gfx card question

[ithaor]

Been thinking about getting a new graphics card for a long time now, but my friend says that the newer cards require a certain type of motherboard or something, so I was wondering if anyone can help me out by finding out the latest and best card that I will be able to use on my computer, not sure what details I would need to give you though.

[soybean]

Can you give us the exact make and model of your computer? 

[ithaor]

No clue what model it is but would it help if I posted the memory and things?

[soybean]

So, you don't even know what brand/make it is?  Have you looked on back for a sticker or label with some markings on it? 

If you can't find the model #, download, install, and run EVEREST Free Edition 2.20, and post the report it produces here. 

[ithaor]

the whole report won't fit, could you tell me what information you need from the report? that way I can copy and paste them from it

[soybean]

Scroll down to the section labeled Motherboard.  That's the part we need.

[ithaor]

Everything under the title of motherboard:

Motherboard:
      CPU Type                                          Intel Pentium 4 650, 3400 MHz (17 x 200)
      Motherboard Name                                  Unknown
      Motherboard Chipset                               SiS 661FX/GX
      System Memory                                     2048 MB  (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
      BIOS Type                                         AMI (07/11/05)
      Communication Port                                Communications Port (COM1)
      Communication Port                                Communications Port (COM2)
      Communication Port                                ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

[ Motherboard ]

    Motherboard Properties:
      Manufacturer                                      NEC COMPUTERS INTERNATIONAL
      Product                                           P5S800-VM
      Version                                           Rev 1.xx
      Serial Number                                     MB-1234567890

[soybean]

No, it appears you got that info under the Summary section and then the part for "[ Motherboard ]" under DMI.  Am I right?

You did not scroll down far enough.  Here's what you're looking for: Motherboard section

[ithaor]

I can find this part but there is no motherboard physical info section:

    Motherboard Properties:
      Motherboard ID                                    63-0170-009999-00101111-071105-SIS661FX$A0285001_BIOS DATE: 07/11/05 18:56:38 VER: 08.00.09
      Motherboard Name                                  Unknown

    Front Side Bus Properties:
      Bus Type                                          Intel NetBurst
      Bus Width                                         64-bit
      Real Clock                                        200 MHz (QDR)
      Effective Clock                                   800 MHz
      Bandwidth                                         6400 MB/s

    Memory Bus Properties:
      Bus Type                                          DDR SDRAM
      Bus Width                                         64-bit
      Real Clock                                        200 MHz (DDR)
      Effective Clock                                   400 MHz
      Bandwidth                                         3200 MB/s

Instead it has this, am i doing something wrong?

Chipset Bus Properties:
      Bus Type                                          SiS MuTIOL
      Bus Width                                         16-bit

[soybean]

Use your browser's search function and search for AGP.  Find anything?

[ithaor]

nothing like what you posted but i know my current card uses an agp x8 bus if that helps

[soybean]

I gather you're thinking of doing this upgrade yourself.  Therefore, you need to know how to recognize what type of slots are on your motherboard.  So, open the case and find out.  That's the surest way to eliminate any doubt.   A reference: http://www.si87.com/Products/Videocards/agpvspci/

[ithaor]

last time I checked I had 1 agp and 3 pci, I don't think it has changed lol

[Calum]

As long as you're sure . . .

If you want a new graphics card you should look at the GPU guide first.
That gives you an idea of what's on offer, as well as the different types of cards and interfaces.
You say you have an AGP 8X card, what card do you have?
What games do you play?
And what's your budget?

[ithaor]

atm not really playing anything and as for budget, not really too bothered, just want a decent graphics card, doesnt have to be brand new b/c the one i have atm is really bad. It's and ATI RADEON 9550, it could be 4x i guess not 100% sure on that but I know the motherboard can handle up to 8x.

[Calum]

What's your current power supply like?
And your current card is pretty good, if you're not actually playing anything.
What are you planning on doing with this upgrade?  Are there games you want to be able to play, something like that?

[Alex-B]

You can get a GeForce 7600 GS graphics card for about $120( Australian Dollars), since its an AGP slot you cant get much better graphics cards.