185W PSU - Graphics card options?

[bb1]

I am working on an IBM workstation with an AGP slot and was wondering what i could get away with to make the thing usable.

IBM Netvista M42 - 8305 - RRU
Pentium 4 2.53GHz
256MB PC2100
Integrated Intel 845G graphics
185 Watt PSU

I will be adding memory.
I am trying to figure out what i can put in for a graphcs card without out spending more than $100. It may get some light gaming use.

I am looking for the best option graphic card less than $100 that wont overrun then power supply?

Suggestions other than dumping the thing?

 

[mdd1963]

Dude...

I personally doubt that system has even 30 watts of power to spare...; 185 watts???

Because of it's age, smallish PS, slow mem, and relatively slow processor and AGP interface, I'd just leave it as is, relegated to soltaire, web surfing, music, and the occasional Quake2 or Quake3 game at fairly modest settings.
I wold not invest in an AGP card for it, seriously....; maybe you can find someone to give you an original GF1 or GF2mx?

 

[bb1]

6600 on newegg says they require 300W power supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130232



Any idea where i can find the PSU requirements for various cards?

 

[bb1]

Information i could find on the power supply on IBMs website:

185W PFC (Acbel, Delta, Hipro)


any idea on the qualtiy?

 

[bb1]

Just a followup on the thread.

I went through nVidia's and ATI's customer support:

nVidia's reply:
"All the NVIDIA GeForce series of cards requires a minimum power supply of 250w."
"The minimumpower requirements for Quadro GPU's are 350w."

ATI's reply:
"The best you can consider would be a Radeon 9200 or a Radeon 9550."

 

[bb1]

One more question:

On Newegg.com i noticed that there is a mobility 9600 AGP (Jetway) available. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814153028

#1. Does anyone have any experience with one of these?
#2. Would it be a good option for this situation (185W PSU)?
#3. Are the driver issues in the Newegg reviews legitimate concerns?
#4. Are thre any other issues about this card that I should be aware of?

Thanks for the help.

 

[FlyGuy]

Maybe you'll get luck, the major manufacturers usually under rate their power supplies.

 

[swifty_morgan]

mmm,..... Well, if you can get it to boot, hahaha, You might get a 64 bit kyro II to work............

 

[rodney_ws]

I think this post really highlights the main disadvantage of pre-assembled PCs from big manufacturers... they do what they were sold to do and little else beyond that. I'm guessing it's a proprietary power supply eh?

 

[stealthgeek]

Try this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/glance/-/kids/B0001OM1JS/qid=1141208663/sr=2-3/ref=sr_2_11_3/203-6906659-8571914

although it might be pushing it...

 

[apache_lives]

even a geforce4 mx is quicker then that old integrated video, what bout a geforce4 ti?

 

[bb1]

Just a quick followup

I bought a refurbished sapphire radeon 9550 from newegg for $48.00.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102503R

Works fine, sure beats integrated video. Looking the system over more closely I think I could swap out the power supply w/o any trouble. THough I think i will leave it as is for now. It will be running a weather station 24/7 (except when running games), dont need it sucking any extra juice.

Cheers

 

[mpjesse]

Hmm... let's see here... modern GPU that can run on a 185W PSU....hmmm... Yep! There's none!

Get a new PSU bud.

-mpjesse

 

[mpjesse]

Hooooooooooold the horses. Just realized something. The majority of NetVista systems do not have the capability to upgrade video cards (due to lack of AGP slot). In fact, quite a few can't be upgraded in any fashion.

Are you SURE that computer has an AGP slot?

-mpjesse

 

[bb1]

Uh the card must be in something in there for it to be working properly.



It does have have an AGP slot, and seems to be running fine. I did open the case and check that before i ordered as thta was a concern.

 

[Crucify]

For cryin' out loud, get a new PSU!

 

[chuckshissle]

To run graphics like 6600,x800,7800GT you need a 350 watts psu. I don't think 185watts system are for decent graphics card. Besides you can purchase 350 watt psu for like $30.

 

[rodney_ws]

Some NetVista PCs physically have an AGP slot, but have had the AGP slot disabled. I ran into this at work when one would not detect an AGP card. Subsequent reading on the IBM site confirmed this. If there was any sort of covering (mine was a brownish plastic piece that filled the AGP slot) over the slot you can bet your ass it's been disabled.

 

[bb1]

The graphics card is installed and works fine, that is somting i checked before i ordered the graphic card. IBM does a good job with the documentation available on their website which once you know tha model number you can get most all the available information.

For what this computer will be used for the current setup should be just fine (weaterh station reporting, light gaming, word porcessing), and it runs quietly, which is nice when it is in the living room and runs 24/7.