Video Card Upgrade

Pioneer · 11-20-08, 10:54 PM

My tower PC has come down with an issue - it has a video card in it which seems to have expired within the warranty period. The card was an AGP configuration. Attempts to contact the manufacturer have so far resulted in no response, thus, I am forced to replace the card...or do without any form of gaming at all over the four day Thanksgiving weekend.

The dilemma: I have available a brand new PCI e video card with the same 512MB capacity. The motherboard has available two PCI slots. Can I remove the old video card, install the new video card (drivers firmware etc) without complication the BIOS or having to reboot everything. Worst still, some of the stuff on the tower has not been backed up yet, so if it goes in, might it require a fresh install.

Wolfehunter · 11-21-08, 12:29 AM

Try to remove all the drivers from your old vid card and then install the newer one next. Maybe you don't need to have a clean install?:hmm:

longam · 11-21-08, 01:14 PM

Those PCI slots, are they PCIe? I mention this because of the Vid Card type.

Remember to make a restore point using system restore before doing anything so you can roll back to where you started from.

To install the new card all you have to do is uninstall the drivers, it will then go back to windows standard vga mode. Then you can shut down the system and remove old card and install new card.

Have the new drivers ready to go when you boot up. The BIOS might also have a setting which type to use by default..AGP - PCIe, but it still should see it.

Something I recommend to anyone. Stick a second drive in your system and use it for data (by data, I mean important files and downloads, music, ect...not game installs). You should still back it up but you don't have to worry about the data if windows takes a dump and you cant recover the C drive.

FIREWALL · 11-21-08, 01:32 PM

Simple answer> A PCIe ( PCI express) will NOT work in a pci slot. You need another MB for the PCIe to work.

That meams your ddr ram probably won't work, and depending on the socket, your cpu either.

Sorry Bro I've been there.

FIREWALL · 11-21-08, 01:38 PM

Cheaper solution : http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...asp?CatId=2234

Zachstar · 11-21-08, 11:55 PM

If there is not even one PCiE slot...

Well lets just come out and say your mobo sucks.. Even my 2004 computer has atleast one slot.

AGP is dead. These newer cards have long outclassed the AGP slot and thus you get far reduced performance compared to a PCIe type.

11-20-08, 10:54 PM	#1
Pioneer Stinking drunk in Trinidad Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: AU in the USA Posts: 349 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Video Card Upgrade My tower PC has come down with an issue - it has a video card in it which seems to have expired within the warranty period. The card was an AGP configuration. Attempts to contact the manufacturer have so far resulted in no response, thus, I am forced to replace the card...or do without any form of gaming at all over the four day Thanksgiving weekend. The dilemma: I have available a brand new PCI e video card with the same 512MB capacity. The motherboard has available two PCI slots. Can I remove the old video card, install the new video card (drivers firmware etc) without complication the BIOS or having to reboot everything. Worst still, some of the stuff on the tower has not been backed up yet, so if it goes in, might it require a fresh install. __________________ An AU writer marooned in the USA. The American Pioneer story continues @ www.grantmadden.com Latest publication: Chicken Soup for the Soul Angels and Miracles

11-21-08, 12:29 AM	#2
Wolfehunter Crusty Capt. Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 2,752 Downloads: 40 Uploads: 25	Try to remove all the drivers from your old vid card and then install the newer one next. Maybe you don't need to have a clean install?:hmm: __________________

11-21-08, 01:32 PM	#4
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	Simple answer> A PCIe ( PCI express) will NOT work in a pci slot. You need another MB for the PCIe to work. That meams your ddr ram probably won't work, and depending on the socket, your cpu either. Sorry Bro I've been there. __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

11-21-08, 01:38 PM	#5
FIREWALL Eternal Patrol Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: CATALINA IS. SO . CAL USA Posts: 10,108 Downloads: 511 Uploads: 0	Cheaper solution : http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...asp?CatId=2234 __________________ RIP FIREWALL I Play GWX. Silent Hunter Who ???

11-21-08, 11:55 PM	#6
Zachstar Sea Lord Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 1,956 Downloads: 13 Uploads: 0	If there is not even one PCiE slot... Well lets just come out and say your mobo sucks.. Even my 2004 computer has atleast one slot. AGP is dead. These newer cards have long outclassed the AGP slot and thus you get far reduced performance compared to a PCIe type. __________________

11-21-08, 01:14 PM	#3
longam Admiral Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,014 Downloads: 26 Uploads: 0	Those PCI slots, are they PCIe? I mention this because of the Vid Card type. Remember to make a restore point using system restore before doing anything so you can roll back to where you started from. To install the new card all you have to do is uninstall the drivers, it will then go back to windows standard vga mode. Then you can shut down the system and remove old card and install new card. Have the new drivers ready to go when you boot up. The BIOS might also have a setting which type to use by default..AGP - PCIe, but it still should see it. Something I recommend to anyone. Stick a second drive in your system and use it for data (by data, I mean important files and downloads, music, ect...not game installs). You should still back it up but you don't have to worry about the data if windows takes a dump and you cant recover the C drive.