Video Driver update

Hi Pete
Thanks

Any of those would be compatible with my machine?

Is one with a fan a good idea or does it matter?

I was thinking of this.

SAPPHIRE 100175L Radeon X1650PRO 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 AGP 4X/8X Video Card - Retail

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

Geri,

You referenced the PSU earlier and I believe Pete made a comment also. I just looked up your "preference" re: video card and one of the reviews on NewEgg references a required "18 amp minimum on the 12V rail" according to Saphire's own specs. This most likely means a new PSU is also going to be required and when one starts adding up the costs, you may want to look at this from a little different perspective.

This upgrade can probably be accomplished for less than $150 and its going to be a good learning experience. On the other hand, there are some great deals on factory refurbished machines that may warrant consideration. Would a seperate machine for the grandson make any sense? I picked up a factory refurbed Compaq P4 with XPPro for someone at $119 including shipping just before the holidays. I'm not saying this machine would run junior's game but it does provide a point of reference.

Absent the immediate graphics problem you have encountered, what kind of timetable were you considering re: a new machine for yourself? Should this schedule be re-evaluated? Hardware is pretty cheap these days and the dollar goes a long way if it's spent wisely.

Do you really want your grandson using your primary machine? I'm sure you're pretty comfortable with cleaning up anything he could get into, but as he matures and the curiousity grows, are you putting anything at risk?

I'm not trying to burst your bubble - just trying to encourage you to look at this from a couple of different angles.

Good luck & have fun.

 

Let's put the source back in there ........

Pete - that info could well be false. The confusion may be my sloppy use of quotes trying to emphasize there is a lot more to a PSU than total wattage. I can not find an official Saphire spec on this either but I did learn that the European Box Graphics do not include "information about intensity (amps in the +12v rail requirements for GPUs)* "

*Source

 

Pete,
It is somewhat confusing but I believe the Cross Fire stuff is listed seperately from single card GPUs. In my book, ATI sits somewhere between not too clear and partly cloudy but Saphire is veiled in secrecy. Even the 1650 Pro's nomenclature which should suggest a memory speed closing in on 1600+ is out of whack because its only 800MHz (2x400). Doesn't this mean an older 9800 is a faster card? Regardless, I'm straying off topic - my whole point was originally directed towards opening up the thought process re: the total cost of upgrading this particular machine. Apparently my post missed its mark.

 

Hi Guys
Ok you think you're confused

Rockster2U
My grandson is pretty well minding when he is here, Not that he may not at some point do something he shouldn't, but at this point I trust he will not.
Besides the computer is in easy view and he is not ever here by himself.

I would not mind looking through the site you mentioned though. You can PM it to me if you like.
I'm not big on refurbished, but if I could get one cheap and upgrade it to play his games (or get one that would), I could transfer all his games to it and that would free up my machine when he's here.

I still need to upgrade the video card on this one for Roxio Creator 2009.

Any video cards on there that would work without upgrading the PSU?

Thanks

 

Geri,

A philosophical overview - finding or recommending a video card capable of running that game without upgrading your current PSU could be quite a challenge and here's why .......

Your HP machine was designed and engineered to run just fine with a 250W PSU but in the interest of maximizing their margins, the manufacturer built it from a minimalist's perspective. In other words, it was designed to run the basic components that were included but left little, if any, "wiggle room" for powering additional components or upgraded components. I believe you have an HP proprietary Asus board and an Athlon XP 3200+. Personally, I would never recommend running that processor with anything less than a 350W PSU but I'm not a design engineer and I have no doubt that HP knows far better than me exactly what they are doing. They felt 250W was just fine for the proper operation of this machine and from a large scale manufacturing and commercial cost standpoint it would make no sense to install anything larger than required.

