PCI Graphics Card

motorguy

Excuse my lack of knowledge here, but i have a PC that i *think* has knackered its (on board) graphics - screen went wobbly on the display, rebooted PC, no display. Tried other display, tried other cable. PC seems to be booting up as normal otherwise.

It has a single what-i-think is a PCI card - its a Dell A100.

My thinking is to put a graphics card into the slot? (am i right so far?)

Now, i've had a look, and second hand PCI graphics cards on ebay such as this -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ATI-3D-Rage-II-3D-Charger-2Mb-PCI-Graphics-card-109-38800-/120804314994?pt=UK_Computing_Computer_Components_Graphics_Video_TV_Cards_TW&hash=item1c207f8f72#ht_1390wt_754

Have a long single slot and a short slot.

However new ones such as this have a short a long and a short slot?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-SEALED-Matrox-G550-Dual-Screen-PCI-LP-Graphics-Card-G55MDDAP32DSF-/220883327713?pt=UK_Computing_Computer_Components_Graphics_Video_TV_Cards_TW&hash=item336dac1ae1#ht_1257wt_219

Will the latter fit?

fwor

Provided you have nothing else in the motherboard's only spare PCI slot, it should be Ok.

The keying slots indicate the signal voltage it uses. The first one indicates that it's 5V, while the second indicates that it is "universal" and can handle either 3.3V or 5V.

The second one should (in theory) work in any PCI slot.

motorguy

fwor wrote: »

Provided you have nothing else in the motherboard's only spare PCI slot, it should be Ok.

The keying slots indicate the signal voltage it uses. The first one indicates that it's 5V, while the second indicates that it is "universal" and can handle either 3.3V or 5V.

The second one should (in theory) work in any PCI slot.

Thanks - its a PC i have just for my accounts and placing my adverts each day, so i've kept it simple, so yes the one slot is free.

Fortunately i have backups of my stuff so i can afford to do without it for a few days until i get a card.

Many thanks

TakeThis

Best to get a 3.3V card for this machine.

AHAR

What screen resolution are you running? If you buy a card with too little memory you may have to reduce the resolution and/or number of colours.
See the table on this page to help you see how much you'll need:
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/video/modesBuffer-c.html

Some cards only offer 32bit colour for 'true' colour so you may want to base your requirement on that figure if you don't want to compromise on colour accuracy. Based on the usage you describe, maximum colour depth may not be that important. 16bit colour (65536 colours) will look OK but 8 bit colour is just 256 colours and will look pretty crummy.

Note also that that Matrox card you gave the link for is a low profile card. This refers to the width of the plate at the back with the connector on it. You won't be able to mount this card in your normal width slot.