Can PC Handle Graphic Upgrade

Hello all

Just thought I'd pose a question on the board to see if any-one
else has had similar expereince up-grading the Graphic card on
their PC.

I my be foolish for asking but...... anyway here are my PC stats.....

==| 700 MHz AMD Duron Processor
==| 448 MB memory (came with only 64MB )
==| 20 GB Hard Drive
==| 8 MB Nvidia TNT2 Graphics
==| 19" BenQ LCD monitor
==| Win Xp Pro

Footnote: Originally came with..ahhm*cough* Win Me as OS.

I guess I'm just wondering if I spend say 100 bucks on a up-to-date card if I'll really
notice a huge difference over-all. Or could this PC even handle a 128MB Card?

The other end of it, would it be money wiser spent on a newer more modern PC?

TIA

There is no point in buying a modern 3D accelerator for that system. The money would be better spent on a newer system. Every close to modern game you run on that box will be CPU limited no matter how good the GPU is and probably still run like complete ass.

Not necessarilly,

The GPU would take the burned off the processor. Going from a TNT2 to a Geforce FX or a lowend Radeon 9x00 card would be quite an upgrade even for a 700mhz computer.

Of course if you spend $$ on an AGP/PCI card it's pretty much obsolete as soon as you buy it since newer computers won't accept your AGP card. (Well almost all newer computers won't).

It really depends on what your going to be doing with the machine and if you'll be keeping it for awhile. If it was me and I was planning on keeping it for a few more years, then I'd try to upgrqade it as much as possible (within reason, you wouldn't want to stick an X800 XT in there)

Originally posted by dosfreak:


Yes, your last paragraph really makes sense. Forgive me for not including the user needs in my initial post.*blush*
To make up some ground I should have said that this PC is mainly for web surfing, graphic editing, e-mail and taking advantage of the LCD monitor. No games installed ....

Thank you for all those comments ....
@ dosfreak, yes, you really said a mouthful with your comment in blue.

Here's what I ended up doing....
= Went to the store and bought the GeForce FX5200 128MB Card
= Yanked out the old one (all 8MB's of it)
= Installed the new one
= Able to use digital cable that came with monitor
= Fired PC up, installed the drivers
= WoHoo! its all fantastic.

Yes, before considering this card I did have to find out ifin' I had the APG slot and
sure enough its all good. I'm excited that all is working as planned.
Now the monitor looks as it should. *slaps head* Why didn't I do this sooner? x)
The card just happened to be on sale plus a $40.00 rebate will have to be mailed in.
*must wait for rebate, erm... from 8 to 26 weeks* LOL
So once that happens total cost of upgrade is aprox. $75.00 Can.

Thanks again for taking the time to post.

Another satisfied Customer.
Take care,
Tail Wind

before buying anything
whats your motherboard and can it support newer agp4x/8x cards
im fairly sure chances are that the answer is no

edit: ugh well forget that i see you already bought it but you definitely shouldve checked for motherboard support first

Originally posted by BabyBoy--:

Well you know how it goes M8. First you get all pumped about doing
the upgrade and the logical side of your brain goes on a vacation.
Myself, I did some research but probably not enough. Anyway I just
forged ahead and did all of things to get this card working and
I must say I have not run into any issues of any kind.
I'm rather pleased with the outcome. So on that note I think I'll
go and get myself a cup of coffee, relax in my easy-chair and read
all the instruction manuals on upgrading your PC....Lol
The only info I could find on the motherBoard is Compaq 06E4h
Thanks for posting

Take care
Tail Wind

hey mate!
i have the same mainboard than you, and i also wanted to upgrade cpu and graphic card!
did ur fx 5200 worked ?
i actually have the same card as you... (8MB)
and my cpu is AMD Duron 750 MHZ

to what cpu can I upgrade without changing my motherboard ?
with SIsoft sandra i fount out, that the upgrade speed is 1.25 GHZ ! but this i found as info for the cpu! not for the mainboard!
here some mainboard infos :
the frontside bus is 2 x 100 MHZ
Max FSB speed = 2 x 133 / 1 x 133
brightness : 64 MB

AGP version : 2.0
Agp speed : 4 x 66 MHZ


can anyone helps me ? i can gibe more informations on the mainboard etc...
it would be really nice