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Hi there, I am wanting to upgrade my PC to Vista, according to a program I installed, I require to upgrade my RAM (which is fine) and the other thing I need to do is upgrade my Video Card Memory, as tis is only 64MB, and needs to be min 128MB. I was looking at how to do this, but opened my PC today and it appears the Video card is installed onto the motherboard. Would it be worth buying a video card that would go into one of my expansion slots (not sure if its PCI or PCI Express, can anyone help advising this?) or would it be cheaper buying a whole new Desktop? or would it be worth getting a whole new motherboard etc... If so which ones would be required? My current details I have got for the PC are as follows:
Operating System System Model
Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3 (build 2600) Time Computers KM266-8237
Enclosure Type: Desktop
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
1.67 gigahertz AMD Sempron
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD MS-7061
Bus Clock: 167 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG 07/28/2004
Drives Memory Modules c,d
77.14 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
32.63 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free SpaceSONY DVD RW DW-D22A [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]WDC WD800BB-00HEA0 [Hard drive] (77.14 GB) -- drive 0, s/n WD-WMAJ52263649, rev 13.03G13, SMART Status: Healthy 448 Megabytes Installed Memory
Slot 'A0' has 256 MB
Slot 'A1' has 256 MB
Local Drive Volumes
c: (NTFS on drive 0) 77.14 GB 32.63 GB free
Network Drives
None detected
Marks a disabled account; Marks a locked account CAPTURE FAX BVRP on NUL:
EPSON BX300F Series on USB001
EPSON Stylus DX5000 Series on USB002
Send To Microsoft OneNote Driver on Send To Microsoft OneNote Port:
Controllers Display
Standard floppy disk controller
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller]
VIA Bus Master IDE Controller VIA/S3G UniChrome IGP [Display adapter]
Proview 14.9 [Monitor] (14.9"vis, s/n F6TI510171995, January 2005)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller (4x)
VIA USB Enhanced Host Controller Vinyl AC'97 Codec Combo Driver (WDM)
Communications Other Devices
SoftV92 Data Fax Modem
1394 Net Adapter
VIA Rhine II Fast Ethernet Adapter
NEC OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
EPSON BX300F/TX300F
VIMICRO USB PC Camera 301x #2
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
PS/2 Compatible Mouse
Generic USB Hub
USB Composite Device
USB Printing Support
USB Root Hub (5x)
I believe your motherboard has an AGP slot. While Vista has gotten a lot better, why do you want to upgrade to Vista ? AGP cards are not that easy to find, and I don't think that your computer would work that well with Vista. However, I would not go out and buy a lot of new hardware just to upgrade to Vista.
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Your motherboard is an MSI MS-7061 aka KM4M-V. It accepts up to 2GB (2 x 1GB) RAM:
http://www.msicomputer.com/product/...
I agree with kx5m2g...it's not worth sinking over $100 into an old machine just to be able to run Vista. Why do you want to run Vista in the 1st place?
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I totally agree with kx5m2g. Vista has nothing to offer you that will work well with your hardware. Some of the Vista eye candy will only work with newer/faster hardware than you have. That said, you can add a graphics card if you really want to go that way.
Answer the original question. Why Vista?
In addition to the graphics card you would also need to increase the system memory (RAM) to at least 1GB.
The way computers go the cheapest HP, Dell, etc would no doubt out perform the rig you currently have.
What do you use your computer for?
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The macine I have now is very slow, and there are new things coming out all the time and they are asking for the sort of spec that Vista has, I just felt if I was to upgrade, it would be to Vista spec, not straight away, but at least to a spec that would accept Vista, when and if needed.
I didnt think there was an AGP slot on my card, the only things there are is the expansion slots, and another slot close to where the RAM is, on its own with nothing in it, but not close to the outer case (which I thought it would have been, to put in cables)
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AGP cards are not hard to come by if you want to buy one. Website listed below. If you want to run vista then so be it. Upgrade to 2 gigs and go to the website listed below either or would increase your machine speed if you do upgrade.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...
Jim R
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thanks for this, but like I say, I do not think that my PC has the AGP slot, Would this be close to the outer case if there was one? Is there any way of finding out for definate if my PC has this slot?
From looking, in my opinion, it doesn't, but im not all that clued up yet with video cards.
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Thanks, think I have established it does have the AGP slot, but trying to find out which one is required and seem to get this info:
in CPU-Z under graphics interface it is saying my chipset is VIA KM400 and graphics interface: AGP Version 2.0 transfer rate 4x max supported 4x sideband enabled, but under the KM400 chipset on the net it is saying it can run 8x http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/c...
Which is correct?
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You still aren't going to run Vista very well. Why not consider a replacement for the computer.
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"there are new things coming out all the time and they are asking for the sort of spec that Vista has..."
if you are putting the Vista OS on your PC in hopes of it running newer programs smoother, you've got it backwards - Vista has higher system requirements just to run ITSELF.
So if you have an older machine with older hardware (even if you upgraded to an AGP video card, you'd still have older hardware), Vista will have a harder time running on the PC, and leave even fewer system resources (RAM, CPU cycles, etc) for these newer applications that you want to run.
You're talking about installing an AGP card, which may require a new power supply, and new RAM. Since we're already talking about something like $200, plus however many hundred for Vista, why not take your $500 and buy some pre-configured machine from HP, Dell, ibuypower.com, or even Frys. Their cheapest machines are usually around that much, and will be WAY better than your current rig, run Vista, AND leave more room to upgrade.
oh yeah, and backup your data. quick.
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"Thanks, think I have established it does have the AGP slot"
I posted a link to your board specs in response #2. It supports both 4X & 8X AGP cards.
If you insist on making this system "Vista worthy", max your RAM amount to 2GB (2 x 1GB) & get yourself an 8X AGP card that supports DX10. Figure about $100 for a video card, $50 for the RAM, plus possibly another $50 for a power supply capable of handling the video card.
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Plus the cost of Vista, which is no small amount. You will have another $300+ into an old computer.
I suggest you shop around for a new desktop and keep the old one for a backup.
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Thanks for the advise on this, think I am going to just upgrade my RAM for now, and save up for a new desktop.
Vista wasnt a problem getting cheaply, as here in the UK, I know people who are able to get me this for next to nothing in price, this was why I was thinking of upgrading at some point, but by the sounds of it, its going to be better for me to just buy a new desktop, and this time spend a bit more so that I am able to upgrade components easily without there been system issues.
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Heide2986
You are on the right track but keep in mind that the technology involved here is constantly changing. Each new generation of changes bring the need for new motherboards and memory at the very least. You can only future proof to a degree.
For instance, jam mentioned your possible need to upgrade your power supply. When you buy a pre-built system the power supply will be minimal in Wattage. If you have a custom built unit made you can get a more powerful unit to start and that will mitigate the need to change it out with the first upgrade. However, eventually even cases become obsolete.
For most users the pre-built units are still the most cost effective. You can get semi-custom computers from Dell and others that will have better performance if you plan ahead.
For an idea of what if available go to the Dell website and look at customizing a unit.
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