intellectual

Hi Everyone,

I have been searching all over the place to find which video card will be compatible with my MoBo.

So far i have found -

1. A GDDR3 Video Card can be used even if you have DDR2 RAM as graphics memory has nothing to do with system (RAM) memory.

2. A PCIe 2.0 card is backwards compatible, i.e. a PCIe 2.0 card will work in normal PCIe X 16 slot?

3. My MoBo is Intel 946GZ Express Chipset System Model - D946GZIS and it has PCIe X 16 slot.

http://www.intel.com/products/deskto...z-overview.htm

Could you guys confirm if it's all correct?

Phædrus2401

1. A GDDR3 Video Card can be used even if you have DDR2 RAM as graphics memory has nothing to do with system (RAM) memory.

Yup.

2. A PCIe 2.0 card is backwards compatible, i.e. a PCIe 2.0 card will work in normal PCIe X 16 slot?

Most of the time. Occasionally some older motherboards, especially ones used in OEM computers like Dell and HP, will lack the BIOS updates necessary to support PCIe 2.0.

3. My MoBo is Intel 946GZ Express Chipset System Model - D946GZIS and it has PCIe X 16 slot.
http://www.intel.com/products/deskto...z-overview.htm

It says page not found. When did you get your motherboard and has the BIOS been updated? If so, to what version?




Also, what PSU (power supply unit) are you using? Brand, name, and model. That information should be on the side of the PSU if you don't know; it's the boxy component where the power cord comes in. Also, what are the rest of your system specs? CPU, RAM, current graphics card.

intellectual

Thank you for your response.

I have got an OEM Desktop.

It seems page has been removed. Please try the following link -

http://ark.intel.com/chipset.aspx?fa...xpress+Chipset

If above mentioned link doesn't work.

1. Go to http://www.intel.com/#/en_US_01

2. Copy and paste "Intel® 946GZ Express Chipset" (without punctuation) in search field on top right of the main home page and click on search.

3. Select the first result (1. Intel® 946GZ Express Chipset)

Apologies for the trouble

It's been 2 years i have bought this machine. Nope BIOS has not been updated

Tyree

D946GZIS Mobo: http://www.intel.com/support/motherb...ktop/D946gzis/

What PSU do you have? The power supply will have a label on it with the Brand Name & Model Number.

intellectual

I guess mine is Intel® 946GZ Express Chipset and not D946GZIS. I doubt if both are same.

Did you try this link? http://ark.intel.com/chipset.aspx?familyID=22797

How do i find out what PSU do i have? I have not got any additional/external PSU. Will there be one inside the case? If so i can open up my case and find it for you. What does it look like?

Is it the one inside the case with huge fan covered in small metal box?

Could you look at the image that i have attached and let me know it is what i think it is.

"Sorry for asking many questions"

Attached Images

DSCN4336 - II.JPG (181.6 KB, 4 views)

Tyree

946GZ is the chipset...not the Mobo.
The PSU (power supply unit) is * the one inside the case with huge fan covered in small metal box*
It should have a label on it stating the Brand Name and Model. From what I can see in the pic you have a prebuilt PC (i.e. Dell-HP/Compaq). If so, the PSU will most likely not be sufficient for a PCI-E graphics card.

intellectual

@Tyree - Got you. There you go pal,

It's an inbuilt PSU since it's an OEM. Had a look at labels and everything you suggested. It's called FSP300-60LD 300 Watts. Following is the link to the product page.

http://electronic-components.globals...A-9A98528887EC

Tyree

FSP makes very good low power PSU's but you need to change it if you install a PCI-E GPU. What graphics card you get will determine what power range you will need.

intellectual

Okie dok, will upgrade the PSU as well along wih the GPU