RuneCrypt Forum > Graphics Card Help

Xemaul

Apr 22 2009, 12:22 AM

Okay, here's some of my PC's information. I was wondering, can anyone help me look for a good but relatively cheap nVIDIA card from this site-

http://shop3.frys.com/search?query_string=...rom=0&to=24

-that would be compatible with my system...meaning I could run it. I'm no good with this stuff.

QUOTE

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System Information
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Time of this report: 4/21/2009, 16:45:16
Machine name: COMPAQ
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Compaq Presario 061
System Model: PC134A-ABA SR1130NX NA430
BIOS: Rev. 3.10
Processor: AMD Athlon™ XP 3000+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.1GHz
Memory: 1472MB RAM
Page File: 478MB used, 2892MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: VIA/S3G UniChrome IGP
Manufacturer: VIA/S3G
Chip type: VIA/S3G UniChrome IGP
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1106&DEV_7205&SUBSYS_81181043&REV_01
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: COMPAQ FP5315 Flat Panel Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1024,768
Driver Name: vtdisp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.0194 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 12/7/2004 20:08:48, 3448192 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: vtmini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 12/7/2004 20:08:58, 172672 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71FE6-3145-11CF-3173-12A1A0C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1106
Device ID: 0x7205
SubSys ID: 0x81181043
Revision ID: 0x0001
Revision ID: 0x0001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

Jalen

Apr 22 2009, 12:45 AM

Just get a new computer.

You'd have to replace all your shit for it to be of any use anyways.

kreotis

Apr 22 2009, 01:20 AM

First find out which input (if any) your computer has for graphics cards, it will be either AGP or PCI-express. (PCI-express 2.0 works in reg PCI-e and vise versa)

IPB Image

Google your computer and find the spec's on the motherboard.

Matt

Apr 22 2009, 06:12 AM

Amusing pic Mark.

The two most important pieces of information are missing. Your computers available buss (Pci, Pci-E, AGP ect - see kreo's post)

And your power supply. Most video card upgrades will also require you to upgrade your power supply to handle the amount of power a higher end video card will require.

Google your computers specs to find this info.

Mangr0v3

Apr 22 2009, 07:09 AM

http://shop3.frys.com/product/5866113?site...CH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

I just got one, although the rest of my PC is quite a bit better than yours. Works like a charm (so far).

Drerven

Apr 22 2009, 07:38 AM

QUOTE(Matt @ Apr 22 2009, 12:12 AM)

Amusing pic Mark.

The two most important pieces of information are missing. Your computers available buss (Pci, Pci-E, AGP ect - see kreo's post)

And your power supply. Most video card upgrades will also require you to upgrade your power supply to handle the amount of power a higher end video card will require.

Google your computers specs to find this info.

+1
Do you know what power supply or motherboard you have even Xemaul?

QUOTE(Mangr0v3 @ Apr 22 2009, 01:09 AM)

http://shop3.frys.com/product/5866113?site...CH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

I just got one, although the rest of my PC is quite a bit better than yours. Works like a charm (so far).

We aren't comparing the size of our man parts.. not helping when you brag about having a better rig.

kreotis

Apr 22 2009, 08:09 AM

No need to quote useless things.

I have a stock powersupply on my old ass rig from 2004 and it runs my X1600 512mb on full blast and has not skipped a beat even once. You only need to start upgrading PSU's when you get up into the cards around GeForce 9 series and the 8800GT level (Or you are building a rig from the ground up, which this is not the case). His computer couldnt fully handle those cards anyway with that relatively small single core CPU and dated Graphics bus (AGP, Same as my rig runs), as they would just bottleneck the rig. So why would he need to upgrade the PSU for soemthing he cant even use?

He just needs a decent mid or lowerrange bang/buck Graphics card, something that he can actually make use of. Remember hes not trying to rebuild the whole thing from the ground up here. Building a new computer capable of handling the the latest hardware while getting good deals on everything would cost a few hundred $$$ upfront and take a while to even plan out. So 60$ (The price which I bought my AGP graphics card for) would seem to me like a good deal for adding a couple more years to the current rig's lifespan without busting your wallet.

Mangr0v3

Apr 22 2009, 09:53 AM

QUOTE

QUOTE(Mangr0v3 @ Apr 22 2009, 01:09 AM)

http://shop3.frys.com/product/5866113?site...CH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

I just got one, although the rest of my PC is quite a bit better than yours. Works like a charm (so far).

We aren't comparing the size of our man parts.. not helping when you brag about having a better rig.

I was trying to point out that mileage may vary, as graphics card is only one factor which affects performance.

bling_masta8

Apr 22 2009, 01:26 PM

QUOTE(kreotis @ Apr 22 2009, 09:09 AM)

No need to quote useless things.

You only need to start upgrading PSU's when you get up into the cards around GeForce 9 series and the 8800GT level (Or you are building a rig from the ground up, which this is not the case).

But if his computer is old, it may have a 200w PSU or below (which probably won't run a 8600GT stably).

As others have said, we need to know the following:
Your Power Supply (with the voltage rail which can be found on the sticker on the PSU itself))
If your computer has a AGP/PCI-e x16 slot
Budget

If your computer does have a PCI-e x16 slot, I'd recommend getting a GeForce 8600GT, which I personally consider to be "good" if your PSU has a 300w PSU (probably off eBay or something since that site you have a link to doesn't seem to have one). I got mine recently for around £35.00 off eBay which works out at around $50.00 (one here and some others here

Of course, if your budget is more than $50, you can try getting a 8800GT or 9600 of above (note: the 9400GT is said to be as good at the 8500GT so it'd be a step backwards if you got that over the 8600GT)

If your PSU is less than 300w, you can either upgrade it to something else (but make sure your computer will support any upgrading you might do) or get a 8400 card, which can probably work on any half decent PSU.

