[sari]

Emarian,

I'm going to back up stettybet's comments here. ZzDiety has asked for very specific advice, and has received nothing but detailed responses thus far. I see no benefit to your reply; you fail to provide your friend with any relevant advice, as your post only attempts to mock all the previous posts. You fail to impress us with your knowledge, as your post was largely irrelevant (pointing out the flaws of others only works if your post is factually correct, and would bear more weight if you provided concrete advice as counterpoint to your mockery). Stettybet is a staff member because he has proven himself knowledgeable, especially in the hardware arena; edge2022 has provided some excellent advice in his time as a member of these forums; and while W-unit is relatively new, he at least shows that he is capable of research and well-phrased answers. I will thank you to be civil to my staff members and other forum members who are volunteering their time to help people such as ZzDiety - after all, if he thought you had the answers to his questions, he wouldn't have bothered to post here to begin with.

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I am pretty sure that the Pc Chips mobo will run with one lane.
Look here: http://www.pcchips.c...u...=46&LanID=0

I didn't notice that VGA slot on the card...

If you don't want to go with the NVIDIA cards, use this one still: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814127416
The 9600 is better though.

[edge2022]

I am pretty sure that the Pc Chips mobo will run with one lane.
Look here: http://www.pcchips.c...u...=46&LanID=0

I didn't notice that VGA slot on the card...

If you don't want to go with the NVIDIA cards, use this one still: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814127416
The 9600 is better though.

[stettybet0]

Good find edge2022!

If that's the case, the 9600GSO (and comparable cards) will, unfortunately, run much slower than it could. Looking at this analysis, the 8800GTS 320MB, in some cases, output less than 25% of its potential performance when run on only one PCI Express lane. The 9600GSO has similar performance to the 8800GTS 320MB, so I'd expect similar limitations.

Given this, I'd question whether it's even worth upgrading this machine.

[ZzDiety]

Good find edge2022!

If that's the case, the 9600GSO (and comparable cards) will, unfortunately, run much slower than it could. Looking at this analysis, the 8800GTS 320MB, in some cases, output less than 25% of its potential performance when run on only one PCI Express lane. The 9600GSO has similar performance to the 8800GTS 320MB, so I'd expect similar limitations.

Given this, I'd question whether it's even worth upgrading this machine.

I don't think i have to return my graphics card to newegg, i think i've found my answer.
Edge2022, when i went to the link you gave me to that ati graphics card i noticed that 1st review, it was similar to my problem, infact, if i do the solution he just gave me, i'll be able to fix my graphics card and be able to play it perfectly, what i need to do is get a DVI-VGA adapter, and plug it on the DVI outlet, instead of the VGA, because the VGA one has been giving me problems! If i'm able to solve this that means i'll be able to upgrade either my motherboard or my processor within 2 months or maybe abit more.
I'll go with my dad today and ask him to buy me a DVI to VGA adapter, let's keep our fingers crossed that it will work. THANK YOU, EDGE SOOOO MUCH. Now, my money isn't wasted thank god!


Alright, now that we have the graphics card problem sorta solved, should i focus on getting a new motherboard or a new processor first? Please recommend a processor or a motherboard that will work with my system specs.

My specs as of now.
AMD Sempron 3200+ 1.81 ghz
2.43gb of ram
Graphics card
Sapphire Radeon HD 4650 1gb DDR2
And i'm sure all of you have heard of my infamous motherboard
PCCHIPS.

So, what should i get next? A processor or a new motherboard and most of all can you guys find me a motherboard that will be the same size as my original one because it fits my case so.. Anyways i'm thinking i should get a motherboard first, because then i can get a better processor later on.
Sites : Tigerdirect.ca
Try to find alot of motherboards because i need to check with the store if they have it near the 2 outlet stores that are near my location, i don't want to pay for shipping i'll just go to the store and buy it there.


Thanks alot guys!

-ZzDiety

Edited by ZzDiety, 27 July 2009 - 08:42 AM.

[edge2022]

Ya... PCCHIPS is a really bad manufacturer... I would go with either Asus, XFX, or EVGA, even MSI is ok.
How much are you willing to pay for the mobo, and if you know, what is the socket of your CPU?
Nvm... it's an AM2 socket. I just need to know your price point... I'll try to find a good AM3 ready mobo so that you can get your processor upgraded later on.

What is the make/model of your case? Or what form factors does it support?

Edited by edge2022, 27 July 2009 - 09:46 AM.

[ZzDiety]

Ya... PCCHIPS is a really bad manufacturer... I would go with either Asus, XFX, or EVGA, even MSI is ok.
How much are you willing to pay for the mobo, and if you know, what is the socket of your CPU?
Nvm... it's an AM2 socket. I just need to know your price point... I'll try to find a good AM3 ready mobo so that you can get your processor upgraded later on.

What is the make/model of your case? Or what form factors does it support?

