Upgrading PCI Graphics Card

2169 Views 14 Replies 3 Participants Last post by emosun, Jun 13, 2008

lefier

Discussion Starter · Jun 13, 2008

Hello, I'm new to the forum and this is my first thread.

I have an eMachines T3958 and I have not upgraded anything since I've purchased the machine 3 years ago. Now I'm wanting to upgrade my graphics card and my ram memory. Please help me to do this.

I have looked at some graphics cards and I've found out that my computer has PCI ports that can be used to extend my graphics card or my ram. My machine has 2 pci ports and one is already used by the pre-installed 512 mb DDR SDRAM.

On my graphics card, I'm wanting to upgrade it to e-GeForce 6200 256 MB PCI card. (Not PCI-E or the other one that starts with an A)

Please someone help me to decide which video card and ram is good for the machine. My budget is very tight as you can see from my ancient machine. The computer specifications are

System info:
Model : Intel D845GVSR
Chassis Type : 2X
Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 3, v.3264 (Build 2600)

Processor
Number Of Processors : 1
Type : Intel Celeron 340 2933 MHz
Processors Bus Speed : 532 MHz

Motherboard
Manufacturer : Intel Corporation
Model : D845GVSR Rev. AAC79794-102
CPU Slot/Socket Type : Socket 478 mPGA
Chipset Vendor : Intel i845G Rev. B1
Bios Manufacturer : Intel Corp.
Bios Version : SR84510A.46T.0014.P06.0410050243

Graphics
Model : Intel ONBOARD 82845G/GL/GV/GE
ONBOARD Speed : Not Available
Monitor : Plug and Play Monitor

Storage
Hard Drive 1 : HDS728080PLAT20
Size : 78.53 GB

Memory
Total RAM Installed : 512 MB
Type : DDR DIMM PC3200
Used RAM Slots: 1 of 2

Please respond and thank you.

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michaelb15

· #2 · Jun 13, 2008

lol im new 2 hehe

this would be ma second post

lol i like this place already, feels like home

ok now in regards to your computer... im not sure what kind of buget you have, but I would recomend a complete upgrade.. like dontscrap the hole computer, but use the current case, n power supply.. but get an updated mobo, new CPU, and you would need a graphics card as well, but it would be completly worth it, instead of just buying an obselete videocard.. because you will probably be dissapointed with any PCI graphics card really...

if I were you.. just check out ebay for computer parts, even if you get an older mobo, with an AGP slot, you can use the ram, and CPU u have now, you can always chinse out now, and get the gold later.. but i would strongly reccomend not to get any PCI graphics cards..
Even a mobo with 4x agp will outpeform virtually any pci card..

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lefier

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jun 13, 2008

Thanks for replying, I really appreciate it.
But wouldn't having 1.5gb of ram and 256mb pci graphics card completely renew my crappy computer? I've seen videos of Geforce 6200 256 PCI graphics card in action, and I'm pretty satisfied. How much would a completely new motherboard cost? A decent one with an AGP slot?

michaelb15

· #4 · Jun 13, 2008

my last setup was an ASUS mobo, Geforce 5700, a gig of the same ram u have (i think) and a 478 pentium 4, 2.53GHz @ 2.8ghz..

lol id sell u everything i have outta that PC if I can get it back from my buddies.. lol hes not using it, i just forgot it there one day, abut half year ago.. lol never even thought of it untill these past few days, n a new(old)computer entered the house, n trying to get 2 sick computers outta everything thats around,

lol its a bidding war between u and one of my friends.. but im willing to let it go for pretty cheap.. lol Im too lazy to put it to use..

lefier

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 13, 2008

So you're pretty much a pro at upgrading pcs right? If I were to buy a new mobo for my pc, such as the ASUS one you have, how would I install it? More importantly would it be compatible with mine?

michaelb15

· #6 · Jun 13, 2008

lol wouldnt say pro, but i do kno a lot about certain hardware.. more about this kind of older stuff lol thats when I was reaaaaally into it.. lol

thats the tricky part with upgrading mobo's n nothing else.. but theres a lot of different mobo's around that would give an AGP slot, but you would prolly want to keep your CPU, and ram. actually I think the ASUS P4PE supports DDR Dimm, not so sure about the CPU tho.. but the P4PE does have a 478 slot.. lol

Newer motherboards have a different CPU slot, but when I upgraded from the asus, I got a new CPU, Pentium D 2.8ghz.. but thats all I had to upgrade, becaue i already had a AGP card, n a gig of compatible ram.. (if you can afford a new CPU, and a graphics card, go for the Asrock 4 coredual.. lol its my current mobo, got it about a year ago, and with the new CPU, it cost ~250$$, and expnentally increased performance.. about 3 months later, got some better RAM, (mobo is compatible with DDR, DDR2), n a new monitor.. that was a lil more expensive.. lol about $750.. then another 3 mnths I got a hdd, and a PCI-e videocard.. another major peformance boost.. cost was a little over $300, but I could have sent in a $70 mail in rebate..

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lefier

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jun 13, 2008

Nice rig, $700 for a monitor?
Hey could you tell me if my motherboard has pci-e slots? I know it has 2 standard pci slots.

michaelb15

· #8 · Jun 13, 2008

lefier said:
Nice rig, $700 for a monitor?
Hey could you tell me if my motherboard has pci-e slots? I know it has 2 standard pci slots.

according to the images I got when I googled ur mobo it has only 3 PCI slots n thats it.. PCI express, and AGP slots are usually a different color from PCI, and line up differently from PCI.