If you don't have a PCI-e x16 slot, then I guess I can't help you since I know nothing about AGP or the like.

Xemaul

Apr 22 2009, 02:18 PM

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/documen...cname=c00183274

QUOTE

Expansion slots (total)
Slot type Quantity
PCI Three (two open)
DIMM Two (one available)
AGP 8x One (available)

Row

Apr 22 2009, 02:21 PM

IF YOU READ THROUGH THIS TOPIC WITH STAR WARS IN THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD IT MAKES IT SO MUCH MORE EXCITING

Xemaul

Apr 22 2009, 02:55 PM

I'm going to try opening it up to check the power supply, but I researched my computer and a website recommended me this graphics card for my system.

https://www.4allmemory.com/index.cfm?fuseac...;model_id=47055

bling_masta8

Apr 22 2009, 05:06 PM

QUOTE(Xemaul @ Apr 22 2009, 03:55 PM)

I'm going to try opening it up to check the power supply, but I researched my computer and a website recommended me this graphics card for my system.

https://www.4allmemory.com/index.cfm?fuseac...;model_id=47055

That's quite a good gfx card tbh... although according to ATi's website, its PSU requirement is 350w, the same as my gfx card. But I can run it without a problem on my 300w PSU, probably because I don't have too many peripherals on my computer consuming the wattage

Mangr0v3

Apr 22 2009, 09:50 PM

That card is now marked by ATi as "Legacy". Go for something newer IMO. (If you can find a newer AGP card.

What is the current rating of your PSU's 12V rail? It should be on a sticker on the side.

If I can recommend a total overhaul:

Spoiler - $247.96 - System Upgrade (Newegg):

Xemaul

Apr 22 2009, 11:45 PM

Wow, I could definitely pay for that. Much better then buying a completely new PC.

But how do I know I can put all that into here? :S

BTW; Opened up the computer earlier. DC Output is 250W

Rob

Apr 23 2009, 12:18 AM

Eew low power. Anything needs moar power. Not crazy more, just upping to like 350W or so.

You could fit that stuff into a current case. It'll look odd being a micro ATX and it may require a small bit of bodging, but it'd more than likely work. Worst case scenario, you chuck in a new case with a better Power Supply Unit for an extra $40(? Not really sure on US pricing, but your taxes are lower so I'm guessing favourable prices).

You'd have to spend a few extra dollars on things like moar fans for a triple core processor and some thermal grease etc. but you could get a working build around Mangrove's stuff and by adding in your current Harddrive, CD/DVD drive etc. (Although these are probably run through IDE so I don't know if you'd actually want to...)for about $300.

kreotis

Apr 23 2009, 01:57 AM

Everyone should stop posting about what they dont know over and over. I already told Xemaul what he needs, and my suggestion was further proven up by that website recommending the same thing. And that is the ONLY thing he needs to upgrade.

Just because you shop for computer parts at newegg doesnt mean you know how a computer works god damn assembly-only mother Phoronidaers. I WILL point fingers here. You all know who you are. You dont go to a runescape forum to flaunt your 300$ PC. Lurk the Phoronida more.

Xemaul

Apr 23 2009, 04:48 AM

Lol.

Yeah, a better but cheap graphics card was all I really wanted; but all this information did come in very handy. My next PC I will most likely build myself as I'm tired of buying shit and having it become obsolete the second I'm out of the store with it.

Thanks for all the help. Thread close?

Mangr0v3

Apr 23 2009, 09:32 AM

QUOTE(kreotis @ Apr 23 2009, 11:57 AM)

Just because you shop for computer parts at newegg doesnt mean you know how a computer works god damn assembly-only mother Phoronidaers. I WILL point fingers here. You all know who you are. You dont go to a runescape forum to flaunt your 300$ PC.

Actually, I don't. I'm in australia. AFAIK Newegg don't ship to Australia. I mainly use Stonebridge Computing and IT Estate. And I don't have a $300PC - I have an upgraded-over-time (total $AUD spent probably around 1600) ex-CompaQ SR1720AN

Row

Apr 23 2009, 10:40 AM

MANGROVE WHY THE Phoronida ARE YOU IN AUSTRALIA AND YOUR RSN IS YANKY?

Rob

Apr 23 2009, 01:10 PM

Maybe he likes to yanky himself knowwhutahmsayin'?

Row

Apr 23 2009, 01:28 PM

LOl yes I do KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SAYIN ROb :^

Mangr0v3

Apr 23 2009, 10:25 PM

nah its a family nickname, otherwise my RS name would have been yankee not yanky

kreotis

Apr 24 2009, 02:10 AM

You dont have to lie to be cool.

Drerven

Apr 25 2009, 02:44 AM

swapping hardware is not hard. you just need to make sure you have the correct cable connected from your power supply etc... it's like plugging something in to an outlet.

I am me and only me

Apr 25 2009, 08:31 PM

QUOTE(Xemaul @ Apr 22 2009, 11:48 PM)

I'm tired of buying shit and having it become obsolete the second I'm out of the store with it.

The only way that's possible is with a time machine, and chances are after you get done building one someone else will have a better time machine/went back in time so you built an already obsolete time machine.

Drerven

May 29 2009, 06:32 AM

QUOTE(kreotis @ Apr 22 2009, 07:57 PM)

You dont go to a runescape forum to flaunt your 300$ PC. Lurk the Phoronida more.

Lol a $300 PC would be a junk rig for serious builders. That's like the processor alone.

Here are a couple decent websites building.
They do a lot of research and performance tests for you.
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/
http://www.mysuperpc.com