USB external video card or AGP Video Card for Windows 7?

[Magikal]

Hello everyone. I currently need a new video card for my Gateway e4610 small form desktop PC because my on-board graphics have apparently gone bad. My display is slanted or out of alignment. And after testing different monitors, hard drives, moving the PC to different rooms, checking wires, etc....it seems the on board graphics has gone faulty. So I have options, and need some help with my choice. I have looked into purchasing the.....

IOGEAR USB to VGA 1280x1024 External Video Card


Which the seller on e-bay tells me can act as a primary video card for a monitor display, along with being dual display useable (spreading a desktop view across 2 monitors at once), or mirroring the current monitor display. It also works with Windows 7 Aero as well.

I've also been looking at AGP cards and found these two...

Jaton NVIDIA GeForce FX5200 128MB VGA TV Out Low Profile AGP Video Card 0642404228309 | eBay

AXLE3D NVIDIA GeForce 6200 512MB DDR2 AGP Video Card w Low Profile Bracket | eBay



How would these two work with Windows 7 and Aero? Are they up to date enough to run Windows 7 smoothly? And has anyone ever had experience with external video cards? Are they worth the money? I am always looking for solutions I can use that avoid going inside my PC case. My e4610 is a cramped but strong system. I was going to upgrade the RAM from 2GB to 4GB but after seeing that I'd have to remove the PSU just to get access to the two extra RAM slots, I decided to pass. Especially considering my system runs very fast with just 2 GB's of RAM on an 80GB SATA drive. My Windows 7 version is Home Premium by the way.

 

[Faladu]

I simplified:

I'd just go with this: [if you were AGP stranded, OP isn't as it turns out]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814139043

No ebay issues.

 

[Magikal]

Fill in all your specs, download speccy from piriform.com for help with the info, if needed, it's free.

AGP was made obsolete by PCIe x16 for video cards, so AGP died a quick death soon after as you probably noticed, not a lot of NEW AGP cards.

Issue for advising, need to know your Power Supply situation.

I have a 5900XT in my old AGP rig, but that was higher end at the time, that would be more to your liking, the 5200/6200 is junk, just basic video card, no frills.

You are far better off getting a new system now if you want to game, I just looked on newegg, every AGP card available is junk, you might want to consider used one from ebay or compuvest.com

But PSU issue.... all those old parts, they don't last forever, PSU's especially!

Ok thanks for replying. My computer is running smooth as a bell performance wise. Everything is quick, fine, fast, etc. My ONLY issue is the video card. My system has intel on board graphics chip. Since my Windows 7 display is out of alignment, I am assuming after running tests of all kinds, my intel on board graphics chip or controller is bad.

So I am JUST looking for a new video card. Nothing else. I need help though in the decision to go AGP, or PCI express? Or buy an external USB video card? I don't game on my PC. I just do web design work, photo shop, write screenplays, surf the web, visit forums, check email, watch movies (streaming or download), and watch you tube videos. All my gaming is done on console. So I am not looking for a heavy duty gaming card. Just looking for a replacement to my intel on board graphics chip, in the form of a PCI express or AGP, or USB external video card. That is compatible with, and can run Windows 7 (and Aero) without any hiccups.


Also I'm seeing more and more external video cards sold online. From IO Gear, SIIG, even HP. So it was just an idea to avoid having to open up my PC and slot a new video card is all. Also I figured going outside the case with an eternal card would solve the slanting/alignment issues.

 

[Faladu]

You either have AGP or PCIe x16 slot for video, not likely both, and AGP has long been obsolete.

Tried to look up Gateway e4610 but there are multiple versions, e4610S? e4610E? e4610D?

This it?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6337530&CatId=5139

Chosen for the pix...

It's got one PCIe x16 in it, which is a relief, AGP is

Have you tried ANOTHER monitor cable or just another monitor by the way?

If still working on just adding a PCIe card low profile with minimal power requirements:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131338

Might need DVI to VGA adaptor or a different cable also, depending on your monitors.

 

[Magikal]

You either have AGP or PCIe x16 slot for video, not likely both, and AGP has long been obsolete.

Tried to look up Gateway e4610 but there are multiple versions, e4610S? e4610E? e4610D?

I have three white slots and two black ones. The first black one is very tiny, the second one is the same size and length as the three white slots.

 

[Magikal]

Mine is an E4610S.

 

[Faladu]

So you are PCI Express 16, that 5450 I suggest is probably a good choice for you and only $30, just adaptor/cables for monitor to buy, if hardwired on both monitors and just VGA then, need 1 DVI to VGA adapter.

Or this type of cable:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0ZX0TC2925

Check monitor inputs though and if you have just one HDMI or DVI input on either, much easier.

 

[Magikal]

You either have AGP or PCIe x16 slot for video, not likely both, and AGP has long been obsolete.

Tried to look up Gateway e4610 but there are multiple versions, e4610S? e4610E? e4610D?

This it?

Gateway E-4610S SB Desktop Computer - Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 1.8GHz, 1GB DDR2, 80GB HDD, CD-ROM, Windows XP Pro (Off-Lease) at TigerDirect.com

Chosen for the pix...

It's got one PCIe x16 in it, which is a relief, AGP is

Have you tried ANOTHER monitor cable or just another monitor by the way?

If still working on just adding a PCIe card low profile with minimal power requirements:

PowerColor Go! Green AX5450 1GBK3-SH Radeon HD 5450 (Cedar) 1GB 64-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card - Newegg.com

Might need DVI to VGA adaptor or a different cable also, depending on your monitors.

The Tiger Direct link, yes that is her.

I've tried two flatscreen LCD monitors and two CRT's. Trust me I have tested this issue to the max, and it has now boiled down to bad on board graphics chip. All my monitors are VGA by the way. And I have VGA cords for all of them already. One of my CRT's also has a VGA cord built into the back of it.

 

[Faladu]

OK since all just VGA, the 5450 is fine, just one of those cables or adapters and hopefully problem solved.

Just didn't want you buying the card and then sittting there with just 1 monitor.

I moved to 2 last year and wondered how I survived with 1 for so long.

 

[Magikal]

So you are PCI Express 16, that 5450 I suggest is probably a good choice for you and only $30, just adaptor/cables for monitor to buy, if hardwired on both monitors and just VGA then, need 1 DVI to VGA adapter.

Or this type of cable:

Newegg.com - Steren 516-706BK Steren 6' dvi-analog male to vga hd15m adapter/cable

Check monitor inputs though and if you have just one HDMI or DVI input on either, much easier.

I use VGA only so need one where it's just a VGA socket and that's it.

 

[Faladu]

Just to be sure, that card has 1 VGA, 1 DVI, 1 HDMI, so for 2 monitors you need one DVI to VGA or HDMI to VGA.

It's something available probably even at Walmart.

 

[Magikal]

I only use VGA though. Not interested in DVI. It also seems as if with all these video cards on New Egg, I am not going to be able to use my VGA slot because the low profile bracket will take up too much space. So the only socket that will be exposed in back of my tower will be the DVI socket. The VGA won't be accessible since it's at the far end of the card.

 

[Magikal]

Ok so I purchased a 1GB DDR2 Low Profile Half Height Windows 8 7 Vista XP Linux Video Graphics Card - ATI Radeon HD 4550
It's got DVI dual link socket so I purchased an adapter for it as well.

 

[RoasterMen]

I'd get an HD 4650 AGP if I were you, FX 5200 and 6200 are much weaker.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
Here's a card that will allow up to 8 Monitors !!!! Is that enough for you !!!!.

DisplayPort Graphics Card for Eight Monitors – Matrox M9188

Cheers
jimbo