PCI Graphics Cards

[Wings_of_Azrael]

So, I'm on the Best Buy website, browsing through their graphics cards. Mine is terribly weak, and I want to find a new one for under $100. My graphics, whatever you call it, is integrated... so playing games, using visualizations, ect. is hell. Basically, what I want is Radeon 7500 or GeForce 4 w/ 64 MB of RAM.

However, my computer has NO AGP graphics port and only one free PCI port. So, I'm looking for PCI graphics cards. And under system requirements for the Radeon 7500 (http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11176475&m=488&cat=521&scat=522) card I like says it requires and "AGP 2X or AGP 2X/4X universal slot" and the GeForce 4 (http://www.bestbuy.com/detail.asp?e=11101115&m=488&cat=521&scat=522) card I like says it requires an "AGP 2.0 port." Why would someone buy a PCI graphics card if they have an AGP slot? The fact that a PCI card would require an AGP port defies all reason. So, I'm kind of thinking that this is a fluke or a misprint. Still, I want to make sure.

One more thing. I was wondering if the type of graphics card RAM must correlate with the type of RAM your computer has. Say, if your computer uses SDRAM, does the graphics card also have to have SDRAM for it to work properly?

Much gratitude to whomever answers my question(s) of the day.

[chipperrox]

uh apparently the agp thing is a different port or somethin but it looks the same cause i was kinda confused too, i figured that the agp must be a faster speed than pci, and it allows more power, which explains why pci video cards are cheaper, I've seen a bunch at microcenter... err www.microcenter.com for real cheap, im sure u can find some

[r_xq]

Where's the misprint? theyre both AGP cards and require an AGP2X slot

[chipperrox]

Originally posted by r_xq
Where's the misprint? theyre both AGP cards and require an AGP2X slot
your useless--read it again

[r_xq]

Originally posted by chipperrox
your useless--read it again

Its obviously a misprint, innit?

[notbob]

agp=accelerated graphics port

on a MB it is brown and off center from the white pci slots

there will be a number in the manual that says what your AGP supports--2x-8x, adjustable in the bios

i installed a PCI video card once, and it worked just fine--it had 128RAM, and it ran in a win 98 pentium 1 266--i could play podracer without any trouble (the only computer game i have)--the PCI cards will never be as fast as the top of the line AGP stuff (chances are not too many of your MB's will support 8x AGP anyhoo)

as for mixing RAM, i have no idea--it's bad on a board, but i never tried it with a video card

as for chipperox, if you don't know what you are talking about STFU

(the cards shown work with a PCI slot OR a universal 2x/4x AGP slot, so no, you don't need an AGP to use them)

[Krell]

When it comes to actual product info, retailers dont know their head from their ass. One always needs to go to the manufacturers website, and do your research. There are TWO versions of this card, and the performance is directly affected by which you get. A PCI card will not preform like an AGP card, period. Study the bandwidth differences in PCI and AGP. The memory on the card isnt an issue in terms of your ram.


The ATI card
http://mirror.ati.com/products/pc/radeon7500/specs.html


What you need to do, is set your BIOS to boot from the PCI graphics, and set the Aperture Size to about 1/4 of your RAM size. Also, keep in mind that your PCI card, will need an IRQ, that is not shared by another demanding device like your SOUND card.


The PNY Card
http://www.pny.com/products/verto/geForce4/mx420pci.cfm

Keep in mind that while this card has a lifetime warrenty, it is after all a "PNY"


Additional info
http://pub173.ezboard.com/funofficialsonyfrm7.showMessage?topicID=530.topic

http://www.pantherproducts.co.uk/Product%20Reviews/Geforce%204%20MX.shtml

http://www.digit-life.com/articles/digest3d/itogi-video-gf4mx420.html


So there's my 30 minutes of research, you do the rest, and enjoy.

[wonderboy2005]

i don't have an agp slot either. i was in the same situation as you about a month or so ago, until i found a geforce 4 440 mx pci card. 64mb ddram (note: i have sdram for sytem ram, and there are no problems).

here is the company's site, but their database seems to be down right now, as i cant get into the pci cards section
http://www.jaton.com/2003/Home.html

[Wings_of_Azrael]

Great, thanks for the info, guys. It appears as though I have much reading to do.

BTW, I noticed Krell's remark about PNY. What are some brands to look for, and which ones should I avoid?

[Mel_Smiley]

Check this out to tweek your grafics card;http://entechtaiwan.com/ps.htm
I have a radeon 7500 overclocked and its sweet! I really really really recomend this tool for everyone, as it supports most cards out today

[Theinfamousone]

Buy a new MB. To me, integrated = you suck and don't know jack about computers because you went have gone to some OEM that makes your computer for you that thinks you are too stupid to ever want to actually upgrade your computer. Therefore when your video card is weak and can't play any modern games you have to go buy a new computer for them, and get another integrated graphics card.

[chipperrox]

Originally posted by notbob
agp=accelerated graphics port

as for chipperox, if you don't know what you are talking about STFU
(the cards shown work with a PCI slot OR a universal 2x/4x AGP slot, so no, you don't need an AGP to use them)

hmm not so sure why ur so angry, i was partially right, and i was only offering what i knew because nobody else was, i never stated that what i said was right, i just said thats what i figured.. you need to cool it man, i was just tryin to help