Upgrading to a new video card. And Memory.

I know there's a lot of topics on this, im not sure if there's one that addresses this question.

Im upgrading from an integrated video card to a nVidia 7600 GS. Im not too hardware savvy, and on the box its says the 7600 is DDR2. My Pc has a DDR motherboard i think. I still see two slots open for video cards, one slot taken up with the integrated(which i will disable).

Will the 7600 work on my DDR motherboard? Well, i think its a DDR motherboard because its supports DDR RAM or something like that.


My second question is, if i add memory, could i use two 512 mb units of different brands together? I already know i have two slots for RAM.

Also, if i can install the new video card, are there any overheating issues to take care of?

Thank you.

The "DDR2" indicates what type of memory is used on the video card, and does not require your motherboard to support the same type of memory, as the memory on the video card is completely contained on the video card. The video card will probably come with a fan for its heatsink, so I would recommend keeping any PCI cards you have installed in your computer as far from your video card slot as possible.

As to compatibility with your motherboard, the only thing that matters is whether the graphics slot on your motherboard is AGP or PCI-E, and you then need a graphics card that fits in that slot.

Two different brands of memory should (in theory) work together, provided they both have the same specifications. That said, it's usually easier to have two of the same brand if possible, because then you know they were manufactured in such a way as to work together.

Alright thanks. But hte problem is, i cant move my other video card far away.
I have three video card slots. And the integrated is in the middle one.
Also, how do you tell if you have AGP, PCI, or PCI-E?

the lite version of this is free and will give you all information about your system.

if you have only a PCE not PCI-E i dont know if a 7 series card is made for that.

http://www.sisoftware.co.uk/index.ht...uy&langx=en&a=

2 512mb sticks of different brand RAM will work together but i would reccomend going for the same brand because they will have the same CAS timings and work together better

You don't want a DDR2 7600gs it's very slow, a DDR3 7300gt outperforms it and is also cheaper.

Also if you are upgrading from integrated graphics it's built into the motherboard all you have to do is disable it.

he has 3 slots and A CARD is in the middle slot.

who knows if that is even a video card and not something else?

also since it is 3 slots without mentioning a difference in color and position i am assuming they are PLAIN PCI SLOTS.

add to this the integrated graphics statement it is even more likely they are PLAIN PCI.

please give us all a link to this fabeled 7300 GT card in PLAIN PCI for sale as there are many here who would love to upgrade that high with PLAIN PCI.

very lucky to find 6 series PCI let alone 7 series PCI

If you have integrated graphics then the card in the slot is probably not a video card - most likely it is your modem card.

If you have three white slots all the same size, those are your pci slots

Generally the video slot (if there is one) will be above those.

a slot that is longer than your pci slots and offset slightly to the right would be a pci express 16.

If the slot is very short it would be a pci express 1 (i don't know of any cards actually made for this)

If the slot is off set quite a bit to the right and about the same size at the pci slots it is agp

hope that helps - but best thing to do is check with your system maker and fidn out the specs

Yeah, find out what motherboard you have and you should find if you have an AGP or PCI-E 16 slot. Posting the type of slot your motherboard has even if it's plain PCI will help people point you to the right video cards.

Yes, if you have integrated graphics, then it's not in the form of a card, the video chip is integrated onto the motherboard itself. An easy way for the layman to confirm whether they have a dedicated video card or not is to see how the video connector on the back of the case lines up. On an upright case, is the video connector connects vertically, then you're using integrated graphics, but if the connector lines up horizontally then you're using a dedicated video card.

Loviator mentioned a good link for some trusted, free software that will tell you what kind of video card slot you have. Get the Lite version of the software, install it and go to the Hardware tab. The information you need should be under the Computer Overview and/or Mainboard sections. Post back here with your Mainboard make/model and I'm sure we'll be able to help you even more! xD

Ok, the model is 0C2425. Its PCI i think, cause the it says i have a 845-G PCI accelerated SVGA.

My pc is a dell dimension 2400. So, as of now i should get totally new RAM of the same brand, and the video card should be a series 6 correct?

Will DDR2 memory(RAM) work on a DDR motherboard?

if it is on the graphics card do not worry about DDR2.

if you are buying more ram for the computer buy what is listed as compatable by a main brand memmory website like corsair/kingston/crucial/etc.

in a ddr mainboard DDR2 will nor work it will not even fit.

again whatever is on the video card does not apply as for fitting as you fit the video card not what is on the card.

here is a link to a trustworthy site for an idea of what is available for PCI.

look for DX9 compatable

AVOID ANYTHING MARKED MX AS IN MX 4000 OR MX 400 ETC

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...64 2&name=PCI

Is this a good choice?

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Visio...oductDetail.do

It's ok. If you're going to spend that much this is much better:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814103031

The GeForce 6200's are also pretty good for PCI.

I wouldn't buy from Circuit City, though. Places like that rob you blind on computer components...terrible prices.

here are some customer reviews on a similar model from Newegg.com which does not carry that exact model

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814129062

the vision tec site has no search i could find and does not list XTACY except as a legacy product but not the 1300 number.

so i dont know

The only reason for me going to circuit city is because theres on nearby me with good deals.

Never said anything about pci graphics cards.

Have you checked the prices at Newegg.com? Unless it's an open-box item I would find it hard to believe that CC is competitive with them on very many things. Just trying to save you some money!

Perhaps this individual is unable to purchase online. Maybe he doesn't have a payment method available for online shopping.