Help with a new video card

[ultimatefighter]

Hi. I need help with getting a compatible video card for my system. I only have a 4x AGP slot... i know, it sucks. Let me know of what info you need to help. Thanks. I was told to add this for my make and model for the MOBO...ECS L7VMM2.

[ultimatefighter]

Hi. I need help with getting a compatible video card for my system. I only have a 4x AGP slot... i know, it sucks. Let me know of what info you need to help. Thanks. I was told to add this for my make and model for the MOBO...ECS L7VMM2.

It is an Emachines T2085.

[saphalline]

You aren't planning on playing any modern games, are you? What's your budget for this?

[saphalline]

I just saw your other thread. Ouch! You're definitely limited in what you can use with that chipset (KM266). AGP 4X only, huh? You can try something like an FX 5200 vid card, but nothing semi-modern is going to work. I was running a similar system for gaming at one time, but that was years ago. You're right, that thing is a dinosaur!

[ultimatefighter]

LOL. I have been spending the last 2 hours reading up on how to build a new system. That upgrading a video card idea is far gone. Now i just need to know where to start as i am a little behind everyone else in knowing what is what. I don't know what the first thing to buy would be, what will work with what or anything. Should i buy a case first? Motherboard? or Processors? Thanks for the replies!:confused:

[saphalline]

Since hardware technology moves so fast, you don't really want to stretch out your buying of parts too much. Prices on some parts change daily! Ideally, you'd want to buy all your parts within a week to avoid drastic price fluctuations and depreciation.

How much do you have saved up? What do you want to do with your new system?

[ultimatefighter]

I just want a mid-range system that is good enough to play some games on. I don't really play any of the "demanding" games. I was looking into...
1. AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice.
2. Asus P5LD2 Deluxe (i945P) LGA 775
3. Patriot 1GB (2x512) 240 pin DDR2 800 dual channel kit.

And so on. But i have no clue if these even work together...lol. I know nothing!:rolleyes:

Or could i simply upgrade MOBO to except better vid cards?

[saphalline]

Your vid card choice will be the most important for a gaming system - it determines your maximum gaming performance. That and a modern platform, preferably one that works together! :p

For a mid-range system (depending on budget) I'd suggest starting with the GeForce 7600 GT vid card. At under $200, it's a good starting point for a gaming system. And it's modern enough to support Vista.

For a platform, I'd suggest at least looking at the dual-core CPU's: Intel's Core 2 Duo (LGA 775), and AMD's Athlon64 X2 (Socket AM2). This will give you an idea of what is possible. If you need to move down to a single-core CPU, you can. But always leave room for upgrading! A straight Athlon64 would be the best single-core move for a gamer, but the lower end Core 2 Duo E6300 is pretty darn cheap.

Intel systems need Intel chipsets, and the P965 is the prime candidate for a budget gamer. On the AMD side, stick to the NForce 570 Ultra/MCP. These will be your best chipset choices.

For RAM, you're looking at DDR2 in twin matched sets for dual-channel. Intel systems can get by just fine on DDR2-667, but AMD systems need DDR2-800 for maximum efficiency. There are also some CPU clock speed restrictions for AMD CPU's, so AMD systems are a bit more restrictive right now.

Also, don't forget that any hard drive you buy will need to be SATA 300. The old IDE connectors are waning fast, and the latest chipsets only have one of them - for your optical drive(s). Fortunately, 6+ SATA ports are offered to cover all your hard drive needs.

Finally, expect to spend a chunk of change on your PSU alone. The latest ATX 3.0+ spec is required for the latest hardware, so you'll likely just get a list of a few PSU's you should buy and you can pick from them. Picking out a PSU is tricky, even if you know what you're doing.

[ultimatefighter]

For fear of completely sounding like an idiot, i am saying it anyway...Can you please speak English?lol. I don't think i can afford a dual core, that to me is high end and i want to stay in the middle. What are the chip sets you are refering to? I thought those were already on the MOBO. Ok, i am an idiot! I might have to stick to a Playstation...lol :o

Are you talking about this MOBO?...MSI P965 Neo-F Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard $92.95

[jlreich]

I don't think i can afford a dual core, that to me is high end and i want to stay in the middle. What are the chip sets you are refering to? I thought those were already on the MOBO. Ok, i am an idiot! I might have to stick to a Playstation...lol :o
Dual core is mid range. Yes chipsets are on the mobo. They control everything on the mobo, that's why they are so important.

Have you seen the prices on the PS3? WOW! :eek: Yeah it can play Blu-ray DVD's but WOW!

[ultimatefighter]

what would happen if i stuck this MOBO in my existing computer? And yes, Those PS3's are ridiculous! :eek:

MSI P965 Neo-F Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express ATX Intel Motherboard

[saphalline]

The mobo by itself would be pointless. Not to mention it probably wouldn't fit. You need to buy the rest of the parts to have a usable computer.

[ultimatefighter]

Thanks Saph. Would this be a good choice for a motherboard? Open Box: ASUS M2V Socket AM2 VIA K8T890 ATX AMD Motherboard - OEM . What are the pros and cons of buying this "open box" from NewEgg? And shouldn't i start out buying the mobo, then buy the supporting parts? Or buy the processor and then MOBO? I just need all kinds of help...lol

[saphalline]

What you want to do is pick out all your parts first. Once you have a list of parts and have them priced out, you can buy them all at once. Or in as few orders as possible.

In order to pick out all your parts ahead of time, we need to design you a system. The first part of that process is to pick a platform. A "platform" represents the core capabilities of your new system in terms of the CPU, chipset, and RAM. Arguably, the vid card would also be in that list for a gaming system, but we've already got a starting point for that. The RAM is easy since dual-channel DDR2 is standard-fare these days. The chipset choice I can handle. All you need to do is pick out a CPU. Either Socket AM2 for AMD Athlon64's, or LGA 775 for Intel Core 2 Duo's.

[ultimatefighter]

Hey man. Is there a link or a How to for dummies book you can point me to? This is like reading jibberish. Is the CPU the motherboard? IF so, and i pick the AMD athlon 64 X2, Why would i need to worry about the chip set if the MOBO already comes with one? I am getting more confused at no fault to you. I do appreciate someone as knowledgable as you trying to help out someone like me...who knows nothing about this. But, i am starting to get frustrated. When i can't understand wtf you are talking about. So, not to waste anymore of your time...could you point me in the right direction to educate myself a little so i can understand this language? Thanks.

Where can i find this and how much $$$ Core 2 Duo E6300

[ultimatefighter]

Ok Saph. Here goes...
1. AMD Athlon 64x2 4200+ Windsor Socket AM2.
2. MSI K9N Platinum Socket AM2 nForce 570.
3. GeForce 7600 GT 256mb 128 bit GDDR3 PCI-e x16.
4. Patriot 1 gb (2x512mb) 240 pin DDR2 800 (pc2 6400) dual channel kit.
5. Antec Tru Power Trio TP3-430 ATX 12V x3.

[babyflitestreak]

Sorry to butt in...
I just want to add that Fry's electronics http://www.outpost.com has some really great prices. You can get a dual core processor for under $200.