Can anyone help me out with a video card Problem

[dvon76]

I am using a Compaq Presario Desktop mod # sr1214nx Product # is PJ530AA I am running windows xp Home edition. My software build is ver 5.1 2600. xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519:Service pack 2

My current Video Card is a VIA/S3G Unichrome IGP and thats all I know about it. I have tried to find one everywhere with no luck. Could anyone tell me what would be compatible with this card or does it matter or what. I am very new at getting involved with the hardware part of my computer but I would sure appreciate some help. Thanks to anyone that can respond and not just call me an idiot because its probably some easy fix LOL. Thanks, Danny

[foxyshadis]

VIA anything means it's built into the motherboard ("integrated"). You have this chipset (http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/chipsets/k7-series/km400/) with DirectX 7 graphics at best. If you want an idea of performance on even '04 era games, see this review (http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/chipsets/display/int-chipsets-roundup_7.html). You're pretty much up a creek unless you care to get an AGP card. (If you shop around, 6600 can be had for under $70, 7300gt for under $60, X1300pro for under $75. All are quite respectable cards, and even an old 5200 or 9200 would be an upgrade for yours.)

[dvon76]

Like I said, I am quite new at this and I really don't understand what you were saying. I did understand that you were saying that my card is basically way out of date and pretty much junk, but where would one go to find these cards and are they compatible with my computer? I really don't want to mess anything up. I have a new computer so the one i'm working on is just sitting here. Also are these cards that you mentioned a certain brand or what. Sorry for sounding stupid, but I am on this subject.

[foxyshadis]

I just look on froogle.google.com, plugging in the names of the cards along with "agp". They're various models from nvidia and ati, the two heavyweights in the graphics industry.

Compuvest is a good site for cheap older cards: nvidia fx5700 (http://www.compuvest.us/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=178004&CategoryCode=VGA_CARD) for $40, nvidia fx5200 (http://www.compuvest.us/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=178008&CategoryCode=VGA_CARD) for $27, ati 9250 (http://www.compuvest.us/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=90620&CategoryCode=VGA_CARD) for $40.

(The 5000 and 9000 families are parallels, like the 6000 and X000, and 7000 & X1000.)

The upgrade process consists of inserting the card (the AGP slot looks different from all the pci slots), disabling the onboard graphics in the bios, and installing drivers from nvidia's or ati's site.

Since you have another system, are you just going to give away this older one? If it'll be for a server or basic encoding, or an office application system, it doesn't need any graphics. For regular use, like older games (even 2d ones), google earth, and graphics-accelerated video rendering, it can make a difference.

[soulstace]

Whatever you do, don't buy an NVIDIA GeforceFX card. ATI 9700 or 9800 Pro/XT would be a MUCH better choice.

Trust me. I learned the hard way. The FX series blew chunks..

[dvon76]

I just look on froogle.google.com, plugging in the names of the cards along with "agp". They're various models from nvidia and ati, the two heavyweights in the graphics industry.

Compuvest is a good site for cheap older cards: nvidia fx5700 (http://www.compuvest.us/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=178004&CategoryCode=VGA_CARD) for $40, nvidia fx5200 (http://www.compuvest.us/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=178008&CategoryCode=VGA_CARD) for $27, ati 9250 (http://www.compuvest.us/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=90620&CategoryCode=VGA_CARD) for $40.

(The 5000 and 9000 families are parallels, like the 6000 and X000, and 7000 & X1000.)

The upgrade process consists of inserting the card (the AGP slot looks different from all the pci slots), disabling the onboard graphics in the bios, and installing drivers from nvidia's or ati's site.

Since you have another system, are you just going to give away this older one? If it'll be for a server or basic encoding, or an office application system, it doesn't need any graphics. For regular use, like older games (even 2d ones), google earth, and graphics-accelerated video rendering, it can make a difference.

Well I was going to attempt to finish making back ups of my entire dvd collection with it but I can't do it if its not working. I am just trying to make sure that the cards you have mentioned are definately compatible with my old computer. After I make back of copies for myself, I am planning on selling it, to be honest. Thanks to everyone for all the help.

[CWR03]

According to this site at hp.com (http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=432785&lang=en&docname=c00069442#c00069442_doc), your computer has a 4x/8X AGP slot. Any new or 4x/8x AGP video card will work in it. You probably won't find any AGP cards new at a store that won't work in it. Only a 2X AGP card will be incompatible, and those are very difficult to find at all, new or used.

I recently replaced the video card in my media PC with an nVidia GeForce MX4400, which was the cheapest AGP card I could find ($10 with rebates). It's more than adequate for video playback and some light-duty gaming (it ran FarCry, a DirectX 9.0 game, pretty smoothly at the lowest settings). The best part is that it's fanless, which is a big plus when you're trying to keep the noise to a minimum. The funny thing is that I only replaced the card because the fan on the ond one was failing - the only fan I could find to fit it was $30, and the new card is much better.

In order to change the card, you'll first want to uninstall the current video drivers, then reboot the system and enter BIOS. Disable the onboard video and enable the AGP port if that is needed, then shut off the computer and install the new card. Reboot and install the drivers and you should be good to go, provided you remembered to plug the monitor into the new card and didn't leave it in the old port. The manual to your motherboard is available at the site linked above.