Updating a graphics card...

The only thing I've ever done inside of a PC is replace RAM, and I've replaced a laptop hard drive. Both extremely easy tasks.

However, I am aware that getting a new graphics card may not be so easy.

I have a really old PC, like, really old. It has Windows XP on it but is "Vista Ready" (nothing is ready for Vista).

Here are the specs it currently has:

Model: Emachines T6532

RAM: Two DDR RAM sticks of 512 MB each, running at 200 MHz, although I just bought four 1 GB sticks that each run at 400 MHz

HDD: 200 GB (which is enough for me, quite honestly, although I am considering buying a bigger one).

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 3500+ running at 2.2 GHz (not overclocked).

Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 6100 revision A2 running at 400 MHz, and a memory size of 512 MB.

I also did the little speed up trick with page files (I think that's what they're called) with a 16 GB flash drive.

Terrible specs, I know, but it actually runs pretty well for what I've used it for so far (streaming videos, playing N64 and lower games, composing and producing music, and RPG Maker of course), and while doing most tasks my CPU hovers around only 7% usage.

However, I want to get into playing some 3D games and such, because I have never, ever been able to. I can't watch 720p on YouTube without it lagging like crazy because of my graphics card (no, it isn't my internet, our connection speed through ethernet is 50Mbps, thus making mine around 23 usually, and we can watch full 1080p on every other device in the home, even phones).

I really don't know what it takes to get a new video card, but I'd like to have something around the $200-$250 range. Apparently, you also need to figure out how much power in watts you are currently putting out, and buy a new cable if you have to, because an intensive video card might require more power than the power cord you currently have. I don't have a clue how much power I'm capable of producing at the moment, and even if I did, I wouldn't know how to go about getting a new cable, which I'm sure I need.

If you guys can help me out, that would be fantastic! If you need anything else, let me know, and I'll throw it up on here.

Also, as a sidenote, how do I go about overclocking? I tried a program to do it once and overclocked it to the max, but it seems it didn't work, since the core speed is still exactly the same as the stock core speed.

I used CPU-Z to find all of these specs.

Oh man, where to begin...


First, the RAM - I hope you really checked the RAM specifications before buying that new RAM, because a speed difference between 200 MHz and 400 MHz is a good indication for an incompatibility. Unless your PC's motherboard supports two different RAM types, or the current RAM was selected for price and at the lowest speed possible, then the new RAM with 400 MHz simply won't fit into the Computer and won't run at full speed even if it fits.


Second, overclocking - there are reasons why overclocking is difficult and blocked by the PC manufacturer. Overclocking to the MAX is the fastest way to destroy your computer - do you want that?


If you overclock your computer, it not only gets faster - it also gets hotter, until it simply burns out. That means you have to check for the temperature inside your components to make sure that your overclocking does not leave the limits of operation.


Basically there are several "stages" of overclocking, which are different on any computer and have different effects.


First, there is the "safety range" - a bit faster than spec, but nothing negative because that is the area where the producer has placed his production tolerances. No CPU is the same, and depending on the production tolerance some CPUs can be pushed farther than others - but it's simply too expensive to test every CPU to its true limits, so the "official" speed is usually a bit lower than what was targeted in production.


Second, there is the "aging range" - more heat and more speed wears the CPU out, reducing it's life expectancy but has no direct effects. Basically a CPU usually has a life expectancy of ten or twenty years, and if you overclock into this speed you usually half that time (or reduce it to a third if you go to the limits. If your computer were new, that would still be a minimum of four or five years before the CPU burns out due to overclocking, and a lot of people who plan to overclock usually also plan to buy new and faster computers long before those five years are over, so they have no problem with that.


Third, there is the "overheating limit" - modern CPUs have safety functions that SLOW them if they get too hot to allow for better cooling. If you get into this by overclocking, you'll actually get a lot of fluctuation in real processing power. When starting the computer (everything cool) it will be a lot faster, but it will slow down when it gets hotter and speed up again depending on your cooling system when it cools everything down after slowing.


Pushing beyond that limit is possible, but that gives the risk of either a burn-out or an extremely reduced life cycle - do you want to overclock to have max speed for one or two months and then have to buy a new computer?


Last - for changing the video card:


You need to check what cards your computer supports, and that is not only mainboard specifications but also power supply specifications.


If the new card can be used, then


1) deinstall the old grafics driver


2) shutdown the computer and disconnect it from power


3) open it, replace grafic card - if the new grafic card needs special power, make sure you use the correct power connector


4) close everything, reconnect power supply and start up


5) install new grafic driver


And if possible at all, ask for the help of someone who already did it before...

Oh yeah, I only overclocked it to max to see if the program would actually work, because I would DEFINITELY notice a difference. I would have immediately slowed it back down if it worked.

Sorry I'm such a noob, I've never really had a reason to update a PC before, since for the most part I've been fine with what it does.

With the RAM... I've also been asking over at RMN this same question and I was linked to a processor that has an on-die something or other, which I guess means that you can run your RAM at any speed, or something along those lines. If it works, and it's faster than what I've got right now even though it may not be as fast as it can be, I'm fine with paying a measly $40 for it. Not bad at all. The processor was also only about $20.

EDIT: This is also the RAM that came inside the computer, so I'm guessing they threw in some relatively cheap ones and called it good.

I wouldn't spend $200+ on a graphics card because right now your pc will be limited by the processor.

If you're not comfortable upgrading such an old PC, I would just purchase an inexpensive new PC from, say, Dell or Bestbuy, then spend another $100 for a modest 3D video card.  I bought an nVidia GeForce GTX 650, which is excellent at 3D gaming, even though it's far behind the high-end.

The one I use is here:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B1960KS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It has 2 GB of onboard RAM, yet runs quietly and doesn't need a 5 pin video card power.  It does use the PCI Express slot, which you might not have.

A modest new PC can cost, say, $400 or so.  But you will have a low-end if current processor, much more RAM, Windows 8.1 and a much larger and faster HDD.  Then toss in the video card and you can play the older 3D games no problem.

Just make sure the desktop case is a full sized one so you can definitely upgrade the video card.  And, for gaming, a higher GHz Intel processor will perform better than a lower GHz Intel chip with more CPU cores. 

For comparison, my current PC is using a Core 2 Duo at 2.7 GHz, 6 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD hard drive (boots in 10 seconds instead of a minute), the above mentioned video card. 

Even though the CPU is 7 years old, it does fairly well even in gaming.  I've never overclocked the CPU or RAM, but did purchase a then-high end gaming motherboard.  Why?  Good gaming boards use high end components because the manufacturers expect users to overclock the board.  So, if you never overclock, it's a rock solid board.

If you want to make it cheaper and are comfortable with a more involved task, you COULD purchase a new (modest) motherboard and associated RAM, along with the video card. 

But when you're upgrading that much, it's a lot easier just to buy a cheap newer PC and a $100 graphics card and call it a day.

I do have a PCI Express slot! A member on RMN actually suggested the same exact card to me.

I think what I am going to do is get this new processor, install my new RAM, and get the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650.

Thanks for all of your help, guys!