BIOS update question

[UnklFungus]

Hello,
I was given a computer with the Intel® Desktop Board D845GBV mobo on it. I looked to see if there are any BIOS updates for it and I found 3 BIOS updates and a bunch of driver updates.


I have never done a BIOS update and I don't know if I need to do all three in sequence or if I need to do any at all. The computer works fine, I would just like to have the latest greatest on it if it would enhance it.

Also, does anyone know if there is a better video card that I could put on this? I am still new to figuring out which parts can be upgraded and which cannot.

Thank in advance,

UnkFungus

[freakitchen]

The general rule of thumb with BIOS updates is - only do so if you have a specific reason to do so. If the update goes wrong, then the motherboard is more than likely toast. Specific reasons can include processor upgrades, and for bug fixes that combat stability problems. If the computer is running fine, my suggestion would be to leave the BIOS as it is.

The upgrade situation is unfortunately not good. Whilst the motherboard does have an AGP slot, and AGP cards are still available, it's an older type that only functions at x4 speeds, rather than the x8 speed that was standard when updates on the technology ceased. Essentially you'd be throttling the performance of any new card. Other concerns are whether a power supply upgrade would be needed to support a newer, more powerful card.

The most common reason to upgrade the video card is to increase a computer's gaming performance. If that's why you want to upgrade, the term 'flogging a dead horse' comes to mind The system is just too old to be playing modern games.

[UnklFungus]

Great, thanks for the advice!!!

[glc]

That board has onboard video. An inexpensive AGP card will help quite a bit over the onboard. I've been using GeForce 6200's in similar boards recently with decent results, you do need a quality 300 watt power supply minimum to be safe.

The board is reasonably upgrade friendly. You can use any Northwood core 533 FSB P4 up to 2.8 GHz (bios P06 or higher required), it will take up to 2gb of ram (but you need to buy it off a configurator, generic DDR may or may not work), and any size IDE hard drive.

Bios updates are not needed to be done sequentially, if you do it, just do the latest in one step.

[UnklFungus]

Hey it's good to know that it is upgradeable. Honestly though, I have been on my old computer for so long that this one seems fast. This lets you know how slow the one that I have is, huh?

I appreciate the tips!

[UnklFungus]

GLC.
May I ask you to tell me what I can do with another mobo? I also have a Gigabyte 81EXP Revision 1.2 It also says it is a Titan P4

I have tried to Google it, but I can't find much info on it. You were really helpful on my other one. On this mobo I have an Intel Pentium 4 2.4 Ghz

[glc]

You couldn't find anything because that's a letter "I", not a number "1".

Exact same CPU compatibility as the Intel, with the addition of the 3.06 GHz hyperthreaded processor. Same ram compatibility and restrictions - 2gb, 1gb per slot, DDR. Almost the same chipset, 845E, no onboard video.

[UnklFungus]

Okay, Intel tells me I need this: http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/bv/bv_mem.htm

The D845GBV board provide the following memory features:

* Two DIMM sockets supporting 2.5 V (only) 184-pin 200/266 MHz Double Data Rate (DDR) SDRAM DIMMs with gold-plated contacts
* Unbuffered non-ECC DIMMs only
* Maximum total system memory: 2 GB; minimum total system memory: 64 MB
* Serial Presence Detect (SPD) DIMMs only
* Suspend to RAM

I found this on Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/2GB-KIT-2-X-1GB-...3%3A1|294%3A50


Product Description

* Two 1024MB (Total 2 GB) DIMM Modules
* PC2100 266Mhz DDR Memory
* Chip Configuration: 128x64
* Chip Density: 128x4 (High Density)
* Unbuffered, Non Ecc, Non Registered
* High Speed
* 184 Gold-Plated Pins, SPD Support
* Warranty Term: LIFETIME WARRANTY

I think that this is the same, but I want to make certain.

Thanks for the help,
Randy

[glc]

Nope, you can't use high density 1gb chips. You need to use a configurator to ensure compatibility. Expect each 1gb module to be about 40 bucks. Look at crucial.com and memoryx.net, search by motherboard model.