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New video card for old system #928480
12/06/13 09:26 PM
12/06/13 09:26 PM
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Delaware, USA
SharonB Offline OP
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It's going to be some time for me to get a new system. Life happens... Anyway, I was looking at the game Cognition and it demands 1GB of video memory. A few other games wanted more graphic ram than I have as well (256).

I was wondering if I could replace my nvidia 7900GS with a cheap card with more memory and not lose performance value.

Specifically, I was looking at this card -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125427 and hoping I could play some of these other games. http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Mini-...graphics+card-- Or this one

What do you think?

Last edited by SharonB; 12/06/13 09:47 PM.
Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #928497
12/06/13 11:10 PM
12/06/13 11:10 PM
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Draclvr Offline
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I understand... sometimes life just doesn't let you go out and plop down money for an awesome gaming computer.

A couple of questions first... does your motherboard support these video card interfaces? And do you have enough wattage in your power supply?


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New video card for old system [Re: Draclvr] #928503
12/07/13 01:30 AM
12/07/13 01:30 AM
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Sharon the first card you linked to requires 300W of power, while the second one requires a minimum of 300W. You have to also take into account all the other things your power supply runs, so unless you have a power supply larger than 300W you might find running either of these two a bit difficult. Also, both require a PCI slot.


If something gets your goat, it just proves you have a goat to get.
Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #928506
12/07/13 02:31 AM
12/07/13 02:31 AM
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And specifically a PCI-E 2.0 slot...


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Re: New video card for old system [Re: Draclvr] #928522
12/07/13 07:38 AM
12/07/13 07:38 AM
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SharonB Offline OP
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I had a 400 watt power supply put in when I got my 7900GS. I know I have a PCI-E slot, but don't know the version number.

I don't know the quality of the cards I'm looking at. The card I have is labled a mid-range (in 2007/2008) while the cards I'm looking at are labled entry level or low level. I don't want to trade down for the sake of some extra ram.

My current card is a PNY.

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #928543
12/07/13 10:22 AM
12/07/13 10:22 AM
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In that case either card is fine. It would be good to know your PCI-E version though. Do you have info on the model of your motherboard?


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #928580
12/07/13 01:23 PM
12/07/13 01:23 PM
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While ether card will supply the required ram specs, neither will perform as well as your current card, they have a very narrow 64 bit memory bus.

If you can afford something slightly more expensive, and have room in the case for it, I'd look at something like this -

GeForce GTS 450

It's not the fastest card out there, but is an improvement compared to your current card. Newegg has one available for $60.00 after a mail in rebate.

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #928582
12/07/13 01:26 PM
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I love it when Inland is here - I always learn something new! While certainly nothing to write home about, I would have thought these newer cards would perform at least a little better than the 7900GS.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #928617
12/07/13 04:03 PM
12/07/13 04:03 PM
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Thanks, Inland.
Too many people think new cards outperform old ones just because they're new, when it isn't true at all.

Only thing I wonder about is whether the GTS 450 will work with only a 400 Watt power supply.
I didn't see a minimum power supply listed at
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814134119

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #928627
12/07/13 04:43 PM
12/07/13 04:43 PM
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I don't know if it's still happening, but I remember something about them simply rebranding the older cards with new numbers with virtually no improvements at one time.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New video card for old system [Re: Jenny100] #928637
12/07/13 05:02 PM
12/07/13 05:02 PM
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Originally Posted By: Jenny100
Thanks, Inland.
Too many people think new cards outperform old ones just because they're new, when it isn't true at all.

Only thing I wonder about is whether the GTS 450 will work with only a 400 Watt power supply.
I didn't see a minimum power supply listed at
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814134119


It's in the link I posted (near the bottom) -

Thermal and Power Specs


Maximum GPU Temperature (in C) 100 C
Maximum Graphics Card Power (W) 106 W
Minimum System Power Requirement (W) 400 W
Supplementary Power Connectors 6-pin

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #928643
12/07/13 05:24 PM
12/07/13 05:24 PM
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I wish Newegg and other retailers would publish that info along with the product. I've had to go to the manufacturer more than once to find it.


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Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #928645
12/07/13 05:27 PM
12/07/13 05:27 PM
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Jenny100 Offline
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Thanks, Inland.
And I completely agree, Draclvr.
What makes it worse is when one manufacturer says one thing and another manufacturer says another about cards with the same chipset.

Re: New video card for old system [Re: Jenny100] #928682
12/08/13 02:21 AM
12/08/13 02:21 AM
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Arizona
InlandAZ Offline
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Originally Posted By: Jenny100
Thanks, Inland.
And I completely agree, Draclvr.
What makes it worse is when one manufacturer says one thing and another manufacturer says another about cards with the same chipset.


