video card upgrade.

[nomofoshobro]

I recently purchased a new LCD monitor and would like to run it in a dual screen setup with my existing CRT. This will require me to upgrade my video card as it does not support dual monitors.

relevant specs as follows:

mobo: ECS P4S5A/DX+ with a P4 2.8 GHz processor
graphic card: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440-SE (128MB)
PS: i couldn't find this info so hopefully the above info is adequate to determine the power requirements

i was thinking about going with one of the the following cards:

http://uk.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=2&l2=7&l3=320&model=1253&modelmenu=1

http://uk.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=2&l2=7&l3=154&model=408&modelmenu=1

Both of these cards support AGP 8x, but my mobo only goes up to 4x. Will this cause a problem other than loss of performance? Also, does it make sense to upgrade on the old AGP standard when this standard is already headed out the door? I figured it is the cheapest of all the possibilites.

thanks in advance for the help.

[artushka24]

Both cards are compatible with your system. I'd go with the 7600 depending on your power supply. AGP 8X cards can work on both AGP 4/8X motherboards. Good luck!:)

[nomofoshobro]

thanks.....

.....am i also right that the cards i highlighted will run a dual DVI-VGA monitor setup?

[glc]

Yes, they are both dual head cards. Make SURE your power supply is a quality brand and has sufficient power, the power requirements for either of those cards is considerably higher than the MX 440. Please post the power supply model and we can advise you of its suitability.

The difference in performance between 4x and 8x in the real world is only about 2%.

[nomofoshobro]

how about this one?

http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=22380

are there any more compatibility issues that i need to check on when using this supply?

[glc]

That's a decent power supply, but if you are going to BUY one, I'd stick with an ATX 1.x unit, 2.0 is optimized for PCI-E, not AGP.

[nomofoshobro]

problem is, i don't see them even offered on the antec website. 2.0 is the minimum that i see.

i also checked my local price comparison website (i am in austria) and they don't list any from ANY manufacturer.

[glc]

Let's go back a bit - what is your current power supply?

[nomofoshobro]

actually, i don't know.

how do i determine this? i checked with everest, but it does not list it.

[flanzig1]

There should be a label on the side of the PSU with the name/model #/size/rail ratings. You will need to open up the case to see it.

[nomofoshobro]

power supply:

Task International TK-930TX 300W max.

[flanzig1]

300 watts is probably low for the cards you want. See if you can find a PSU like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103455

[glc]

I think I'd replace it. That's not a garbage unit, but it's relatively inexpensive.

[nomofoshobro]

thanks for the help so far. i will replace the PSU when i add the card.

as i stated earlier, i cannot find anything but ATX 2.0 PSUs. glc, you said that they are optimized for PCI-e. am i going to run into a problem if i use one while running an AGP card?

[glc]

Check the +5v amp rating on it - the higher the better for AGP. That Antec 380 is rated for 35 amps - quite sufficient.

[nomofoshobro]

just to be on the safe side as i am still researching the PSU, what would be the minimum amp rating that i could use?

[glc]

That's not the only consideration. I'd just go for that Antec if it's available in your country.

[nomofoshobro]

thanks for all the help, glc.

i was having a look at the other antec supplies, and liked the smartpower 400W. however, its +5v amp rating is 21A. would this be okay?

[glc]

With AGP, I'd go for the higher +5v amperage.