seven x

I understand there are 2 types available, pci express? and agp? How do I know which one will work with my computer?

Thanks

Scooby-Doo

How old is your computer ? Did you build it or buy it off the shelf ? AGP is the old format and PCI express is the newer one. See if you have a motherboard manual or take the side off the case and take a piccy or post the model number up. Some old

seven x

Thanks for the reply, I'll look in the book. This is my exact computer:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/300549

lightning101

Well it has an X200 Pci Express in it now - so you'd best hope its PCI express

Scooby-Doo

If you can check it has a graphics card in it as some manufacturers built the card into the motherboard and did not provide a PCIe slot.

lightning101

The more detailed description would point to it being a seperate component, as it says the sound card is "onboard".

Processor TypeAMD Athlon 3400 + Processor Clock-Speed2.2GHz Front Side BUS1GHz Cache0.5 mbOperating-SystemWindows XP Home Edition RAM Memory1024 mbHard Disk Capacity200 GbOptical Drive 1Multi-Format Dual Layer DVD Re-Writer Drive Plug In Removable Hard DriveNoBuilt-in TV TunerNoBuilt-in Digital TV TunerNoRemote ControlNo802.11g Wireless Network ReadyNoGraphics Memory128 MB mbGraphics DescriptionATI Radeon X200 Express Sound CardOnboard Soundcard includedNoSpeakers IncludedNoBuilt-In HP Docking StationNoNo of USB connections6 No of PCI Slots2 No. of Firewire Connections0 KeyboardYesWireless Keyboard and MouseNoMouseYesWeight6.5 kgHeight385 mmWidth180 mmDepth390 mmSoftware Titles IncludedWorks 7.0

seven x

Couldn't find the bloody book,
As lightning 101 pointed out its a pci express as it has a x200 already. In that case what would be the best card to get for say £100?

Thanks for the help btw

lightning101

I would go for the Ati x800 GTO2 256mb with 12 pipelines, as it can be firmware unlocked to an XT edition 16 pipeline with ease. Make sure it is a GTO2 though as the rest wont work.

This would blow away any nvidia offerings at that price point once new firware is in place.


YOu probably only get a 6600gt with 128mb of ram for that anyway.

seven x

Ok Ill take your word for it as I didnt understand a word of what you said!

Mr.Manchester

Nvidia 7800GTX all the way

lightning101

My £99 is on its way to you as we speak

Mr.Manchester

Dont you mean £350

lightning101

Mr.Manchester

aaahhh didnt see that, i didnt pay £350 anyway, my brother is in "the trade" i had a £200 budget but he called me with a 7800GTX for £250, 30 minutes later it was about to be installed!

Then i find my PC was AGP pmsl, so a new power supply and motherboard later and it was in

Scooby Dooby Blue

lol Andy

MD's trade price on the 7800's were around £210 with free Call of Duty 2 around that point (pixelview IIRC)

hope you didn't sort him out with a top prezzie for Xmas

Mr.Manchester

Its this one mate... http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Product...61&GroupID=331

At the time it was 350 notes still, its only dropped to 320 now, my brother only gets 10% discount anyway.

bighead

iTrader: (1)

XFX7800 GTX is much better pre-clocked

Mr.Manchester

Whats the difference between 7800GT and 7800GTX? if there is any?

bighead

iTrader: (1)

performance full stop !.... ie higher core speed

Mr.Manchester

Sweet, glad i bought the GTX then just found UT2004, forgot i had it so im gonna give that a try now i can run it

bighead

iTrader: (1)

the 512 7800GTX is even better .......but at a price !

Mr.Manchester

exactly, for what i use it for and my PC spec i wouldn't be using the 512mb to its full potential, the 256mb was more practical

bob269

try this site for everything you need to know including the option to compare various cards

www.gpureview.com

jpor

iTrader: (1)

Or try this one:
http://www.tomshardware.com/site/vgacharts/index.html

Danny B

Open the lid and see if you have a PCI express slot on your motherboard. if the machine is over 12 months old I doubt it will have though.
AGP was the norm until then, do a google image search if you are unsure what they look like.

jpor

iTrader: (1)

Well looking at this from the packard bell website:

http://support.packardbell.com/uk/my...nt=PB13318701#

Your motherboard has an on-board ATi 200 video (Built onto the motherboard) and you have 1x PCI-express slot free. According to the M/board diagram it gives.

GC8

This is an overview image of the system board; called Orion, which is an OEM version MS (MicroStar) 7168.



The BOM indicates that it has an integrated ATI video chipset/southbridge with an unused PCI-X video adapter expansion slot available on the system board. There are two free PCI expansion slots; this system board doesnt support AGP.


Simon

seven x

So I take it this means I need to get a pci-e card?

Cheers

GC8

According to the write up and the line drawing, yes; Ive looked on the Dutch (international) PB website and also on the PCSC site and they all concur.

seven x

Many thanks to everyone that helped me with this - will be ordering one tonight.