Video Card Questions. (Noob Alert)

[Calico_NC]

I want to upgrade my video card. I currently have a Sony Vaio PCV-RS420 with an ATI Radeon 9200 (64mb) card. I dont know what type card can fit into my PC. I just want to know whether i need to get a PCI card or an AGP card because i read alot of post where people could not fit the card into their pc case. I don't want that to happen to me so.....im asking.

PC link:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-PCV-RS420-Desktop-2-80-GHz-Hyper-Threading/dp/B0000CEYX3

[jrmunro]

You have these available

# PCI Slots (Total): 3
# AGP Slots (Total): 1

# Graphics Card: 8X AGP 3D Graphics Hardware Acceleration
# Graphics RAM: 64 MB

your video card is an AGP type so I would suggest you get another AGP card

[Calico_NC]

Thanks for the reply. I got a few more questions, What do you think about this card? Is it the best AGP card available? I read a couple of reviews and they say it's one of the best.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1831181&Sku=E145-7822&SRCCODE=PRICEGRABBER&CMP=OTC-PRICEGRABBER


I need an upgrade because with my current card,I cant play BF2 or any newer game titles. Also, do any AGP cards currently have VIVO? I want to record from my tv. lol!

(P.S. i'm not ordering from tiger direct, just used that site as a reference point.)

[isa-d]

Actually the best AGP 8X video cards available are based on the ATI Radeon X1900 or X1950 in the various version (XT, XTX, GT, PRO) or on the Nvidia GeForce 7800 or 7900 or 8600 in the various version(GTS,GTX,GS,GT). I don't think there are also AGP interface for the newest video chip like GeForce 8800 or for ATI HD 2900.
But attention, these cards require a lot of power so you must have a very good power supply and then a minimum 1GB of ram installed on your PC.
About video capture you can use a different PCI card with remote control and dedicated software.

[Calico_NC]

I'm leaning towards this card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814241041

As far as power supply, which brand/kind do you recommend if needed. I've never used or even heard of installing a bigger power supply. I just plug it in and it works. lol!

I also upgraded to 1.5gb in ram. Will that suffice?

[isa-d]

about ram 1,5GB are OK
about the video card, the kind in your link I think is very good with one of the latest video chip available
about the power supply, there isn't a specific brand but important is the power, minimun 500W, better 600W. Look at the photo of your video card in your link, select the rear view, well you can see a power connector because all (or most of all) of the new video cards require also extra power directily from the power supply (in the old cards you fitted it in the AGP connector and was ready), if your power supply hasn't enough power your system crash.

I'm sorry for my bad english but I hope you understand my words.

[bigpupmom]

Did you get your upgrade to work? I just purchased a new Radeon 1300 Pro and installed today. Doesn't work. Sony blew me off and said only the 9200 will work as the cards are made specifically for Sony. All I got was a weird screen of red dots...........

[Calico_NC]

[D.8080]

Yes, generally speaking, but you wouldn't be able to play last ttiles that came out lately.