Computer video cards?

JenDub

In Memoriam
Hello to all,

My computer's video card isn't cutting it anymore and I need a new one. I'm not a high end gamer but do enjoy some of the simpler games requiring 128mb+

My computer's mini tower only has one "low profile" PCI slot so I'm a bit confused if I need a special PCI card...

Any tips or advice are much appreciated

Also if you have a spare you'd like to donate/swap/sell I'm all ears....
 
I've got an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128 MB I just pulled from my previous desktop. It was able to run some of the latest games at medium to high settings on my old rig...I'd be willing to trade for frags.:D
 
Re: Computer video cards?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8594481#post8594481 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JenDub
Hello to all,

My computer's mini tower only has one "low profile" PCI slot so I'm a bit confused if I need a special PCI card...

Some of the newer high end graphic cards have large fans on them. If you have a low profile slot, they may not fit or you may have to keep the adjacent slot empty.
 
If you are in OC, go visit MicroCenter (Santa Ana) or Fry's (Fountain Valley). You should be able to get something pretty cheap that will fit your kit.
 
video card

video card

Hello,

go to compusa, or PCCLUB.

Your budget should be about $50-75.

you will want a pci card, with about 128-256k memory.

Get whatever you can afford in that price range. That proce range will not have the bells and whistles and will fit into anything, (except maybe rack mount, whcih you dont have).

A good card technology is the x1k (x1000 / xl1000)

For that price range, it will probably be an XL1300.

Different mfgs have that same technology, (uses the same chip)

The money establishes the memory, and the chip, and the fans that go onto the card.

You may also want to verify if your motherboard has an onboard video capability. If so, you will need to set the BIOS to boot with the onboard video set to ON. Then plug your monitor to the video jack that is clustered near the other jacks, (i.e. the usb ports, the LAN jack, etc)

If you want to call me or write me directly, Bergovoy@adelphia.net

or 626-256-3576


I am a Microsoft Partner and registered systems builder. I would be glad to help a fellow aquarists. (since I have taken my share of help from more experienced reefers in the past, it would be my way of passing along a favor)...

Good luck..
 
Re: video card

Re: video card

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8594749#post8594749 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bergovoy
Hello,

go to compusa, or PCCLUB.

Your budget should be about $50-75.

you will want a pci card, with about 128-256k memory.

Get whatever you can afford in that price range. That proce range will not have the bells and whistles and will fit into anything, (except maybe rack mount, whcih you dont have).

A good card technology is the x1k (x1000 / xl1000)

For that price range, it will probably be an XL1300.

Different mfgs have that same technology, (uses the same chip)

The money establishes the memory, and the chip, and the fans that go onto the card.

You may also want to verify if your motherboard has an onboard video capability. If so, you will need to set the BIOS to boot with the onboard video set to ON. Then plug your monitor to the video jack that is clustered near the other jacks, (i.e. the usb ports, the LAN jack, etc)

If you want to call me or write me directly, Bergovoy@adelphia.net

or 626-256-3576


I am a Microsoft Partner and registered systems builder. I would be glad to help a fellow aquarists. (since I have taken my share of help from more experienced reefers in the past, it would be my way of passing along a favor)...

Good luck..

Thanks so much for the info!

I will take you up on that offer since installing a pci card is about as deep into the case as I've been =)

I will definitely need help figuring out the bios, just to be sure I called Dell and they said it was onboard video (that sucks hehe)

Also, thanks to everyone else for the tips, it's gonna be a tight squeeze with the tower I have, it's only got a single low profile pci slot and the tower is tiny (like 3" wide!)
 
I've got an ATI PCI Express 128 that i pulled from a dell about 12 months ago just sitting. It was in-use for about 1 month.

I'd trade for just about anything.

Let me know,
Jerrad
 
Re: Re: video card

Re: Re: video card

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8595161#post8595161 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by d0cdave
I think he means 128-256MB. :D


Yes he means that!!!

And RAdeon 9200 series would be acceptable too.

As for the LOW PROFILE... You have me confused now too.

a normal mini-tower should have room for all that we talked about above, but if you the desktop case, (that lies horizontally), that might need an adapter to turn the card on edge.

IT would be helpful to know what case you have or let me research the adapter connector and I will get back...

Bill
 
Re: Re: Re: video card

Re: Re: Re: video card

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8595598#post8595598 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bergovoy
...but if you the desktop case, (that lies horizontally), that might need an adapter to turn the card on edge.

IT would be helpful to know what case you have or let me research the adapter connector and I will get back...

Bill

Umm, you might have the proprietary case, Dell, or gateway, or something...

But yes, I am learning something new today...

They do makie half height cards. (actually they used to make them all the time before, when the PCs first came out and were desktop machines.)

Anyways, finding the card wont be so problematic, but finding a used one or someone that has an extra lieing around might be a bit tough.

Installing is the same. You might have to change out the edge plate, The metal piece that you see from the back of the case. That is easy though, two small screws. the card should come with the extra plate.

Taking out the old and putting in the new is easy. But I can help with that if you like.

Just ask around for a half height video card. Price should be the same. X1000 series or the radeon series 9200 should be a middle of the road performer for the prices mentioned above.

Bill
 
Hello,

All the card I saw last night had the mini bracket as part of the package. It only took two small phillips screws to take off thefull height bracket andswap it with the small bracket.

I know Fry's has the half height brackets, soif the card does not have th bracket you can always buy one there.

Which Frys do you live close to?

BTW: I am in the market for a new tank. I am tired of maintaining two 55 gal tanks, and want something in the neighborhood of 120+gal. I ound this guy on ebay who has a shop in LA, but he dont want any business. I told him I am on my way with money, and he told me to wait until after the auction was over then click on buy it now, then he would send me info on how to get to his shop.

The auction ended around 2 in the afternoon, (too late to drive through LA), and of course, after the auction ends, there is no buy it now option...

I am done with him.

(I know it was the wrong thread, sorry), just had to get it off the chest. I will move it to a gripe thread somewhere

Bill
 
I love that store!!!...

I like the store in burbank though it is about half the size.

But the industry store is huge. I cant leave that store in less than 2 hours...

If you live that close, and you find you need help after you check things out, you can call me and I can meet you somewhere to help you install the card.

But look at the box of video cards and it should indicate that it has an extra mini bracket or half sized bracket on the outside of the box.

The brackets that they sell seperately are over by the components section, (far east end of the store, about two isls south of the counter where you wait forever to talk to someone about motherboards and memory chips. a very little counter)

Just walk into the store, and after you past the turnstile gate, make a left and walk all the way to the end of the store. After that make a right and go tot he south east corner, that is where they will have the sound cards and video cards.

Good luck.

(oh the tele nmber is 626-358-4840)

Bill B
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8603414#post8603414 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bergovoy


BTW: I am in the market for a new tank. I am tired of maintaining two 55 gal tanks, and want something in the neighborhood of 120+gal. I ound this guy on ebay who has a shop in LA, but he dont want any business. I told him I am on my way with money, and he told me to wait until after the auction was over then click on buy it now, then he would send me info on how to get to his shop.


Welcome To Reef Central!!!!

Eric (fragfarmer) is selling a few tanks ...............a 135 & a 180.........I'm sure they are in perfect condition too!!!

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=978792

Check 'em out.................I don't think you'll be disappointed!!!

Steve :D
 
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