Graphics card and RAM

D

DigitalDingo

New Member
I'm trying to make a rather old (AGP) gaming computer stay alive. These are the specs:

Intel Pentium 4 3.2 GHz
1.5 GB PC3200 CL3 DDR RAM
nVidia GeForce FX 5700LE 256 MB

The desktop board is an Intel D865PERL if that means anything to you.

I figured that it probably is the graphics card that harms the games the most (am I right?), so I'm currently looking at the Radeon X1950 PRO card as a replacement.
I've heard that this card requires a lot of power, so how do I check if my computer can handle it? I can see the specs on the power supply, but I can't seem to find any data for the card.

Another question (yes, wrong category I know): From an ancient computer I have small 256 MB RAM module. It says on it: DDR333(2.5) 256M*8. Would it harm my system in any way if I put that module in this computer?

Thanks for your answers!
 
What watt output is your power supply? Is it the one that originally came with the the case?

That stick of ram is alright mate, it would just make the rest of your ram run at DDR333 (PC2700) speeds instead of PC3200. But to be honest i don't think that will make much of a difference.

P.S. Make sure that the X1950 Pro your looking at is AGP.;)
 
Yup, the power supply is the original. Actually I'm not sure what the watt output is since it seems it can vary, but maybe you can tell something clever from the label:



If the "new" ram module makes the others run slower wouldn't that also make the computer run slower overall? It's just that the old computer is going to the landfill anyway, so if I can use some of the old components to make a newer computer run (just slightly) faster, I will do it. :)

And about the agp: yes, I was aware of that. Thanks anyway! :D
 
If the "new" ram module makes the others run slower wouldn't that also make the computer run slower overall?
Click to expand...

Well, the "new" RAM stick will run at the lower speeds, it'll run fine, like nffc10 said, I doubt you'd notice a difference, also, if it does slow it down, just take it out, no harm done :)
 
Thanks, that was a very useful thread!
There are some cards running at 400W or below, but none of them run at 17A. Will the amperes not be a problem here?
 
Well, You will need to get a card that will run on your PSU, if it didn't you would have to get a PSU that is powerfull enough to run the card you wanted and maybe have room to upgrade in the future.
 
Well, it seems like I would have to find myself a new PSU. From ceewi1's thread I get:

Card...................................Wattage ...............+12V Amperage
X1950 - All Models..................450W .........................30A

I have looked at the Corsair HX520W PSU which states a max combined wattage at 480W on the 12V rails (but a total power of 520W) and 12V@[18+18+18]A. Clearly the amperes won't be a problem, but I'm not sure about the wattage. Is it correct that it is the 480W I should use when I compare the PSU to the X1950 PRO? If so, would that be enough? I mean, if the wattage drops just a bit it won't be enough for the video card. So what do you think?
 
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