Now for the problem - you want to upgrade the machine by adding a video card but that video card places an additional power requirement on the system and the system doesn't have any "wiggle room ". You are stuck because you are going to need more power to run the kind of video card required to run your grandson's game. Reality mandates that both a video card and a larger power supply are required.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade (you've had enough rain this week) but who's to say that the addition of a graphics card isn't going to generate more heat inside your case? Who's to say that more ventilation (additional cooling fan or fans) isn't going to be required? Who's to say that the current CPU heatsink/fan is adequate to maintain stablity if the temperature inside your case is increased? My point is that any change you make may have some repercussions that have to be dealt with. These are not insurmountable obstacles and they could well be a non-issues but no one can guarantee that.

Unfortunately, you have a machine that wasn't optimized for upgrading. Now, almost anything can be upgraded or modified but in your specific situation it is doubtful that you will find an adequate video card that is going to work with your current PSU.

 

Hi Rockster2U
OK, if I replace the PSU what kind of affect will that have on my motherboard or any other hardware in the system? will a upgrade to the PSU burn out anything?

As far as heat, fans are fairly cheap.

Thanks

 

Geri,

It's very unlikely that anything is going to get "burned out" and there should be no negative effect on your motherboard or other hardware in the system but the point I'm trying to make is that I don't know what the repercussions are and I can't tell you what other changes, if any, may be required.

Can it be done - yes.
Is it going to be a piece of cake - maybe yes and maybe no.

The first determination that you have to make relates to the physical size of your current power supply. Is it a standard ATX PSU or is it a micro?

If its a standard size, lets go the devils advocate route on your fan comment. (this for illustration purposes only)

If heat is an issue (we don't know that yet), how many fans might be required? Have you got an open (unused spare) fan mount on the rear of your case? Have you got an open (unused spare) fan mount in the front of your case? If no, can you easily cut openings in the front or the back of the case itself to accomodate standard 80x25mm or 90x25mm fans? Do you have the tools to do this type of case mod if necessary? Will you have to pull the motherboard or any other components to access these areas? Can your case be disassembled? Can you use a slot fan if most of the above answers are no? Can you cut an intake mount on the side and an exhaust mount on the top if most of the above answers are no?

Geri, it sounds like you want to go ahead with this video card upgrade so I'll research this for you if you tell me its an "all systems go ". It is entirely possible that we could find a PSU with a couple of 120mm fans that may give us enough ventilation to make this whole discussion moot. Just be aware that your machine was never designed to be "upgradeable" so our solutions and approach may require a little "creative engineering ".

Please understand that while I must sound like a total pessimist, this is not my intent. I've met very few boxes that can't be upgraded or modified to accomodate almost anything.

 

Geri,

Just spent a little time looking at what might be involved. Not too bad, but ....

PSU is standard ATX with 20 pin power connector. You should look for something (400W minimum) with 120mm fan on the bottom and 80 or 90mm fan in rear. Front PSU access (and ventilation) will be totally blocked by your optical drives and they have to be removed to remove the current PSU. Looks like roughly ⅜" front PSU clearance total so it's going to be tight for wires too. A 20+4 connector could also be used but a straight 24pin connector would require modification. Drive bays also have to be removed to access the mainboard power connector. Laying on its side, looking down, it is underneath your optical bays.

You have one rear fan exhaust port for 80mm case fan. Buy a new fan with highest possible CFM rating that is < 30db. Here is a good choice.

Front fan is out of the question. this would interfere with drive mounts and although case could be modded, its a bear unless you are good at this kind of stuff. If necessary (may not be necessary), a slot fan can be added or the side panel of the case can be easily modded (hole saw required) to accomodate an intake fan.

I think that should do the trick re: any additional changes to accomodate the video card you referenced previously. I would also suggets you make sure you buy a PSU with a minimum 18amp +12V rail just to be on the safe side.

 

Hi Rockster2U
OK thanks

How is this for a PSU?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

 

That certainly looks more than adequate. You've got a bunch of extra connectors that you'll have to tie off and you're going to need a little converter plug (4 pin stnd molex to 4 pin floppy molex) for that video card.