New Video Cards

[Jo_G12]

Hi,
I am running WIN XP Professional but it is a family computer and others in the house use it for games and such. I'm no prude I use it for play too but I don't have to upgrade for my games
Here is some info on my computer.
I have an K7SEM Mobo with a AMD 1800 CPU with 512 Megs of ram. The video adapter is onboard but only 8 megs of ram. I need to install another video card and am not sure of which kind to install or if I have to turn off the one on the mobo to use a new one. If I have to do this could someone please tell me how to do this.
I'm not even sure if it would be PCI or the AGP (I think that is what the other one is.) I know I have slots vacant for both.
According to the mobo:
PCI slots can be use to install expansion cards that have the 32-bit(peripheral Componets Interconnect) PCI interface
4xAGP slot can be used to install a graphics adapter that supports the 4XAGP Specifaction and has the 4XAGP sedge connector.
I am looking for a real expensive one but I'm not sure what to look for. Any and all help will be appreciated.
Thanks, Jo

[DrZaius]

Hi Jo_G12,

There should be an option somewhere in the BIOS or a jumper to disable the onboard video before you install the new one. I would recommend the ATI Radeon 8500LE 128MB, it's not the fastest card available but it's only $120 and performs great with the latest games. Hope that helps. :)

[Aeryn]

You could also get an nVidia GeForce 4400. They have a great price to preformance value and preform almost asfast as the nVidia GeForce 4600. But, it one has 64 MB of memory. :)

[reverendantibagl]

If moneys no problem, I'd suggest a Radeon 9700pro.Newegg has them for about $350. Pretty sure they work fine with 4x AGP..can anyone confirm this?

[Texuspete00]

They've been having problems getting them to work in 8x (the 9700), 4x is fine. Oh, and all the GeForce 4 ti4400's have 128MB of ram i thought. The Ati may be a better all around card, but if you went with the 8500 i would get the non LE as it is clocked faster and it seems you have the $$$. Look for 128 mb cards for a little more future proof gaming.

[Jo_G12]

I am so sorry that after reading my last post I omitted the word not as in not really looking for an expensive LOL. I kept reading that I thought money was no object. Well although I'm not poor I am very far from rich and money is always a concern.
Sorry for the mistake.
Jo

[catch23]

I'd go for a GeForce3...I own 3 ATi Radeon cards and hate every last one of them...ATi's drivers have been nothing but a burden to me.

[glc]

If $130 is in your budget, go for a GeForce 4 Ti4200 64 meg card for gaming.

[Oellof]

I would definately recommend Newegg.com for a new video card as reverendantibagl suggested. They've got a great selection, good prices and an excellent delivery service.

Also, your mobo supports plug and play so you shouldn't have to manually shut off your integrated video. You should be able to insert the new card and start up the machine. WinXP Pro has a pretty good set of drivers to get you started too. After that though, you should look for the latest version.

[Texuspete00]

Disable it anyway... my .02

[CChaos]

You can disable your onboard video, but as you'll be plugging your monitor into the new video card anyway it shouldn't be an issue. I'd shut if off to be sure that you don't have any conflicts down the road. Hopefully you can do that in the BIOS and you won't have to play with jumpers.

I'll second the GeForce Ti4200 64mb suggestion. Read some reviews on various brands (all use the nVidia chipset, but they are slightly different) so you can find one that has what you need and not stuff you don't. (TV Out for instance or good overclocking don't seem to be necessary for you). You will be looking for a card that fits your AGP slot. You'd probably have to go out of your way to find a PCI card.

[glc]

Right, the strongest gaming PCI cards are GF4 MX420's and Radeon 7000 SDR's.

[Jo_G12]

I got the Gforce 4200Ti 64 Megs. As soon as I am able to b end my head I'll put it in. lol Caught a stupid hear cold and it's just n9ot worth bending right now. I just wanted to tell you guys thanks and as soon as I put it in I'll let you know how it works.
Jo