Okies Question About Ram,vidcard Etc,

Diablus · December 2003

<div class="IPBDescription">getting things for x mas for comp.</div> well i need more RAM, a better vid card, and another HD, im goin to like comp USA or sumthing tomm to "tell" my dad what specific things i want.. now im not looknig for a price range of 300$ for a vid card. just nic low or medioker priced RAM, HD's and vid cards that will support HL2 and such, any suggestions on what types to ask if they have em in stock tomm? (im not good with this type of thing <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'> )

Liku · December 2003

First, find out what kind of slots your PC has for the RAM/VideoCard. That's real important, sucks having to go back because you don't have the right kinda of Stick.

Diablus · December 2003

and how may i do that without taking my comp apart? <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'>

Liku · December 2003

That's the only way I know, you just have to take the case off and look.

DiscoZombie · December 2003

the side of most towers comes off pretty easily, often without even using a screwdriver...

need to know how much memory is in there, and whether it's 1 stick or 2...

Diablus · December 2003

well, im gonna have to take it apart tonight, can u please sum up everything in 1 post what should look for so i can write it down?? (getting RAM, Vid card, and a HD)

EDIT: afterward ill post what i have so u all can suggest n tell me wuts the best to get for good prices and such <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'>

Liku · December 2003

You could just leave your Case off and take picture for us to see, if you can[Having a Camera].

Diablus · December 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Liku @ Dec 18 2003, 10:36 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> You could just leave your Case off and take picture for us to see, if you can[Having a Camera].  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
no camera, sorry dude <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'>

DarkDude · December 2003

I will also be upgrading my computer in March, just for HL2. I'm probably going to get a new video card and another 256mb stick of RAM to beef this sucker up. Just wondering, is there any way to figure out what kind of slot you have for a video card? I've looked into my mobo's manual and it had PCI slots but when I checked out my computer specs, I had an AGP card. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'> So will I have to tear this thing open and take a look or is there another way?

Also, this may sound like a nub question, well, it is a nub question. When putting a video card in, does it go on the mobo or does it go somewhere else? I've looked at some pics in my mobo manual and it shows 32MB PCI expansion slots, would that be where I'd stick a (unfortunantly) PCI card?

Finally, this will be my first time upgrading a computer so I will have someone helping me out; I'm just looking for some advice that can help me pick out a nice card. What would you recommend for more bang for the buck? A Radeon 9600 or a 9500? Thanks for any help.

Dubers · December 2003

Also dude DON'T TOUCH THE RAW ELECTRONICS you can damage them with the static charge the human body builds up. Aquire an anti static wristband and as a last resort hold on to the chassis of your computer while handling your components as this will ground you dissapating and static from your body.

TenSix · December 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (DarkDude @ Dec 18 2003, 09:43 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> I will also be upgrading my computer in March, just for HL2. I'm probably going to get a new video card and another 256mb stick of RAM to beef this sucker up. Just wondering, is there any way to figure out what kind of slot you have for a video card? I've looked into my mobo's manual and it had PCI slots but when I checked out my computer specs, I had an AGP card. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/confused.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='confused.gif'> So will I have to tear this thing open and take a look or is there another way?

Also, this may sound like a nub question, well, it is a nub question. When putting a video card in, does it go on the mobo or does it go somewhere else? I've looked at some pics in my mobo manual and it shows 32MB PCI expansion slots, would that be where I'd stick a (unfortunantly) PCI card?

Finally, this will be my first time upgrading a computer so I will have someone helping me out; I'm just looking for some advice that can help me pick out a nice card. What would you recommend for more bang for the buck? A Radeon 9600 or a 9500? Thanks for any help. </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
From what I can remember, the slots are color coded to a standard.

AGP slots = BROWN
PCI slots = WHITE
<img src='http://nyimage.attenza.com/images/tutorials/TOPIC_119/114114.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image'>

I think all of todays 3D cards are AGP only, I know TNT2's used to come in both PCI and AGP flavor, but AGP is always better and faster. Don't get PCI unless you have no AGP slot available. The speed difference will be big.

