Help - Selecting a video card

nmbwmc · 08-07-2007, 08:33 AM

I have a HP Pavilion a1200y PC and would like to add a video card (pci-e) and disable the current integrated graphics card. Realizing that a Celeron is a lower end processor and not meant for extreme gaming my choices are limited.

With the current configuration the PC does play some games with some lag and random crashes (i.e. Wow, Half Life 2, Counter Strike Source, Halo). Would like to continue playing the mentioned games and would like to run Beryl or Compiz on Ubuntu. Nvidia seems to be the better choice over ATI from what I've researched.

I did try an EVGA Geforce 8600GT on this configuration but would get the BSOD or random reboots. I believe the 8600GT was throttling the Celeron processor. EVGA support recommended the Geforce 7600GT or 7600GS. Determining minimum system requirements is not always clear. The vendors either mention power supply requirements while leaving out processor. The 7600GT or 7600GS is supported on Linux.

Just trying to get a little more life (limited budget) out of the PC until I can purchase a new one in a few years. No plans to go with Vista. After reading many forums, the main issues I have are the Celeron processor and that not all Nvidia cards are supported on Linux.

Any thoughts/recommendations on the Geforce 7600GT or 7600GS?
I was considering:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130062

Thanks

My PCs configuration:
HP Pavilion a1200y
Motherboard: Manufacturer's name: ECS RC410-M HP/Compaq name: Asterope-GL8E
Processor: Celeron 341 (2.93 GHz / 533 MHz FSB); 256KB L2 cache, Socket: 775
BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. 3.17 07/26/2006

Operating Systems:
Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600)
Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn)

Installed Memory:
1Gb = 2 (512Mb) x 240-pin DIMM sockets support unbuffered non-ECC 400/533 MHZ DDR2 memory modules

Video Graphics:
Integrated - ATI Radeon Xpress 200
Supports PCI Express x16 graphics cards

Power Supply:
Antec Basiq (BP500U) - 500 Watt

Drives:
WDC WD2500KS-00MJB0 [Hard drive] (250.06 GB) -- drive 0
WDC WD400BD-60LRA0 [Hard drive] (40.02 GB) -- drive 1
HP DVD Writer 1040d [CD-ROM drive]
TSSTcorp CD-R/RW TS-H292C [CD-ROM drive]

dai · 08-07-2007, 03:10 PM

i think you need to look at upgrading the cpu to a pentium 4 their prices have dropped a lot over the last year and you can probably pick one up second hand a lot cheaper
look for a 7600gs with a fan and overclock it to the gt these may or may not keep your system within the power you have available
usually video and psu upgrades go hand in hand i don't think the basic from antec was a good model psu

08-07-2007, 08:33 AM	#1 (permalink)
nmbwmc Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 1 OS: XP	Help - Selecting a video card I have a HP Pavilion a1200y PC and would like to add a video card (pci-e) and disable the current integrated graphics card. Realizing that a Celeron is a lower end processor and not meant for extreme gaming my choices are limited. With the current configuration the PC does play some games with some lag and random crashes (i.e. Wow, Half Life 2, Counter Strike Source, Halo). Would like to continue playing the mentioned games and would like to run Beryl or Compiz on Ubuntu. Nvidia seems to be the better choice over ATI from what I've researched. I did try an EVGA Geforce 8600GT on this configuration but would get the BSOD or random reboots. I believe the 8600GT was throttling the Celeron processor. EVGA support recommended the Geforce 7600GT or 7600GS. Determining minimum system requirements is not always clear. The vendors either mention power supply requirements while leaving out processor. The 7600GT or 7600GS is supported on Linux. Just trying to get a little more life (limited budget) out of the PC until I can purchase a new one in a few years. No plans to go with Vista. After reading many forums, the main issues I have are the Celeron processor and that not all Nvidia cards are supported on Linux. Any thoughts/recommendations on the Geforce 7600GT or 7600GS? I was considering: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130062 Thanks My PCs configuration: HP Pavilion a1200y Motherboard: Manufacturer's name: ECS RC410-M HP/Compaq name: Asterope-GL8E Processor: Celeron 341 (2.93 GHz / 533 MHz FSB); 256KB L2 cache, Socket: 775 BIOS: American Megatrends Inc. 3.17 07/26/2006 Operating Systems: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600) Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn) Installed Memory: 1Gb = 2 (512Mb) x 240-pin DIMM sockets support unbuffered non-ECC 400/533 MHZ DDR2 memory modules Video Graphics: Integrated - ATI Radeon Xpress 200 Supports PCI Express x16 graphics cards Power Supply: Antec Basiq (BP500U) - 500 Watt Drives: WDC WD2500KS-00MJB0 [Hard drive] (250.06 GB) -- drive 0 WDC WD400BD-60LRA0 [Hard drive] (40.02 GB) -- drive 1 HP DVD Writer 1040d [CD-ROM drive] TSSTcorp CD-R/RW TS-H292C [CD-ROM drive] Last edited by nmbwmc; 08-07-2007 at 08:35 AM.

08-07-2007, 03:10 PM	#2 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,702 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: Help - Selecting a video card i think you need to look at upgrading the cpu to a pentium 4 their prices have dropped a lot over the last year and you can probably pick one up second hand a lot cheaper look for a 7600gs with a fan and overclock it to the gt these may or may not keep your system within the power you have available usually video and psu upgrades go hand in hand i don't think the basic from antec was a good model psu __________________