Author Topic: Video card upgrade questions  (Read 1049 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline JoeLo

  • 26
Video card upgrade questions
Howdy ya'll I'm upgrading my video card for Christmas, but first I got some quick questions.

How can I tell if I have PCI or PCIe ports? is there software that can do it?

I have integrated graphics currently, if I install a new graphics card what will happen will Intel just step aside, or will it fight for it's position?

 

Offline BlackDove

  • Star Killer
  • 211
  • Section 3 of the GTVI
    • http://www.shatteredstar.org
Re: Video card upgrade questions
I don't think boards with integrated graphics have any places in which you can stick any AGP, PCI-E or PCI-X cards.

You need to throw that **** out.

 

Offline JoeLo

  • 26
Re: Video card upgrade questions
I definantly have open PCI slots, I believe you can upgrade your video card through those. I think I might have a PCIe slot open, please answer my question though, is there a program that can scan, and figure out what kinds of open "expansion" slots I have.

 

Offline WMCoolmon

  • Purveyor of space crack
  • 213
Re: Video card upgrade questions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCI-Express

Just look at the friggin' mobo. :p

Here's an AGP port: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerated_Graphics_Port

The mobo manual should say as well. The reason why such programs are not commonplace is because if you know how to write such a program, it's not worth the effort.
-C

 

Offline JoeLo

  • 26
Re: Video card upgrade questions
Thanks, I'm just technologically impaired. It appears I'm stuck with a basic PCI interface graphics card. Damn....

 

Offline Kosh

  • A year behind what's funny
  • 210
Re: Video card upgrade questions
Thanks, I'm just technologically impaired. It appears I'm stuck with a basic PCI interface graphics card. Damn....


By todays standards, the only PCI cards available are outdated at best, and obsolete at worst.
"The reason for this is that the original Fortran got so convoluted and extensive (10's of millions of lines of code) that no-one can actually figure out how it works, there's a massive project going on to decode the original Fortran and write a more modern system, but until then, the UK communication network is actually relying heavily on 35 year old Fortran that nobody understands." - Flipside

Brain I/O error
Replace and press any key

 

Offline Nix

  • 28
  • In the morning!
Re: Video card upgrade questions
Before considering upgrading your videocard, upgrade the motherboard and processor.  With a machine that old, you definetly do not want to buy a PCI videocard, because any PCI videocards out there are outdated, and quite honestly, are a waste of money.  Consider upgrading the backbone first, along with faster system RAM, and then decide on a new videocard.  With new motherboard choice, you can choose either AGP or PCI-E, and go from there.  I would highly discourage anyone buying a PCI videocard today, unless the system they're using absolutely cannot be upgraded.