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? on onboard graphics
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nate2005
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25. November 2005 @ 20:43 |
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Hello everyone I have a quick question. I bought a pc and it has an ATI RADEON XPRESS 200 graphics with up to 256MB shared video memory. My question is when I want to change to a regular card pciE do I have to stick with radeon or can I go with Nvidia. Also when I do this how do I go about doin it? any info would be great thanx in advance
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Senior Member
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25. November 2005 @ 22:47 |
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No you don't have to stick with an ATI graphics card you can get either an AGP or a PCI slot card of your choice(Nvidia,etc). I prefer to use an AGP card so as to leave my PCI slots free for other devices. But that's your judgement call. My only advice to you here is to ensure that whatever card you choose that it has an onboard fan. Also ensure that you have adequate system RAM for your card, 512Mb to 1Gb should be enough for the most part. I have installed a couple of Nvidia cards in my desktops and they all had accompanying literature to assist with the installation. This is not from the manual but my personal experience.
Video/Graphics Card Installation
1. Disconnect the power cord
2. Have a phillips screw driver ready, ensure that its not magnetized
3. Ground(earth) yourself by touching something metallic to remove any static charge and ensure that your hands are dry
4. Remove the case cover to expose the AGP/PCI slots
5. Using the screw driver remove the screw from the slot plate(AGP or PCI) and manoeuvre the card in the space with the VGA adapter pointing to the back of the case, through the slot. Before you press it in all the way let it rest on the outside of the slot and ensure that its properly aligned. It can only fit one way into the slot. Just ensure that you haven't oriented the card in an upside down position.(The notch for the screw should be facing you and the VGA adapter pointing to the back of the computer, through the slot and with the card held level horizontally try to push it straight in). This part is the trickiest and may require a little manoeuvring of the card but just apply 'gentle' & steady pressure once its properly aligned and be patient.
6. Replace the screw once the card is fully inserted in the slot. The notch for securing the card to the case(with the screw) should be resting immediately adjacent to the screw hole.
7. Detach monitor from onboard VGA port and reattach the monitor to the VGA adapter on your newlt installed card
8. Reattach the power cord and turn on the computer
9. Insert the disk & follow the menu to install the drivers and accompanying software
10. Click on Control Panel->system->hardware->device manager->display adapters->You should see both the Nvidia & ATI Radeon 200. Now right clich on the ATI Radeon->properties->general tab->device usage->do not use this device(disable). This disables the onboard graphics card. Not sure if you can run both as I never tried it because I had no intention of using the onboard graphics card. Maybe advantageous to leave it enabled if there are no conflicts, just in case your new card fails at some point and you can use the onboard in the interim.
11. Once you are satisfied that all is going well, shut down computer, remove power cord and replace case cover.
12. Reattach power cord and restart.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 10. January 2006 @ 09:52
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nate2005
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26. November 2005 @ 06:17 |
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thanx Jamzbond for the info that really helped. Does anyone know if the onboard video that I have willl play most of the new games. I know it wont go into high settings but like medium or anything like that.
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Senior Member
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26. November 2005 @ 08:33 |
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You're most welcome.
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ddp
Moderator
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26. November 2005 @ 11:27 |
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does your motherboard have the agp or pci/e slot or just pci?
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nate2005
Member
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26. November 2005 @ 20:30 |
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it has pci express
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nate2005
Member
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26. November 2005 @ 20:31 |
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im gona upgrade later due to no money at this moment but just wondering if the onboad video will hold me over for now to play the newer games looking half way decent?
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ddp
Moderator
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27. November 2005 @ 07:59 |
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depends on games' requirements & your system specs!
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nate2005
Member
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27. November 2005 @ 08:44 |
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well i got an X2 so the system specs is no problem recent games like doom 3 COD2 games like that.
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ddp
Moderator
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27. November 2005 @ 09:05 |
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if doom3 works okay than might be alright for other games but depends on their requirements.
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nate2005
Member
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27. November 2005 @ 21:41 |
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ok if I replace it soon with a radeon x300SE pciE 128mb do I have to replace my psu. Or will the one that I have on it be sufficent?
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nate2005
Member
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27. November 2005 @ 21:42 |
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the card asks for 250 watts I do believe and im not sure how much my psu has.
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ddp
Moderator
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28. November 2005 @ 04:01 |
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check on 1 of the sides of your psu that has a label stating the wattage.
