Need Graphic card info

[Computer.Freak]

Im kind of a noob to this. Im running an a radeon x300. I want to upgrade, but I need to know which specs I need to know about my computer to update. Anyone mind helping?

 

[captain_MaTt]

ya might wanna upgrade ram if you dont have enough(512mb atleast)
cpu if its old or not fast enough.
also check wether you have an agp slot or a pci-e x16 slot

 

[Computer.Freak]

Theres my specs:

Dell Dimension 5100
Intel Pentium 4 Processor 630 (3.0 GHz, 800FSB)
1GB DDR2 SDRAM at 400MHz
Radeon X300 SE 128MB Hyper Memory
160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)

PCI-E is what my mobo supports.

Is there anything else I need to know?

 

[captain_MaTt]

no,except for what operating system your running(i.e windows xp)
and also check wether youve got pci-express x16 not x1 or x4

 

[Computer.Freak]

I've got a x16. So all I would have to do is remove my current video card, add the new one, run the cd's that come with it, and im good to go?

 

[captain_MaTt]

i forgot your psu(power supply) check if its got more than 450watts of power

 

[Computer.Freak]

Any prog that can tell me that?

 

[captain_MaTt]

i don't know any progs but if you open your case and check the label on your psu it should say the amount of power and if it doesnt say your best chance is to get a new psu

 

[Swordfish45]

Sounds like you're good to go. If you're getting a nVidia card, then you need to uninstall the ATI drivers, or you can get some wierd problems.
This should help, folow this walkthrough.

I'll help you out on one misconception: Yes, you can still see your screen after you have uninstalled your video drivers.

-Hope that helps.

 

[Computer.Freak]

Thanks a bunch

 

[Bleedblue12345]

make sure u have a quality psu
if u dont have a nice psu ull have a LOT of stability issues

If u baught that pc from a manufacturer liek gateway, hp , dell, etc. u prob will need to upgrade ure psu to accomadate a decent psu. The new gateway i have only has a 300 watt psu (upgrading to 7600gt and xclio 450 watt psu soon )

check this thread for some recommended psu's

 

[captain_MaTt]

go for 30a or more on a 12 volt rail

 

[razor1]

if its a Dell its got a power and cooling it should be good enough for any of this gen's cards, well possible other then the 7900gtx and x1900xt or x1900xtx, or x1800xt.

 

[dderidex]

From an X300SE, there are LOTS of cards VOLUMES more powerful that don't even require a PSU connection.

Neither the Radeon X1600XT, GeForce 7600GS, or GeForce 7600GT require a PSU connection - and the GeForce 7600GS and Radeon X1600XT can even come with passive cooling (no noisy fan).

 

[Bleedblue12345]

i just ordered a 7600gt, even though i have a fair 300 watt psu, im ypgrading to a quality 450 watt cause of stability issues. Check ur psu and make sure it has 25+ a on 12v and aroud 400 watt or more for a decent card like a 7600gt, x1600xt or above.

 

[Anarchist4000]

X300 is likely integrated onto the mobo and not an actual card that can be removed. So just disable it in the BIOS and then get just about whatever PCI Express card you like, given a large enough power supply. That's just about all there is to it other than having any oddball power connectors on the PSU that are required by various video cards.