Video Card Upgrade
ZiggyDoodle:
Quote
I don't really have anyone who can help me (short of taking it to a store) if I screw everything up.
You can Google your questions and get tons of info. Installation instructions come with the card, but you can also visit the ATI site and knowledge base.
If you do run into trouble, stay away from box stores. Find a local computer shop and take it there. Or check with your local library for recommendations. They use computers, too. :)
KLGFCG:
Thanks for all the advice. I've poked around inside the tower and read some tuts online and I'm reasonably confident I can do this. Now I'm just getting my order ready on Newegg (great site!!). As far as the power supply goes, should I buy the minimal required (450-500W) or should I go all out and get a supply with more power (700W?). I don't necessarily know that I'll be upgrading the computer again, but I don't want to get the minimum and need to change it again later. Is there any benefit to more watts or would it just be overkill?
Also, on Newegg some of the reviews (not all, though) mentioned that the card I want tends to run hot. Should I get anything else for cooling purposes (fan, thermal paste stuff, ???) or just see how it does? Any suggestions for a particular product if I should add something for temp control?
Thanks again for the pointers, I feel like such a dork getting so worried but I just don't want to FUBAR my computer. Geez, I tell you, Sims has taught me more about computers than any class I've ever taken (I know how to word process, thanks, can I just get my 4.0 now?).
Orikes:
Newegg is awesome. It's where I got all the pieces parts for my computer. They're really great about stuff.
Don't be too intimdated by the power supply. Good luck with it.
KLGFCG:
Whew, I think I'm hyperventilating. I did it... I ordered the graphics card I wanted, a 700w power supply (I finally found some sites that spoke enough idiot for me to at least get the message that more power = good), and 4 MB of RAM. I figured if I was going to do it, I was going to do it right. I've debated getting more RAM for some time (yeah, the specs I posted say it's only upgradeable to 2 MB but the documentation from purchase show it's good up to 4 MB and I visually verified that there are four slots) and I figured if I'm going to go through the effort to do the power supply and graphics card, I may as well just do the RAM, too. I don't even want to think about how much I spent, but I haven't treated myself to anything in a very long time, so what the hell. Thanks again for all the support. I did overnight shipping (what's another few dollars on a bill that big?) so I should have it this week. Anybody know how fast Newegg usually processes orders? Now I just need to psych myself up for the big installation project. Eesh, deep calming breaths over here.
KatEnigma:
I think you mean 4 GB for RAM. 4 MB wouldn't get you far. :D
Newegg is usually very,very good about processing orders. I wouldn't be surprised if it shipped tomorrow, and certainly no later than Tuesday.
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