Graphics cards are plugged directly into the mobo, into the AGP slot pictured above. Any card you buy will give instructions on how to install it properly.

I haven't looked into 3D cards much at all lately, and especially not the ATI lineup. From what I understand the Radeon 9600 supports DirectX 9, whereas the 9500 does not. HL2 will use DirectX 9 extensivly, although it will also support DirectX 8, it won't look nearly as good on the latter.

To try to answer DarkDude's question, its going to be very hard to buy a HD, video card, and RAM for under $300 unless you get some sweet rebate deals. I would skip the HD upgrade, I've managed to survive for the past 5+ years on 20GB drives. You just have to be very very sparing. As for RAM and a video card, I would see if they have the Radeon 9600 or 9600 PRO, if the price isnt too big I would buy the PRO version.

As for RAM, its much more finnicky, if your computer is from an OEM such as Dell or something then you'll have to either lookup your specs from their website, which you should be able to do. Or phone them up and ask, hopefully you won't get some rep who likes to banter on about warranties and crap. If you have a non-OEM motherboard, then it should be as simple as going to the manufacturer's site (<a href='http://www.crucial.com' target='_blank'>Crucial</a> and <a href='http://www.kingston.com' target='_blank'>Kingston</a> are good) and seeing what will work with your computer by telling them what model you have. Then you can either buy it from their site or write it down and ask.

Or crack open your case and see what type of ram you have now. It should have the manufacturer's name printed on it somewhere.

Diablus · December 2003

well my RAM type is PC-133 (or SDRAM), my vid card has a agp* slot AND i have room for another stick of 256 RAM and a new HD

DuoGodOfDeath · December 2003

If your planning on buying computer parts I will suggest www.PriceWatch.com

Basically searches lots of sites for the lowest price. RAM is super cheap right now 1x512 DDR 4000 PC for only 70 bucks aint to bad of a deal. Radeon 9800's are just going straight down in price especially the 256 MB one. It was 400 now its 350.

Nows the time to buy.

Elderwyrm · December 2003

I have a new card on its way to me right now. I'm pretty new to upgrading so I'm afraid to screw something up.

Concerns :

Getting rid of the old card. I have something plugged up to my PCI slot and I think that may be it. Its not that great of a card, it came with the system and its an S3 64mb Pro Savage or something of the sort. I've also seen I need to uninstall all the old drivers?

Static. This is the one thats REaaaly Scaring me. I don't wanna spend 300 bucks on a card and then fry it along with my motherboard. Do cards come with that static protection stuff or will I need to buy it myself. If so where. I could also use abit more information on grounding myself.

Any Help will be met with caek and pai.

Sandrock · December 2003

All components will come in anti-static bags, so there wont be any built up static before you get the parts. Just put your computer case on the ground, and put your hand to it. That will ground any static built up on you. Static usually isn't an issue, just dont put your PC together on your living room carpet while wearing wool socks <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

Like was mentioned above, PCI slots are white, and the AGP slot is brown. The AGP slot is also indented farther towards the middle of the motherboard compared to the PCI slots. As was also mentioned, get an AGP card unless you dont have an AGP slot. Most modern motherboards in the past couple years will have an AGP slot, unless it was specifically designed with on-board video.

Before uninstalling any current hardware, you'll want to uninstall the drivers completely. Once the drivers are uninstalled, remove the old hardware, put in the new hardware, and then install the drivers.

The Radeon 9600 series is a good budget card. They support DirectX 9 and will run HL2 smoothly.

The type of ram you can get really depends on what your motherboard supports. It should say either in your motherboard manual or the manufacturer's website what types of memory the board supports.

You can find some good deals on harddrives right about now. Just in the past week, I've seen several different models with some nice rebates on them. If possible, be sure to get a 7200rpm drive with an 8mb cache. Those will be the fastest standard PATA drives available.

I'm a hardware geek, so if anyone has any more specific questions, feel free to PM me. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>

Thansal · December 2003

If you can I would suggest ditching out the sdram and switching to DDR (if your mobo don't suport it, oh well <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>)

And if you are REALY freaked out about static simply ground yourself.

