What graphics card should i upgrade to?

[JPMiller]

128 bit would be better...

between the 2 PSU's, the specs are a wash...
theres little to no difference on paper...
If anything I'd give the nod to the CoolerMaster simply on the larger quieter fan, and the 12V(4+4Pin)
but thats minor differences...
Either is a good choice

[ShyguyXPC]

as JP said, on both the PSU, and with 128-bit, its twice the data bandwidth from the memory to the Graphics Chip.

10 years or more ago, 64-bit was ok, but after the debut of 256-bit Memory And Graphics chips, 128-bit memory is about the least you want for a decent gaming card.

after that, you need to look at whether its GDDR, GDDR2, GDDR3, etc, each one is faster than the prior, in data bandwidth.

but the bigger factor is the Memory's Data path, whether its 64, 128, 256, 320, 512-bit etc etc.

on a 9500GT or similar range card, 128-bit is what you want, for most higher ranged cards, 9600GT, 9800GT, etc, 256-bit is the desired amount, though if you do buy a 128-bit version, for lower end gaming it shouldn't be too bad.

[nightstrife911]

alright thx guys for all the advice. ive decided to go with the 4650 and the coolmaster. thx for all the knowledgable info on comps aswell

[nightstrife911]

alright i think u guys jsut screwed me over...haha my onboard graphics cant be disabled and my agp gpu cant be used......i can only change from Onboard/Agp to PCI and the graphics card are on at the same time....
how do i install this and not get a blank screen becuz they both seem to operate at the same time and i dont kno how to stop the other

[ShyguyXPC]

the system should detect the AGP card in the slot, make sure you have your monitor cable plugged into the video card and not the motherboards display output also.

make sure in the Bios it says as you put it, Onboard/AGP. it should auto detect and choose the AGP slot.

you did plug the card into the power supply, or should I say the Power Supplies 6 pin connector into the video card to ensure it has enough power to run, right?

also make sure you plugged in all the Motherboard Power cables, to ensure the AGP slot is getting all of its power as well.

[nightstrife911]

the system should detect the AGP card in the slot, make sure you have your monitor cable plugged into the video card and not the motherboards display output also.

make sure in the Bios it says as you put it, Onboard/AGP. it should auto detect and choose the AGP slot.

you did plug the card into the power supply, or should I say the Power Supplies 6 pin connector into the video card to ensure it has enough power to run, right?

also make sure you plugged in all the Motherboard Power cables, to ensure the AGP slot is getting all of its power as well.

i did everything u said and its a 4 pin connector... the issue is not the power

[JPMiller]

lets start over...
you replaced the power supply? correct?
What did you buy?
What card did you buy?
what type of power connector does it have, if any?
It sounds like it uses a standard 4 pin molex...
it should be using its own line from the PSU, not shared with anything else...
what exactly did you do to install this?
are you sure its FULLY seated?

[nightstrife911]

-i havnt replaced the psu yet but i will when i kno for sure its a power problem....also it doesnt seem to be a power problem at all
-i bought the 4650
-it did not come with a power connector so i had to re arrange some wires to connect them....also when i plug it in without power going into it....i still get blank screen
-yes its a 4 pin molex or w/e....4 pins
-its own line to the psu? hmm this could be it but i cant find where to connect a solo line to the psu
-what i did to install this was a number of different methods....i plugged it in without the connector and started my comp then tried it with the connector cuz i saw it needed a power connector then i tried installing the drivers using my onboard graphics while the 4650 was not inside and a few more ways
-im positive its fully seated the fan even runs and the screw goes in perfectlys

[nightstrife911]

bump

[JPMiller]

alright i think u guys jsut screwed me over.

Yes, its clear we steered you wrong, Oh wait, you simply didnt listen to our advice at all


I'm sorry, but we were very clear about what you needed to do...
I want nothing to do with helping you fry your system...
I suggest you take the video card out and not touch anything until you replace the power supply
Its VERY likely the PSU simply isnt enough to power that card which is why its not working...
If your LUCKY it simply wont work, if your unlucky it frys the PSU, and most of your components with it...

[nightstrife911]

Yes, its clear we steered you wrong, Oh wait, you simply didnt listen to our advice at all


I'm sorry, but we were very clear about what you needed to do...
I want nothing to do with helping you fry your system...
I suggest you take the video card out and not touch anything until you replace the power supply
Its VERY likely the PSU simply isnt enough to power that card which is why its not working...
If your LUCKY it simply wont work, if your unlucky it frys the PSU, and most of your components with it...

that quote was meant to be playful and non threatening so just chill...also one guy stated that hes seen 350 watt psu power 400 req cards all the time so i wanted to test him out....are u positively sure its the psu?

[RandomNameHere]

Did you plug in both 4-pin molex connectors to the 6-pin adapter?


Also in the BIOS you might have to disable the onboard graphics first. I had to do that before when upgrading an old HP.

[JPMiller]

Did you plug in both 4-pin molex connectors to the 6-pin adapter?

It helps to read the thread before posting

that quote was meant to be playful and non threatening so just chill...

I'm all kinds of chill...
Its not my hardware at risk...
That's a "rolleyes", not an angry steam head...
It IS a little frustrating when you give advice, and then not only does the OP ignore it, but then is amazed when they have issues...
You didn't even tell us you hadn't replaced the PSU...

It doesn't matter if this is a bios setting or any other issue... I'm telling you now that if you don't replace the PSU. you will VERY likely ruin your system...
No offense to Fry's but I know the type of generic PSU they usually use in most of their systems...
It was meant to JUST power the original setup barely...
Considering its age, and the extra power draw, count on it failing sooner than later

[ShyguyXPC]

besides, if you bought the new PSU, you might as well install it, and plug in the card properly to function, there's a reason its built with an external power connection, because the AGP slot doesn't provide enough voltage to power the card effectively on its own.

[nightstrife911]

alright i installed the new psu.....and i plugged in the agp card and my screen still goes blank any solutions?

fast replies would appreciated

[nightstrife911]

bump

[ShyguyXPC]

did you plug the power connector from the PSU to the card in?

[nightstrife911]

did you plug the power connector from the PSU to the card in?

yes

[eagle1]

So... did you try to connect the monitor to the VGA plug that comes with the computer (i.e. the internal video)? If you get a display there, then go into the BIOS and change the order to AGP first (then Onboard Video -- depends on motherboard). BTW, both CAN be activated at the same time so that is not a biggie!

If you don't get the display through the internal video card (nor the installed card), remove the installed card. Turn on the system again, verify if you get a display with the internal card.
If you do, then something is either wrong with the card you purchased or not enough power is being directed to it!!! Go into BIOS again, select the video card order, turn off the system. Re-insert the new AGP card as best as you can (it should be tight in the slot!) Connect power to the card and turn on the system...

If you don't get a display even when you removed the card, maybe you hosed your system by trying to get the most you could from the crappy 300w PSU...

[JPMiller]

My first gut reaction mirrors Eagle's, you may have already caused an issue using the old PSU...
Barring that, I would try to test the card in another system, which may be hard to do given the format,(AGP)
Go through the basics...
make sure ALL connections are secure and totally seated...
If the card and the monitor have both VGA and DVI connectors, use the one your not using now...
Make sure you didnt bump or unlatch anything when you replaced parts...
An askew memory stick or connection elsewhere can cause all sorts of havoc