23 replies to this topic

[RPinney]

The video card on this computer is an: MSI MS-8878 GeForce4 MX 420 It's kinda old so I was simply wondering what slot this is taking up so I know what I am able to replace it with. Is it a PCI Express or something else? Nevermind it said AGP 4x. Does that mean I can only replace it with an AGP 4x card? There are no pci express slots on my motherboard also, just 3 open pci slots.

Edited by RPinney, 21 May 2009 - 03:24 PM.

[8210GUY]

That would appear to be an AGP card, but it is the motherboard that denotes what you can use, so if you post back that detail we can see what else "may" work, but given it's AGP it suggests the board is that old it would not be capable of taking anything else, so if you reply with the system spec as well as what motherboard you have people can advise on what your best option's are.

[RPinney]

motherboard: microstar MS-6541

Also, my PSU is only 220W but I plan on upgrading that to whatever the video cards specifications are.

I was thinking this:
http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814102730

[8210GUY]

Well msi don't seem to list that board from a quick look on their site, but no offence but IMHO that is a lot of money to be spending on a system as old and low spec by todays standards that your system appears to be, I dare say it was a fantastic system when new, but the world of PC's moves forward so fast it takes no time for something to get dated, and you have to choose a point at where to say replacing the system is the cheaper\better option than upgrading it. The card you are looking at is well overpriced, you can buy pci-e cards far better for a lot less, the problem is AGP is so dated now makers have jacked the price way up over a fair p[rice, I would seriously suggest getting a second hand one, even if it's that card, just don't buy it brand new because it really is not worth it, IMHO you would be better to save up and replace the system, you may even be able to buy a second hand tower of a higher spec than current one for around the price your prepared to pay for that card, as I say I don't mean to offend, I'm just trying to advise on the most effective way for you to improve what you have. What I have told my mates to do is buy it in bit's, buy a good case, you can usually transfer your current system into it and continue using it until you get all you need, then get a PSU, do NOT skimp on this, it will cost you more in the long run, then get all your various drives, once you have all this you only have the board, CPU and ram to get each time normally, except when there is such a big jump in the hardware as in here a video card would be needed for the first upgrade, but they can often be used for a few upgrades to come unless there is another massive jump in the technology again, this allows you to get a good system that you couldn't afford in one go over a period of time, it takes a while but it gets you there in the end, hope this gives you something to consider.

[jephree]

Just to add to 8210GUY's reply which I agree with:

That appears to be a Compaq system motherboard.


As to that card you list the requirements:

AGP based PC is required with one 4X/8X AGP slot available on the motherboard.

1GB or greater system memory for better performance.

450Watt or greater power supply with 30Amps on 12 volt with 2x4 (8 pin) power connector recommended.

Certified power supplies are recommended. Refer to http://ati.amd.com/certifiedPSU for a list of Certified products.


Although the interface, AGP 4x/8x will work the PSU is a major upgrade as well plus do you have the 1GB RAM?


What are you hoping to achieve with the upgrade?

If it would be in your budget a new motherboard might be the foundation for better results.


On another tack you can find less expensive and less demanding AGP cards. That card will run at 4x due to the motherboard so in essence you are paying for a lot of features you will never utilize due to that motherboard's limitations.

[RPinney]

You say this card is dated. This doesn't think so: http://www.tomshardw...ics,2296-6.html

This card is 2 notches below the 4830 which is a very decent card

Nonetheless, I have to agree with you that just upgrading the motherboard and other things would be more bang for my buck.

Edited by RPinney, 21 May 2009 - 11:05 PM.

[jephree]

The card is basically not the issue. The motherboard is. Although that motherboard can run that card it cannot run it as it should be run. That card is a high end card for an AGP 8x. Your motherboard will only run it at 4x and again it is asking for 1GB of mainboard RAM plus an 8 pin feed from at least an 450 Watt PSU with such a feed available. AGP is dated compared to PCI_E but they do still make some quality AGP cards and you have found one. The point is your motherboard cannot run it as it should be run so it would be a waste to even try it.

[RPinney]

yep, i agree. Thanks =)

[8210GUY]

Sorry I didn't make it clearer above, as said it's not the card itself, not in the way it may of sounded, it is the actual AGP interface and the fact new systems no longer use this, pci-e is the most used currently, I actually bin systems of the spec you appear to have these days, they are just no where need the power nearly everyone seems to want these days, so IMHO put the money to buying a cheap second hand tower from your local paper or something, it should give you a better overall performance hit than just changing the video card, hope you achieve what you hope anyway.

[RPinney]

Okay I am back. Now that I've got the money to purchase a motherboard / cpu / vga I need to make a decision. This graphics card will go in my current computer to upgrade (for gaming; crysis etc.). This will be used on a 22" acer monitor.

It's between:
Galaxy GTS 250

$69.99 after MIR which is here even though it is not posted on the items page.

Or

Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 512 MB

Which is $119.00 after MIR and $15.00 promo code.


There is a $50.00 difference between these 2 cards...will the difference be that noticeable running a 1680x1050 resolution?

Another thing to note is that the GTS 250 supports PhysX

Edited by RPinney, 09 June 2009 - 07:37 PM.

[jephree]

The cards are similar as to their specs. I personally would prefer the GTS 250. Both those cards require a minimum 500 Watt PSU with 2 x 6 pin PCI_E leads.

[RPinney]

Cool, I was thinking that too and it's way cheaper. If you don't mind me asking, how do you feel about that rebate? Strange it is not shown on the items page like it usually is for newegg. $40.00 is a lot to just keep it hidden like that.

Edited by RPinney, 09 June 2009 - 07:49 PM.

[jephree]

I am not sure. Where did you find the link to the MIR? Just wondering if Newegg didn't incorporate it into their $45 off.

[RPinney]

Found the link at newegg.com here:

http://www.newegg.co...p;action=search

I just don't understand WHY they would have it here and not on the items page. It boggles my mind

Edited by RPinney, 09 June 2009 - 08:04 PM.

[jephree]

Don't know. I would contact Galaxy and see if they can clarify: Support Phone Number: 1-877-253-5841 Support Email: techsupport@galaxytech.com