You can do this by touching a large piece of metal, and if you wana be paranoid attach your self to a large piece of metal via a bare metal wire or some such <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'> (they ussed to sell/give away these velcro bracelets for this purpose <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>)

note: I have done so friken much tinkering with computers and as of yet have not fried anything (knocks on desk <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>)

well, GL mate (/me goes back to wishing he could get some new ram and a HDD <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>)

DiscoZombie · December 2003

the best vid card for your money right now, I believe, is the ATI Radeon 9600 XT. Same price as the 9600 Pro but like 15% more powerful... if money is no object you can go up to the 9800 pro or XT... but those are hella expensive.

also, if you read the boxes, most ATI cards come with free half-life 2 when it comes out now =P you get a steam CD key that will let you download HL2 as soon as it comes out... the cd key also works as a free copy of HL1 until then... but you don't need that now do you :>

at any rate, I know I've got my cd key ready =P

Elderwyrm · December 2003

Wait. So I won't actually have a box and manual and all that stuff when HL2 is released? If that is the case I will probably end up buying it anyway. I like all the stuff that comes with it.

nightdragon · December 2003

Question from me now.

I have a basic *didnt know anything about pc hardware* packard bell *shudders* PC. Im upgrading to a 9600pro *which has been delivered, but cant open till xmas*

Now I know that the 9600 does not have a minimum psu speed unlike the Radeon 9800, but will my stupidly low powered 250W psu be able to handle this graphics card AND HL2 *note i have a P4 2.5Ghz and 512Mg or RAM*

Thanks in Advance

ND

Edit> edited my wording a little <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>

DarkDude · December 2003

Well ****. I just opened up my PC and snooped around my mobo and guess what, no AGP slot! Now I'm stuck with Intel Extreme Graphics or some bad PCI card. Does anyone know anything I can do other then buying a new mobo? I will soon be upgrading to 512MB RAM, do you think that will be suffcient enough to make my puny little "graphics card" run HL2?

nightdragon · December 2003

Trust me, the game will probably run, and maybe quite smoothly. But you just won't get that feel of the graphics with an onboard. My rubbishy MX440 runs Halo ok because of the rest of my pc specs, but when it comes down to it, its really the graphics card that will give you the smooth visual effects you are after. (My halo runs good, but looks like ****)

Thats all from me, night everyone *2am here*

DarkDude · December 2003

Really, you think HL2 will run on this card, and <i>smoothly</i>? Wow, well, I'm hoping it does, it can't run Halo because it lacks some componant needed so I was scared there for a second.

I've run Halo on a plain GF3 (not ti) before and it looked decent but any video options above medium made it lag pretty badly. I can't run Halo on my computer because I'm missing something needed for it. It'll run, and run very smoothly, but the colors and textures are all messed up. <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif'>

Edit: Yea, to ground myself I just touch my power supply and I'm good to go. I wouldn't do it at all if it weren't for the fact that my carpet is pretty shaggy.

Elderwyrm · December 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (nightdragon @ Dec 19 2003, 08:08 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Question from me now.

I have a basic *didnt know anything about pc hardware* packard bell *shudders* PC. Im upgrading to a 9600pro *which has been delivered, but cant open till xmas*

Now I know that the 9600 does not have a minimum psu speed unlike the Radeon 9800, but will my stupidly low powered 250W psu be able to handle this graphics card AND HL2 *note i have a P4 2.5Ghz and 512Mg or RAM*

Thanks in Advance

ND

Edit> edited my wording a little <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
Could you please enlighten me on this minimum psu speed? I have a 9800 which has also been delivered but I can't open till X-Mas. I don't want to see that I can't use my card <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif'>

Thansal · December 2003

Remember Dark

suposedly HL2 will RUN on anysystem, sometihng about auto scalining alot of stuff so that any system CAN run it, its just not gona be nearly as nifty <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>

I would suggest NOT getting new RAM for that mobo (seeing how as it probably can't take DDR ram if it dosn't even have an AGP slot)

My suggestion would be to get a mobo bundel form an online retailer.

