[Webslinger64]

I have a Pentium® 4 CPU 1.80 GHz with 512 MB of RAM and I am interested in adding a video card to my PC. The PC's video is onboard and I have found a used PNY Verto GeForce 6600GT 128MB DDR3 PCI-E Graphic / Video Card for sale, cost is $20.00.

My questions are:

Is it even a good idea to be purchasing a used video card from a third party (out of a local classified ad), or am I possibly setting myself up for a lot of frustration by doing it this way versus buying a new video card?

Anything in particular I need to know, or do, to make sure this video card is compatible with my PC?

Also, I will be maxing out my RAM this coming week. Instead of 512 MB, it will be 2 GB (I'm thinking that should be helpful with whatever video card I end up installing).

Thanks,

Greg

[Advertisements]

Is it even a good idea to be purchasing a used video card from a third party (out of a local classified ad), or am I possibly setting myself up for a lot of frustration by doing it this way versus buying a new video card?

I personally would not buy from a 3rd party because they could be selling you faulty equipment or equipment that is going bad. I would buy from a trusted online vendor.

Anything in particular I need to know, or do, to make sure this video card is compatible with my PC?

Make sure that your computer can support the graphics card. Graphics cards are either AGP, PCI, or PCI-E. So make sure your motherboard has the same connector as the graphics card.

Cheers
ROIDO

Edited by =OSS*ROID=, 14 December 2008 - 11:19 PM.

[=OSS*ROID=]

Is it even a good idea to be purchasing a used video card from a third party (out of a local classified ad), or am I possibly setting myself up for a lot of frustration by doing it this way versus buying a new video card?

I personally would not buy from a 3rd party because they could be selling you faulty equipment or equipment that is going bad. I would buy from a trusted online vendor.

Anything in particular I need to know, or do, to make sure this video card is compatible with my PC?

Make sure that your computer can support the graphics card. Graphics cards are either AGP, PCI, or PCI-E. So make sure your motherboard has the same connector as the graphics card.

Cheers
ROIDO

Edited by =OSS*ROID=, 14 December 2008 - 11:19 PM.

[Webslinger64]

Is it even a good idea to be purchasing a used video card from a third party (out of a local classified ad), or am I possibly setting myself up for a lot of frustration by doing it this way versus buying a new video card?

I personally would not buy from a 3rd party because they could be selling you faulty equipment or equipment that is going bad. I would buy from a trusted online vendor.

Anything in particular I need to know, or do, to make sure this video card is compatible with my PC?

Make sure that your computer can support the graphics card. Graphics cards are either AGP, PCI, or PCI-E. So make sure your motherboard has the same connector as the graphics card.

Cheers
Anton

Thanks for the advice! I'll pass on the used video card and splurge on a new one.