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Senior Member
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28. November 2005 @ 08:37 |
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You might find this helpful. It's a PSU calculator http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply
Quite a few manufacturers eg Dell(I have a Dimension 4100) only give you just about or little more than the bare minimum requirement that will run your system so that once you add any hardware you exceed the PSU. Ofcourse in order to use the calcuator you will have to know the power demands of the components in your computer. Just fill in the blanks and the calculator will do the rest.
Rule of thumb
(1) Try to get a psu that delivers at least 100 to 150 more watts than what you currently need so you have some room for those upgrades.
(2)Don't get a cheap PSU. The psu is just as vital as your CPU and memory. Stay away from generic brands and go with the tried and true such as Antec, Enermax, Thermaltake, X-Connect, etc.
(adapted)
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nate2005
Member
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28. November 2005 @ 10:16 |
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ok ddp i checked on my psu and it says a max of 300 watts. Is my psu good enough to run that radeonx300se or no?
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AfterDawn Addict
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28. November 2005 @ 12:42 |
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Plain and simple, you need a PSU with more power.
Life is good!
GrandpaBruce - Vietnam Vet - 1970 - 1971
Computer: Intel Core i7-920 Nehalim;Asus P6T Deluxe V2
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nate2005
Member
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28. November 2005 @ 13:39 |
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what about that link or whatever it is to make it have 10 percent more power or something like that
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nate2005
Member
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28. November 2005 @ 14:08 |
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if that wont be enough power what about a 400 watt power supply would that be enough than? sry if im asking alot of questions i just want to make sure i dont go buying stuff that are not compatable for my needs.
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Senior Member
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28. November 2005 @ 14:18 |
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@ Nate2005
If you took the time to read my last post, you would not have asked ddp that question. If your video card requires 250W alone and your PSU allows a max of 300W then it seems clear to me that you will have to change your PSU to accomodate the demands of your proposed video card. Have a look at the site I mentioned and it will prevent you from buying a PSU which under powers your system or far surpasses your need. BTW without knowing the other hardware components you have (HDD, CDROM/DVDROM/CD or DVD burner, floppydisk drive, fans, etc) and their power requirements it would be hard for anyone to tell you the appropriate PSU for you. If you have one of the popular brand names eg Dell,HP,Sony,Gateway,etc and can state the model then that would make it easier to assess your power requirements. I believe that ddp will agree with GrandpaBW and me that you need a PSU with greater power, but that still leaves you with determining what PSU is best for you. It's only a suggestion but if you spend the time and do a little research on the power requirements of your system components, I assure you that you will fully comprehend what you need for your system and be satisfied that you are making a good investment.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 28. November 2005 @ 14:29
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nate2005
Member
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28. November 2005 @ 14:28 |
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@ jamzbond I fully understand what you are talking about im just not sure how to find out all this info that all. But yes I do have a brand name its an HP pavillion a1250n. I dont think i need to put the specs due to it will take a long time to do and it would be easier prolly to look up the specs yourself. I found a 400 watts power supply but im not sure if that will make due.
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nate2005
Member
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28. November 2005 @ 14:32 |
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@ jamzbond I checked out that site and it dont even have my cpu wattage prolly cuz the cpu is fairly new technology. I meant to put that info in early but I guess i forgot
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ddp
Moderator
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29. November 2005 @ 06:42 |
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post a list of all the components in your computer as to cpu speed & socket, fan whether lighted or not, pci card types, # od drives & types, ram & # of sticks as list in the power calc programs posted so can calculate psu requirement.
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nate2005
Member
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29. November 2005 @ 08:00 |
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my components are AMD x2 3800+ cpu the socket i do believe is 939, x2512ddr 3200 so it equals to a gig of ram, 250gb hard drive the hd is a sata hard drive, integrated ati radeon xpress 200, 9 in 1 card reader, dvd-rom, dvd+burner at 16x, fan is not lighted, i have a pcie slot available, it has an ethernet port, 7 ports between firewire usb and ethernet. onboard 6 channel audio digital out. it has windows media center as well. That is it o it has 4 ram slot so i can fit 4 gb of ram in it. I hope all this info helps
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nate2005
Member
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1. December 2005 @ 12:06 |
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well i went ahead and got the card havent put it in yet waiting to go get a new psu i found a 480 watts power supply and i do believe that should be plenty. anywayz that everyone that helped me out on all of my questions all of you were real informative. thanx again
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ddp
Moderator
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1. December 2005 @ 12:30 |
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no problem. teach & learn
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