More RAM replace video card?

[jbbrown211]

I am getting a machine that has 1GB DDR RAM. The only drawback is that it comes with a 64MB Nvidia card. (I will eventually get a Radeon 9500pro) Will all that RAM enable me to run games at the higher end graphics settings until then, or will it take the better GPU to run efficiently at those settings? I guess I don't really understand how RAM & the Graphics card supplement each other in regard to running high end graphics settings.

[Alienware_Dude]

Which nVidia chip is it?

[Spyda]

Graphics performance is pretty dependant on Graphics Card,

[homer15]

64 mb nvidia cards are nothing to scoff at, it just depends on what chip it has.

[Spyda]

my card is 64MB and its awesome

[Alienware_Dude]

Well, I'd rather have 512MB of RAM and a Ti 4600 then 1024MB of RAM and a Ti 4200, but that's just my opinion.

[Force Flow]

I've got a GF4 Ti4200 with 64MB of RAM and I am quite pleased with it. ;)

[ja83]

I have a 64MB GeForce4 MX, and I'm happy with it...

[Blakhart]

Once you get beyond 512 megs ram, you have eliminated ram from the game scene performance increase wise, at this time. So abt all one can do is get a faster vid card, and the fastest cpu that will fit the mobo. I have seen gf4ti/128s for $100 lately, and that would be ok, but the ati cards: 9500, 9700 and so on, will blow away the nvid's image quality and be as fast or faster.

[jbbrown211]

I have a Dell system, that is in the process od being delivered; so I am still removed from checking it out. The graphics solution was to support dual monitor, I was told Nvidia 64MB graphics. I wasn't too concerned because I will probably replace it with a Radeon 9500/9700 card. Also, how would I find out if those cards would be compatible with the mobo I am getting. Dell seems to be more obscure with actual specs than I am used to seeing on Newegg, etc for parts.

[jbbrown211]

Now that I think about it, it may not be a card at all, but integrated. Can it be Nvidia 64 MB integrated? And if so, do I still have the option to upgrade to a Radeon 9500Pro card?

[Floppyman]

Do you know the complete specs of the system you are getting? Those will help us determine what kind of graphics card or onboard graphics you are getting. HTH

[glc]

It won't be integrated - Dell is Intel only at this time, and the only motherboards with integrated Nvidia graphics (other than notebooks) are for AMD's. I believe what you are getting is a GF4 MX 4xx 64mb OEM AGP card. If it had 128mb Nvidia, it would probably be a GF4 Ti4xxx. The AGP slot in that machine will probably be a 4x, Dell motherboards are made by Intel and I highly doubt that it will be a E7205 or a Canterwood yet.

[jbbrown211]

That makes sense. I didn't and don't have the complete specs here with me so I am at a lack of info. In any case, unless graphics ability of this system impress me, I will probably look into making the move to a Radeon 9500pro. I just want to be sure it will work with this system before I go out and get it. Dell offers Radeon cards with their systems, so I would guess it shouldn't be a problem. I got this system through a deal at my job, so it is an Optiplex workstation, not the standard Dimension home PC model.

[jbbrown211]

From what Dell has told me, it is an Nvidia 64mb board, not card. It provides dual monitor support (2 18" flat panels are coming with it) and is not upgradeable to the ATi Radeon cards. They don't think it is upgradeable to the Nvidia cards either, but how can that be?

[glc]

Lovely - welcome to the world of proprietary computers.

[jbbrown211]

They also said that the way it is set up, that it will run 4 times as fast as a standard Nvidia 64mb board. I don't know the particulars, but I'm going to have a chat with Dell Tech support once I get the system. By "video board", do they mean the graphics are on the motherboard? If so, how can it not be upgradeable...

[glc]

If it's on the motherboard, it's possible that there's no AGP slot. Which model Optiplex is this? The ones I see on the Dell site all use Intel 845G boards with integrated Intel graphics, not Nvidia - and the ones that offer a video option (i.e. have AGP slots) have ATI cards as the options.

