Good Graphics Card

from WinCustomize Forums
hey all, I'm looking for a better graphics card...any thoughts?
181,327 views 76 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
What type of slot is available? PCI, PCI express, AGP?
What's your price range?

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Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have a 128 MB AGP card at home that was only used for about an hour before I found out it wasn't the right one for my needs. You are welcome to it. I think you live pretty close to me. I don't remeber what it is right now but when I get home I can check. It cost about $ 250.00 but It is just sitting on a shelf and someone might as well make use of it.
Curtains - Customize Windows with additional styles
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
wow, thanks Night Train Let me know

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Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
This is what I have now Intel(R) 82845g/gl/ge/pe/gv graphics controller. I'm not that adept when it comes to graphic cards, kinda funny since I can build computers. I have PCI slots.

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Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I am interested if Pats can't use it!
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It is a Radeon 9600 SE. The software is somehwere around here. or there... maybe.....uh oh... I aint seeing it..stay tuned
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
NT, They should be able to DL the latest drivers from ATI.

I bought my Radeon 9600 a couple years ago (about $120 as I recall) and the drivers included on the CD were already way out of date. The first thing I did was head to ATI's site and get the latest Catalyst drivers.



Patriots: that would be the onboard graphics controller on your motherboard. When you do upgrade you will need to go into your device manager and disable the onboard graphics. Then shut down, install your new card, when you reboot, the New Hardware Wizard shoudl see the new card and ask you to install the drivers. Just load the driver CD (or browse to drivers you have downloaded from the vendor's website) and install them. You will probably need one more reboot to finish the install.

When you boot back up go into the controls for you card, or the display properties and adjust your settings to get the best display. (That will all depend on your card and monitor.)

Sometimes you will have to boot into safe mode to install the new drivers, but I've only run into that once or twice.

Any graphics card will give a boost to you system since it takes the video processing load off your CPU and your system RAM, whether or not you do any gaming. Many times it will also allow you to use a higher resolution and refresh rate than you could use with onboard graphics.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Quote bug strikes again
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I bought my Radeon 9600 a couple years ago (about $120 as I recall)


Thats right, I paid $160.00 for it. My other piece of crap was $ 250.00.

It all comes back now. The software was useless since I ended up getting everything at the site anyways.

I am not sure but lack of a good power supply could be a factor. Millions of others will know more than me.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you have any memory laying around, let me...


what was I saying?
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have a bunch of memory laying around if anyone is interested...if ya want I can make a whole list of memory I have..even the "old" 8mg ram Let's see I have a bunch of stuff, mother boards..all kinds of stuff laying around but no good video cards. Anyone interested, it's all yours, I don't need it. Oh, a couple of Hard drives too. Since I already have two, don't think I'll need another lol

Thanks TJ

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Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

/me is cleaning out his 'computer stash'...about six or seven boxes...from 286 to P100....time to just 'let go'....

I'll keep the Apple 2e, though....only cost $5....

I still have 6 computers.....

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top
NT, can you send me an e-mail?

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Reply #14 from WinCustomize Forums Top
NT, can you send me an e-mail?


No.

Sent to the addy in your profile.
Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have a room full of smoldering ruins....
Reply #16 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have a room full of smoldering ruins....

You must have had fun though
Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have a room full of smoldering ruins


Yet, I do whatever you tell me to do to my PC.
Reply #18 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The boys down at the shop don't call me 'The Flamin' Ass' for nothin'..........
Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have a room full of smoldering ruins....


Didnt' the fire department take care of that when they put the fire out

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Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I have PCI slots.

Do you have an 'AGP' slot (usually dark brown in color sitting just above the standard PCI slots and a bit further back from the rear panel)?

Just a question, as some of the manufactured computers leave this slot out when using the onboard graphics controller.

Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The 845G has an AGP.....think it's a 4X
Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hmmm I looked at my Intel 865 board. It apparently has only 3 PCI slots , but it looks like an AGP connector could of fit there but in this budget desktop board , Gateway removed the AGP port but you can clearly see it on the motherboard where an AGP slot is supposed to go.

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Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Patriots: that would be the onboard graphics controller on your motherboard. When you do upgrade you will need to go into your device manager and disable the onboard graphics.


Actually you can disable the onboard video most times through BIOS.

I have a bunch of memory laying around if anyone is interested...if ya want I can make a whole list of memory I have..even the "old" 8mg ram


Let me know if you have any DDR 2700 sticks. By the way I would recommend Nvidia.
Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top
On some intel branded motherboards , You have to set the Video to PCI and the frame buffer to 1mb to gain your full amount of ram back from what the built in video controller used originally.

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Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Let me know if you have any DDR 2700 sticks. By the way I would recommend Nvidia.


Sorry Those went awhile ago


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