Hello everyone,
I'm new to the forum but I was doing a google search to see some information on upgrading an existing video card and stumbled on this site. I realize now that installing/choosing a video card is much more complicated than I expected. The only hardware I have installed is RAM which was very simple and I just figured that it would be the same case for a VC. Quick rundown of my system:
256 ram
Windows XP
AMD 1.7ghz processor
NVidia GEForce4 MX integrated VC
I have a lot more information I was able to get from a program called Everest but I don't want to load the thread with all that information unless its needed. I was hoping to get an answer as to what type of card would be best in the <$100 price range to run some fairly recent games.
Please help!!

Need motherboard brand/type and/or what expansion slots you have available to use

Here's some of the info from Everest that I think has those details:
Motherboard:
CPU Type Unknown, 1750 MHz (10.5 x 167) 2500+
Motherboard Name MSI K7N2GM2-LSR (MS-7051G) (3 PCI, 1 AGP, 2 DDR DIMM, Audio, Video, LAN)
Motherboard Chipset nVIDIA nForce2 IGP
System Memory 224 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type Award (08/30/04)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM2)
Communication Port Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter NVIDIA GeForce4 MX Integrated GPU (32 MB)
3D Accelerator nVIDIA nForce2

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter nVIDIA MCP2-S - Audio Codec Interface
Audio Adapter nVIDIA MCP2-S - Audio Processing Unit (Dolby Digital)

Storage:
IDE Controller NVIDIA MCP2S Parallel ATA Controller (v2.6)
IDE Controller NVIDIA MCP2S Serial ATA Compatible Controller (v2.6)
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive WDC WD400JB-00JJC0 (37 GB, IDE)
Disk Drive Lexmark USB Mass Storage USB Device
Optical Drive HITACHI DVD-ROM GD-7500 (12x/40x DVD-ROM)
Optical Drive LITE-ON LTR-12101B (12x/10x/32x CD-RW)
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 38154 MB (16391 MB free)

Input:
Keyboard Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse Logitech USB Wheel Mouse

Network:
Network Adapter Intel® PRO/100+ PCI Adapter (69.132.55.152)
Modem Lucent Win Modem

Peripherals:
Printer Fax
Printer Lexmark 4300 Series
Printer LexmarkFax
USB1 Controller nVIDIA MCP2-S - OHCI USB Controller
USB1 Controller nVIDIA MCP2-S - OHCI USB Controller
USB2 Controller nVIDIA MCP2-S - EHCI USB 2.0 Controller
USB Device Lexmark 4300 Series
USB Device Logitech USB Wheel Mouse
USB Device USB Composite Device
USB Device USB Human Interface Device
USB Device USB Mass Storage Device
USB Device USB Printing Support


--------[ DMI ]---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[ BIOS ]

BIOS Properties:
Vendor Phoenix Technologies, LTD
Version 6.00 PG
Release Date 08/30/2004
Size 512 KB
Boot Devices Floppy Disk, Hard Disk, CD-ROM, ATAPI ZIP, LS-120
Capabilities Flash BIOS, Shadow BIOS, Selectable Boot, EDD
Supported Standards DMI, APM, ACPI, PnP
Expansion Capabilities ISA, PCI, AGP, USB

[ System ]

System Properties:
Wake-Up Type Power Switch

[ Motherboard ]

Motherboard Properties:
Manufacturer MICRO-STAR INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD
Product MS-7051

[ Chassis ]

Chassis Properties:
Chassis Type Desktop Case

[ Memory Controller ]

Memory Controller Properties:
Error Detection Method 8-bit Parity
Error Correction None
Supported Memory Interleave 1-Way
Current Memory Interleave 1-Way
Supported Memory Speeds 70ns, 60ns
Supported Memory Types SPM, EDO
Supported Memory Voltages 5V
Maximum Memory Module Size 32 MB
Memory Slots 3

so you're looking at a low end AGP card psosibly, k, Ill do some searching

IMO your system will benefit more with a RAM upgrade (to at least 512 mB) than it will from a video card upgrade.

You wouldn't happen to know what is the easiest way to figure out what type of RAM I need. I attached some info from Everest.


Motherboard:
CPU Type Unknown, 1750 MHz (10.5 x 167) 2500+
Motherboard Name MSI K7N2GM2-LSR (MS-7051G) (3 PCI, 1 AGP, 2 DDR DIMM, Audio, Video, LAN)
Motherboard Chipset nVIDIA nForce2 IGP
System Memory 224 MB (PC3200 DDR SDRAM)
BIOS Type Award (08/30/04)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM2)
Communication Port Printer Port (LPT1)

SPD Memory Modules:
DIMM1: Kingston K 128 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-3-3-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.5-3-3-7 @ 166 MHz) (2.0-2-2-6 @ 133 MHz)
DIMM2: Kingston K 128 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (3.0-3-3-8 @ 200 MHz) (2.5-3-3-7 @ 166 MHz) (2.0-2-2-6 @ 133 MHz)

Memory Module Properties:
Module Name Kingston K
Serial Number 8B057F33h
Manufacture Date Week 44 / 2004
Module Size 128 MB (1 rank, 4 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed PC3200 (200 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 2.5
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us), Self-Refresh

Unless I am mistaken you are looking for PC3200 DDR 333

a stick of 256 or 512 should only run you approx maybe at max 100 bucks probably less since you're probably american (hate the conversion...)

