Help Please I know nothing about computers and am getting a new graphics card.

J

Jon Boy

New Member
OK well Im a complete novice when it comes to computers (thats why I have come to you guys). Well what I wanted to know is AGP 4x and AGP 8x, totaly different things. What I mean is if im running a 4x card now can I get one that is 8x without having to buy something else apart from the card. Also I dont have much money and is this card any good for games. "Sapphire Radeon 9550 256MB DDR AGP VGA/TVO/DVI-I" Also is there anyway I can tell in depth details about my computer (not in system info), in xp.
 
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 2/26/2005, 22:51:05
Machine name: JON
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_rtm.040803-2158)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: MEDIONPC
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.20GHz
Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 238MB used, 1009MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode


Thats it (need anymore I saved it as a .txt format thingy) lol
 
Does it say anything about video or a video card in the rest of the info? I couldn't find anything here

edit: look under the display tab, name (top left)
 
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce4 MX 420
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0172&SUBSYS_87301462&REV_A3
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.4523 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/28/2003 14:19:00, 3902603 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 7/28/2003 14:19:00, 1341339 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4232-11CF-7966-3AA702C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0172
SubSys ID: 0x87301462
Revision ID: 0x00A3
Revision ID: 0x00A3
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
Deinterlace Caps: {212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{212DC723-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_MedianFiltering
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

(I might take some time to respond cos im playing Joint Operations)
 
Jon Boy said:
erm around £50
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Ah, you are UK. That changes things, then, cuz you can't use any of the ones on that website that I posted.
Jon Boy said:
How much would it cost to get what ever lets you use agp 8x.
Click to expand...

What do you mean? A new computer? You would still be using the 8X card, it wil just be traveling slower between the card and the computer.
 
you saying I can only use 4x (8x is better isnt it) all I want s to be able to use 8x if its better so I can get the card I want. So what would I need to get to use 8x.
 
Jon Boy said:
all I want s to be able to use 8x if its better so I can get the card I want.
Click to expand...
You can still get the card you want, it will just be running at a slower speed.....
Jon Boy said:
So what would I need to get to use 8x.
Click to expand...
A new motherboard.:DThe limitation is soley on whether or not the mobo supports it.
 
Oh so you saying it will run alot better than the card I got now but wont be running at its full potential
And how much would a new motherboard cost
Aslo what exactely is overclocking.
 
Jon Boy said:
Oh so you saying it will run alot better than the card I got now but wont be running at its full potential
Click to expand...
EXACTLY!
Jon Boy said:
And how much would a new motherboard cost
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I would not get a new mobo, because you are a noob, you would probably blow yourself up trying to replace it (no offense) But if you really know how to take apart and put back together computers, go for it.
Jon Boy said:
Aslo what exactely is overclocking.
Click to expand...
http://www.computerforum.com/announcement.php?f=7

Making something run faster than its supposed to. You could OC your gfx to its full potential, if that's what you asking.
 
Well I will probably get an expert to put all the crap into my computer. So how much would a new "MOBO" cost. And thanks for all your help so far. Are you really only 13 cos if you are im amazed about how much you know.
 
Jon Boy said:
Well I will probably get an expert to put all the crap into my computer. So how much would a new "MOBO" cost. And thanks for all your help so far.
Click to expand...
Well, it depends on what you want. There are so many things to put into consideration, I can't really tell you. There are $25 ones, and there are $525 ones. It really depends on what you would be doing with it, and some other specs of your computer.So, what will you be doing with this?
Jon Boy said:
Are you really only 13 cos if you are im amazed about how much you know.
Click to expand...
Yes, i am. Stay around here for a couple of months, you will get smarter, too
 
lol ok I might stay around.
Well Basically all I want to do is play games (not neceserily on hi res) but good enough so I get no lag and a good fr. Games such as joint operations. Also really I just want the graphics card to perform to its full potential as you said it would not on the motherboard I got now.
 
I find most motherboards that support your CPU at around 40-90 pounds.

I would buy the new video card, the wait a while and get a new motherboard

What you can do/buy really depends on your budget-you said earlier that you only had 50L, that won't cut it for a (good) motherboard and video card.

I would say to buy the video card now, get a better one, and then save up your money some more and but a new motherboard.

BTW, if you are ever interested in building your own PC, have a look here:

http://www.daileyint.com/build/buildtoc.htm

Have fun!
 
Last edited:
ok thanks. What sort of difference would this improved graphics card acctually do. Will it speed up my computer, improve the graphics or what???
 
Jon Boy said:
ok thanks. What sort of difference would this improved graphics card acctually do. Will it speed up my computer, improve the graphics or what???
Click to expand...

It will improve the graphics. I don't know anything about Joint Operations, but it can't be too extensive on the card you have right now. You would be able to play more extensive games, like D3. H2, or whatever else.

One more Q:

Is your computer pre-built? If so, what company/model #?
 
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