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newbie, help!


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#1
noahaton

noahaton

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This is my first time building a computer, and I was given a brand new HP a1710n. Its got a AMD Athlon64 x2 4200+, runs Vista, and came equipped with a GeForce 6150 LE. I practically know nothing about building computers, and I figured I'd ask here. I'm planning on upgrading my ram and graphics card, but how do I know what card will work with my pc? If it came with a GeForce, is it basically wise to stick with GeForces (like, will any ol' GeForce work with it?). I'm under the impression that if it came with a GeForce, a Radeon is probably not compatible with it..but, basically I'm a noob who needs a few questions answered. Any suggestions on what card to get?
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#2
SRX660

SRX660

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Your computer has a PCI-E slot that can take just about any video card you want. Right now it is using on-board graphics which is not bad but not up to gamer standards. I would stick with the Nvidia graphics cards and would look at the 7600 thru the 7950 series cards with 512 MB of ram for the best graphics at a resonable cost. The 8800 Nvidia graphics card is very expensive but if you can afford it go for it.

http://www.newegg.co...;SubCategory=48

I personally like this one.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814127277

You will need a DVI output monitor for the above video card.

While you can still use a ATI radeon card you will need to delete all the nvidia drivers off the computer to run the ATI card. With performance near equal anymore its easier just to run a Nvidia card.



Your ram is 1 gig already so you can do well with that but if you insist you can buy a pair of matching 512 sticks of good brand PC4200 DDR2 memory(crucial, OCZ,and a few others are real good) which will give you 2 gigs of memory.

SRX660
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#3
noahaton

noahaton

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Your computer has a PCI-E slot that can take just about any video card you want. Right now it is using on-board graphics which is not bad but not up to gamer standards. I would stick with the Nvidia graphics cards and would look at the 7600 thru the 7950 series cards with 512 MB of ram for the best graphics at a resonable cost. The 8800 Nvidia graphics card is very expensive but if you can afford it go for it.

http://www.newegg.co...;SubCategory=48

I personally like this one.

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814127277

You will need a DVI output monitor for the above video card.

While you can still use a ATI radeon card you will need to delete all the nvidia drivers off the computer to run the ATI card. With performance near equal anymore its easier just to run a Nvidia card.



Your ram is 1 gig already so you can do well with that but if you insist you can buy a pair of matching 512 sticks of good brand PC4200 DDR2 memory(crucial, OCZ,and a few others are real good) which will give you 2 gigs of memory.

SRX660



hmm, my PC has one PCI-Express slot and 2 PCI slots..the 8800 taking up 2 slots, will one fit there? or do i need 2 PCI-Es?
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#4
SRX660

SRX660

    motto - Just get-er-done

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Well, since the 8800 only uses one connector slot but will take up enough space so that you cannot use one of the PCI slots it still can be used in your computer, i would hesitate about buying it since many people seem to be having problems with VISTA, direct X and the games. And with a price of $550 that is quite an expense for that computer considering it has on-board sound and not the best for gaming chipsets.

http://www.newegg.co.....Card - Retail

What you will not be able to do is run a SLI setup with 2 cards.

SRX660
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