topic Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card in PCs & Accessories

Upgrading my Graphics Card

pahirst3035 — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 05:53:46 GMT

Hi
I know that this seems to be a popular topic,but could not find the answer in any of the other posts. I have a sony vaio desktop.

PCV-RX306(CE)
120 HD
512 Ram
Pentium4 2.2 ghz

I was wanting to upgrade my graphics card , I do allot of online gaming , but wanted to know which card would be the best.

Thanks in advance.

PS I am in no way very technical and have never opened this particular desktop before so please be patient with me.

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

seb21__ — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 08:59:21 GMT

A Geforce 6200 or a 6600GT (hard to get today).

Do also take a look at this thread

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

pahirst3035 — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 18:25:40 GMT

Ok I have looked at that thread that you mentioned and it has confused me * sorry .My current graphics card is NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 Ver. 6.14. So will the one you recommended actually fit ?

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

seb21__ — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 21:54:53 GMT

That is the question I can't answer. Because I can't look inside your case.
I just can recomend a graphic chip to your system.

If you could open the case of your VAIO to take a proper picture and if you post it here, then it would be a help. And maybe for other VAIO users too.

The specification of the powersupply could be a help too. There should be a sticker with some information. (on the powersupply).

Please keep in mind that a Geforce6200 is not that fast today. But it's a lightning compared to your MX440. I have used a onboard Geforce 6150 and was really impressed about it's performance, even if it's low-bugdet.

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

kee-lo_ — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 10:47:28 GMT

That problem with form doesn't apply to older cards like yours, it's going to be hard to find a card which is compatible.

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

pahirst3035 — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 19:30:56 GMT

If I haven't already said I really appreciate all you help. OK Have managed to take the side off and taken some pics.

Ahh not sure how to attach the image [:">]

Sorry guys have clicked on the button marked image and it asks me to insert an image hyperlink,which is good, but how do I do that then? :smileygrin:

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

Blencogo — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 20:18:18 GMT

I see you sorted out the link!!

You have an AGP 8X card in there and there are still a few about!!

Have a look at ALL THESE

THIS ONE looks reasonable value!

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

pahirst3035 — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 05:54:33 GMT

Great ! having had a look at that link I think I want to max out ( as much as possible) the graphics capability so money is not a problem , just my set up and age of my PC.

What do you think of the
BFG GeForce 7600GS OC 512MB DDR2 SLI, DVI, VGA, HDTV, AGP at £116

on that list ?

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

pahirst3035 — Sat, 18 Nov 2006 09:53:28 GMT

Ah

I know that I seem to be answering the last question myself but I think the reason I cannot get the card I suggested in the previous post is that it would require a 300w power supply.

My PC only has the standard 220 - 240w.

Unless this is easily replaced ? :smileygrin:

I think that your recommendation is my only option, which in real terms means I am out of options as I no that that card will not be sufficient for me to play Neverwinter Nights 2.

Man ,I was having a tough time convincing my girlfriend to upgrade the graphics card , god only know what she will get me to do for a new PC !

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

docphil444 — Sun, 19 Nov 2006 20:37:18 GMT

test

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

seb21__ — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 18:32:08 GMT

With that Powersupply I would go for a Geforce 6200. They aren't that bad and much faster that your preinstalled card.

But I bet you can replace the PSU by a new one. Try this way, it would be a good idea to clean the CPU fan with some compressed air. (be careful and look out for the cables.)

1. remove the screws
2. turn the PSU up (look at the cables)
3. pull out the PSU

However, the airflow design of your PC case isn't that good. A new case with a bundled PSU would be a better idea instead to replace the old PSU. I can recomend AOpen.

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

pahirst3035 — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 07:01:09 GMT

Mmm this looks like it is getting a little beyond my comfort zone.

Given my make and model can you recommend a new case for me?

And just so that I am clear having got the new case I would then transfer
all the components from my old pc (except the power supply and the new graphics card) into the new case.

Could I just replace my PSU ? If so could you recommend one that will fit :smileygrin:

Also I require a better graphics card than the Geforce 6200 ( which by the way would not need a new power supply ) I need at least a GeForce 7600GS OC 512MB
To be able to run the games I want.

