PC Review


Reply
Thread Tools Rate Thread

Confused about buying graphics card

 
 
Member
GuyWithAProblem's Avatar
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sweet Home Alabama
Posts: 41
 
      29th Dec 2009
The previous graphics card in my computer (Nvidia GeForce FX5200) died today and I'm looking for another, and better, graphics card. The one I found is here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187041

I looked through my system's documentation to see information on the expansion slots. Here's what it says:

Bus Types: PCI
Bus Speed: PCI 33MHz
PCI Connectors: three
PCI Connector Side: 120 Pins
PCI connector data width: 32-bits
(maximum)

The card's memory interface is 64-bit. I talked with Dell about it and they said it would not work at all because the motherboard didn't support it. (Technician didn't really seem to know what he was talking about) BUT my previous graphics card was 128-bit! I'm so confused! Why would 128-bits work and 64-bits not work? Someone please clear this up for me.

 
I may have left my mind in the 60's, but that don't make me a hippie.
 
Reply With Quote
 
 
 
 
Senior Member
TriplexDread's Avatar
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Wirral
Posts: 5,429
 
      30th Dec 2009
Mate what computer do you have?

 
Upward, Onward, Beyond....

"Parent's are the bone's on which their children sharpen their teeth"

Never be afraid to do your best work and let the

world enjoy it.

Never let someone tell you not to try something because it's stupid.


Turn off the recommended settings.


Break your computer and learn to fix it.

 
Reply With Quote
 
Member
GuyWithAProblem's Avatar
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sweet Home Alabama
Posts: 41
 
      30th Dec 2009
It's a Dimension 2400.

 
I may have left my mind in the 60's, but that don't make me a hippie.
 
Reply With Quote
 
Senior Member
TriplexDread's Avatar
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Wirral
Posts: 5,429
 
      30th Dec 2009
OK firstly, Dell do not support External graphics cards even though some of them do have graphics cards slots that is why you were fobbed off by support

Secondly, according to the manual you don't have a graphics card slot in the first place. You graphics are onboard with no option to add-on. (EDIT*Never read properly the GFX option you were looking at)

http://support.euro.dell.com/support...m_en/specs.htm

http://support.euro.dell.com/support...n/sysboard.htm

You need to have a look inside my friend. Unless your happy with really dated PCI graphics cards?
It might well be better than the on you have integrated I guess?

 
Upward, Onward, Beyond....

"Parent's are the bone's on which their children sharpen their teeth"

Never be afraid to do your best work and let the

world enjoy it.

Never let someone tell you not to try something because it's stupid.


Turn off the recommended settings.


Break your computer and learn to fix it.


Last edited by TriplexDread; 30th Dec 2009 at 01:33 AM..
 
Reply With Quote
 
Member
GuyWithAProblem's Avatar
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sweet Home Alabama
Posts: 41
 
      30th Dec 2009
. . . I do have a slot for graphics cards. I've added two and both have since died. The only PCI slot I'm using is for a sound card and I have two free.

I'm happy with old technology. Anything to get off of the integrated card.

 
I may have left my mind in the 60's, but that don't make me a hippie.

Last edited by GuyWithAProblem; 30th Dec 2009 at 01:33 AM..
 
Reply With Quote
 
Senior Member
TriplexDread's Avatar
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Wirral
Posts: 5,429
 
      30th Dec 2009
As why I edited my post. My apologies!

However you were fobbed off by Dell as I said because they will not support any extra hardware added to your machine. As in todays standards PCI is not classed as GFX card slot

Buy ya card mate as long as it better than the integrated who cares what they say?

 
Upward, Onward, Beyond....

"Parent's are the bone's on which their children sharpen their teeth"

Never be afraid to do your best work and let the

world enjoy it.

Never let someone tell you not to try something because it's stupid.


Turn off the recommended settings.


Break your computer and learn to fix it.

 
Reply With Quote
 
Member
GuyWithAProblem's Avatar
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sweet Home Alabama
Posts: 41
 
      30th Dec 2009
Ah. It's alright.

I don't wanna be stuck with an expensive paperweight. Will the card I mentioned work properly? I'm guessing my worries about the data width, memory interface and whatnot are totally irrelevant as to if it would work?

 
I may have left my mind in the 60's, but that don't make me a hippie.
 
Reply With Quote
 
Senior Member
TriplexDread's Avatar
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Wirral
Posts: 5,429
 
      30th Dec 2009
Yes it will/should work perfectly fine.
As for bandwidth yep your probs right you wont get ya full bang for ya buck but a bit of extra graphics memory never did anyone any hard You can always send it back if it don't

 
Upward, Onward, Beyond....

"Parent's are the bone's on which their children sharpen their teeth"

Never be afraid to do your best work and let the

world enjoy it.

Never let someone tell you not to try something because it's stupid.


Turn off the recommended settings.


Break your computer and learn to fix it.

 
Reply With Quote
 
Member
GuyWithAProblem's Avatar
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Sweet Home Alabama
Posts: 41
 
      30th Dec 2009
Alright thanks. I'll order it.

 
I may have left my mind in the 60's, but that don't make me a hippie.
 
Reply With Quote
 
 
 
Reply

Thread Tools
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
confused about buying a graphics card sknyer General 8 24th Sep 2008 01:25 PM
Help buying a graphics card Marsupial General 37 2nd Oct 2007 06:50 PM
confused about buying PC BourneSupreme Support 2 25th Aug 2007 07:09 AM
Graphics Card Buying? Malax Audio / Video / Home Theatre 13 16th Aug 2007 05:39 PM
Help: Buying a New Graphics Card... Jez General 18 18th Mar 2005 01:12 PM


Features
 

Advertising
 

Newsgroups
 


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:09 AM.