Curse

Syco Masato · Apr 03, 2008, 11:43 PM // 23:43

So I've been wondering on whether or not I should upgrade my video card, and now I think its finally time I started searching for a one.
Currently, I use an NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE card that came integrated in my computer back when I first bought it.
Right now I"m looking at the e-GeForce 8500GT 256MB DDR2 Graphics Card, as it falls into the price category of <$100 that I'm trying to stay into.
So, does this one seem like a good choice? Are there any others that would possibly do the job better and still fall into my price category?
All answers are appreciated.

Brianna · Apr 03, 2008, 11:48 PM // 23:48

Don't buy the 8500, the 8600 counterpart is much better; http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130085

I saw it for like 89$ before, maybe you can find it for that cheap again, I got mine for 119$ Retail 4 months ago though.

It doesn't sound like it's much of a difference in performance between the two - but trust me, it is.

The 8600 has GDDR3 memory, faster core clock and memory clock, more stream processors, It's basically substantially faster and still in your price range.

Oh, I forgot to mention, make sure your BUS supports PCI-Express, or that you even have one since you mentioned integrated.

The BUS will be either AGP or PCI-Express, do you know what you have?

If you're not sure, go on over to http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php and download CPU-Z, then just hit the ''Mainboard'' tab and it will have the ''Graphics Interface'' listed, and what type you have.

Syco Masato · Apr 04, 2008, 12:06 AM // 00:06

Alright, thanks.

Syco Masato · Apr 04, 2008, 12:11 AM // 00:11

:-S The "Graphics Interface" area is all greyed out.. I'm guessing this is a bad thing.

Brianna · Apr 04, 2008, 12:17 AM // 00:17

Hmm yeah.. that is bad, that probably means that you don't have AGP or PCI-Express, and that you only have Integrated and PCI. I don't know if you can really ''Upgrade'' to a PCI graphics card, maybe - but It won't be a huge upgrade, PCI graphics cards are very old.

I don't really have any recommendations for this situation, except for a bigger upgrade (E.G a new PC) or someone else can possibly post some suitable graphics cards?

Sorry

wish I could do more.

bbh4r4l · Apr 04, 2008, 12:20 AM // 00:20

Check out newegg.com they have good card great price.

Syco Masato · Apr 04, 2008, 12:43 AM // 00:43

Yeah.. I can't really find any PCI cards that would really be worth upgrading to. Ah well.. I guess I'll stick with the setup I have now til I get a new computer >_> Cept that won't be for a while. Thanks for all your help Brianna

Brianna · Apr 04, 2008, 12:47 AM // 00:47

Aye np, it's a shame you couldn't have upgraded yet.

But it's a good thing you didn't go spend all that money just to find out you'd have an inconvenience.

Syco Masato · Apr 04, 2008, 01:00 AM // 01:00

Yeah.. that'd.. be bad. T_T

Quaker · Apr 07, 2008, 03:24 AM // 03:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Syco Masato

:-S The "Graphics Interface" area is all greyed out.. I'm guessing this is a bad thing.

Most likely you don`t have an AGP or PCIe graphics slot. You could check the manual that came with the computer, or you could check the specs on their website (or ask the builder if it`s local.
Or you can take the side off and have a look inside.

Syco Masato · Apr 15, 2008, 09:54 PM // 21:54

Okay, just checked the specs online and it said this about the graphic slots-

"Expansion Slots PCI Express x1 x 1 • PCI x 3"

..So that means I DO have a PCI Express slot? So I can still upgrade the card?

Painbringer · Apr 15, 2008, 10:01 PM // 22:01

How old is your machine? 5 years or older? PCI is an old style followed by AGP then came the PCI express x 16 (I think)
sounds like you have the old style really long slots on the mother board

Admael · Apr 15, 2008, 10:02 PM // 22:02

There are very little PCI-e x1 graphics cards. You'll need to buy a PCI card instead.

Conventional PCI-e cards won't fit in your 1x slot.

Syco Masato · Apr 15, 2008, 10:05 PM // 22:05

My comp is about.. 2-3 years old. If that helps.
Its an HP Pavilion a1430n

Admael · Apr 15, 2008, 11:08 PM // 23:08

Yep. Looks like you'll have to go with a PCI card.

It's not worth it. I'd upgrade the mobo and get a PCI-e graphics card.

Syco Masato · Apr 16, 2008, 12:38 AM // 00:38

..How much would it cost to upgrade it to use PCI-e cards then?

Brianna · Apr 16, 2008, 12:49 AM // 00:49

Anywhere from 70-350$ or something, just depends on what type of motherboard you buy.

But a cheaper good one that is capable of all the newest features would be somewhere around 100$

Syco Masato · Apr 16, 2008, 01:02 AM // 01:02

Hrm, so the new motherboard+new graphics card would.. kinda push me over my spending limit T.T
Guess I'll just wait til I can buy them both. Or just buy a new computer. Whichever comes first.

Admael · Apr 16, 2008, 01:06 AM // 01:06

Budget board. nForce4 Chipset.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...788&CatId=1569

Syco Masato · Apr 16, 2008, 01:23 AM // 01:23

That one looks good. Though if I buy it I'd have to go around figuring out how to take the old one out and put the new one in >_> But I guess thats what the internet (and the manual >_>) is for.