You get Mobo, Ram, and a new proceser for a nice discount <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

$213.72 for a new Mobo, an AMD XP 2400, and 512 of Kingston DDR 266 (tack on $9 if you want them to put it to gether for you <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>)

so, yah kinda worth it in my opinion (also that mobo should last you for a while)

Or if you got alot of $$
$715.97 gets you:
New MoBo (good one) AMD Athalon64 3200, and 1gig of kingston DDR 400

hehe, I would suggest not going top of the line, but thats just me <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'>

nightdragon · December 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Elderwyrm @ Dec 20 2003, 12:10 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> </span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (nightdragon @ Dec 19 2003, 08:08 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Question from me now.

I have a basic *didnt know anything about pc hardware* packard bell *shudders* PC. Im upgrading to a 9600pro *which has been delivered, but cant open till xmas*

Now I know that the 9600 does not have a minimum psu speed unlike the Radeon 9800, but will my stupidly low powered 250W psu be able to handle this graphics card AND HL2 *note i have a P4 2.5Ghz and 512Mg or RAM*

Thanks in Advance

ND

Edit> edited my wording a little <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
Could you please enlighten me on this minimum psu speed? I have a 9800 which has also been delivered but I can't open till X-Mas. I don't want to see that I can't use my card <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif'>  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
Erm. Im pretty sure that a 9800 requires a 300W, anything higher will be fine <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>

Obst · December 2003

If you need specific information about your comp's interior, I suggest using Aida32, a system information utility. I think it should answer all your questions.

<a href='http://www.aida32.hu/aida32.php' target='_blank'>http://www.aida32.hu/aida32.php</a>

Soylent_green · December 2003

It is very rare now a days that computer parts get destroyed by static electricity(the voltage is really high but the current is minute, transistors can brake down when a too high voltage is applied over them, they don't exactly 'fry' but they can break).

Elderwyrm · December 2003

</span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (nightdragon @ Dec 20 2003, 06:51 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> </span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Elderwyrm @ Dec 20 2003, 12:10 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> </span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (nightdragon @ Dec 19 2003, 08:08 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Question from me now.

I have a basic *didnt know anything about pc hardware* packard bell *shudders* PC. Im upgrading to a 9600pro *which has been delivered, but cant open till xmas*

Now I know that the 9600 does not have a minimum psu speed unlike the Radeon 9800, but will my stupidly low powered 250W psu be able to handle this graphics card AND HL2 *note i have a P4 2.5Ghz and 512Mg or RAM*

Thanks in Advance

ND

Edit> edited my wording a little <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
Could you please enlighten me on this minimum psu speed? I have a 9800 which has also been delivered but I can't open till X-Mas. I don't want to see that I can't use my card <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif'> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'>
Erm. Im pretty sure that a 9800 requires a 300W, anything higher will be fine <img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'>  </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> 
300W? (Excuse le nubbiness, I've never upgraded before)

SillyGoose · December 2003

when someone refers to the wattage of their powersupply, they're basically talking about how much juice is available for your components. 300w's are pretty much standard but if you have a high end vid card and multiple drives 400w or higher is definately recommended. Also the whole entire Radeon 9x00 series supports DX9 <b>except</b> the radeon 9100 and 9200. I got a Radeon 9600 Pro AIW from newegg for 220 and I love it. As far as HDs go I recommend Western Digital as thats what I've always used but I've heard good things about Seagate and Maxtor. And for ram try and get a stick with low latency if at all possible, I made this mistake before but I'm making up with it by getting 2 512mb DDR 400 Corsair XMS sticks. Have fun shopping.

Elderwyrm · December 2003

Ahh. So when I get my 9800 in, umm, wattage, and stuff...yeah..

How do I check how much power I have available to my computer.

SillyGoose · December 2003

open up the box and look at the label on the power supply.

Okies Question About Ram,vidcard Etc,

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