Ignore whatever specs you find in a manual or on your manuf's website. Shut down, disconnect the power, open up your case, and read the label on your power supply unit and see what IT says for peak wattage. Connector choices/options: You need VGA only now? One monitor? Might you want to go to a 'dual monitor (extended desktop)' setup? Might you want to stream video (sports, movies) from your PC to your TV? Lots of choices for connector pairings/options for $35 video/graphics cards.... But you may not want to spend an additional 35 to upgrade your existing power supply also (so that's why I'm saying examine your power supply first). Then go to a BestBuy, Staples, O-max or O-Depot, CompUSA/TigerDirect outlet where you find a computer-savvy person and tell him/her your machine's make & model, your OS, and what you found on your power supply, and what output connection(s) you want.
--- In [email protected], "PeterS" <pmark1@...> wrote: > > > > You Folks covered all the bases in regards to the matter. I just started to > look into it a bit. > "mgandtherays" <mgwiz@> wrote: > > > > As Donk mentioned, dealing w/ a brick-and-mortar store such as BestBuy is > > good, b/c if you have a problem and need help, they've got GeekSquad right > > there you can go back and talk with or take your machine in to look at. > > Think ahead : What outputs (VGA, DVI, S-video, HDMI) do you use now, & > > which may you want to use in the future? > > At this time I need it for the VGA! Seems like they come with the other > connections ( DVI, S-Video, HDMI ) together? > > > Capable cards need power. Know your machine's specs. Some manuf's 'fib' a > > bit. In my instance Gateway said my machine/system was 300watts -- but when > > I pulled my power supply out to look at it it was 288 peak printed on it. A > > graphics card which says on the box "300 watt minimum power" would not have > > gotten enough juice from my If the new card you want to buy says "mininum > > power 300 watts" then you want your power supply to really be AT LEAST "350 > > peak." (I ended up swapping in an upgraded power supply unit in my W XP-era > > machine, which didnt cost me anything b/c I had a spare). > > You make a good point to consider with the power supply. I'm content to keep > it around 350 peak if possible. Not sure if it draws the minimum all the time > or when operating at full capacity? It will have to be around OpenGL 2 and > Shader version 1.2 capable for Rhino 5. Whatever that means? This is all very > new learning the protocol. I sure I'll have to compromise somewhere? > > > Tigerdirect.com has some good prices, many with rebates. > > Thanks Mike, & Our Forum Friends for taking the time to share your input. PS > > > > --- In [email protected], Donk <d.knieriem@> wrote: > > > > > > You should be able to use any PCIexp 16 video card in any PC with a > > > PCIexp 16 slot. The PCIexp1 slot won't hold any video card (too short). > > > But before you buy a card be sure to read its system requirements on the > > > box! > > > It doesn't matter if a card has ddr3 or other vram, and it doesn't > > > matter how much vram it has. But the more the better. :-) > > > > > > I like to buy from brick and mortar stores: Microcenter, Best Buy, > > > Staples, Office Depot, hhGregg, etc. But online you get a better, > > > usually cheaper, selection. Like Amazon.com, TigerDirect.com, > > > NewEgg.com (but NewEgg charges a restocking fee for returns so I don't > > > use them anymore). > > > > > > Good luck, > > > Donk > > > > > > > > > > > > On 3/23/2013 1:28 AM, PeterS wrote: > > > > Dear Friends - Can you help? Looking to upgrade some PC's I put > > > > together awhile ago when ddr, ddr2 & dual channel ddr2 was the latest > > > > memory configuration. Would like to add video cards to upgrade? In the > > > > 512 to 1 gb range if possible? Where might I be able to find a source? > > > > Also can dd3 cards be used in the system? MB have PCIEX1 & PCIEXP 16 > > > > slots. Hope this helps & Thank you very much for taking to time to > > > > assist with this matter! PS > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ > > > > > > > > If you have any questions or problems with any aspect of this site, > > > > please feel free to contact me directly bixen@ Please do not post > > > > personal issues directly to the group. > > > > > > > > To unsubscribe from this list, send an email to > > > > [email protected] > > > > > > > > Thank you for using A-1 Computer TechYahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------ If you have any questions or problems with any aspect of this site, please feel free to contact me directly [email protected] Please do not post personal issues directly to the group. To unsubscribe from this list, send an email to [email protected] Thank you for using A-1 Computer TechYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A-1-Computer_Tech/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/A-1-Computer_Tech/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
