Choosing a replacement video card

I previously posted that I was going to attempt to replace the fan/heatsink on my GeForce4 Ti4600, but in removing the heatsink from the chip, I managed to break off one of those small electronic components that's maybe 1/20th the size of a grain of rice. Not sure what it's called but there are hundreds of them all over the video card alone.

Anyhow, I had accepted that I might be clumsy and damage the card, so I was already committed to buying a replacement. As I mentioned in the previous post, all I need is a functional video card for everyday use. I'm not the gamer I once was when I used paychecks between semesters to pay for the Ti4600.

My question is this: are there any considerations I need to keep in mind when buying a new card? I have a Gigabyte GA-7VRX motherboard with 5 standard PCI slots and one AGP slot for the video card. I am planning on buying an AGP card (not sure if I could even use a PCI card on this mobo).

According to the Wikipedia article on AGP, I have a AGP 1.5V socket on the mobo (link).

I'm on Newegg and I'm looking at their cards, and the category they have available is "AGP 4X/8X". Since this is the only category on the site, and everything I'm seeing on this section says "4X/8X" I'm thinking I'll be safe, but I want to confirm before spending the money on a new card.

For right now I'm looking at the GeForce FX 5500 since it's pretty inexpensive and has 4 eggs at 90 reviews. Not having a fan is a bit unsettling but I have to realize I'm not using it for gaming and I'll get over it. Plus, I won't be using the computer much longer. Just long enough to get through the end of the year and finish backing up music/files/etc.

My next question will be about the proper procedure for installing the new card. Seems to me I shouldn't just swap out the old card I broke without doing things first. Of course Windows is probably smart enough to make it work until I get things cleaned up.

That will be another post. For now, I'll end this chapter.

Thanks in advance. Please let me know if there is any info I've left out.

 

It's an easy process.

The biggest concern when changing video cards is removing the drivers for the old card. For nVidia drivers: http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_13955.html

If you are using XP, then it should install the basic driver for the FX 5500 for you. If you want to access the full capability of the card, then go here and download the drivers for your card: http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_13955.html

Once the drivers have been removed - shut off your computer, and unplug the cord from the back of the power supply. Remove the cover.

If there is a lot of dust inside the case, blow it out with some compressed air, or a shop-vac on blow. You can use a vacuum cleaner with a plastic hose, but dont touch the motheboard or other components with the tube . . . be quick about it, and first touch the tube to the computer frame as sweepers can build up static electricity (dust particles rubbing against each other) and damage components. I've never had a problem, but some have. The important issue here is to prevent dust from getting into the AGP slot during the change over.

Touch the frame of the computer with your hand to make sure you discharge any static electricity that may have built up on yourself. Do this every now and then, and throughout the process don't move your feet. Remove the old card. Some AGP slots have a retaining clip or arm that you have to manipulate to remove the card.

Install the new card. Replace the cover, and hook up all the cables, etc. Fire up the computer. Most motherboards of the last eight years will automatically detect the add in video card, so there is nothing you need do as far as the BIOS goes - especially since you are simply replacing an add in card, not replacing on-board video. In case there is an issue, it is a good idea to be familier with how to boot into BIOS on your motherboard.

If you want windows to load the basic driver for the card, just click yes on the prompts that appear. If you want to load the drivers yourself, cancel out all of the window's prompt and install the driver file you downloaded earlier.

To be honest, with the FX line of cards, for what you want to do, the basic driver should be all you need.

 

Sorry - go here to download a full driver set for your card:


http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

Just change the values to indicate the correct card, OS, etc. For the 5500 with XP:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_175.19_whql.html


I just now noticed both shortcuts below pointed to the same thing . . .

 

Thanks, that makes me think I'm on the right track.

One concern I have, and I'm not sure if I stated it clearly, is that my current video card is no longer usable. Am I fine to buy the new one, plug it into the AGP slot and fire up the computer? I'm thinking with your reply that Windows will use basic drivers to make it work. I would then need to completely remove/uninstall the GeForce4 drivers and then re-install the drivers for the new card.

Just making sure I'm good to go on the procedure. I'll be buying the card today. Thanks again Spad - you helped me on the previous post I mentioned in my OP.

 

Just a follow up - I installed the card a few hours ago and the computer has been up and running since. I've installed the new drivers and it appears (knock on wood!) that everything is good to go. Thanks again for the help and if I have any other issues I'll be sure to stop by.

Thanks MG!