Graphics Card for playing Grand Theft Auto 4

[Sonic]

My config:
ASUS A8N-SLI Premium NF4
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400 + (socket 939)
2GB Dual channel DDR400
GeForce 7800 GT
SyncMaster 953BW (1440 x 900)
OS: Windows XP Pro SP3

I made the acquisition of Grand Theft Auto 4. Here are the specifications:

Minimum configuration
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8Ghz / AMD Athlon X2 64 2.4Ghz
Memory: 1.5GB (Vista) / 1GB (XP)
Video Card: 256MB NVIDIA 7900 / 256MB ATI X1900

Configuration recommended
Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4Ghz / AMD Phenom X3 2.1Ghz
Memory: 2.5GB (Vista) / 2.5GB (XP)
Video Card: 512MB NVIDIA 8600 / 512MB ATI 3870

I am only a little below the limit! 2.2Ghz vs. 2.4Hz and GeForce 7800GT vs. GeForce 7900. So that the game is to a minimum. In general, 800 x 600 and distance vision is 1m in front of the car. It is completely unplayable.

I can not change processor (socket obsolete). And even if I change, graphics card does not always follow! I do not currently budget for changing my machine. So I would like to invest in a graphics card.

I read articles about the clamping of video cards by the processor too low. I would buy a GeForce 8600 GT, but will I be able to use more than 50% of that power. Is a GeForce 8600 GT will be much limited by my processor?

Does anyone have any idea and could help me to give a second thought to my old rig?

[Rajesh4mLA]

A 4400 is in X2 and it consumes lots of power! So you should stop using it. Instead get a HD3850, which will help you in a much better way. For graphics card, I do not know if 8600 GT is more powerful than 7800 GT.

[5parts]

I advise you to go for HD4830 or 4850 which will give you a better performance and would last longer.

[MindSpace]

@ 2.2ghz, whatever be your graphics card, GTA 4 will be unplayable

I am having 25fps, while average under XP with a X2 to 2.55ghz and HD4850

Under vista almost impossible to play..

[zerksis]

go to nzone at the nvidia page and download the gta4 driver update.....had the same problem and works perfect now

[SiamWarrior]

Just got Grand Theft Auto 4, wow its top grade !

Only problem is my computer can't cope !

Windows Vista
Intel Pentium CPU 3.00 GHZ 3.00 GHZ
Ram 2.00 GB
32 bit operating system

Nvidia GeForce 7100 GS

Do you think ordering a new graphcs card would help maybe the ATI Radeon HD 4850 1GB should do the trick hey ?

I can play the game but it's full of shadows and it's like being short sighted crashing into things at the mo.