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Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929123
12/10/13 10:20 PM
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Wow it really jumped in price for some reason. Well forget that one.That collegePC sounds good.

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929127
12/10/13 10:59 PM
12/10/13 10:59 PM
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Well, it has a low end - but decent - processor and I'm not fond of the power supply either. But if Sharon is on a tight budget, then it will do.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New video card for old system [Re: Draclvr] #929155
12/11/13 01:45 AM
12/11/13 01:45 AM
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I did not find the system you mentioned, draclvr. Can you provide a link? I was looking at the system for S640, with the 1tb hdd for an extra S10. I might be able to get the extra S100 if you think it would be a significant improvement?

just saw that this does not come with os. I tried customizing it with a few minor improvements and it came to S854. Cant do it.

Last edited by SharonB; 12/11/13 05:25 AM.
Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929157
12/11/13 02:15 AM
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Sharon, here is what I did... I clicked on the Value Series in the Intel heading. AMD would be fine too - I'm just not as familiar with those components. I then clicked on the $345 one. I left everything as stock, added in the video card and the operating system. You could save $30 on the OS if you go to Newegg right now and grab a copy of 64-bit Windows 7 Home Premium for $80 and install it yourself. You would have to create an account and enter the Promo Code EMCWVWX22 at checkout. The Promo Code expires on 12/16. If you did that, you could possibly have enough money to upgrade the processor or the power supply.

I assume you're looking at that AMD system for $640 - if so, it does not have an operating system or a stand alone video card. You would have to add those in.

I take it you couldn't figure out what might have come disconnected or knocked out of place? Or have you just gotten new computer fever! grin


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New video card for old system [Re: Draclvr] #929173
12/11/13 03:39 AM
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The system had been acting up for some time. I was afraid to turn it off because it didnt want to turn back on, it kept rebooting for no reason while it was sitting idle. Not a lot, but every now and then,

anyway, I did not want to put more money into it. Thanks for the info about the os.

edit-Do I need a wireless adapter? I have a router and 2 modems and I no longer know what does what.
I need wifi for my kindle and tab, but they still work even though my pc is broken.

Last edited by SharonB; 12/11/13 07:24 AM.
Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929220
12/11/13 10:27 AM
12/11/13 10:27 AM
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Originally Posted By: SharonB
edit-Do I need a wireless adapter? I have a router and 2 modems and I no longer know what does what.
I need wifi for my kindle and tab, but they still work even though my pc is broken.

If the Kindle were connecting to the Internet through your PC, it wouldn't have Internet when the PC was off (or kaput).
So unless you want your PC connected wirelessly, you wouldn't need the wireless adapter. Just use the same cable the current PC is using to connect to the Internet.

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929227
12/11/13 11:28 AM
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And that iBuyPower computer at Walmart isn't horrible. At least it has a stand alone Nvidia GT 630 graphics card. I don't know how much better that is than your current card is though. Inland will have to weigh in on that. Should you decide to have eCollegePC build one, try to get the best video card you can afford. With your tight budget you will have to weigh different options.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929240
12/11/13 12:17 PM
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I found some reviews for the ibuypower wa550b here
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/allReviews.do?product_id=23745948

One person mentions that it comes with a 300 Watt power supply. If you ever want to upgrade the graphics card, you'd have to upgrade the power supply also. The GT 630 is a "value" card for "entry level" gaming according to ***Geforce***. It's probably adequate for most adventure games, though you might have to reduce video options to play something like the latest Sherlock Holmes game.

The GT 630 can come with either 1GB or 2GB of video memory and either DDR3 or DDR5. I suspect the GT 630 in the wa550b is the 1GB version with DDR3 since they're trying to keep prices down. The GT 630 is one of those "rebranded" video cards (a rebranded GT 440 according to ***Wikipedia***).

GPUReview doesn't list the GT 630, but they do list the GT 440. Although the GT 630 has more video memory than your old 7900GS, it does not look like a faster card to me
http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=642&card2=443

If it was me, I'd try to find a configuration at eCollege (or possibly CyberpowerPC) that had a better graphics card and power supply. But if money is tight, the wa550b will work.

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929290
12/11/13 03:11 PM
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This item description from Wal Mart says it has the 2 GB GT 630...

iBuypower at Walmart


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New video card for old system [Re: Jenny100] #929342
12/11/13 10:47 PM
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I have decided to cancel my walmart order and get something frrom ecollege. I have already ordered win 7 from newegg during their promotion. I'm going to try for a better system. Thanks for all the info and advice. I was panicing about being without a computer.

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929351
12/12/13 12:18 AM
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I know the feeling! If you have any questions at all, just post back here.

