Originally posted by StarrmanI can't find anywhere that sells that item, including the page you linked to. They're out of stock. Ebay only seems to have the Mac version.
It looks like it's an AGP x4 card supporter, so I'm guessing you could turn off the internal graphics and add something like this:
http://www.asenashop.com/ivn/pr-0/7409.html
It supports Direct X 9.0 so you'll be fine there. Lower models will be cheaper, but less effective. Also, make sure that whatever you buy is not higher than AGP x4, they will n ...[text shortened]... oard.
Also, once you've chosen a model, shop around noting prices, $189 seems high to me.
Originally posted by AThousandYoungIt may be automatic when you plug and play the new one. If not, it will be in control settings somewhere, look for an Intel Graphics icon of some sort. Keep looking, there are otehr models that are AGP x4 around for similar prices. Perhaps the nVidia 5700?
How would one do that?
Originally posted by StarrmanWhat does AGP x4 mean?
It may be automatic when you plug and play the new one. If not, it will be in control settings somewhere, look for an Intel Graphics icon of some sort. Keep looking, there are otehr models that are AGP x4 around for similar prices. Perhaps the nVidia 5700?
The nVidia GeForce 5950 is gonna be about the best bang for the buck. There is teh 5950 and the 5950 Ultra. The ultra has a few things turned up on it - faster GPU (graphics processor), faster onboard memory and better overall perfromance. Lookin around 100$ for the 5950 and 200$ for the Ultra. Of course, it depends on the manufacturer. There is also a version with 256meg of onboard memory (300$+). Prices may vary depending on whether you have PCI or AGP as well.
There are a couple step ups or downs from there - the 6200, 6600 and up to the 7900.
Go to http://www.pricewatch.com/video%5Fcards/
That will give you a good idea of what is out there.
ATI and nVidia are your best two out there, so stay away from the other stuff....
Originally posted by KnightWulfeUnfortunately I think the 5950 and higher are AGP x8 and his board won't support that...
The nVidia GeForce 5950 is gonna be about the best bang for the buck. There is teh 5950 and the 5950 Ultra. The ultra has a few things turned up on it - faster GPU (graphics processor), faster onboard memory and better overall perfromance. Lookin around 100$ for the 5950 and 200$ for the Ultra. Of course, it depends on the manufacturer. There is also a v ...[text shortened]... out there.
ATI and nVidia are your best two out there, so stay away from the other stuff....
Originally posted by StarrmanNot true.
Unfortunately I think the 5950 and higher are AGP x8 and his board won't support that...
AGP x8 is not a standard (at least among nVidia cards), but AGP x4 is.
All nVidia cards come in either PCI-E or AGPx4. Even my 7800 GTX came in PCI-E or AGPx4, no other choices (except for SLI, hehe). I got the PCI-E version, but even a friend who recently got a 6800 GS only had PCI-E or AGPx4 to choose from.
The biggest thing to watch is wattage on the computer's power supply. The higher end cards (7x00 series) I believe require a 400W power supply, while the 6x00 requires a 350W power supply.
But I agree that even a 5950 will be quite a step up from the onboard intel graphics...
Originally posted by SuzianneGiven what he was describing, I was figuring he might not even have an AGP slot and the 5950 can be found in a normal PCI (not PCI-E) as well, but this is harder to get.
Not true.
AGP x8 is not a standard (at least among nVidia cards), but AGP x4 is.
All nVidia cards come in either PCI-E or AGPx4. Even my 7800 GTX came in PCI-E or AGPx4, no other choices (except for SLI, hehe). I got the PCI-E version, but even a friend who recently got a 6800 GS only had PCI-E or AGPx4 to choose from.
The biggest thing to watch ...[text shortened]... ply.
But I agree that even a 5950 will be quite a step up from the onboard intel graphics...
Also remember that most boards that have an AGP slot that will support up to a certain xX will still work with cards that have a higher x, but will only work to the max that board supports....meaning that you could plug and AGP x8 card into an AGP x4 slot and still get x4 out of the card. There are a few anomolies where this is not the case, but it is not common.
Also do not forget to consider the manufacturer of the card (Chaintech, PNY, Asus, etc....).
Sometimes the little guys can outdo the big boys on the market and give you a really good bang for the buck. Not all cards are designed equally, even if the all say 5950 or 6800 or 7800. I would find a card in your price range, then check the manufacturer of the card on a site like www.anandtech.com or the like.