How much does it cost to have a graphics card installed?
It shouldn't be too much...(under $40 dollars for sure...around $30 or less...) Why don't you want to install your card yourself? You gain experience, so if you want to upgrade again, you'll know how. Also, if a friend or relative wants to install one, you can help them. My brother (who's 13) just installed his own graphics cards couple days ago. Just follow the instruction manual that's included! I'll give couple easy steps and THAT"S IT. The steps may look long, but it's A LOT faster. After I installed my first ever card, the new time i did it took my half or 1/3 of the time. You'll be like that too :) 1. Go to 'Control Panel', 'Device Manager' 2. In 'Device Manager' click on the (+) on 'Display Adapters'. Right-click on whatever your graphics is. Select 'Uninstall' ***the resolution will be messed (everything's big, it's suppose to be!!) 3. Turn off your computer, and open up the side panel. 4. Take old card out, if your graphics is on-board, skip to next step. 5. Put your new card in. Turn on your computer. ~~~~You computer will recognize a new hardware is installed. (everything is STILL big). 6. go to google, and type in AMD or Nvidia. Nvidia: "download drivers" and choose what card you have, 32 or 64 bit computer, etc. ATI/AMD: On the left of the homepage, it says "drivers". You choose your card (4800, 3000, or 2000 series, 32/64 bit. Than you choose "Vista, XP or 7," and download the RECOMMENDED package. 7. Save it, run it...let it load, some things pop up and asks you again what card you have. TELLS YOU TO RESTART COMPUTER. 8. DONE!! If icons are still big, you can go change it in the new downloaded wizard (Catalyst Control Center [ATi's]) or Nvidia's...
What is the difference between a dedicated graphics card & an integrated graphics card?
When one decided to buy a laptop or a PC, the piece of hardware which is most difficult to choose is the graphic card. There are basically two types of graphic cards, one of them is Integrated Graphic Card and the other one is the Dedicated graphic card, So what is the difference between an integrated and dedicated graphic card, and what are their advantages and disadvantages? The answer to the second question depends on what you need. To help you decide what you need, here are the differences between integrated and dedicated graphics cards.Integrated GraphicsAn integrated graphics processing unit (GPU) doesn't use its own RAM, it utilizes the system's memory instead.So, if you have a computer with 4GB of RAM, the video card can use anywhere between one and five percent of the available memory for graphics.The percentage can vary according to the amount tasking done.Benefits/DrawbacksHeats up lessUses drastically less powerComparatively CheaperDedicated GraphicsA dedicated graphics processing unit (GPU) has its own independent source of video memory, leaving the RAM your system uses untouched.Dedicated cards are perfect if you are into serious sort of gaming or are a professional graphic designer.Benefits/DrawbacksThey will get heated quickly, if one does not have a good fan or design.They are power hungry, uses a lot of battery power, ultimately results in decreasing battery life.Prices are quite high.So basically, if you are not a serious gamer or a high profile professional video editor or graphic designer, you can go for a mother board having a integrated graphic card, no issue in that as it is more price friendly option. In the other case, go as per requirement.I hope it helps ..!
A friend of mine told me that it's better to play games on PC than on PlayStation. Do you agree with him and why do you agree with him?
Of course it’s correct.My computer is 4–5 times as powerful as your playstation and the only time it isn’t is right after the newest one comes out. Games at 2k ultra settings running at 70 fps looks and feels significantly better than the downgraded graphics and frame rates on consoles. Maybe next gen will be able to do that, by then I will be on 4k ultra and with just a swap of my videocard not a whole new machine.I can change the size of my hard drive, or add 5 more if I want to, if a part of my pc stops working I just replace that part, not the whole thing.All the newest tech comes to PC first, then trickles down to consoles.The range of games is far surpassed by pc too.Right now as I type this I have 234 games on my pc installed, big games too, not phone games, I am talking 5–70 gig games, and all I have to do to play any of them is click and within 30 seconds I am playing them.They don’t even make some style of games for consoles at all, RTS games are few and far between, and you won’t ever see a good flight sim on console.There is a massive difference.Consoles are convenient, that’s the only advantage, you buy it you plug it in, it works. Computers almost never are that easy.
Can AGP 8x VGA card be installed into AGP 4x motherboard?
If this is working.... 01. Is it performing as fixed it into AGP 8x motherboard? 02. Any harm either VGA card or Motherboard? 03.Advantages and Disadvantages?
Can a bad video card stop a computer from coming on?
#1...Yes, a "bad" video card can stop a computer from booting up. #2...Since the computer will boot-up when the vid card is unplugged, what is likely happening is that the PSU can not supply enough power for the total system. If the unit you have *is* rated to have the required number of watts, it may not have a high-enough efficiency rating...meaning that it *does* produce the required power level, but it can not transfer-it efficiently enough to satisfy the demand of the system as a whole. Either find a PSU of the correct rating with an efficiency rating of 90%+, or a high-efficiency PSU that supplies MORE power than your system draws. (i.e.: a 500-600w PSU for a non Crossfire/SLI system.) #3...there is also the possibility that the card itself is having connection issues, so that the computer is sending signal to the vid card, but it isn't received. If this is the case, the computer *is* booting up, but it simply is not seeming to, because the vid card is not processing the signal. EDIT: BIOS updates are available for free from the Hardware Provider (i.e.: Manufacturer). Incidentally, the likelihood of it being a BIOS issue is rather slim, unless you're putting a new vid card into a really old mobo.
Upgrading GPU or CPU?
If you just want a short-term fix, you would be better off upgrading your graphics card first. Most PC games do not need super-powerful processors. Anything better than a newer Intel i5 will not affect your graphics quality. So while your processor is on the weak side, you should pick up a better graphics card first. An AMD 270x can be bought for around US$120. Even that modest upgrade should give you a noticeable improvement. If you can afford an AMD 280, that would be even better, but at that point you will need to start saving up to upgrade the core part of your computer (motherboard, processor, RAM) or else you will have a CPU bottleneck.
How do you decide whether to replace a gaming PC or spend the money to upgrade specific parts?
From a gaming perspective nearly always upgrade the Graphics first. The Sandybridge series of Intel processors from 6 years ago are only just starting to bottleneck GPUs. Even then it is the GTX 1080s or Sli cards in parallel.If anything prep your PC for upgrade.Are you using an SSD? If not do so, 240GB or greater as your OS drive. This will give a good system boost.Is your PC paging? If you have 2–4GB of RAM. £20 of DDR3 RAM will help no end, probably giving you 8GB.What wattage is your PSU? Ideally for gaming about 550W is a sweet spot for price. Always buy a decent branded model with bronze rating or better.Does you case keep the PC cool? If so you're good.Assuming all above is ok. Then your next step is Motherboard, CPU and memory. DDR4 memory is the new standard, the 8+ years we had of 3 is in the past. That will buy some head room for future upgrades.It is nearly pointless buying new CPUs by itself. Unless the socket design hasn't changed and you are going up a class. Say an i3 to i5 or AMD equivalent. After a GPU the processor tends to be the next biggest purchase but a few extra MHz doesn't give as big an upgrade.
What is the success rate of building your own PC?
I want to build one of my own soon. I have one friend who has built his own computers, but he always seems to run into random issues with them. From yours and other peoples experiences with building PC's what are the chances of it running for a long time to come with little to no issues? well i mean nothing major. i have bought many prebuilt computers and they all lasted for years....thats all i want.