upgrading a few things

[jbird001]

Hey guys...I was here about 6 weeks ago....I need to upgrade my computer. This is pretty much the motherboard I have: http://www.tekstation.com/pd_asus_skt.cfm ...except I got mine with my custom made compaq computer...so i think its probably a compaq motherboard but it does have the nvidia220 chipset
My current graphics card is a 64mb Radeon 7000 agp 4x.
I'm planning on getting this graphics card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814129045
I think its probably my best bet since I only have a 2/4x agp compatible motherboard.
I also want to get some new memory...right now I have
(Nanya NT512D64S8HAAG-7K) 512 MB PC2100 DDR SDRAM
This is the memory I want to get:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820141218
I can only get a total of 1 gig memory so I think this is a good choice
This is the sound card I want to get:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16829102175
It seems like a good sound card and its within my price range.
My budget is about $200 and the three came up to about $230 w/ shipping

My question is, are these upgrades good or do you think I should choose some different brands?

[saphalline]

Here's a cheaper Radeon 9250 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127169). Other than that, everything looks good.

[jbird001]

would it work? because it says "Interface AGP 4X/8X" I thought my motherboard can only handle "2x/4x agp"...

[saphalline]

It's a 4x compatible vid card. So 1.5V. Your mobo has an AGP 2.0 slot. I know it's all very confusing, but just trust me. It will work.

[jbird001]

another question about the graphics card....

When I install it, how do I know the setting with be on AGP 4x and not AGP 8x?

I dont know how to do it with my current video card...there's no setting in the BIOS

[saphalline]

It will revert to 4x because that's all the chipset can handle. The speed of any bus or component can never be higher than what all the parts in question can handle. If your mobo supports up to 4x, and the vid card can do 4x or 8x, it will be at 4x automatically.

While there is sometimes a BIOS setting for this, AGP speed is auto-detected anyway. No user intervention required. ;) My BIOS has an option for this, but that's because my mobo was made for OC'ing. Not all BIOS's have this option.

[jbird001]

dude you know a crapload about computers....once again, thanks for the info!

[jbird001]

ok this is getting very annoying....newegg didn't say that i needed a 350watt powersupply...i just got the 9250 from MSI and it says its highly recommended that I get a 350 watt power supply...i did install the graphics card but my computer restarts when i try to login...i want to keep the 9250 so i think im gunna go to best buy or something and pick up a 350 watt powers supply...are all power supplies the same size?...do i need to have any requirements?

Would the Antec 350w ATX work?
Specs are
Motherboard:
CPU Type AMD Athlon XP, 1800 MHz (13.5 x 133) 2200+
Motherboard Name Compaq Presario
Motherboard Chipset nVIDIA nForce 220 (DDR)
System Memory 512 MB (PC2100 DDR SDRAM)

IDE Controller Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive WDC WD1200BB-60CJA0 (111 GB, USB)
Optical Drive Compaq DVD-ROM SD-M1612 (16x/48x DVD-ROM)
Optical Drive LITE-ON LTR-48126S (48x/12x/48x CD-RW)

[saphalline]

Woah! You have less than a 350W? Ok then, I guess I should have asked that just to double-check.

If you can make it to a Fry's or MicroCenter, they have better deals on power supplies (like half the cost of Best Buy). Or a local hardware shop if you can find one in the Yellow Pages. Otherwise, I'd recommend CompUSA - they have tons of cool hardware. Best Buy can't even touch them!

[jmkeuning]

The other night I went to CompUSA because I was having a problem that saphalline was helping me with. I picked up a 500 watt psu that was like $30 with rebates (only one fan, loud and hot). The best part is, it will hold me over until NewEgg sends me my replacement. And then I can return it. You should do this, if nothing else, to make sure that your problem is the psu and not a short on the mobo or someother issue.
I am not advising you to go get a cheap psu, and I know that saphalline frequently extols the virtues of a quality psu.

[hockey man]

If you are not going to be doing much else in terms of upgrading, you could get a way with a PSU that has 350-400 Watts. Look for an Antec, Thermaltake, or Enermax. Those are good manifacturers.

[jbird001]

This is the most annoying thing ever...i bought a power supply...its the wrong size...i dont know which size to get...i have a compaq 12v 230w power supply and it doesn't have the dimensions on it...so basically im screwed...i've contacted hp/compaq and other places and they can only give me the name and the wattage...If you can find any information on it, it would be very helpful. The part number is 277919-001 and the spares number is 289768-001.
Thanks in advance

[saphalline]

Oh bummer. That's either a micro-ATX PSU, in which case a higher wattage unit will cost a lot, or it's a proprietary PSU, in which case you're SOL.

Have you thought about a new case, as well? ;)

[jbird001]

the computer is only a 2001 or 2002...i dunno why i cant find anything good for it...i mean its not a slow computer

[hockey man]

What is your pc's model number?

[saphalline]

i dunno why i cant find anything good for itIn short, because it's a Compaq. It's a proprietary computer that was meant to be replaced, not upgraded. It was designed to be limited.

[jbird001]

my model # is 8ZSXE2 my chassis is dimensions are:
17.6" x 6.6" x 17.0" (H x W x D)


i think eventually i'll find one somewhere

[jlreich]

I would get a new case. A cheap ATX mid-tower case will cost less than getting a PSU that will fit and still meet your power requirements. And you wont have to worry when it comes time for future upgrades. ;)