For me I would go with a 512 upgrade becuase that will boost your abilites quite a lot, Some may recommend only 256 others would say 1 gig, but 512 is about right

as for the AGP card I haven't actually looked ..but I will now...

Card

click the link, this is above the 100 buck mark that you gave me but it'll probably be well worth it

I tried to compare it to ATI cards but unfortunately from newegg atleast ATI AGP cardsa re non existant I don't know if they stopped making them or if I searched wrong

I looked through a couple other cards around the same level and a coupole of htem had bad reviews in some senses but every card does

while this one does have a guy that had to RMA cards to EVGA a couple of times I never have had an issue with mine so up to you

if you want me to search for a different one I will but Id recommend that

others may comment on it maybe even john , who knows

Sidenote: When going to purchase ram if you ask for PC3200 DDR 333 and your quantity (assuming you're actually tlaking to someone at an actual computer store) You'll have no problesm getting it, You will be asked for brand probably Id stick with kingston just to not mix up brands

PC3200 is 400Mhz not 333mhz. PC2700 is what you got it confused with resp. It would probably still work in his system, but getting the 400Mhz would be better.

I didnt' get confused lol I just wrote it wrong

MSI's site declares that the memory is 333 mhz, and his computer says it has pc3200

meh... 400 mhz

okay, i have upgraded RAM to 1GB and the video card that was suggested just came in today. Now I have no idea how to install it. Last time I tried to install a video card I did no research and just bought a PCI card and fried my mobo. Now that I have gotten the req'd card I want to make sure I do it right. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

That is a pretty powerful card and you should check to see if your psu is big enough to handle it. That could be the reason you fried your mobo last time. I think it recommends a 400w or so psu. After that, its pretty basic. Stick the card in, connect the power cord, load the drivers, etc.

How can I figure out if the card is compatible. I posted some of my comp info in the previous thread and this is the card that was suggested. I don't want to spend the money on another mobo. please help.

Well, it's agp interface so it will work with your motherboard. Its just a matter of it not getting enough power. This should have been asked earlier though. If you don't have enough power to it, it will usually just stay off and beep or something like that and in rare cases, ruin some hardware. Just look at your power supply in your case and it should tell you the wattage.(Its not something displayed on the program) EVGA recommends at least a 350watt Psu with +12v:18a.

Chances are that you have an older 250watt or something. The card might even start up with this, but its highly not recommended and could eventually burn out or at least have really bad performance.

I would recommend getting a high quality one by a well known manufacturer such as this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16817153023

I didn't really look around for the best value and stuff but that company is a good one. So if you need it, something similar to that would be fine.

Can you suggest a less expensive psu. i've already spent so much on RAM and a new VC. I didn't realize everything else has to be upgraded. also is a psu upgrade fairly simple to install and do you have step by step instructions for the VC upgrade or know where to locate them. thank you in advance!

PSU - Antec makes a nice, fairly inexpensive product. I suggest unscrewing the old one from the case (but leave the wires connected. Then put the new one in (without connecting the wires). Then unplug one set of wires from the old one and replace it with those from the new one. This way you'll know that you've unhooked everything from the old and replaced it with the new (you'll know you're done when you can remove the old one without anything still being attached).

As for the vid card - it's actually fairly easy. Unplug the power cord and keep your hand on the metal of the case (to prevent static discharge) as much as you can (otherwise, use an anti-static wrist strap).

Unscrew the screw that holds the card in. Then check to make sure that any clamps at the rear of the slot are disengaged. Then wiggle the old card out. Don't forget to disconnect any wires leading to it!

Put the new one back in by gentlry rocking it into the slot. Hook up the power and any other wires that you need. Rest the locking clamp at the rear of the slot. Screw the screw back in and fire it up!

Make sure that the card is recognized (if it's not, you won't see anything!) - then install the latest updated drivers from the chipset manufacturer's website. (usually nVidia or ATI). Don't forget to put the case back together.

I just opened up the cpu and read the specs on my psu and it states 300W ATX do you think this will suffice for a while or will there be too many problems?

alright I just bought the suggested psu from newegg and it should arrive by mid week. i will keep you all posted if I have any other installation questions. and again thank you very much