Video card?

[Banished Angel]

Ok, i have a quick noobish question lol. I really need to upgrade my video card because the 6150SE sucks. But my motherboard specification say "up to 256MB." Does that mean i couldn't get a video card with 512MB GDDR memory, like the nvidia 8800 or the ATI 3800 series?


Complete motherboard specifications:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01080282&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=3554326&lang=en

Video graphics

* Integrated graphics using nVidia GeForce 6150SE
* Up to 256MB (with 512MB or more PC memory)
* Also supports PCI Express x16 graphics cards*

[jaketo]

Ok, i have a quick noobish question lol. I really need to upgrade my video card because the 6150SE sucks. But my motherboard specification say "up to 256MB." Does that mean i couldn't get a video card with 512MB GDDR memory, like the nvidia 8800 or the ATI 3800 series?


Complete motherboard specifications:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01080282&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=3554326&lang=en

Video graphics

* Integrated graphics using nVidia GeForce 6150SE
* Up to 256MB (with 512MB or more PC memory)
* Also supports PCI Express x16 graphics cards*

BA, I think the comment 'Up to 256Mb' refers to how much memory will be available to the onboard graphics, dependent on how much system RAM you install.

If you fit expansion card graphics, this will no longer have any relevance.

I'm confident you'll be ok with any video card that actually fits the mobo and that all of the VRAM will be used.

Cheers

J

[emike55]

That is specifically talking about the integrated video card you have. It is sharing, stealing basically up to 256MB of memory from you ram =P. You can put whatever card you want that will fit in there. You just need to disable the integrated card when you put in the new graphics card.

Damn Jaketo beating my posting =P.

[jaketo]

Ninjah thread-steal..! :D

[Banished Angel]

So with this exact setup:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=7779562


Would i have any troubles fitting/using a 3870 or a 3870 X2?

[vengefuldeath87]

card would work fine, but i would advise you to to get at least 1gb more ram, as otherwise your wasting your money.

[Banished Angel]

I'm debating just how much i want to put into this setup. But yeah, 3-4 gb ram is a must.

[jaketo]

But conversely, don't bother with more than 3Gb RAM unless you're running a 64-bit OS or it'll be wasted..! :p

[Banished Angel]

true.. it would only register at like 3.2gb on my system anyway lol.

[vengefuldeath87]

look at the prices, and stuff, i have 4gb in my system even tho i can only use 32bit, cos i got better performance by adding 2gb more, instead of 1gb. i would guess that what you have now is cheap shit, so i would advise binning what you have, and getting a matched pair of 1gb sticks, or 2gb sticks that are pc 6400. dont buy a single stick of ram, you need a matched pair for best performance.

[Banished Angel]

What i have now are 2 very crappy 512mb sticks. I was thinking of buying 2 1gb sticks.
(http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16820227261&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&SelectedRating=-1&PurchaseMark=&VideoOnlyMark=False&Page=1)

I was then going to put the 2 1 gig sticks in and take the 2 512 sticks i have now out. Or would it work alright if i left them in there as well for a total of three gb ram?

[Devilish-Dion]

Are all the sticks compatible with each other?

[vengefuldeath87]

if your old sticks are slower than the new ones, which i bet they are, they will slow down the new ones, so you are best to remove them. for best ram performance, you want every stick to be exactly the same.

[jaketo]

I should rename this thread Let's help BA spec out his new PC :D

[vengefuldeath87]

no point having an awsome gfx card if the rest of the pc cant use it :p

[Banished Angel]

I should rename this thread Let's help BA spec out his new PC :D


lol. I'm pretty much self taught about computers. All I know i've picked up here and there, or read somewhere. This is actually my first time customizing a computer.

You all have been a great help though ^_^


PS: I feel like sneaking one more question in :p

Would my 4400+ 2.3 ghz dual core processor be able to handle games like COD4 or Crysis, or should i upgrade to the 6400+ 3.2ghz dual core?

[vengefuldeath87]

try it and see would be the best answer, it you get a decent framerate, then stick with it, if not consider upgrading. to be fair tho, if your doing that i would replace the motherboard too, as its a bit crappy, and would get a core2quad instead :p

[Banished Angel]

lol. I'm just trying to make my computer able to play games. I'm not trying to build an uber computer like Jaketo. Besides, how much money do you think i have?

EDIT: Yet another question lol. I must be getting annoying. Would it be better to have 2 gigs fast ram, or 4 gigs average ram?

[jaketo]

2Gb of fast RAM.

(and 2Gb more later when you have the money spare! :))

[Banished Angel]

I have another question that i just can't seem to figure out. I can't tell if my PCIE_X16 slot is 1.0 or 2.0. The specifications only say:

Expansion slots

* Two PCI
* One PCI Express x16 graphics (for a graphics card)
* One PCI Express x1 (for cards such as network, sound, tv-tuner)


I also have 2 pictures. One is a layout of the board.

http://s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa42/Banished-Angel/?action=view&current=motherboard.gif

http://s198.photobucket.com/albums/aa42/Banished-Angel/?action=view&current=motherboard2.jpg


My motherboard is a: M2N68-LA (Narra2)

[emike55]

Most likely 1.1 depending on how old it is, but since you said you are upgrading I would guess 1.1. However, if you buy a new graphics card that uses 2.0 it will still be backwards compatible to 1.0 or 1.1 just you can't use it to the capable speed and you need to give it extra power since 2.0 provides more power than 1.1 or 1.0. This is what I have read anyway.

