Graphics Card Problem
Thu May 05, 2005 11:02 am
I want to play game X (fictional name created for it's safety), it requires me to upgrade my graphics card. What i would like to know is whether or not I can install a Sapphire ATI Radeon 9800 Pro graphic card on a PC with only 380mb of RAM.... and how do you know?
Any help would be vey much appreciated... cos i'm clueless
Any help would be vey much appreciated... cos i'm clueless
Fri May 06, 2005 12:52 pm
Aslong as your board has an AGP slot, you wont have a problem. The card should come with installation instructions, but just incase:
***Disclaimer***
Even if you have never opened your PC to work on it yourself before, it is still possible for you to install this card. Even so, I accept no liability should you damage your PC or injure yourself in anyway by doing so. If you are at all uncertain of your ability to carry out installation, have somebody with the required knowledge and experience do it for.
Turn off your PC and ensure the wall socket it is plugged into is switched off before opening it, but leave it plugged in. This will maintain an earth. It is also a good idea to touch a metalic surface such as the inside of the case before touching any electrical components. This will prevent static shocks damaging your equipment.
If you alread have an AGP card then you will see it sitting in the AGP slot. If not, the AGP is usually coloured brown, and sits slightly farther back on the motherboard than other expansion slots. You will also notice that the spaces into which you push the contact points of your expansion card differ on the AGP slot, to say those of a PCI slot, which are normally coloured white.
Here you can see the card, and the contact points at its base. The metal plate with the connection points for your monitor etc should obviously point out of a card bay at the back of your PC. The contacts should be slid gently into the slot. This may require a certain amount of pressure, but DO NOT FORCE THE CARD> If you think you need to force it, you are doing something wrong and should remove the card and start again.
What is not shown on this card is a power cable. Some builds of the 9800 require a seperate power source. Your power supply should have a few spare connectors issuing from it. The connectors are universal and one should fit the connector on your card should it require one.
If you dont already have an AGP card installed, you are using what are known as On-Board Graphics. This is a feature of your motherboard, and should be disabled once the new card is installed. Consult your Motherboard manual for instructions.
This information is very very simplified. I am not writing this as a set of instructions, but more to give you an idea of what the process involves. You should certainly consult any manuals and documentation you receive with the card, and check specialised websites before attempting installation.
***Disclaimer***
Even if you have never opened your PC to work on it yourself before, it is still possible for you to install this card. Even so, I accept no liability should you damage your PC or injure yourself in anyway by doing so. If you are at all uncertain of your ability to carry out installation, have somebody with the required knowledge and experience do it for.
Turn off your PC and ensure the wall socket it is plugged into is switched off before opening it, but leave it plugged in. This will maintain an earth. It is also a good idea to touch a metalic surface such as the inside of the case before touching any electrical components. This will prevent static shocks damaging your equipment.
If you alread have an AGP card then you will see it sitting in the AGP slot. If not, the AGP is usually coloured brown, and sits slightly farther back on the motherboard than other expansion slots. You will also notice that the spaces into which you push the contact points of your expansion card differ on the AGP slot, to say those of a PCI slot, which are normally coloured white.
Here you can see the card, and the contact points at its base. The metal plate with the connection points for your monitor etc should obviously point out of a card bay at the back of your PC. The contacts should be slid gently into the slot. This may require a certain amount of pressure, but DO NOT FORCE THE CARD> If you think you need to force it, you are doing something wrong and should remove the card and start again.
What is not shown on this card is a power cable. Some builds of the 9800 require a seperate power source. Your power supply should have a few spare connectors issuing from it. The connectors are universal and one should fit the connector on your card should it require one.
If you dont already have an AGP card installed, you are using what are known as On-Board Graphics. This is a feature of your motherboard, and should be disabled once the new card is installed. Consult your Motherboard manual for instructions.
This information is very very simplified. I am not writing this as a set of instructions, but more to give you an idea of what the process involves. You should certainly consult any manuals and documentation you receive with the card, and check specialised websites before attempting installation.
Sat May 07, 2005 5:22 pm
Thank you very much for the help.... i shall seek the aid of someone learned the way of... AGP installation.
Sun May 08, 2005 4:47 pm
Be sure to watch how its done. Its the only way you'll learn 
And enjoy your new card. Excellent choice btw.
And enjoy your new card. Excellent choice btw.