Thanks in advance. Sooo many questions . [:">]

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

seb21__ — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 17:36:58 GMT

You have to know what AGP mode is supported by your motherboard. You will need AGP 8x minimum for any Geforce 7xxx card, I think.

On your mainboard is a model number. If you know the model, you know the specification of your mainboard. You could damage your hardware if you use the wrong card!

Powersupplies made by Zalman are good and quiet.

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

pahirst3035 — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 04:40:39 GMT

From my previous posts one of you guys have already identified that I do have an AGP 8x card ( see earlier in post plus the picture )

So the card I selected is fine :smileygrin: .I think

So all I need now is to upgrade my power supply. Thanks for the recommendation of the supplier but is the size and model of the actual unit that I need so that I know it will fit into my existing box.

And of course an understanding that I what size of power supply I should fit without damaging any other bits ( sorry I am not technical ) in my PC.
The power supply needed I think for the card selected is 350w.

Will this damage any other of the components by simply replacing it

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

seb21__ — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 15:58:37 GMT

A new PSU wouldn't damage your PC. Your Powersupply is looking like a standard ATX . You can replace it without any trouble.

Please keep in mind, bigger is not better. If you go for a proper 300 - 350 watts PSU it's 1000 times better than a cheap 400watts one.

I have used 300watts PSU (made by AOpen) with an Athlon64 3200+ and a Geforce7600 GT and I've had no troubles. Now 've upgraded to a Athlon64 X2 4600+ (dualcore) and a 360watts PSU (made by Zalman) and everything runs smooth and fine.

Here is a very nice guide by c|net

However, please make sure what AGP mode is supported! Like I said before, you will damage your hardware if you use a Graphic card for AGP 8x on a Mainboard with only AGP 4x support.

The model number of your board is printed on your board.

The picture below is showing the board I use. As you can see it has 4 extensions slots. two PCI, one PCI express x16 and one PCI x1. Between the PCI and PCI express slots you can see the model number. MS 7207.

Google this number and find the specification of the your board. Or tell us the number instead and we can recomend the hardware you need for a proper upgrade.

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

pahirst3035 — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 10:30:47 GMT

OK

Have now found the number on the motherboard you were talking about.

It is P4S266 - VX

Means absolutely nothing to me but I can tell you I have everything crossed.

So Will this be able to support the card that I am after

Thanks for all of your time by the way.

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

seb21__ — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 11:26:30 GMT

Umm, I think it's an Asus P4 266VX board. With SiS 650 chipset . Your board supports AGP 4x mode max. So you will need a graphic card with AGP 4x.

Like this one for example. (Or may a 7600gs, take a look at the specifications)

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

pahirst3035 — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 08:02:30 GMT

OK let me see if I have this right I am looking for a graphics card that is

1) AGP
2) x4 Mode

Question ( and didn't you know I would have one :smileygrin: ) What about cards that have AGP 4x / 8x , IE have both in the specification ,can I use them

like this one http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=392225&source=nextag

or this onehttp://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?BFG-76GS5

They seem to support both 4x and 8x.

Should I always go for 512MB where possible

Again apologies for all the questions [:">]

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

seb21__ — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 20:12:41 GMT

Yes, you can use cards with AGP 4x/8x support. (for more information click me

Well, you can't be never sure whether that listed hardware specifications in Onlineshops is correct.

So let's have a look at the site of the manufacturer.

http://www.gainward.net/products/product.php?products_id=80

There you can see a Geforce 7600GT. Just take a look into the PDF (Specsheet) to see the correct specifications. Or go in a real shop and take a look at the box. (Don't forget that you will need a new PSU too. "HEC" and "Seagate" are good brands)

So, a Geforce 7600GS or GT should be pretty fine for your system. Because todays Graphic cards outperform CPUs without trouble.

Should I always go for 512MB where possible

Umm, 256MB are fine in my opinion.

Again apologies for all the questions

No problem. [:">]

Re: Upgrading my Graphics Card

seb21__ — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 17:34:49 GMT

any news?