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General discussion

Determining video card compatability for upgrading

Dec 28, 2004 8:39AM PST

I want to upgrade my video card, but I really don't know how to determine what I need for upgrading. Can someone please tell me what I need to know for upgrading my video card?

Also, what is AGP and how do I find out that for my PC?


Current video card: Intel 810 Chipset

Discussion is locked

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Re: Determining video card compatability for upgrading
Dec 28, 2004 12:02PM PST

I was reading this in an article about the Intel 810 Chipset.

"You have certainly already realized that i810-motherboards will not come with an AGP-slot. This means that you can only 'upgrade' to a different graphics solution by plugging in a PCI graphics card, which is pretty pointless nowadays."

How would I goa bout upgrading the i810?

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You can get a good PCI Video Card
Dec 28, 2004 11:02PM PST

If you are in the market for a new video card, you can get a good card that uses a PCI slot. It depends on what you are wanting a video card for. If it is for gaming, I would recommend either an ATI Graphics Card with at least 128MB of video ram, or the G-Force video card with at least 128MB of video ram. There are different versions of each card, make sure that the one that you want to get doesn't conflict with your i810 chipset, or any other conflicts you could run in to. Hope this helps, you could probably find a good one on ebay pretty cheap.

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Thanks
Dec 29, 2004 10:10AM PST

Yah, i was thinking about getting a GeForce MX4000. But, do I have to uninstall the i810?

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More info..
Dec 30, 2004 7:49AM PST
http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6130-0.html?forumID=7&threadID=52502&messageID=626166&tag=nl.e497

Here is a list of several pages of PCI cards available from a reliable source. I would suggest getting a more powerful Nvidia card than MX400, something more in the $100 range, staying with Nvidia as some have problems with drivers on ATI cards.

http://www.newegg.com/app/Viewproduct.asp?submit=property&catalog=48&propertycodevalue=3668&minprice=&maxprice=&mfrcode=0&DEPA=1&srchFor=PCI

Of course the new 16 lanes PCI Express cards are not compatible with your computer.
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System Specs
Jan 5, 2005 10:52AM PST

I can't really go higher than the MX4000, I think. Is a celeron considered "Pentium II or higher"?

Intel Celeron 533mhz
128mb SDRAM
Windows 98
Power Watt supply (how do I determine this?)

The nVidia Geforce MX4000 is the best I can find that hits my system specs.

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Your system specs
Jan 5, 2005 12:59PM PST

You may desire to go to one of the computer stores or Best Buy and read the box for the Nvidia PCI FX5200 which should be only a few dollars higher.
Yes, the Celeron 533 is equivent to a Pent II almost up to a Pent III.

Power Watt Supply should be in your manual, on back or tower, or take off cover of tower (not power supply cover)to read. For increase performance which would also help gaming, I would suggest you increase your RAM by adding another stick of 128MB. Check http://www.crucial.com and enter your specs to see if your PC will handle 256MB of RAM.

Course, be sure to read the box on games to see if your PC meets the spec for the latest games. Some of new ones out this year require a powerful computer & large harddrive space.

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RAM
Jan 20, 2005 10:43AM PST

Unfortunatly, my comp has a max of 128 mb RAM. 2 64 mb pc100 SDRAM sticks (unless there is a way to go over the maximum amount of sticks that your mobo can take). I was also wondering if it is possible to upgrade my CPU?

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a new computer?
Jan 20, 2005 6:56PM PST

Have you compared the price of upgrading vs buying a new computer?

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Do as glb613 indicates.
Jan 21, 2005 7:59AM PST

Gads Emelius....

Since you can only go to 128MB RAM for gaming, then you really need a new computer (not a CPU upgrade) to handle the current games.

I haven't been able to go and check with Circuit City , but according to Fshrking the Emachine T3256, with monitor and canon printer can be had for $370 (don't know how long).

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6121-0.html?forumID=45&threadID=55529&messageID=699873

Rush yo little butt down there and buy one for that price. If you already have a monitor & printer, your can advertise & sell them real cheap to further bring this new PC to around $250 or less. You can use or sell your current machine for just basic net roaming and simple gaming. Heck , I'm temped to buy a T3256 even tho I have 3 good computers and dont't need another...by far.

Take a look at the Emachine T3256:

The basics: AMD Athlon? XP processor 3200+ (2.2GHz), 512MB RAM, 160GB hard drive(7200R RPM).

DVD+/-RW and CD-ROM drive: Back up documents and burn multimedia projects to CD or DVD. Use the extra CD-ROM drive to play audio CDs or run other software.

Ports: You get plenty ways to add peripherals, including 5 USB 2.0 ports.

8-in-1 media reader: If your family has digital cameras or other memory-card devices, they can transfer files using the built-in 8-in-1 media reader. Accepts USB 2.0, Compact Flash I/II, SmartMedia, Memory Stick