32 bit interface video card

harmon999 · 11-21-2008, 10:38 AM

Hello, I need to get a new video card, 32 bit pci interface 128 mb so my son can play Medieval II on our older computer. Any suggestions?

**grimx133** · 11-21-2008, 08:42 PM

Need some details on the computer. Manufacturer and model number so that we can see what's there and what would work. With any video upgrade, the power supply is always a large consideration, you need to take off the side cover and look at the label on that. Need the manufacturer, model, wattage, and very importantly the output in amps for the +12 volts. There'll be a little chart and where it says +12 look at the corresponding number, ie: 14A. Also get the +3.3 and +5 outputs while you are there. Is there a video card in there now, or is it onboard? If so, what is the make and model of that.
Often, with any video upgrade, a power supply upgrade is also required to run the card. Being an older machine, you wouldn't be able to put in one of today's "power sucking beasts" so it might be ok, but only because the game you want it for appears to have low system requirements. Will see with the detailed specs.

harmon999 · 11-25-2008, 07:40 AM

The computer is a Compaq Presario S6100NX. On the inside it says Hi-Pro model HP-D2537F3R. Max power output is 250w. +12v=14a, +5v=25a, +3.3v=18a. +5v and +12v shall not exceed 218w. Current card is on the motherboard, and is an Intel 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV graphics controller. The game requires a 128mb hardware accelerated video card with pixel shader 1.1 or higher and dirextx 9.0 compatible.

**grimx133** · 11-25-2008, 10:50 PM

It's a bit low on the +12 amps, if you had an AGP slot, you wouldn't be able to run one of those. I think you have to pretty much stick to the low end of the scale of PCI cards that meet the basic requirements. Looks like the FX5200 is about as low as you can go and still meet the minimum. The card itself only draws 27 watts, which is 2.25 amps. It will run the game, how well is another story. I've personally run one of those cards on an old P3 700 system without a problem. Anything more and you would need a psu upgrade, and they do have much better cards. There's actually a PCI version of the 8400GS, I was somewhat surprised when I heard that, but no way would I even think about running that on a 250 watt psu. With a 5 year old system, you would be better off starting with a new system, rather than spend large amounts trying to upgrade. Here's a link to a fx5200 at Newegg. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814145136

harmon999 · 11-27-2008, 07:49 AM

I need a video card with a 32-bit interface. Will a 64-bit work and just be dumbed down?

harmon999 · 11-27-2008, 09:09 AM

Basically, I need to know what is the bit size of my PCI expansion slot? I'm glad the manufacturer tells you there are two available but doesn't tell you the bit size.

lazareth1 · 11-27-2008, 09:32 AM

Generally they are 32-bit unless otherwise stated.

64 bit slots are used on server motherboards. they are also compatible on 32 bit slots but as you say, they are dumbed down due to the limited bandwidth.

harmon999 · 12-03-2008, 01:43 PM

OK, I have installed the new driver and video card. However, when I plug the monitor into the new card and turn on the computer, I see the normal windows XP start screen and then the screen goes black. What have I not done? Do I need to disable the old motherboard driver in the device manager, then turn on the computer with the monitor plugged into the new card or what? Please help.

P.S. I need the support in the most laymans terms you can possibly provide, lol.

Thanks for all your help so far.

**grimx133** · 12-04-2008, 01:11 AM

First thing to do is to try going into your bios and see if there is a setting for disabling the onboard video, or setting the priority to pci. Being an oem bios, doubt there'll be many options. Mostly, onboard disables automatically when a video card is present, but there are some where it has to be disabled. So, if there's nothing to disable onboard, or set pci graphics as the primary boot device, then try the driver install.

Hook up to the old, with the new card not in the slot, and go to device manager and under display adapter, expand it with the + sign and then right click on the onboard video adapter showing and select uninstall. Then shut down the computer. Now you install the new card and then when you turn on your machine tap F8 to select the type of boot. Highlight vga mode in the list and boot your computer up. Vga mode loads the standard vga drivers that are included in xp and not any card specific drivers. Then you install the new drivers and reboot into normal mode.

Should always uninstall the old and then install the new from vga mode or safe mode if that isn't available.

Just one other thought right now. PCI slots can be a little finicky about which slot you select for a device. Try the slot closest to the cpu first which is closest to the middle of the motherboard, not near the bottom edge. I couldn't find anything on specific pci slot, but, they it's a possibility.

11-21-2008, 10:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
harmon999 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5 OS: xp sp3	32 bit interface video card Hello, I need to get a new video card, 32 bit pci interface 128 mb so my son can play Medieval II on our older computer. Any suggestions?

