i can't find any specs for this even on the website but i wanna know how i can find out if the AGP slot on my ibm thinkcentre A50 8193-E1U can handle a DDR2 or 3 graphics card
Memory has nothing to do with it. If your board has an AGP slot, it can handle an AGP card. What you should be worried about is whether your power supply can handle the added load or not.
how do i found out what the power supply can handle?
Open the case & look for a label on the side of the power supply. What you need to know is the wattage output rating, plus the amperage specs for the +3.3v, +5v & +12v rails. Here's an example: http://www.bosamar.com/KT4V/Images/...
Another thing you need to look for is if there are any unused plugs available. Higher end AGP cards require more power than the AGP slot can supply, so an aux power plug MUST be connected. Some use a 4-pin floppy plug, others use a 4-pin HDD plug. Of course, if you get a lower end card, the extra plug wouldn't be required. Here's what the various plugs look like:
thanks i'll do that
ok so i have +5=14.0A
+3.3=12.0A
+12=11.0Ai believe i have extra power plugs too. i think i see a HDD one. will a Cdrom work too?
There should be more than one 12 volt rating. Do you see another one?
Looks like TigerD sells those systems for $100: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...
I don't blame you for wanting to get away from the onboard video but what is the purpose of this upgrade - gaming?
You didn't state what the wattage rating is but 11A on the +12v doesn't give you a heck of a lot of headroom to play with. My guess would be 200W?
"i think i see a HDD one. will a Cdrom work too?"
They're the same plug, so yes, it will work.
How much memory does the system have? I just checked Crucial & it should have 4 memory slots...probably only 2 are filled. From the TigerD link, they list 2 x 256MB of PC2700. Adding 2 x 512MB or even 2 x 1GB of PC2700 to what you alrady have would give the system quite a performance boost, but RAM is pretty pricey these days unless you can find some used stuff.
yeah now the memory specs i do know. i'm really just planning this ahead so i don't buy something i have to send back. but first i want to max out the memory and that's at 4 gigs. i plan to do that first but of course a little at a time, but eventually i want to max it out. my main purpose is for HD or an attempt. while my display is just a step below hd, i figure i can at least try to handle an hd graphics card. so if i can get that and later get a display that is HD ready. but again that's later also. i watch a lot anime and i just want to have that capability.
While you're looking for good used memory, look for a used or even new ATI Radeon 9600XT for a video card. It's about the best you'll find that does not need a power plug. They're going for about 30 bucks on ebay but I'd like to see you pay $20.00 or less.
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