Will old PCI vid card compromise new build performance?

[Dave H.]

New build on the way from Newegg--the essentials:

Epox 4PDA2+, 865PE chipset
P4 2.8 ghz
2 - 256 meg Crucial PC3200 CL3
2 - W360GD Raptor in RAID 0
Samsung Spinpoint 80 GB for storage
No OC

I ordered everything but the vid card because I want to commence
construction and the mission of this new machine is evolving. I may
want to make it an HTPC. (For this I'm thinking of the ATI AIW RADEON
9000PRO)

So in the mean time, to get the machine up and running, I will need to
use an old PCI vid card--generic, something like 4-8 megs memory.
The question is whether this card will compromise the general
performance of the new computer, excluding video performance, of
course. IOW, will I be able to accurately assess the general
performance of this machine with such an antique legacy unit in the
mix? I could pull a Visiontek 5632 Xcstacy GTS-V from my current
working machine, but prefer not to.

My skills are modest (6th build) and some local "pros" have told me
that vid card perf can effect all aspects of operation. Need to assess
operation relatively quickly should RMAs be necessary.
Thanks guys,
Dave

 

[DaveW]

The slow older video card and its degrading driver will slow down your
system. It's best to have ALL of your final components gathered BEFORE
building a new computer from scratch.

 

[philo]

New build on the way from Newegg--the essentials:

Epox 4PDA2+, 865PE chipset
P4 2.8 ghz
2 - 256 meg Crucial PC3200 CL3
2 - W360GD Raptor in RAID 0
Samsung Spinpoint 80 GB for storage
No OC

I ordered everything but the vid card because I want to commence
construction and the mission of this new machine is evolving. I may
want to make it an HTPC. (For this I'm thinking of the ATI AIW RADEON
9000PRO)

So in the mean time, to get the machine up and running, I will need to
use an old PCI vid card--generic, something like 4-8 megs memory.
The question is whether this card will compromise the general
performance of the new computer, excluding video performance, of
course. IOW, will I be able to accurately assess the general
performance of this machine with such an antique legacy unit in the
mix? I could pull a Visiontek 5632 Xcstacy GTS-V from my current
working machine, but prefer not to.

My skills are modest (6th build) and some local "pros" have told me
that vid card perf can effect all aspects of operation. Need to assess
operation relatively quickly should RMAs be necessary.
Thanks guys,
Dave

Although the old video card will work...I'd hold off until you get the card
you are going to end up with...I did not see a mention of your OS
but with win2k and possibly XP you could very well need to do a repair
installation when you change cards

 

[Gary Tait]

The slow older video card and its degrading driver will slow down your
system. It's best to have ALL of your final components gathered BEFORE
building a new computer from scratch.

But it will work before the new card arrives.

 

[Dave H.]

Thanks guys for the help.

I'm using Win2k. My plan is to piece the basics together to see if it
will post, then load up win2k on an old HD to confirm general
operational status--that nothing is DOA or seriously malfunctioning.

I've never built a machine that doesn't require several OS
re-installs, nor have I tried the repair console option.
Dave