If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
128 6200 (add $69) or 256 6600 (add $219)?
Thanks so much for the walk-through. I could easily be one of those Driver
Cleaner people myself! "Bob Knowlden" wrote in message ... Sounds like doing your own upgrade would be the best course. The normal way to do this is: Start with the old card in the system. Have the drivers for the new card on your hard drive. (If you use nVidia drivers from www.nvidia.com, they usually provide an installer.) Uninstall the old card's driver from the add/remove software control panel. (Compulsive people, as myself, might also use Driver Cleaner Pro from www.drivercleaner.net , after restarting the PC. I've never had it remove anything that I regretted removing, although I have read claims that it might.) Power down the PC, rather than rebooting. (Rebooting is OK, though you'd have to shut it down again after.) Remove the old graphics card. Install the new one. Start up the PC. It will autodetect the card, and start to search for drivers. Rather than permitting Windows to continue the search, cancel out of that. Run the nVidia installer. You'll have to reboot once more. I don't know what happens with a DVI interface, but in regular VGA, the machine comes up at 800X600 at 60 Hz. The display settings need to be changed to the proper ones. With any luck, you won't need to tweak the system. Some machines are unstable if Fast Writes are left on in the system BIOS, but I've had no problem with it. (Athlon 64 system, Asus A8V Deluxe mainboard, 6800GT AGP graphics card.) I'm not sure that it's even an option on a PCI-Express based system. If you feel adventurous, look up nvtweak: it allows the use of settings nVidia hides in their drivers (including overclocking the card). I would be surprised if there were any significant compatibility issue with a mainstream system from a major vendor like Micron. If you wish to play safe, get an upgrade graphics card of one of the same types as sold by Micron. (It shouldn't be necessary to try match the manufacturer.) I've assumed that you'll be running Windows XP. Things are probably a bit different with Linux, FreeBSD, etc. Besides nVidia cards, you may also find it worthwhile considering ATI products. Their new X1000 series is supposed to be interesting, although they have limited availability at the moment. Matrox users seem to be loyal to the brand, although Matrox has pretty much vanished from the mass market (especially for gaming). "Ellen Hall" wrote in message hlink.net... (snip) Yes, RF, US prices. It's Micron (now called MPC). I have one that I've loved and it's time for a new one. Even I noticed that gap, once I started reading about the 7800GTX. Almost had myself convinced I had to have it because it sounded so cool. But it can be purchased for less than what Micron is asking for the upgrade. Thanks to all for the comments. I think it would be wise to not do the upgrading with Micron. And the 6600GT sounds like a good choice. I've removed all the cards in my present computer and put them back with no problems. Should I look forward to some tweaking to upgrade from the base card (128MB ATI Radeon X300 SE PCI Express Graphics Card [DVI-I, TV-Out]) to something like the 6600GT, or possibly hardware incompatibility? Part of why I've been tempted to let them upgrade is that they test the system before they send it to me. I appreciate all the input! Thanks, Ellen Hall |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Difference in speeds on 6200 and 6600? | Neil Barras | Nvidia Videocards | 9 | May 28th 05 09:09 PM |
Difference in speeds on 6200 and 6600? | Neil Barras | Nvidia Videocards | 0 | May 26th 05 09:26 PM |
Question Geforce 6200 VS 6600 VS 6800 | Nate | Nvidia Videocards | 5 | May 4th 05 09:08 PM |
Difference between 6200 AGP, and 6600 AGP | Larry Roberts | Nvidia Videocards | 4 | April 15th 05 06:23 PM |
Best 6600 Manufacturer | Helinut | Nvidia Videocards | 5 | December 30th 04 02:18 PM |