11-21-2008, 08:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 2,203 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: 32 bit interface video card Need some details on the computer. Manufacturer and model number so that we can see what's there and what would work. With any video upgrade, the power supply is always a large consideration, you need to take off the side cover and look at the label on that. Need the manufacturer, model, wattage, and very importantly the output in amps for the +12 volts. There'll be a little chart and where it says +12 look at the corresponding number, ie: 14A. Also get the +3.3 and +5 outputs while you are there. Is there a video card in there now, or is it onboard? If so, what is the make and model of that. Often, with any video upgrade, a power supply upgrade is also required to run the card. Being an older machine, you wouldn't be able to put in one of today's "power sucking beasts" so it might be ok, but only because the game you want it for appears to have low system requirements. Will see with the detailed specs. __________________

11-25-2008, 07:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
harmon999 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5 OS: xp sp3	Re: 32 bit interface video card The computer is a Compaq Presario S6100NX. On the inside it says Hi-Pro model HP-D2537F3R. Max power output is 250w. +12v=14a, +5v=25a, +3.3v=18a. +5v and +12v shall not exceed 218w. Current card is on the motherboard, and is an Intel 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV graphics controller. The game requires a 128mb hardware accelerated video card with pixel shader 1.1 or higher and dirextx 9.0 compatible.

11-25-2008, 10:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 2,203 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: 32 bit interface video card It's a bit low on the +12 amps, if you had an AGP slot, you wouldn't be able to run one of those. I think you have to pretty much stick to the low end of the scale of PCI cards that meet the basic requirements. Looks like the FX5200 is about as low as you can go and still meet the minimum. The card itself only draws 27 watts, which is 2.25 amps. It will run the game, how well is another story. I've personally run one of those cards on an old P3 700 system without a problem. Anything more and you would need a psu upgrade, and they do have much better cards. There's actually a PCI version of the 8400GS, I was somewhat surprised when I heard that, but no way would I even think about running that on a 250 watt psu. With a 5 year old system, you would be better off starting with a new system, rather than spend large amounts trying to upgrade. Here's a link to a fx5200 at Newegg. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814145136 __________________

11-27-2008, 07:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
harmon999 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5 OS: xp sp3	Re: 32 bit interface video card I need a video card with a 32-bit interface. Will a 64-bit work and just be dumbed down?

11-27-2008, 09:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
harmon999 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5 OS: xp sp3	Re: 32 bit interface video card Basically, I need to know what is the bit size of my PCI expansion slot? I'm glad the manufacturer tells you there are two available but doesn't tell you the bit size.

11-27-2008, 09:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
lazareth1 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Hong Kong, previously Fife in Bonnie Scotland Posts: 1,289 OS: Vista SP1, Ultimate My System	Re: 32 bit interface video card Generally they are 32-bit unless otherwise stated. 64 bit slots are used on server motherboards. they are also compatible on 32 bit slots but as you say, they are dumbed down due to the limited bandwidth. __________________ Prime95\|Everest Ultimate Edition\|How to do a repair install of XP\|Bench Testing "Nothing is True, Everything is Permitted"

12-03-2008, 01:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
harmon999 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 5 OS: xp sp3	Re: 32 bit interface video card OK, I have installed the new driver and video card. However, when I plug the monitor into the new card and turn on the computer, I see the normal windows XP start screen and then the screen goes black. What have I not done? Do I need to disable the old motherboard driver in the device manager, then turn on the computer with the monitor plugged into the new card or what? Please help. P.S. I need the support in the most laymans terms you can possibly provide, lol. Thanks for all your help so far.

12-04-2008, 01:11 AM	#9 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 2,203 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: 32 bit interface video card First thing to do is to try going into your bios and see if there is a setting for disabling the onboard video, or setting the priority to pci. Being an oem bios, doubt there'll be many options. Mostly, onboard disables automatically when a video card is present, but there are some where it has to be disabled. So, if there's nothing to disable onboard, or set pci graphics as the primary boot device, then try the driver install. Hook up to the old, with the new card not in the slot, and go to device manager and under display adapter, expand it with the + sign and then right click on the onboard video adapter showing and select uninstall. Then shut down the computer. Now you install the new card and then when you turn on your machine tap F8 to select the type of boot. Highlight vga mode in the list and boot your computer up. Vga mode loads the standard vga drivers that are included in xp and not any card specific drivers. Then you install the new drivers and reboot into normal mode. Should always uninstall the old and then install the new from vga mode or safe mode if that isn't available. Just one other thought right now. PCI slots can be a little finicky about which slot you select for a device. Try the slot closest to the cpu first which is closest to the middle of the motherboard, not near the bottom edge. I couldn't find anything on specific pci slot, but, they it's a possibility. __________________