What's a good video card for Dimension L733r?

[vtec95]

Hello hello. I've been working on this old computer and have been trying to make it more productive. I boosted the RAM from 64mb to 512mb and it made an AMAZING difference.

Now I would like to get it loading videos faster if possible, the ram helped this too but I think it could still be faster. Rite now it's just using the stock Intel 82810E Graphics Controller.

So my question is...would installing an actual Video CARD increase my video performance? And if so could you recommend a NICE video card?... keeping in mind that I only have standard PCI slots.

Everything about this PC is STOCK except for the RAM upgrade and I put in a Sound Blaster Audigy SE sound card (cheapy). Thanks for any help!

 

[al man]

It all depends on what Operating system you're using now, & somehow, the chipset type. Do you know both?

 

[vtec95]

Hi and thank you for the response. The op. sys. is Windows XP Profressional with SP3. It has the Pentium 3 810 processor 730MHz and 512mb/ram. Not sure what the "chipset" is so could you tell me how to find out what I'm working with in that department?

Thanks for anymore help on this.

 

[al man]

Hi vtec95!

Chipset is basically, the "DNA" on your Motherboard. It determines what type of socket/processor, RAM, drives, etc. will support. Therefore, it can tell what the most appropiate upgrade for your pc should be.

CPU-Z (overclockers use it a lot! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CPU-Z) can might tell us what the chipset is: http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html


In the mean time I'll check online to find out something that can help.

 

[bigman8291]

Using an aftermarket video card with this computer (taking the pci slot into consideration) you will not see massive gains like you would with AGP or pci-e, though, it will boost overall performance quite a bit from what you are currently experiencing. Here is a card that is fairly priced and has several great reviews. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130477

 

[bigman8291]

Keep in mind once you add an aftermarket video card, you must go into bios during startup and disable the onboard graphics (integrated graphics) for it to actually work.

 

[vtec95]

Keep in mind once you add an aftermarket video card, you must go into bios during startup and disable the onboard graphics (integrated graphics) for it to actually work.

Cool thanks for the link. Looks like a decent card, I'll look into it more later.

How do you get into BIOS?

Would this card be my best bet for this PC? Or is there a more powerful card I could install that would be beneficial as well as safe.

Definitely not going for overkill, but want the BEST performance I can get from this old thing.

Just not ready to buy a new PC...

Thanks again

 

[al man]

F2 at the Dell Screen.

 

[bigman8291]

This seems to be the best you can get for PCI http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814139046
A Tom's 'best answer' would be a nice reward for the help )

 

[vtec95]

This seems to be the best you can get for PCI http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814139046
A Tom's 'best answer' would be a nice reward for the help )

Aight ya, I guess I can 'best answer' it. Everyone has been a tremendous help and thanks for taking time to help a fella out.

Thanks bigman8291 AND Al Man!

 

[vtec95]

Best answer selected by vtec95.

 

[vtec95]

This seems to be the best you can get for PCI http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814139046
A Tom's 'best answer' would be a nice reward for the help )

Can't really say this card would be the "best" but definite thanks for all the help.

If not too much trouble...how do I find out how many watts my PSU is?

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey