Need new video card, but know nothing about video cards

jakejjs · 22 Dec 2009

After installing 7 i've noticed that i need a new video card to run some of the features (like screen savers and DVD maker). Since I didn't expect this and know nothing about video cards i was wondering if someone can point me to a card i can buy to make these work. I use a dell inspiron 1720 laptop

i get this little message in the help section:

"If you plan to buy a new video card, check the packaging to determine if the video card supports DirectX 9 or higher, and uses WDDM drivers."

smarteyeball · 22 Dec 2009

jakejjs said:

I use a dell inspiron 1720 laptop

If that laptop was originally configured with a PCI-E slot, and not just for integrated graphics, you could upgrade to a 8400M or a 8600M GT.

Otherwise, you may not be able to upgrade your video at all.

Documentation

Etihtsarom · 22 Dec 2009

That model comes with 8600M GT doesn't it? If so that should be plenty for a screensaver. With video cards, you sometimes get a default driver installation from 7's install disc and that will only be enough to get you going with basic graphics. What you probably need to do is to find the newest drivers and install them yourself. Failing this, you might be out of luck because video cards for notebooks are really not meant to be upgraded as you can obviously see why.

smarteyeball · 23 Dec 2009

Etihtsarom said:

That model comes with 8600M GT doesn't it?

Not all of them did, hence my post.

What you probably need to do is to find the newest drivers and install them yourself.

Provided that the laptop has either of the cards mentioned installed, that would be the next course of action.

thefabe · 24 Dec 2009

Well you could always go to device manager>right click dispay adapter>properties>details tab>drop dpwn menu>hardware id. Copy and Paste the hardware id string and we can find out what model card you have. Thanks. Fabe