP3), or Windows XP Professional x64 Edition (SP2), Windows Server 2008
Intel® Pentium® 4 or AMD Athlon® 64 or later with 2 GHz or faster processor; or compatible
1+ GB RAM (512 MB minimum)
1.5+ GB free disk space (for installation)
Direct3D® 9 or 10 graphics support with 64+ MB

[SPEEDRE]

This is what I have right now as I write this. Win. XP Pro. Edition,Serv. Pack 3 build 2600, 32 bit,Intel Pent.2.4 Ghz, 1.25 G Ram, (1,023,530 Mg Byte), NVIDIA G Force 4 MX 440. Plus I've downloaded a Direct X utility, but I'm unsure as to how to apply it to my card. Any help would be appreciated.

[ger21]

Do you have a PCI Express slot? If not, it's probably time for a PC upgrade, as finding an AGP card that'll work might be tricky.

3D apps these days really require far more power than you have in that old PC.

[SPEEDRE]

I really should know this stuff but I don't. What is PCI EXPRESS slot? Where if I have one would it be. What do you mean by more power. Is that in relation to the processor or the ram or the hard drive or all three. Technology is sooo damm expensive these days, how can one keep up.

[ger21]

I really should know this stuff but I don't. What is PCI EXPRESS slot? Where if I have one would it be.

It's on the motherboard, and it's where most videocards made in the last 4-5 years plug into. My guess is that you have a PC with an AGP slot.

What do you mean by more power. Is that in relation to the processor or the ram or the hard drive or all three.

Mostly processor and memory.

Technology is sooo damm expensive these days, how can one keep up.

PC technology is cheaper than it's ever been. You can get a faster PC for less money than ever before.

For about $550, you can get a PC with an Intel i5 processor, 6Gb of RAM, a 1Tb hard drive, and a video card like the one mentioned above.
A machine like this would be much faster than the one I paid $2000 for 3 years ago.