Hi i'm a noob and I need serious help on picking and instlalling a new video card - Tech Support Forums

xbanhcuonx · December 24th, 2006, 06:25 PM

hi guys...I need a new video card for my crappy computer...I don't know much about my computer besides it's VGA and has a 8x AGP expansion slot...so yeah...I am planning to spend 100-180 dollars on a new video card...I am going to play games like Counterstrike Source and such...I don't want the best of graphics but maybe good/above average graphics...my computer is completely stock...here's a link...http://www.fryssupport.net/gq5110.cfm
can you post me maybe some sites I can get good deals on video cards and maybe specify a few models for me?...

for installing...I just want to know how to open my case...there are no screws on the sides or the front of the case...but there are a bunch of screws on the back where all the ports and such are...how do I open it?...well...thanks...^_^

also...how do I check the voltage on my power supply without buying anything?...I don't want to get a video card then not have the requirements because of my power supply...T__T

fpantovich · December 24th, 2006, 07:14 PM

for the money and since you have an AGP board, this'll prolly be your best purchase...

XFX PVT42KUDE3 GeForce 6800XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 AGP 8X Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150157

As for changing out the card, simply unscrew the old AGP card, then pull it out. It may have a locking mechanism which is near the back of the video card connected to the motherboard. Unlock this before trying to pull the card out. Next, push the new card into the slot and ensure that it is pushed all the way in and the locking mechanism, if there is one, is locked. Then put the support screw in and you're good to go.

For the PSU, if you open your case and look at the side of the PSU it should have an informational sheet on the side of it. On this look for the overall wattage and the amperage on the +12v rail...Good luck...

Cmptr-Gy-Dv · December 24th, 2006, 07:20 PM

if you still have only 128m of ram you might want to get some of that as well,

that's going to be a problem,

fpantovich · December 24th, 2006, 07:38 PM

very true...I didn't even notice that...in that case, your motherboard has 2 total DDR slots, so if you have $180 max to spend, then go for these 2 upgrades instead of that video card above. That is, if you haven't upgraded the RAM already. Good luck.

*Free UPS Ground* Samsung DDR 400MHz 1GB (PC 3200) 184Pin Computer System Memory Module, Non-ECC, OEM
http://www.directron.com/ddr4001g.html

POWERCOLOR R98-PC3H Radeon 9800PRO 128MB DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131213

This setup totals about $180 shipped. If you CAN go a little higher, then let us know, but if that's your definite max, then this should do you well. Good luck.

xbanhcuonx · December 25th, 2006, 06:29 AM

thanks for the replies guys... I might be able to bump up my budget to250-290 dollars but probaly 250...but yeah...I think I need to get more RAM...can I get 2 of these RAM sticks and install both of them?but I will probaly only get one and leav 150 for a graphics card...for my computer case question...I am clueless on how to open it..also,how do you intall RAM?do remember I will be playing Countrstrike Source.

fpantovich · December 25th, 2006, 06:36 AM

I don't know how to open your case, sorry. Looks like there might be a button or something on the side to open, but can't tell from the pic.

As for the RAM, it's easy, just pop the lock levers out and pull out the old RAM then push in the new RAM until the lock levers pop back into place. Just make sure the groove on the DDR2 chip match up with the grooves on the DDR2 socket. Ans yes, your motherboard has 2 slots for RAM, so you can install 2 RAM chips max.

If you can go that high, then get the RAM I recommended in the second post and the Graphics Card I recommended in the first post. That'll be all you need. Good luck

pullmyfoot · December 25th, 2006, 07:02 AM

you mean DDR? he does not have DDR2. but anyway, it makes no difference. its still the same procedure.as for the case no one can help you ther man. its different for every case. so unless someone has that case no one can help you. however, for the screws, youo can try taking em out and see what happens. just dont take out the PSU screws. case should (might) open. the PSU is the one which receives power from. it has a wire connected to your power source. and it normally has a fan in it. dont take ut the four screws around that

xbanhcuonx · December 25th, 2006, 09:39 PM

thanks again for the replies...since I don't have DDR2...can someone post me a good stick of RAM for DDR...^_^

fpantovich · December 25th, 2006, 10:55 PM

sorry, that RAM IS DDR, but I accidentally wrote DDR2 in my second post as that's what I'm building and just didn't correct myself, heh...

As for your new cost max that we spoke about in IM...here's what I came up with for your build...good luck :-)

XFX PVT42KUDE3 GeForce 6800XT 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 AGP 8X Video Card - Retail - $129.99 + $5.64 = $135.63 Shipped ($20 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150157

Intel Pentium 4 524 Prescott 3.06GHz 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail - $72.99 Shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116014

*Free UPS Ground* Samsung DDR 400MHz 1GB (PC 3200) 184Pin Computer System Memory Module, Non-ECC, OEM - $88.99 Shipped
http://www.directron.com/ddr4001g.html

FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX400-PN, RoHS, 12cm FAN, version 2.2, 2 SATA, 20+ 4 pin, PCI Express, 400W Power Supply - Retail - $41.50 + $7.64 = $49.14 Shipped
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104953

Total purchase = $346.75

Best prices overall that I could find on each product from reputable businesses. This should get your running pretty much whatever you want to run. Also, as I mentioned before, since you have a 512MB and 128MB memory chip, put this new chip in slot 1 and the 512MB chip that you currently have in the slot 2 and that'll leave you with 1.5GB of RAM and a pretty nice system. Have fun

EDIT: Had to remove the Pentium D Dual-core cuz your board doesn't support it...this one will still be a boost over that Celeron, though...you will definitely notice a difference as this is still a great CPU, just not dual-core like the Pentium D I selected previously...have fun

pullmyfoot · December 26th, 2006, 08:55 AM

no, its not a great CPU at all. its a Pentium 4, and P4s suck reall bad. even when it was in their era. anyways,s ice its the only thing your board can take, go for it. but i suggest just getting a new board and a pentium D processor. they are also very cheap, and although still pentium 4s, they at least are dual core. for CS source, you really dont need much graphics so modern onboard graphics will be more than enough to run it at full settings at like 60fps? that will be much better instead of buying these old parts cuz then you actually have something to upgrade to in the future. you will have a PCI E slot to get a good graphics card in the future too if you want to do that and also you can upgrade to a core 2 duo when you have money if you get a decent board