Well i can't tell you much about it because it has no model or anything that can help me identify it!
I'm willing to pay around 40-70, because i'll have to pay around 10 bucks for the tax from tiger direct.
And if you can find the motherboard to be the same size as pc chips then it will fit my computer, but could you please find one that will go with the rest of my computer parts? Also, about the graphics card i had a 800x600 res 32-bit and sometimes 16 bit color does anyone know what the possible solution it may be? I'm going to get a DVI to VGA converter for my graphics card and see if it works but i'm scared if it doesn't i just like money for shipping my graphics card so i can return it. :/

Here's my graphics card.

http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16814102843
I paid $57 canadian before, but i guess i got it cheap, but i still paid a grand total of $88 Canadian.
So can anyone find out my problem? When i install the drivers for the card and when i restart my computer it gets stuck at 800x600 res with 16 bit of color and 32 bit sometimes, i try to make it 1028x1024 but it doesn't allow me.

[edge2022]

What type of RAM do you have? (DDR, DDR2... and the speed 800, 1066, etc.)

The PCCHIPS mobo has a Micro ATX form factor. Any board with that form factor will fit in your case.

i try to make it 1028x1024 but it doesn't allow me.

What do you mean doesn't allow you?
Download the drivers from here: http://game.amd.com/...p=xp/radeonx-xp
"Option 1"

Here is a good mobo for you: http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16813131376
I can't find any 40-70$ that support AM2 and AM3 CPUs. The one I suggested is the best for you, if you are willing to pay extra for additional upgrade-ability.

[ZzDiety]

No it's not working out, my computer just keeps having these problems the drivers are not working, it's my motherboard i need to get a new one badly, but my dad won't let me now i don't understand why, i already gave him $36 now he won't give it back, i guess i just lost my money and future upgrades, well i'm just really upset and about to forget about upgrades now. he says i messed up everything but he's blaming me the computer has problems he just doesn't understand ._.' He says the problem started because of the graphics card, well when i uninstalled my graphics card the problem suddenly started to come by again when i installed drivers for my Nvidia graphics card ( The one my motherboard supplied.) And i still get 640x480 res, just as the same as my Sapphire Radeon HD 4650, so i think the problem is either the drivers or my motherboard. I'm stuck either way, now i'll just have to be stuck with 640x480 for a long time.

Thanks,
ZzDiety

[edge2022]

I want to make sure that this isn't a Windows problem...
Click on Backup Files Without Windows in my sig, and burn a Ubuntu Live Cd... boot from it and tell me if it works all right.

[ZzDiety]

All right i'll do that. I'll let you know how it works out, btw i download drivers all the way to 9.4 and i still get that problem.

[ZzDiety]

Alright, it works i fixed it i had problems with linux so i said forget i got the most latest driver from sapphire which was diffrent from yours for some odd reason and when i start up my pc, it shows 640x480 but when i go to CCC, i can force it into 1280x1024, only flaw is that whenever i boot my pc up, i'll have to see it in 640x480, but after that i can use CCC, to fix that, i wish it saves it though. :/

Alright, next is motherboard and processor, and ram, from the motherboard you gave me, could you tell me whats the best AMD processor for me to get with that? (Decent price please, i don't need that much aslong as i get good framerates.)

[edge2022]

http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16819103244
Is that too much? On air, you could overclock it to around 3 ghz.

http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16819103252
This is also a good one... don't expect too much of an overclock though.

http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16819103235
This can be pushed to 3ghz, but only has 2 cores while the others have 4 and 3.

http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16819103628
This might not reach to 3ghz on air... you will also have to buy a CPU heatsink.
http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16835207006

[ZzDiety]

http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16819103244
Is that too much? On air, you could overclock it to around 3 ghz.

http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16819103252
This is also a good one... don't expect too much of an overclock though.

http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16819103235
This can be pushed to 3ghz, but only has 2 cores while the others have 4 and 3.

http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16819103628
This might not reach to 3ghz on air... you will also have to buy a CPU heatsink.
http://www.newegg.ca...N82E16835207006

Heh, i don't mind about overclocking, i just want something that beats 1.8ghz

i'll take the last one, but do i really need a heat sink?
and do the other processors include a heat sink?

i have 2.43gb of DDR2 ram.

Also, is this the same size as my pc chips motherboard? I like this motherboard has 2 slots for graphics cards very roomy.

link : http://www.newegg.ca.....s motherboard

Edited by ZzDiety, 27 July 2009 - 08:38 PM.

[edge2022]

If you can afford it, then go with this one: http://www.newegg.ca.....s motherboard

Have your old CPU in hand... you will need it to flash the mobo's BIOS... this will allow compatibility with AM3 CPUs (you will only need to do this if you are going to get an AM3 CPU)

The last one I suggested requires a heatsink and CPU fan, otherwise it will have no cooling device shipped with it. Without a fan, the CPU can overheat very fast and die.

[ZzDiety]

If you can afford it, then go with this one: http://www.newegg.ca.....s motherboard

Have your old CPU in hand... you will need it to flash the mobo's BIOS... this will allow compatibility with AM3 CPUs (you will only need to do this if you are going to get an AM3 CPU)

The last one I suggested requires a heatsink and CPU fan, otherwise it will have no cooling device shipped with it. Without a fan, the CPU can overheat very fast and die.

I'm going to go to tiger direct and ask them to find me one and they can install it for me, so i'm going to go with that. If they give me a choice of mother boards should what brands and types should i go with?