[jbbrown211]

Its a GX260, I'll probably be able to post more reliable info as soon as I get the system with the complete specs. This particular system was set up to support dual 18" LCD monitors, so they said the video support was a 64MB board. It may be possible that it isn't Nvidia like I am thinking. This is what is on Dell's site under my system:

Order Detail
2.40GHZ/533 P4, GX260D, 512K CACHE, GNIC
1.0GB, NONECC, 266MHZ DDR, 2DIMM, GX260
GRAY DELL PS2,KEYBOARD,NO HOT KEYS,OPTI
NO MONITOR, OPTIPLEX
80GB EIDE,7200 RPM,GX260
3.5 INCH 1.44MB FLOPPY DRIVE, GX260
WINXP HOME SP1, NTFS, CD, ENG, OPTI
DELL PS/2 2-BUTTON MOUSE,OPTIPEX
INTEGRATED GIGABIT NIC W/ ASF, GX260
V.92, PCI, DATA/FAX MODEM, FH, GX260
4X DVD+RW/+R DRIVE,ROXIO,DECODE,GX260D/T
INTEGRATED SOUND,OPTIPLEX
HK395 SPEAKERS,W/SUB,OPTIPLEX
SD CHASSIS STAND GX50/150/240
NBD,UNISYS,INIT (K2)
NBD,OPTI,UNY,2YR EXT (HIGH)
ONSITE INSTL DECLINED(OPTI)
CFI,CRD,AGP,NVIDIA,QUADR,GS
READYWARE INSTALLATION FEE
CFI,INFO,SW,CFI HW INSTL,FACT
CFI,ROUTING SKU
CFIW,INTG SVC,HARDWARE INSTALL,OPTI
CFI,TITAN CODE FOR CFI FIDA OR BYPASS SI
CFI,CONFIG NO OPTION SKU
DELL 1800FP,(18.1IN VIS)MON,PWS/OPTI
DELL 1800FP,(18.1IN VIS)MON,PWS/OPTI

[glc]

Thats a Nvidia Quadro card - not a gamer, it's a dual head graphics workstation card, designed for CAD and 3D modeling. It's AGP and can be replaced.

I have nothing against Dell, but the Optiplex is a business machine, not a gamer.

[jbbrown211]

I know its a business machine, but the dual monitor was a good deal. When you say it can be replaced, what would I need to do, how difficult is it to do it, and how much $$ are we talking about (What components would I need). Your help on this is much appreciated.

[glc]

You uninstall the Nvidia drivers, shut down, remove the card from the AGP slot, put a new card in, boot it up, and install the drivers for the new card. It's gonna cost you however much money you want to spend on a new card.

[jbbrown211]

The guy at Dell said this wasn't upgradeable (I tend to believe you over them though) He referred to it as a video board, is this different from a video card (for when I am removing it). And will I be able to use a Radeon 9500pro or do I have to stick with Nvidia cards?

[jbbrown211]

Oh yeah, and where would the Nvidia drivers be located? When I get the new card, the system will recognize it when the computer boots and I willl set it up from there?

[glc]

The Nvidia drivers should be able to be removed from add/remove programs.

If it's an AGP card, it can be removed and replaced. I don't see what else it would be, but there's always a first time.

[jbbrown211]

Thanks. I'm expecting the system tomorrow or Tuesday. I'm going to call tech support one more time to see if they change their story, asking about what you suggest. I'll keep you posted.

[jbbrown211]

FYI. I got my system, runs great. I spoke with Dell Tech support again. THis time, the guy said it would be no problem to upgrade the video card. (Basically just do what you said above) Just wanted to thank you for the help again. Time to start saving up for the Radeon 9500pro that I want now...

[glc]

Just for grins - run 3D Mark on the Quadro - let's see how good this "workstation" card really is in a gaming situation!

[jbbrown211]

What's the latest 3D Mark, how big is it (I only have a 56k at home), and where can I download it?

[Nuclear Krusader]

The latest version is 180MB, too much for dial-up.

But you can use 3DMark2001SE, which is only 40MB.

Here:

http://www.futuremark.com/download/?3dmark2001.shtml