Talk about Black Sea...

**Dooz** · 01-23-2005, 11:52

Computers a Dell Dimension 3000 I believe. I'll have my friend look into it. Then off to the monthly computer fair I go to buy my videocard!... Thanks for the help everyone!

**ShellShock** · 01-23-2005, 12:40

Bad news I'm afraid. The Dell Dimension 3000 does not have an AGP slot, as you can see from this review.

Your cheapest option is to replace your motherboard for one with an AGP or PCI Express slot, and get a dedicated graphics card. If you do this you need to take into account:

Is the existing case the right "form" factor (size and shape) for the new motherboard?
Is your existing power supply sufficient for the new graphic card (some require at least 400 watts)?
Is your existing memory compatible with the new motherboard?

Most motherboards will accept IDE hard disks, which is probably what is fitted in the Dell.

Another option is to buy a PCI graphics card - the Dell has two free PCI slots. PCI cards are much slower than AGP, and this might not be any better than what you've got at the moment. You are limited as to the choices of PCI cards - you cannot get the latest and fastest cards in PCI format.

Do not confuse PCI with PCI Express. You've got PCI, not PCI Express. In terms of performance, the sequence is PCI->AGP->PCI Express. Also note AGP comes in different speeds: 1, 2, 4 and 8 (8 being the best).

Or you could buy a complete system. Make sure you get one with an AGP slot, or even better PCI express; then you will have a choice of which graphics card to get. I can recommend a Nvidia Geforce 6800 GT - top end of the market, and pricey, but you pay for what you get.

**Dooz** · 01-23-2005, 13:39

Thanks for all the info ShellShock... sadly all the info just screwed me over...

Lookin at a lot of expenses here... yeesh... maayybbeee I'll just live with minor lag for a little while longer, lol.

**Dooz** · 01-23-2005, 13:44

Approximately how much would a new motherboard cost? And what other changes does it bring along exactly? What else will it change for my comp?

**Krevel** · 01-23-2005, 16:01

Bad news. A new Mobo basically amounts to a new computer. You'll be able to use most of your parts, though - if that's any consolation.

Have you checked the Dell site for a new mobo/video driver for your computer? That MAY solve your problem, but the lack of a dedicated video card may be insurmountable.

**ShellShock** · 01-23-2005, 16:44

Originally Posted by Krevel

Bad news. A new Mobo basically amounts to a new computer. You'll be able to use most of your parts, though - if that's any consolation.

Have you checked the Dell site for a new mobo/video driver for your computer? That MAY solve your problem, but the lack of a dedicated video card may be insurmountable.

I'm not sure how a new motherboard equates to a new computer, at least price wise. It would be possible to get a new motherboard that will take your existing processor, memory, hard disk and other cards, plus a new AGP graphics card. This could be a lot cheaper than a new computer, but you would really have to know what you were doing, to make sure everything was compatible, and you got quality parts.