Upgrading an old card.

[GunboatDebater]

Hi everyone,

Having plowed through several issues in the course of upgrading my old system, there's one remaining item that I was wondering if someone here could help me with. The computer is fairly old: a Gateway 817GM Media Center originally running XP (original specifications here: Gateway Support - Specifications). Currently, the system is running with 2.5GB of DDR1 RAM.

So far as I can tell, there is one PCI port open. Does anyone know a graphics card that fits this (Intel 915 chipset, I think) specification that can handle Aero? Gaming isn't my thing, I don't play heavy games at all. But Aero/DirectX/Direct3D would definitely be nice.

Thanks if anyone can help!

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

This should work...expensive for what it is though....Newegg.com - HIS H545H512P Radeon HD 5450 Silence 512MB 64-bit DDR3 PCI HDCP Ready Low Profile Video Card

 

[GunboatDebater]

You're right, it is pretty pricey. Thanks for the fast response. Can you give me any tips on the criteria I should be looking for? I found that the GRAM specification (DDR2 vs 1 etc.) doesn't matter, but that PSU can be important/I only have PCI open, as far as I know. DirectX9 seems to be a give, but any help on X10/3D?

 

[GunboatDebater]

Oh, and is there any particular thing I should watch for regarding the type of PCI bus?

 

[stormy13]

Need to look at those specs a little closer,

PCI Slots 2
PCI Express x1 Slots 1
PCI Express x16 Slots 1

No need for an expensive PCI card when it has a PCI-E slot. Same card only in PCI-E and almost half the price,

Newegg.com - HIS H645H1G Radeon HD 6450 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card

Actually it is a little better as it is from the newer HD 6xxx series.

Or if you really want cheap as long as the rebate comes in,

Newegg.com - MSI R5450-MD1GD3H/LP Radeon HD 5450 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Video Card

 

[GunboatDebater]

Thanks again, I'll look closely at both links. Cursory, they both look great!

Is there any word on if these will work an older motherboard though?

(Also, I've opened this up several times to get at the RAM, but this is my first time so much as touching the PCI/PCIe busses-- anything I should know about these?)

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

To make sure of the type bus you have look hereHow to identify the type of PCI bus? | Excel.nl
Now if you have a PCIe slot you have lots of options, but anything else....What I showed you has the best performance...this has DX10Newegg.com - HIS H545H512P Radeon HD 5450 Silence 512MB 64-bit DDR3 PCI HDCP Ready Low Profile Video Card Again expensive......

Now if your running the stock PSU you will need a upgrade.....If for no other reason than it's ancient....

 

[GunboatDebater]

This being the motherboard: Gateway Support - 103390 Intel (Augsburg) 915G Motherboard No CPU R0 is there any information that can be gleaned from the site/image? I would open the case up right now, but I'm away from home for a little while yet and would like to get a head start on some research.

 

[stormy13]

The long brown slot is the PCI-E x16 slot. The two beige/white slots are the PCI slots, and the little brown slot at the bottom is the PCI-E x1 slot.

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

You need to be sure of what slot/s you have open....ie if both pci slots are filled you will need a single width PCIe card or a 1x PCIe card....but if that's the board you have the top one is a 16x PCIe slot

 

[GunboatDebater]

Thanks. In that case I think I have an open and convenient one (from the last time I opened this up two days ago). I'll post back tomorrow with which one is open-- thanks so much for all of your help!

In case one of the larger ones is filled, are their recommendations for the smaller sizes named? (I'll take a photo when I get back in case I misidentify, that's one thing I'm a tad paranoid about).

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

I gave you 2 PCI links.....Stormy gave you 2 PCIe links.....here is a 1x PCIe linkNewegg.com - HIS H545H1GD1 Radeon HD 5450 Silence 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express x1 Low Profile Video Card with Eyefinity
Again expensive.....

 

[GunboatDebater]

Thanks. I'm sorry if this all seems a little silly: this is my first time working with hardware. I've spent a long time working with software, but my computers have mostly been laptops where the only customization possible was just swapping in and out RAM.

After checking, it looks like my PCIe x16 is open-- so I should be more or less good to go with one of those results, right? I've attached a picture of my motherboard just to make sure. Thanks!

 

[Ivan the SoSo]

Yes the PCIe slot is open