Upgrade problems
 

Hey everyone,

I'm currently considering upgrading my computer by buying another 256 megs of DDR RAM, which will get me up to a gigabyte of RAM onboard, and I'm also planning on buying a new video card as well. The RAM thing is no problem. It's the video card issue which has gotten me into a jam. Ok, I searched through the device manager under the system section on my computer's control panel and it appears that my computer has only PCI slots and no AGP or PCI Express slots. I'm not sure if the device manager thing is entirely accurate, however, are there any good video cards out there that I can buy that will work with a PCI slot?

Current system specs:
P4 2.5 ghz
768 mbs of DDR RAM
PNY GeForce FX 5200 PCI 128 megs

PCI has long been outdated, especially now that PCI-express it out in full force. Your best bet would be to swap motherboards for one that has the new PCI-e interface, or at least an AGP slot.

Here is one of the better PCI-graphics cards though:
http://www.newegg.com/OldVersion/app...102-434&depa=0

Yeah, but the problem with that would be if I was to buy a different motherboard, I might as well invest in a new computer period. Anyway, is there another way I can tell what slots I have besides the device manager? Since my computer was made in 2003, it doesn't really make sense that it'd only have PCI slots in it and no AGP or PCI-E ones.

whats the make and model of your MOBO, with that we can look it up and see what you have.

ok, this should be it: Intel(R) 82801DB

http://www.lavalys.com/products/over...ng=en&pageid=1

QUICK! DL that and navigate through, you should be able to find out the info in seconds. Screw the days of opening the case to find an AGP slot or looking up mobo, EVEREST home edition is here! Go NOWWWWWW!

PCI-X is all a bunch of hype and I can say so from experience and loooottsss of reading. It's not going to be a blow-out like RDram, but it isn't ready yet. PCI still has a good year or two, but PCI-X will be pretty cool when it's fully implimented (quite some time). AGP 8x is more than enough.

It's difficult to find a GOOD PCI video card. You'd think they'd be cheaper, but they don't appear to be from what I can tell. I've been searching everywhere for like a PCI TI4200 - my AGP4x owned hardcore - to stick in older machines and give 'em an update.

I hate to say it, but really, if your motherboard lacks an AGP slot, you probably won't be able to get that great of an upgrade.

BTW, i'm still waiting for a use for my 3 PCIx1 slots! When is the effing "audigy zenith" coming out. Hell, what worries me about the x1 is that it's so small, how will it physically hold the card up? Anyway, I want a use for them and I want it now. Two PCI slots isn't gonna work out. I want a good sound card, a USB card, and an effing TV tuner. *lightbulb*

Well, here it is I guess - http://www.intel.com/design/motherbd/bv/

AGP 4x slot! w0000000t!

MikeSty, I'm just making sure here, but is that my computer's motherboard in the link?

I'm pretty sure. Run everest home and see if you have an AGP 4x slot :D

For some odd reason, Everest has my MOBO name marked as Unknown and I didn't see a tab for slots or anything. Anyway, if it has AGP 4X, I should be in good shape.

Edit: if my motherboard does indeed have a AGP 4X slot, what card should I settle for?