Video cards for dummies??

Cearbhaill

Cearbhaill

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Mar 22, 2003
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OK- I may need a new video card (will know as soon as the new monitor gets here and doesn't solve my color problems).

I have wasted most of a morning searching around to determine how to decide what to replace mine with?? I've been on Dell Forums, game forums, and Googled ad nauseum. Everything I find is just way over my head.

Why can't someone just say "to replace ____ get a ____ "
I currently have GeForce2MX/MX400 (that means I have 2 of them or what??)
I do not game or need any super dooper anything. I just surf and read. That's all. I just want to do it with decent colors and be able to read my text.

My system is a Dell Dimension 4100 tech specs here.

I successfully added memory to it last year and am hoping to accomplish the video card replacement without having to call anyone for help.

All I want is the name of whatever I need so I can walk into CompUSA and buy something without getting ripped off or given bad advice- and most especially I do not want to have to return it because I got the wrong thing.
I do want to buy it locally.

Can anyone please simplify this just a little??
 
If you want to do things simple and don't think you will need a more powerful videocard in the near future you can always replace it with the same model. You should be able to find a Geforce2 MX400(not two cards, simply the product name) at your local BB or compUSA for ~$50.

Edit: What kind of color problems were you having? In many cases color problems can be associated with a bad monitor cable, or bad connection.
 
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I just plugged in a dandy new monitor and still have my problems.
Lots of gray horizontal lines, primary colors a bit too bright- aka neon, and text is difficult to read.

I'll just get the same thing.

Now- should I keep this nice new LCD monitor or not??
 
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IMO

1. Get rid of WIN ME (nightmare OS) XP should run fine on a Pen. III
2. run every bit of 512 MB RAM (thats all your mother board will support)
3. I would use a GeForce card (resonable in price and very easy to find)\


***Keep the monitor***
 
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Thanks Reefscape- I wrote that down.

If I cannot find that exact thing are their any "keywords" or clues to help me find somethig compatable.
I know I need an "AGP" card, but aside from that I am really worried about getting the wrong thing.
 
On second thought, It would help if I read your specs. Your AGP slot only has the capability to go 4x and I dont recall if a 4x AGP slot will accept an 8x card.

Did some thinking and checking. You will have to stick with a 4x card. So for your set up, the things to remember are:

AGP 4x
64 meg memory (minimum)

All the rest of the info will sound pretty Greek to ya.

Maybe print a copy of the specs that I gave you and take them in to the PC store. I also would not hesitate to order online as it will be much cheaper. I actually have a bunch of stuff coming in today.

BTW, Jamz is right, If you can dump Win ME and go with XP, your system will be much happier. You dont have to buy the full version either if you have the Dell Win ME disk, just buy the upgrade which you can do a full/clean install from if you wanted to. Another thing you should try to do is reload the drivers for your video card before you buy another one. You may have a broken or curput file that is giving you problems.
 
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If you do go with XP I recommend that you make sure you are using 512 Megs of RAM. 256 is the minimum recommended by Microsoft and 128 is the bare minimum required.

You don't want to get the minimum of anything that an OS states, required or recommended. IMO You'll be much happier with your computer's performance and RAM is cheap.
 
All done- new card is installed and working wonderfully.

Thanks guys for everything.

And I neglected to mention (in my quest for video card info) that I upgraded the memory a long time ago and went to XP as well. That old ME was nothing but trouble.

Now- should I keep this great new monitor??
The difference between this new LCD and the old humongoid monitor is like night and day- everything is so crisp and easy to read!!
 
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