I'm leaving tomorrow morning to head up to NW Iowa 600 miles away to spend some time with my mom and my son who is flying in from Denver. Not nearly cold enough here, so I'm going where it's well below zero! But I'm taking my Surface tablet with me and will have email access and Jenny and Inland actually know way more than I do. There are some corners you can cut for right now to keep the cost down with an eye to upgrading later, but just get the best you can afford right now.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New video card for old system [Re: Draclvr] #929388
12/12/13 09:24 AM
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Thanks Draclvr. Have a good time on your trip. I'm going to try to be patient as I can be. I'm also going thru game withdrawal. Tried a couple games on my tab, but I don't like the touchscreen. Slowly getting used to the tab. Thank heaven I can still get online. I don't understand how I still have a wifi connection without a working computer. But the tab tells me it is usiing my wifi connection.

Thanks again to you and Jenny for all your help.

Sharon catrub

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929392
12/12/13 09:44 AM
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You don't need a computer for a WiFi connection. All you need is a WiFi router putting out the signal for all your wireless devices to pick up.

I'll be checking in here at least once a day and like I said, Jenny and Inland know way more than I do. So go ahead and start putting something together and checking back here with questions!


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929410
12/12/13 11:53 AM
12/12/13 11:53 AM
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Originally Posted By: SharonB
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


Does the PC attempt to power up? Fans and hard drive spin up?

Re: New video card for old system [Re: InlandAZ] #929428
12/12/13 01:23 PM
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Yes, if I turn the button on the back off and on and then press the start button on the front it will start to powerup, the fans all turn on and it may even start to boot up. Then it shuts off within the minute.

I opened the pc back up and checked that the connections were plugged in all the way and they were. I called a pc service company and they are going to come out today to take a look. They mentioned the power supply and that makes sense. I can only hope it is a simple repair.

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929432
12/12/13 02:53 PM
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Remember you can always go bigger on a PS but never smaller.

Re: New video card for old system [Re: Geo] #929440
12/12/13 04:32 PM
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Thanks Geo. I priced power supplies at newegg and they have a thermaltek 600W one for $45. Don't know if it will work in my system, but the price is right. Just have to find out if this actually the cause of the problem. Then get it installed. Power supply installation is beyond my tech level.

Edit: Well the computer guy confirmed that my power supply had gone bad. He ran a diagnostic on the motherboard and said there were no problems with it. He checked out the ps that I was going to get and said my video card needed more amps than that ps put out (20A). So I'm going with the 700W ps with (53A).

So it looks like I will again have a working system by the end of the month. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed,

Sharon

Last edited by SharonB; 12/12/13 06:15 PM.
Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929467
12/12/13 07:09 PM
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53A??!! Are you sure you didn't get a whole house generator by mistake?

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929468
12/12/13 08:02 PM
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Originally Posted By: SharonB
Yes, if I turn the button on the back off and on and then press the start button on the front it will start to powerup, the fans all turn on and it may even start to boot up. Then it shuts off within the minute.

This sounds like some component may be overheating -- probably either the processor or the video card.

Quote:
I called a pc service company and they are going to come out today to take a look. They mentioned the power supply and that makes sense. I can only hope it is a simple repair.

If the thermal compound on the processor has dried up or is no longer making contact, it's just as well to have someone else replace it.

Re: New video card for old system [Re: Geo] #929494
12/12/13 10:54 PM
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Originally Posted By: Geo
53A??!! Are you sure you didn't get a whole house generator by mistake?
.

He said that was the output amps and I looked at the specs and that is what it said. Is that unusual?

Jenny, is it possible for the processor to have lost tight connection or be "broken" and for the motherboard to test ok?

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929515
12/13/13 03:38 AM
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I guess it is possible. I just divided 700w by 12v and got 58a. I didnt think they put out that much.

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929693
12/14/13 06:11 AM
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Since I have to replace my power supply, I would still like to upgrade my video card. Would a 650ti work in ny system? If so, can you suggest a good replacement? There is nothing in the next slot on my motherboard, so a fan should not present a problem.

Thanks, Sharon

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929713
12/14/13 09:47 AM
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It's a pretty big card, so make sure it will fit. Also be sure there is enough cooling if your old case is a small one.


Gardens put to bed for the winter. Time for some gaming!
Re: New video card for old system [Re: Draclvr] #929747
12/14/13 12:24 PM
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My current card is pretty big per my tech. Also, what would be enough cooling? My current card has a fan, my cpu and ps have fans. And I have one fan for the case, My ram has heat spreaders as well.

I don't know how to tell if there is enough room. Or enough cooling. Do I need to go to a card without a fan to be on the safe side? I really would like to stay with nvidea. Do you have any recommendations?

Re: New video card for old system [Re: SharonB] #929766
12/14/13 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted By: SharonB
I don't know how to tell if there is enough room.

You may have to measure. If your current card is cramped for space, and the card you're getting is bigger, you may have difficulties.

Quote:
Or enough cooling. Do I need to go to a card without a fan to be on the safe side?

Just the opposite. If you get a card without a fan, you have to be extra sure your case is well ventilated. A card that is only cooled by its heat sink is more dependent on the ambient temperature inside the computer case for cooling.

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