Yes, another upgrade question.....

[bourque]

OK guys, I know this question has been asked 1000 times....but here goes 1001.

I would like to upgrade my Gateways graphics card. It is listed as an Nvidia NV34(Monza)

The interfaces are listed as -AGP 8x/4x sysytem interface compliant with AGP 3.0 standard desired
-128MB of on board memory

I plan to upgrade memory to 2 gigs

So, if you guys were placed in this situation, do you have a crd that you would recommend?

I play games such as COD and would like to play newer versions as well as FEAR etc.....

Thank you very much for any help or info you can provide......:)

[glc]

What exact model Gateway, please? Open the case and look at the power supply, and post the watt rating. Does it have an AGP slot or is the NV34 just an onboard graphics chip?

[bourque]

GLC,

It is a Gateway500XL
there is an AGP slot and the power supply is a measley 160watt
Pentium 4 2.60ghz

Somebody has recommended the ATI Radeon 9550AGP ($97 bucks) with a minimum of a 350 watt power supply

Thank you in advance for any advice!!!!!

[moose48fox]

I am sure others will tell you as well but that power supply will not meet the minimun requirment of the cards that I saw. There may be some that will be ok. I wish I could remember where I looked but found what these minimums were. It might have been newegg, but was probably the Nivida website.

Good luck and I will try to find where I saw these requirements

[bourque]

thanks Moose.

I was thinking of upgrading to an ATX modular 500watt ps

but still not sure which graphics/video card would be right.....

[moose48fox]

I am in a slightly similar situation as you in that I only have a AGP slot and wanted a video card upgrade. The difference is that I build my computer and I know I have the power supply, motherboard, etc that can handle the card I chose as oppose to a store bought computer that I have heard you have less leeway in upgrading. I bought the Nvidia 7800GS for ~$200 on newegg and I only heard great things about it and even glc recommended it, so if I were you I would take a look at that card and see if you can use it on your system.

Good luck

[bourque]

Hey Moose,

Thanks and I will check out that card!!!!

[bourque]

I was looking at the GeForce 7600GS 512MB DDR2 AGP for $153.00
or
the GeForce 7800GS 256MB DDR3 for $278.00

Anyone know if these are good cards and is the price jump to the 7800 worth it?

And how can I be sure it will be compatible with my PC?

I have done LOTS of research but will appreciate any thoughts/advice.....

[flanzig1]

bourque: you won't need a 500w supply. Get something in the 350w range that is ATX, NOT ATX 2.0. Brands to look for Forton/Sparkle/Enermax/Antec.
And go with the 7600GS.

[glc]

The 500XL will accept a standard ATX 1.x power supply.

[bourque]

Thanks for the advice guys.

Why do you recommend the 7600 ? not worth the price jump to the 7800?

Just curious.....

[glc]

The 7800GS is the strongest AGP card made - if you want to spend the money, go for it.

[mojo]

As glc said, the 7800GS is the absolute best card you can get for AGP, I just don't think it's worth the price jump. If money is REALLY burning a hole in your pocket, Gainward makes some super overclocked version that's even faster.

[bourque]

OK guys,

so here are my propsed upgrades......

GeForce 7600GS 512 DDR2 AGP


Enermax Eg365P-VE FMA 1.3 ATX 350Watt

(2) Ultra 1024 mb pc3200 DDR400 (for a total of 2 1/2 gigs)

Let me know what ya think!!!!!!

[glc]

I can just guess you are buying from Tiger Direct. Don't. Stay away from Ultra memory.

If you get a pair of 1gb modules, pull the 512 unless it's a PAIR of 256's.

[bourque]

I was looking at tigerdirect. So they are not very good? I have seen newegg reffered to alot on this forum, should I go with them?

I do have two 256mb already in so I thought I'd fill the other two slots with 1 gig each.

Should I stick with cosair or kingston? I thought Ultra was OK but you guys are the experts!!!!

[glc]

Actually for a Gateway or other name brand computer, I'd buy the ram from a configurator such as at crucial.com. This way you are guaranteed compatibility.

[bourque]

OK, went to crucial website and they reccomended the following afetr a "system scan".

http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=F2C095C9A5CA7304&WSMD=E-4100%20Series&WSPN=CT441378
2GB kit (1GBx2), 184-pin DIMM, DDR PC3200 computer memory upgrades for Gateway E-4100 Series Desktop Computer, CT441378 from Crucial.com


and the found this at newegg for $80.00 less.

Crucial Technology 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory - OEM

Is this the same ram? And why would the price be so off?

[bourque]

sorry, this is the new egg item......

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146575
Crucial Technology 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit System Memory - OEM at Newegg.com

[glc]

It may or may not be the same stuff, but buying from Crucial guarantees compatibility. You don't get the same guarantee from Newegg and if it doesn't work due to compatibility you will pay a restocking fee. It's just a chance you would be taking.