Need help with upgrading graphics card

nighthawk3001 · 12-13-2007, 07:17 AM

I recently got a old EMachines T1840. I in the process of trying to fix it up and I was wondering, can I upgrade the graphics card on it and if I can, what should I get for it?

Also, I'm upgrading the existing 128 MB ram for 1 GB ram

ebackhus · 12-13-2007, 09:46 AM

This computer has an AGP port for upgrading the video system. In theory you could put in a very nice card but you'd run into two problems...

The power supplies put into eMachines are notoriously low quality and barely work for the stock configuration.

The Celeron 1.8Ghz would be a severe limiting factor if you planned to do any gaming with it.

nighthawk3001 · 12-13-2007, 09:51 AM

Yea, I know this thing ain't exactly top of the line stuff. I'm just trying to see if I can do some work to this thing

Do you think I should replace the power supply?

**koala** · 12-13-2007, 01:16 PM

If you're planning on doing any upgrades at all on an old machine, a new PSU would be a good idea. The current one will have been fitted to cope with the original components and nothing more, so any upgrades are likely to push it over the edge.

Also, the power output from PSUs decreases over time, so an old 400W PSU that has been in use over the last few years will perform at more like a 200W PSU's level.

12-13-2007, 07:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
nighthawk3001 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eastern Massachusetts, USA Posts: 95 OS: Windows XP Pro SP 3, Windows 7 Professional x64 My System	Need help with upgrading graphics card I recently got a old EMachines T1840. I in the process of trying to fix it up and I was wondering, can I upgrade the graphics card on it and if I can, what should I get for it? Also, I'm upgrading the existing 128 MB ram for 1 GB ram

12-13-2007, 09:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,335 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Re: Need help with upgrading graphics card This computer has an AGP port for upgrading the video system. In theory you could put in a very nice card but you'd run into two problems... The power supplies put into eMachines are notoriously low quality and barely work for the stock configuration. The Celeron 1.8Ghz would be a severe limiting factor if you planned to do any gaming with it. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

12-13-2007, 09:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
nighthawk3001 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eastern Massachusetts, USA Posts: 95 OS: Windows XP Pro SP 3, Windows 7 Professional x64 My System	Re: Need help with upgrading graphics card Yea, I know this thing ain't exactly top of the line stuff. I'm just trying to see if I can do some work to this thing Do you think I should replace the power supply? Last edited by nighthawk3001; 12-13-2007 at 09:53 AM.

12-13-2007, 01:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
koala Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: UK Posts: 12,449 OS: XP/7/Ubuntu My System	Re: Need help with upgrading graphics card If you're planning on doing any upgrades at all on an old machine, a new PSU would be a good idea. The current one will have been fitted to cope with the original components and nothing more, so any upgrades are likely to push it over the edge. Also, the power output from PSUs decreases over time, so an old 400W PSU that has been in use over the last few years will perform at more like a 200W PSU's level. __________________ New members: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. TSF Folding@Home Team 85015 - details here