Crappier graphics card outperforms the better graphics card in resolutions

azonicrider · Mar 15, 2014

I got two computers.

The better computer is a P4 with an intel® 82945g graphics card, 4 GB of DDR2. Windows 7.

The crappier computer is a P4 with a intel® 82845g graphics card, 512 MB of DDR. Windows XP.

I just got a 1600:900 monitor. The crappier computer can do that resolution no prob, but the better computer won't give me the option to go to that resolution.

I've tried every hack possible to make the better computer go up to 1600:900.

Should I swap the graphics cards, even though the 82945g is apparently the better of the two?

azonicrider · Mar 15, 2014

It is a Dell E2014H analog.

Connected through VGA.

Take a look: http://i.imgur.com/JeKQWRG.png

I could possibly install Windows XP on this computer, to see if its the OS thats the problem.

azonicrider · Mar 15, 2014

KevinAr18 :

First thing I would do is go out and buy a DVI-D cable for that monitor (better picture than VGA):
http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=102&cp_id=10209

After that, as for the resolution, problem, it is a problem with the way Windows 7 handles drivers (they are very strict) and the monitor being made right. So, after switching to DVI-D, I'd try things in this order:
1. If you manually installed drivers for the monitor from Dell, then uninstall the Dell monitor drivers (go to add/remove programs and uninstall it if you installed them that way) so windows just sees the monitor as something generic.
2. Now that you have generic drivers, see if you can use the proper resolution. If not...
3. Contact Dell support and ask them where you can download the monitor drivers for Windows 7:
http://www.dell.com/support/contents/us/en/19/category/Contact-Information
4. Install them and see if it works now (if you can pick the right resolution).
5. As a last resort, force Windows 7 to use the right resolution:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/7947-force-dvi-hdmi-resolutions-refresh-rates.html

P.S. Switching to DVI-D might actually fix all your problems. It's possible that VGA is not reporting the correct EDID data ... and the EDID problem is why you can't pick the right resolution. DVI-D might allow the monitor to report the correct EDID info (but I'm just guessing).

The monitor came with a DVI cable, my computer doesn't have a port for DVI.

I'll uninstall the drivers and see if that works.

I should mention I didn't install the drivers on the Windows XP computer. Only on the Windows 7 computer.

azonicrider · Mar 15, 2014

KevinAr18 :

azonicrider :

Yeah, Windows 7 is stricter. The monitor has data on it that describes the resolutions it can use in the EDID. It then sends this info to the computer. Windows 7 added the restriction that it will only allow resolutions the monitor sends from this EDID data, so that is why it won't let you pick the right resolution.

It is possible that VGA is not capable of sending the EDID data properly (or at all) ... and it may also be possible that you can't even try the fix I mentioned (as that may require a DVI-D) cable.

Anyways, try everything out, in the order mentioned, and see if you get anywhere.

I uninstalled the graphics card drivers, and it allowed me to switch to 1600x1200.

Basically I think I'll just get a better graphics card that has a DVI port. I want this old computer to last for 6 more months.

What could I upgrade a 82945g to?

azonicrider · Mar 15, 2014

I can't figure out if AGP if PCI.

Basically its a Dell GX620 with a 0HH807 board.

I was gonna first upgrade my processor to a Pentium D, but maybe updating my graphics card will give me a bigger boost in performance than that.

KevinAr18 · Mar 15, 2014

deleted

azonicrider · Mar 15, 2014

Dude I am on it, getting a $900 AMD A8 8 GB DDR3 computer in September.

But I need this thing to last between now and then.

So these $20 stop-gap upgrades are appropriate. I don't mind getting them, to make this thing last a little longer.

azonicrider · Mar 24, 2014

KevinAr18 :

Well not sure if its software related, read the following:

Okay I do have a PCI Express slot in this computer.

So I stole my moms Radeon x300 out of her computer(don't tell her), and installed it in this one.

I am now running 1600x900 flawless.

So I assume the problem is, the 82945g card is ancient and can't handle 1600x monitors.

So yes I do have a PCI Express slot in this computer, so that opens up alot of possibilities.

cst1992 · Mar 24, 2014

For the first time in my life, I've seen someone who has a worse graphics card than their mom

Just kidding, don't be angry.
BTW you cannot switch 82845 and 82945. That's integrated graphics. Hard soldered on your motherboard.

cst1992 · Mar 24, 2014

You'll have to do with the x300 for the next 6 months, really.
There are many new cards launched, but since they're new, their price is high now. After 6 months, the price would decrease a bit, then you could get a 750 Ti or R7 265 for your new PC. They're excellent mid-high end cards.

azonicrider · Mar 24, 2014

cst1992 :

20 year old guys don't make alot of money. Mom makes $30 an hour haha

Thats what I saw then. I saw an Intel chip on my motherboard, and thought "theres no way a CPU would be exposed like that".

I gotta put that graphics card back. Can't keep it. But I thinking I could do better than a Radeon x300 anyways, I just don't know the requirements of what graphics cards are.

All I know is I got a single slot PCI Express on my motherboard.

azonicrider · Mar 24, 2014

The Radeon x300 is a PCI-E card; it would've been impossible for me to install it if I didn't have a PCI-E slot on my motherboard.

azonicrider · Mar 24, 2014

Check it: http://en.community.dell.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/3515/0143.755VIDZ.JPG

(Although quite a low-res pic.)

Not sure if I can do that. My next computer has a MSI A88XM motherboard, and can accept a card that can use like 50x the volts that my P4 Windows 7 computer can take.

With a $120, I can make this computer last 6 months:
-A Radeon x600 256MB video card
-Pentium D 840
-Second 250 GB SATA HDD
-7.1 audio card

Then after I get my AMD A8 8 GB DDR3 computer in September, I'll install Linux on this thing and use it as a render farm.

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