Looking to upgrade my video card...

[Macar91]

I recently purchased MVP 05 and my current video card isn't going to cut it. I want to upgrade to 128/256MB, but I'm not sure which brand I should go with. I don't know too much about this stuff and was looking for tips on what to buy and the difficulty of installing it.

Would this be a good one to buy? XFX GeForce 6200 256MB

[Altimus]

Re: Looking to upgrade my video card...

Before you go 3rd card shopping... do you know what type you need?

AGP
PCI
PCI Express

[Macar91]

Re: Looking to upgrade my video card...

I'm glad I asked before I bought. If I don't know which of those types I need, how would I go about finding out?

Edit: My current(original) card is this one. Intel Extreme Graphics. I looked through the specs and found this:

Flat panel monitors and TV-out support via AGP Digital Display (ADD) cards

Does that mean that AGP would be the type I need?

[Altimus]

Re: Looking to upgrade my video card...

I'm glad I asked before I bought. If I don't know which of those types I need, how would I go about finding out?

Edit: My current(original) card is this one. Intel Extreme Graphics

That is an on board 3d card and is not removable.

There was a tool online where you run and it tells you... trying to find it.

What kind of computer do you have? You can also look for it online. Go to the company home page of your computer and it will tell you what kind of slots you have. Some have only one, while mine has PCI and PCI Express slots.

[Macar91]

Re: Looking to upgrade my video card...

This is the computer I have.

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1610

[GBrushTWood]

Re: Looking to upgrade my video card...

This is the computer I have.

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1610

You might be cornholed bro:

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleid=1610&page=4

Limited expansion room

One thing that is immediately noticed upon opening up the Dimension 2400 is that it lacks much future expansion room. Specifically, there is no place to add an extra hard disk, unless you were to jury-rig one onto the spare 5.25" drive bay. The present hard disk is locked into a vertical bracket screwed to the side of the case. The only other expansion space is provided by a single free DDR memory slot (for modules up to 512MB) and three PCI slots.

No AGP port is available, meaning that users will have to settle for the built-in Intel Extreme graphics, which are fine for normal usage, but cannot handle 3D games or multiple monitor applications. It is possible to buy low-end 3D gaming cards in a PCI format, though they can be hard to find.

You have an old comp.

[Altimus]

Re: Looking to upgrade my video card...

The bad news is you have 3 PCI slots which is going to limit your selection to 3d cards because a lot of cards out now are designed for PCI Express.

Let me take a quick look for some decent cards.

[Macar91]

Re: Looking to upgrade my video card...

Ouch. I figured the fact that it is 3+ years old and a very low-end model could be an issue.

Thanks to both of you guys for helping. My best bet would be to upgrade to a Vista system I guess.

[mudtiger]

Re: Looking to upgrade my video card...

You're not in the best position, but there are some pci video cards out there. I'd suggest saving the $$ you'd spend on a vid card upgrade and put it towards a new computer.

Here's probably as good as it will get with a pci card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814129069

[Altimus]

Re: Looking to upgrade my video card...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=633850&CatId=319

This isn't a bad deal and should be able to run MVP to the max... or close to it.

I wouldn't recommend spending more money than that as you will have to upgrade you PSU as well for the more powerful cards.

[Macar91]

Re: Looking to upgrade my video card...

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...3850&CatId=319

This isn't a bad deal and should be able to run MVP to the max... or close to it.

I wouldn't recommend spending more money than that as you will have to upgrade you PSU as well for the more powerful cards.

I read the reviews on that and it looks like it should work. How would the installation go? Would I just have to put it in and install the drivers?

[Altimus]

Re: Looking to upgrade my video card...

I read the reviews on that and it looks like it should work. How would the installation go? Would I just have to put it in and install the drivers?

Drivers are installed with the CD they provide you with. Installation shouldn't take more than five minutes. Well... hopefully. Pretty much, you just pop the computer open and pop this into one of the PCI slots. Close up the PC and attach your VGA cable to the 3d card and not your original 3d card. Then run the installation CD.

Also, their warehouse is in Naperville so if you are willing to drive over then you'll save yourself on shipping.

[Macar91]

Re: Looking to upgrade my video card...

Cool. Where at in Naperville is it? I'm about an hour from Naperville, so it wouldn't be too far of a drive.

Edit: I found THIS page, but can't find an address.

[Altimus]

Re: Looking to upgrade my video card...

Naperville
175 Ambassador Drive
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 548-2000

They also have one in Orland Park.

201 Orland Park Place
Orland Park, IL 60462
(708) 460-2702

[Macar91]

Re: Looking to upgrade my video card...

Thanks a ton. I'm sure I would have bought the wrong thing without your help.