It can be a pain, can't it. And.. BTW - GB Reviewer Glitches Moderator thumbsup I've enjoyed the reviews, you've got the knack.

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #928719
12/08/13 11:27 AM
12/08/13 11:27 AM
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Who knew Jenny could not only fix our computer glitches, but could also turn quite a phrase! I've been enjoying them too.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New video card for old system [Re: InlandAZ] #928725
12/08/13 12:30 PM
12/08/13 12:30 PM
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SharonB Offline OP
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Thanks Inland, Jenny, Draclvr. This looks like a good card. My motherboard is an Intel D915GAG (12E1) per Speccy. I'll see if I can scratch together enough money to get this card. The rebate is only available till 12/31.

I appreciate all the info and advice.

Sharon

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #928740
12/08/13 01:32 PM
12/08/13 01:32 PM
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This is what the specs say for this motherboard...

The boards provide the following PCI Express connectors:
•One PCI Express x16 connector supporting simultaneous transfer speeds up to 8 GBytes/sec
•Two PCI Express x1 connectors. The x1 interfaces support simultaneous transfer speeds up to 500 MBytes/sec

So, it doesn't have PCI-E 2.0, but I believe they are backwards compatible. I don't know what, if anything, you would sacrifice by not having 2.0.

We'll have to wait for Inland to drop by!


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #928746
12/08/13 02:07 PM
12/08/13 02:07 PM
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Yep, the card is backward compatible, just make sure the case will accommodate the additional side of the card for the fan.

Here's a link that shows the card -

NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450 1GB DDR5 PCI Express (PCIe)

Edit -

If the case wont accommodate the fan, you could always consider one of the Radeon cards -

AMD Radeon HD 6670
AMD Radeon HD 7750

Newegg has a 6670 for $54.99 after rebate - either will run on a 400 watt power supply.

Last edited by InlandAZ; 12/08/13 03:18 PM.
Re: New video card for old system [Re: InlandAZ] #928805
12/08/13 11:33 PM
12/08/13 11:33 PM
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SharonB Offline OP
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Thanks for the information, Inland and Draclver. All things being equal, I would like to stay with Nvidia. I honestly can't say if there is room in there for the fan or not. I'll have to open the system up tomorrow and have a look. It will be a good chance to dust it out as well. If it looks like it will fit I will go ahead and order it tomorrow.

Thanks again, Sharon

(I just dread having to unplug all my connections to get a look inside...) I should do it anyway, cause I'm not sure I have the modem/router setup correctly.

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #928982
12/10/13 02:34 AM
12/10/13 02:34 AM
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SharonB Offline OP
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Well, thats torn it! My computer died! I looked inside the pc for the size of my current card and dusted it out. Put it back and now it will not turn on! I was afraid of this. I checked the connections and they are ok.

I have to get a new cheap pc. I am going to buy a wa550b ibuypower pc for $530 from walmart, unless you think I can do better for the same amt of money. Can not pay more at this time. I am using my galaxy tab 2 to get on the internet in the meantime.

Sharon

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #928986
12/10/13 03:14 AM
12/10/13 03:14 AM
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Hi Sharon,
You probably already checked this but I have to mention it anyway:

Some Computers have a safety Power Button in the back and when one sometimes moves the computer or cleans it, one might hit the switch by mistake.

Last edited by Starcom; 12/10/13 03:15 AM.
Re: New video card for old system [Re: Starcom] #928990
12/10/13 04:32 AM
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SharonB Offline OP
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It was a good thought, Starcom. I tried it but it still wont turn on. It tried to, but it did not succeed. Thanks for the reminder.

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929031
12/10/13 10:44 AM
12/10/13 10:44 AM
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If it's plugged into a power strip, make sure that's on too.
If it's possible a screw or wire got loose inside the computer, that could cause a short.

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929087
12/10/13 06:32 PM
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Looking at this from a purely logical point of view,if it worked before you dusted and now it doesn't logic says you bumped some kind of connector and knocked it loose.You should push all the connectors on and check to see if you didn't knock the very small connectors at the bottom of the motherboard coming from the start button loose.
Also Cyberpower had a computer called "Back To School Special" for about $535 and it included Windows.It seemed like a pretty good computer for the price.Some of their prices don't have windows included,you have to watch for that.I am mentioning that because all componants are upgradable.I am not sure of that in the other computer you mentioned.

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929110
12/10/13 08:26 PM
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I'll bet something got knocked loose somewhere too...

Meanwhile, you could put one together for about $560 at eCollegePC with an Nvidia GTX 650 video card and Windows 7. I looked for that Back to School special and it is now $669 and I think the video card is pretty low-end... it's AMD R7 240 2GB Graphics. But I don't know much about AMD graphics.


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