• Graphics card replacement for an MD8800
    22 replies, posted
I live in Ireland, will want to buy from komplett though I'd consider other sites. Newegg is not an option due to location for buying. So anyway, I've been putting off replacing the graphics card in my MD8800 for some time, but I think I'm being forced to upgrade now that the card has flipped out on me. (Glitchy artifacts in BIOS and Windows loading screens, video output fails when it tries to go to Desktop) The card in question inside the case is an MSI GeForce 6700XL (came with the computer). [url=http://lh4.ggpht.com/_wMJd4v1p0zo/ScpqA3SC67I/AAAAAAAABPM/sZVaiyd4sUQ/2009-03-24%20-%20MSI%20NVIDIA%20GeForce%206700%20XL.jpg]This card right here[/url] [url=http://img301.imageshack.us/i/md8800klein9oj.jpg/]This is how the card looks inside the case, as you can see it's fairly cramped.[/url] What I want is an nVidia replacement card (don't suggest otherwise, please) at or below €100, though I [i]could[/i] push up to €150. Higher end cards aren't really an option due to their size. I have a lack of space to actually fit them. (I bought a GTX 260 and it wouldn't fit because I'm a retard and I forgot to thoroughly check size) All I really need is a card that can run Source games like Team Fortress 2 at the highest settings possible for a card within my budget. I'm not really interested in current or next gen games, I can't even afford to build a new system currently, I'll worry about more demanding games when I can. The motherboard I'm a little fuzzy on, but I'm fairly sure it's an MSI brand and has a single PCI-e slot. I'm not interested in SLI or anything like that. Other info in case you need it: PSU: Corsair VX 550W PSU. CPU: Intel Pentium D @ 3.0GHz. RAM: [url=http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=ACC74DE4A5CA7304]4 x 1GB DDR2 Ballistix RAM.[/url] Thanks.
Why only nvidia?
[url]http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=499586[/url]
go with a 4670 or 5750 anything higher will bottleneck with the cpu
[QUOTE=Collin665;17993234]Why only nvidia?[/QUOTE] Because he has been spammed with "runs better on nvidia" crap. Don't worry he will submit to our ideas.
[QUOTE=sbradford26;17993815]Because he has been spammed with "runs better on nvidia" crap. Don't worry he will submit to our ideas.[/QUOTE] No, I don't really believe that. I just prefer nVidia because I have never actually used an ATI card. I don't hate them or anything.
then change that now they're all graphics cards, they're all used exactly the same
I suppose I could, but I just want to be 100% sure that the thing will actually work with my computer. I've never replaced a graphics card before. Also why would an ATI card would suit me better than an nVidia one? Just curious.
they wouldn't, both make cards that do the same job the only difference when installing them is what drivers you install [url]http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=498836[/url] 4770 looks to be a good option
I would recommend replacing the whole computer as your processor right now won't take TF2 up to max spec even with a super graphics card like a 5870. See if you can dump the old parts and get a Phenom II or something, or even a Core i5 if your budget allows.
[QUOTE=PhazeDistortion;17996348]Also why would an ATI card would suit me better than an nVidia one? Just curious.[/QUOTE] ATI/AMD has a seriously big price/performance lead on Nvidia right now.
[QUOTE=spacedooky;18003699]I would recommend replacing the whole computer as your processor right now won't take TF2 up to max spec even with a super graphics card like a 5870. See if you can dump the old parts and get a Phenom II or something, or even a Core i5 if your budget allows.[/QUOTE] I can't really afford to replace anything besides the graphics card currently. Also @ Shogoll &reapaninja, alright. Thanks for the info. Small question though, are you sure those cards will fit? I don't want the same thing to happen to me. Finally, will I need to uninstall the drivers using another computer or would the computer boot fine until I can uninstall them in Windows?
[QUOTE=PhazeDistortion;18006657]I can't really afford to replace anything besides the graphics card currently. Also @ Shogoll &reapaninja, alright. Thanks for the info. Small question though, are you sure those cards will fit? I don't want the same thing to happen to me. Finally, will I need to uninstall the drivers using another computer or would the computer boot fine until I can uninstall them in Windows?[/QUOTE] Uninstall all nvidia drivers, So you don't get driver conflicts. On your same computer.
Give us the inside dimensions of your case, how long and wide the card can be. Before that, we can't help. It would be a waste to buy a new card and it wouldn't fit too. Anyway, have you returned the GTX260? If not, get a new case instead of a new GPU. One where you're sure it'll fit. Just move everything to the new case, and better yet, it might have better cooling for all components in a new case.
[QUOTE=Blackwater;18008116]Give us the inside dimensions of your case, how long and wide the card can be. Before that, we can't help. It would be a waste to buy a new card and it wouldn't fit too. Anyway, have you returned the GTX260? If not, get a new case instead of a new GPU. One where you're sure it'll fit. Just move everything to the new case, and better yet, it might have better cooling for all components in a new case.[/QUOTE] I'll need to get exact dimensions another time. The motherboard is the issue, not the case. The CPU heatsink blocks the GTX 260 by a little bit. I raged when I found out. [QUOTE=Quantuam VTX;18006724]Uninstall all nvidia drivers, So you don't get driver conflicts. On your same computer.[/QUOTE] I know I need to uninstall them, but if I do get an ATI card, would it be safe to boot into Windows while still using nVidia drivers until I can uninstall them?
Have you tried the hacksaw method on the heatsink.
[QUOTE=PhazeDistortion;18020495] I know I need to uninstall them, but if I do get an ATI card, would it be safe to boot into Windows while still using nVidia drivers until I can uninstall them?[/QUOTE] Why not uninstall them before you switch?
[QUOTE=PhazeDistortion;18020495]I'll need to get exact dimensions another time. The motherboard is the issue, not the case. The CPU heatsink blocks the GTX 260 by a little bit. I raged when I found out. I know I need to uninstall them, but if I do get an ATI card, would it be safe to boot into Windows while still using nVidia drivers until I can uninstall them?[/QUOTE] yes just plug in, then boot up download ATI drivers install them
[QUOTE=ghostofme;18025427]Why not uninstall them before you switch?[/QUOTE] I can't boot into Windows to uninstall. Graphics output fails after the Windows loading screen.
Bumping because I finally measured my case/card. Procrastination sucks big time. My current card, the 6700 XL is ~18cm long, ~2.5cm high, ~11cm width. Space in case is ~22cm length (then it gets closr to the cables I had to stick in the system), ~13cm width. Height gap; there is ~3cm available due to the heatsink (about 3.5 due to motherboard power cable), but after the 19cm mark, the CPU heatsink's copper pipes make the height available at ~2cm. Also I need a single slot card. I bought the GTX 260 without realizing either it's size or slot requirements. Give me boxes if you wish, it was stupid.
Get a 4850 single slot, not quite as good as the 260, similar to a GTS250 (if slightly better).
At this stage, I'll just be happy if it fits and works. It will fit with those measurements, right? [url]http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=361772[/url] [url]http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=499586[/url] Any idea why there is a €2.50 difference between these two? Specs seem the same and the only discernable difference I can make out is: Manufacturer P\N: EAH4850/HTDI/1GD3 Manufacturer P\N: EAH4850/HTDI/1G I have no idea what the significance of 'D3' is. [b]Edit:[/b] [url]http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=499641[/url] Or will this only fit?
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