[Banished Angel]

Would i see a nice difference by spending roughly $170 on a PCIE 2.0 motherboard? Like a 10fps jump+ ?

[Linuz]

its all dependant on the rest of your hardware. RAM, CPU, GPU + mobo are all contributing factors.

[Banished Angel]

RAM = 4gb DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 timings

CPU = AMD dual core 4400+ @ 2.3ghz

GPU = i was planning on going with the 8800GT OC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814143117

Motherboard = came with the computer, so it can't be all that great.

[Linuz]

RAM = 4gb DDR2 800 4-4-4-12 timings

CPU = AMD dual core 4400+ @ 2.3ghz

GPU = i was planning on going with the 8800GT OC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814143117

Motherboard = came with the computer, so it can't be all that great.

If you get a nice mid - high range mobo that supports PCIE x16 2.0, then you're set. The 8800 GT OC is what i have, the other vid card i had was defective. Anyway, you have any ideas for what mobo you want?

[Banished Angel]

I have no idea actually. I'm looking for an AMD motherboard because i don't feel like buying a new cpu. Any suggestions?

[Linuz]

how much are you looking to spend on the motherboard? are there any specific specs you want on the board (within the price you specify)

[Banished Angel]

I would say up to around $200, $250 at the most. As for specs.. I don't know much about what i would need/wouldn't need. I definitely want to have room to upgrade, i know that much.

[Linuz]

1 or 2 PCIE x16 slots? how many sata ports? any specific brand (motherboard) you like? max supported ram? Also, what kind of ram? (DDR2 800, 1066, etc) how many USB ports? what socket (im going to assume AM2/AM2+?)

[Banished Angel]

2 PCIE x16 slot. X sata ports. No particular brand as long as the quality is decent. 8gb 1066 RAM is fine. X USB ports. And yes, AM2/AM2+ socket.


X = no particular number needed.

[Linuz]

blah, just noticed your post. lol

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128074

This is one similar to the mobo my best friend bought for his new rig. I dont recall the specific model number of his mobo, but I know its not listed on newegg... never has been. From my own personal experience, Ive never had a problem with Gigabyte mobos... and they have a fairly decent history of putting out some quality hardware. Not sure who else would agree with me on that though, everyone has their own opinion of things :)

Me personally, I went with the Abit AX78 Motherboard before changing over to the one currently in my rig. I dont recall if the AX78 is compatible with the X2 chips though.

[Banished Angel]

That looks like it has everything i need at a good price. Thank you Linuz. ^_^

One more question though, What level of psu would you recommend for my to able to run everything fine with energy to spare? The one i have now is only like 400 or 450w.

[emike55]

Look at some ASUS boards, one of the best ;).

[Linuz]

That looks like it has everything i need at a good price. Thank you Linuz. ^_^

One more question though, What level of psu would you recommend for my to able to run everything fine with energy to spare? The one i have now is only like 400 or 450w.

800w is more than enough imo. Im running an 850w on mine and im not consuming anything near that much power. I bought it because i gave myself room for error/upgrades/failsafe.

Anything over 800w is really not necessary for your rig.

Im not a computer guru... but I work as a Network Administrator in the US Navy. Ive been a computer geek since i was 8 yrs old. Very first computer i ever touched was my dads 8088, and then his x286, back when a 25mhz cpu was ULTRA fast. :D

Look at some ASUS boards, some of the best ;).
very true, i LOVE asus boards... the only one that looked like it was worth its money on newegg, was the one with the onboard wifi (bad news). So i didnt want to recommend that one to him. Ive heard some pretty bad things about that board anyhow. But other than that ASUS comes out with some very sexy, quality hardware. @Banished: Definitely take a look around for their mobo's if you find yourself curious.

[Banished Angel]

Just when i think i've made up my mind... I'm still debating which graphics card to get for my system:

9800 GTX:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339

8800 GT OC:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143117

3870 X2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814121228

[Psycho]

I would'nt go with any of those instead look for the 9800 GX2

[Banished Angel]

That's $600 and overpriced. I'm going to be working with an AMD motherboard, so I think i'll go with the 3870 X2 so i can crossfire it with another 3870 X2 or crossfire it with a regular 3870. I mean i can get a 3870 X2 and a 3870, so basically a 3 3870s for the price of the 9800 GX2.

[jaketo]

so I think i'll go with the 3870 X2 so i can crossfire it with another 3870 X2

One word of caution with that, watch how much space your have between the PCI slots on the mobo and with any other expansion cards in the system. Plan it out first before you spend a bunch of cash!