But a thought just occured to me lol what size is ur case? is it a full size? cause if its not, other mobo's may not fit in to a smaller case.. dont take my word for it, you may want to mesure it..

lefier

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 13, 2008

dammit, the pci-e and AGP 256mb graphic cards are so much cheaper than PCI standard. I really don't want to spend 60 bucks on a graphic card. And I don't want 128mb either. 60 bucks may sound little to you, spending 700 bucks on a monitor lol. Got any 256mb PCI cards handy?

michaelb15

· #10 · Jun 13, 2008

lefier said:
dammit, the pci-e and AGP 256mb graphic cards are so much cheaper than PCI standard. I really don't want to spend 60 bucks on a graphic card. And I don't want 128mb either. 60 bucks may sound little to you, spending 700 bucks on a monitor lol. Got any 256mb PCI cards handy?

lolz the monitor was 400 at the time.. grrr now its only like 200 for the same size... im upset over taht , but may get 2 more of the exact same ones to make a surround-vision

..

but yea.. lol ohh ddr2 was pretty expensive too.. lol I think they were like $125 a gb stick.. n got 2 of those puppies...

If you can, use Ebay for getting cheap computer parts.. lol ive witnessed some amazing deals go down there.. Or if you cant use Ebay, next best place is staples.. thats about the cheapest store for common computer hardware such as vid cards, disc drives, RAM etc.. but they dont have the base items.. things like motherboards, CPU's, cases lol..

for those things go to the smaller, privatly owned buisness.. they are usually very knoledgable, and can order you anything you need.. however, at a higher price...

mm that I do not.. but id give u everything ive got for $60 if ya pay for the shipping lol..

but in that there is:
ASUS P4PE mobo
P4 2.53.. runs fine at 2.7-2.8GHz...
1 gig of ram.. lol i dont remember what type, but im pretty sure they are DDR DIMM..
GeForce 5700, 256mb, AGP it is pretty overclockable.

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lefier

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 13, 2008

michaelb15 said:
lolz the monitor was 400 at the time.. grrr now its only like 200 for the same size... im upset over taht , but may get 2 more of the exact same ones to make a surround-vision ..

but yea.. lol ohh ddr2 was pretty expensive too.. lol I think they were like $125 a gb stick.. n got 2 of those puppies...

If you can, use Ebay for getting cheap computer parts.. lol ive witnessed some amazing deals go down there.. Or if you cant use Ebay, next best place is staples.. thats about the cheapest store for common computer hardware such as vid cards, disc drives, RAM etc.. but they dont have the base items.. things like motherboards, CPU's, cases lol..

for those things go to the smaller, privatly owned buisness.. they are usually very knoledgable, and can order you anything you need.. however, at a higher price...

mm that I do not.. but id give u everything ive got for $60 if ya pay for the shipping lol..

but in that there is:
ASUS P4PE mobo
P4 2.53.. runs fine at 2.7-2.8GHz...
1 gig of ram.. lol i dont remember what type, but im pretty sure they are DDR DIMM..
GeForce 5700, 256mb, AGP it is pretty overclockable.

No thanks man, I'll just find a new graphics card.

emosun

· #12 · Jun 13, 2008

Welcome to tsf. You really should just upgrade the entire pc.

Pci graphics card are not made to play games , or even high def video. The cpu and everything on your pc will be a very big limiting factor. Even maxed out it isn't going to do too well with newer games.

Save your hdd and cd drive and maybe a sound card or somthing and toss or sell the rest.

lefier

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 13, 2008

emosun said:
Welcome to tsf. You really should just upgrade the entire pc.

Pci graphics card are not made to play games , or even high def video. The cpu and everything on your pc will be a very big limiting factor. Even maxed out it isn't going to do too well with newer games.

Save your hdd and cd drive and maybe a sound card or somthing and toss or sell the rest.

Thanks, but I really don't have any clue how to upgrade the machine. Never replaced a motherboard before, and upgrading everything would be pretty pricey.... If you could give me an estimate on a decent machine that I can upgrade to, that would be great.
Thanks for responding.

michaelb15

· #14 · Jun 13, 2008 (Edited)

depends on what your standards are.. ur comp im estimating a value of around $300... and anything up to ~900$ would be medioker..

but it really would make sense to take the usefull parts from your current rig, and only buy the parts you need.. its like buying a new car only becuase your old car needed new wheels..

always time to learn somthing new

rippin apart the computer isnt really that difficult.. just print off some online instructions n be gentle.. lol be grounded too

lol I dont kno what country you are in, but if ur in canada or usa, go to staples lolz

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_class.asp?CatIds=83,84&name=CA_CL_Desktops

thers some really good deals in there.. lol i seen a dell with 2.2ghz dualcore, 2 gb ram.. but a intrigrated graphics... pff lol but theres a lot in there lol take a look around, or go to dells website or sumthin n custom make a rig..

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emosun

· #15 · Jun 13, 2008

If your not confident in building the entire pc then you should just purchase a prebuilt system and add small upgrades to your liking.

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