Graphics card help!

djswivel · 05-09-2008, 15:13

First off, it's been about 7 years since I was inside a desktop.

So, in a great display of ignorance, is this one of those new fangled PCI-E sockets?

If so, could any one suggest a half decent card (512 or over) for sub £100?

The onboard graphics aren't that great for watching fillums.

**mannyo** · 05-09-2008, 15:18

Yes, thats a PCI/E slot.

Most onboard graphics though are perfectly capable of playing films, have you updated the drivers to the latest version.

For £100 you wont get anything much better than the onboard graphics. To get anything decent you need to double your budget and also factor a new PSU at the same time.

djswivel · 05-09-2008, 15:21

Cheers!

Right then, I won't bother upgrading for a minute or two.

cheezemonkhai · 05-09-2008, 15:49

That's a PCIe x16 connector and probably also wired for x16 lanes.

It may be PCIe 1.1a or 2.0

A 8600GTS £40 offboard graphics card with a section dedicated to MPEG2 acceleration should stuff most older onboard items, however most newer onboard cards have this feature now.

What are the onboard graphics or the chipset?

***Neo_VR*** · 05-09-2008, 16:05

I would disagree with Manny actually...

Check this guide out and just get the best you can afford.

djswivel · 05-09-2008, 16:10

Onboard is 256MB nVidia GeForce 7050MB.

No impressed with it really, and neither is Vista!

cheezemonkhai · 05-09-2008, 16:14

Is that 256MB borrowed from system memory, if so that is why it chugs.

Just go get a mid range or high end card from one of the previous generation of NVidia graphics cards (I only say this as you don't get any odd NV/ATI issues as you can when running both) for about £40 then go have fun.

As manny said though, before you do that make sure you do have the NVidia drivers from their website.

Captain Sisko · 05-09-2008, 16:55

For just over £100 you could get This

Great if you play the odd game or have a high res monitor. But might be overkill if you don't.

djswivel · 05-09-2008, 18:19

I've arrived back from PC World (I know, but they've got a sale on). I picked up a PNY GeForce 8500GT for the princely sum of £42.

It's a much improved display! Well worth buying.

fluffy01016 · 05-09-2008, 20:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Sisko

For just over £100 you could get This

Great if you play the odd game or have a high res monitor. But might be overkill if you don't.

I've got one of these and they're fantastic. Coupled with a Quad core at 3.2ghz and 3gb memory, HD films and games at max res are no probs.

05-09-2008, 15:13	#1
djswivel Getting a flat! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Redruth, Cornwall Posts: 981 Members Car: Fabia vrs Thanks: 94 Thanked 50 Times in 49 Posts	Graphics card help! First off, it's been about 7 years since I was inside a desktop. So, in a great display of ignorance, is this one of those new fangled PCI-E sockets? If so, could any one suggest a half decent card (512 or over) for sub £100? The onboard graphics aren't that great for watching fillums. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/lackofpower

05-09-2008, 15:18	#2
mannyo BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Stevenage Herts. Posts: 11,478 Members Car: Octavia 2.0 TDi Elegance Thanks: 58 Thanked 362 Times in 333 Posts	Re: Graphics card help! Yes, thats a PCI/E slot. Most onboard graphics though are perfectly capable of playing films, have you updated the drivers to the latest version. For £100 you wont get anything much better than the onboard graphics. To get anything decent you need to double your budget and also factor a new PSU at the same time. __________________ Manny 2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk Join the briskoda.net folding team click Here for more info

05-09-2008, 15:21	#3
djswivel Getting a flat! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Redruth, Cornwall Posts: 981 Members Car: Fabia vrs Thanks: 94 Thanked 50 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Graphics card help! Cheers! Right then, I won't bother upgrading for a minute or two. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/lackofpower

05-09-2008, 15:49	#4
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 15,665 Members Car: Thanks: 123 Thanked 527 Times in 488 Posts	Re: Graphics card help! That's a PCIe x16 connector and probably also wired for x16 lanes. It may be PCIe 1.1a or 2.0 A 8600GTS £40 offboard graphics card with a section dedicated to MPEG2 acceleration should stuff most older onboard items, however most newer onboard cards have this feature now. What are the onboard graphics or the chipset? __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.

05-09-2008, 16:05	#5
*Neo_VR* Om nom nom nom Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Manchester Posts: 12,484 Members Car: A White Car Thanks: 79 Thanked 176 Times in 125 Posts	Re: Graphics card help! I would disagree with Manny actually... Check this guide out and just get the best you can afford. __________________ ColGod the UberMod ,___, [O.o] /)__) -"--"- ORLY??

05-09-2008, 16:10	#6
djswivel Getting a flat! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Redruth, Cornwall Posts: 981 Members Car: Fabia vrs Thanks: 94 Thanked 50 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Graphics card help! Onboard is 256MB nVidia GeForce 7050MB. No impressed with it really, and neither is Vista! __________________ http://www.myspace.com/lackofpower

05-09-2008, 16:14	#7
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 15,665 Members Car: Thanks: 123 Thanked 527 Times in 488 Posts	Re: Graphics card help! Is that 256MB borrowed from system memory, if so that is why it chugs. Just go get a mid range or high end card from one of the previous generation of NVidia graphics cards (I only say this as you don't get any odd NV/ATI issues as you can when running both) for about £40 then go have fun. As manny said though, before you do that make sure you do have the NVidia drivers from their website. __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.

05-09-2008, 16:55	#8
Captain Sisko Skodaless Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Deep Space 9 Posts: 2,476 Members Car: Dainty Little skoda Felicia 1.6 Thanks: 44 Thanked 135 Times in 132 Posts	Re: Graphics card help! For just over £100 you could get This Great if you play the odd game or have a high res monitor. But might be overkill if you don't. __________________ 98 Felicia 1.6 GLXI 112000 miles now with a borked head gasket Clickable for "boring" info

05-09-2008, 18:19	#9
djswivel Getting a flat! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Redruth, Cornwall Posts: 981 Members Car: Fabia vrs Thanks: 94 Thanked 50 Times in 49 Posts	Re: Graphics card help! I've arrived back from PC World (I know, but they've got a sale on). I picked up a PNY GeForce 8500GT for the princely sum of £42. It's a much improved display! Well worth buying. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/lackofpower

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