Frustrated with my outdated PCI slot, need an upgrade

[Luigica]

I have a custom built HP computer that is a few years old. I have a
NVIDIA 5200 fx graphics card. It is getting outdated and doesn't
quite have to power to play new games that are coming out(Elder
scrolls IV:Oblivion)
I would like to just buy a new graphics card(GeForce 7800GT) but the
problem is I'm pretty sure my computer only has a PCI bus slot, not
the PCI Express 16x slot that is required for nearly all the new
video cards.
I have a very solid computer outside of the video card:
Intel Pentium 4 CPU 3.2GHz(2CPUs)
512Mb RAM
142Gb C Drive

So my question is, is there a way to upgrade to a PCI Express 16x slot
or any other way to upgrade my video card without having to buy a
whole new computer?
Please help!

-Luigica

 

[philo]

I would like to just buy a new graphics card(GeForce 7800GT) but the
problem is I'm pretty sure my computer only has a PCI bus slot, not
the PCI Express 16x slot that is required for nearly all the new
video cards.
I have a very solid computer outside of the video card:
Intel Pentium 4 CPU 3.2GHz(2CPUs)
512Mb RAM
142Gb C Drive

So my question is, is there a way to upgrade to a PCI Express 16x slot
or any other way to upgrade my video card without having to buy a
whole new computer?
Please help!

-Luigica

If you want to use pci express you will need to get a motherboard that
supports it...
the upgrade game never ends does it ?

 

[kony]

I have a custom built HP computer that is a few years old. I have a
NVIDIA 5200 fx graphics card. It is getting outdated and doesn't
quite have to power to play new games that are coming out(Elder
scrolls IV:Oblivion)
I would like to just buy a new graphics card(GeForce 7800GT) but the
problem is I'm pretty sure my computer only has a PCI bus slot, not
the PCI Express 16x slot that is required for nearly all the new
video cards.
I have a very solid computer outside of the video card:
Intel Pentium 4 CPU 3.2GHz(2CPUs)
512Mb RAM
142Gb C Drive

You should buy at least 1GB memory before putting down
enough addt'l to buy the 7800GT. Any games really
benefitting from 7800GT will likewise benefit largely from
1GB or beyond memory. That is, unless you only play less
demanding games at very high resolution because of
particular situations such as an LCD with a relatively high
native resolution (above 1280x1024).

So my question is, is there a way to upgrade to a PCI Express 16x slot
or any other way to upgrade my video card without having to buy a
whole new computer?

Check for an AGP slot, it might have one and 6800GT/GS
series are not too bad considering the rest of the system
(rest of system will be a bottleneck as much as the video
card in many cases). If no AGP slot either, your only
option is to replace the motherboard, and depending on how
cramped (or proprietary the HP case), possibly the case, and
depending on how proprietary and low the PSU capacity,
likely the PSU may need upgraded as well.

Essentially you are coming up against the common reasons why
gamers should avoid OEM systems unless the very expensive
game(ing)-designated systems.

 

[DaveW]

PCI-E is a socket on the motherboard so you would HAVE to buy a new
motherboard (and etc.) Time for a new computer.

 

[johnS]

If you want to use pci express you will need to get a motherboard that
supports it...
the upgrade game never ends does it ?

Im certifiably insane now. I was that close to upgrading my 7800GT to
a 7900GT which is only about 1.5 months old but the Dell coupon they
sent me expired hours earlier at midnight. I had the coupon code in
and kept trying to order but the coupon wasnt accepted.

How knows I might do it next month if DELL sends me another coupon.

 

[johnS]

So my question is, is there a way to upgrade to a PCI Express 16x slot
or any other way to upgrade my video card without having to buy a
whole new computer?
Please help!

-Luigica

You could try upgrading the motherboard only. It really depends where
you live. I got the impression you were out of the US unless Im
confusing you with another poster. If you are in the US theres tons of
options. However if you are out it depends on obviously availibility
and prices of various options.

Here its a toss up cause they have whole system sales dirt cheap
recently with rebates. HP/COMPAQ has been on a tear driving prices way
way down though Compusa , office depot and other outlets to fight
DELL. So there have been amazing barebone and whole system prices from
Dell, compaq/hp and acer - other makers to match Compaq/hp.
Its often cheaper to buy a whole system than parts.

The other is -- lots of parts options. Its the perfect time right now
in that nforce4 has been out a long time its not new anymore so there
are lots of dirt cheap boards with the chip. And there are still fine
nforce3 options floating around and Intel counterparts.

And there are refurb boards that are even cheaper if you want to
chance that route.

If you want to replace the MB you might need to replace power supply
and since many premade ones come with power supplies that tend to have
lower ratings like 300-350 watts and the case may be cramped or
strange in some way. Once again in the US dirt cheap cases. Theres a
Mambo Thermaltake (no PS) $29 AR at compusa which isnt bad, black.

The nforce3 option of course only has AGP though which seems to be in
the phase out stage right now.

 

[paulmd]

I have a custom built HP computer that is a few years old. I have a
NVIDIA 5200 fx graphics card. It is getting outdated and doesn't
quite have to power to play new games that are coming out(Elder
scrolls IV:Oblivion)
I would like to just buy a new graphics card(GeForce 7800GT) but the
problem is I'm pretty sure my computer only has a PCI bus slot, not
the PCI Express 16x slot that is required for nearly all the new
video cards.
I have a very solid computer outside of the video card:
Intel Pentium 4 CPU 3.2GHz(2CPUs)
512Mb RAM
142Gb C Drive

So my question is, is there a way to upgrade to a PCI Express 16x slot
or any other way to upgrade my video card without having to buy a
whole new computer?
Please help!

You can still get some VERY good video cards in ordinary AGP, and yes
even ordinary PCI (Example:radeon 9250, 256Mb DDR).

 

[Luigica]

thanks everyone for your replies and no i don't have anAGP slo

_< but im thinking of yes, getting a new computer. The way

see it i will spend a lot of money trying to upgrade this one fo
increasingly demanding games, so i think ill drop a little more mone
for a solid AMD Athlon with PCI-E

 

[JANA]

Your computer may lack memory more than anything else.

As for the display card, you will have to change the mother board to
upgrade. The race of progress will always continue, and it waits for nobody!

--

JANA
_____


I have a custom built HP computer that is a few years old. I have a
NVIDIA 5200 fx graphics card. It is getting outdated and doesn't
quite have to power to play new games that are coming out(Elder
scrolls IV:Oblivion)
I would like to just buy a new graphics card(GeForce 7800GT) but the
problem is I'm pretty sure my computer only has a PCI bus slot, not
the PCI Express 16x slot that is required for nearly all the new
video cards.
I have a very solid computer outside of the video card:
Intel Pentium 4 CPU 3.2GHz(2CPUs)
512Mb RAM
142Gb C Drive

So my question is, is there a way to upgrade to a PCI Express 16x slot
or any other way to upgrade my video card without having to buy a
whole new computer?
Please help!

-Luigica