on board video(intel 3100)

[talk2me]

hey guys, first time here.
I've just ordered a costomized pc from HP website (a6560t series).
the specs are:
intel E8400
vista home premium sp1 32bit
2gb memory
on board video (intel3100)
free upgrade to 640 gb 7200rpm
lightscribe 16x maxdvd
spund blaster x-fi xtreme audio
total of 740 includes shipping.

my question is the sales person tells me that the intel on board video can NOT b upgraded and that she also said that there are a external video card via usb.
when i heard this i was flabergested. i dont ever recall somebody saying that the onboard video cant be upgraded with a dedicated card. so my ignorant ass decided to cancel my order. Now has anybody ever heard of such thing?

and finally my whole intention is to watch HD content on pc(netflix bluray and so on).
can anybody recomended me a good video card for this, (BTW, I really dont do any games so i dont need no fancy card such as 8800GT and watever.

thanks guys.
kevin

 

[Nafets]

Try and find out what motherboard the PC uses.

It's possible that it does not have a PCI-E x16 slot for using a discrete video card.

Many OEM's will use such a setup to lower costs.

 

[Twsmit]

Onboard graphics cannot be upgraded, however many desktop motherboards have expansion slots for either a PCI (old slow technology) or PCIe (PCI express, fast current technology) that will allow you to have full support for games and blu-ray etc....

 

[HOOfan 1]

According to HP's website it has a single PCI-E x16

 

[talk2me]

hey Nafets, thanks for replying.
well i dont no wat mobo it uses cz for 1 thing i have not received my system yet from HP, but i do clearly remember seeing that this board does have a pciex16.
actually it has 1 x pcie-16, 2 pci x 1, 1 x pci.

 

[talk2me]

thanks Twsmit.
that solves it right there, favt that this board does have a pci ex16 on it.
what video card would u recomend for watxchig HD content?
thanks kevin

 

[Twsmit]

If you only want HD movies, a radeon 2600/3xxx or even slower or a geforce 9500 class card would be more than powerful enough. If you want gaming and movies, then a 9600 or a 4850 would provide great bang for the buck.

 

[v8envy]

One thing to watch out for is basic desktops from the big vendors have power supplies engineered to work reliably with the stock machine. Adding another 100 watt or so draw on the 12 volt rail may not be healthy for the box.

That's why the CSRs may claim the video is not upgradeable -- they don't offer the option because the PSU is a 250 watt unit. Even cards without an external connection may be a bit too much for reliable long term operation.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: v8envy
One thing to watch out for is basic desktops from the big vendors have power supplies engineered to work reliably with the stock machine. Adding another 100 watt or so draw on the 12 volt rail may not be healthy for the box.

That's why the CSRs may claim the video is not upgradeable -- they don't offer the option because the PSU is a 250 watt unit. Even cards without an external connection may be a bit too much for reliable long term operation.

QFT!!!!

DO NOT ADD A VIDEO CARD TO THIS BOX W/O UPGRADING PSU!!

Chances are, the current PSU does not have a PCI-E power connector anyway, which rules out most of the best cards.

Get something like an Antec NeoHE 500 or better, then add an 8800GT/9600GT/4850/whatever, and happy gaming!

 

[cdmccool]

Originally posted by: talk2me
thanks Twsmit.
that solves it right there, favt that this board does have a pci ex16 on it.
what video card would u recomend for watxchig HD content?
thanks kevin

Radeon HD 3450/3650, no need to upgrade the PSU.

 

[HOOfan 1]

If you hit the "customize" button, there are 3 discrete graphics cards to choose from anyway.

 

[talk2me]

Yeah, thats all i'm looking to do is watch HD and Ray.


I just picked up a ati HD3450 from Newegg for 29, plus 10 in mail rebate.

Of course, I have to wait 4 ever for the rebate.

hey thanks for all ur help Twsmit.
kevin

 

[talk2me]

Hey envy, thanks for replying.

my system comes with pcie x 16, and 300 psu

 

[talk2me]

Hey Ark,

What is PCI - E power connector?

my system spec says that it has pcie x16 with 300 psu

 

[talk2me]

Hey fan, yes i know, and they r Vidia 9300 series with tuner/pvr and remote i might add.

But I just wasnt sure if that was a right card for my use, which is watching HD & Ray and I dont play games.

And the price certainly didnt help either I suppose. and finally i dont even know what kind of tuner this is (HP sales agents do not know either).

So i figure i order this system and just upgrade graphic of my choice, and as matter of fact i just got me a HD3450 for 29 plus 10 mail in rebate from Newegg.

 

[talk2me]

Hey cool, yeah i think i'm with u on that, as matter of fact ijust ordered HD3450 from Newegg for 29 plus 10 in rebate.

thanks cool
kevin

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Chances are, the current PSU does not have a PCI-E power connector anyway, which rules out most of the best cards.

Eh...that's what adapters are made for (converts two 4-pin molex plugs to a single 6-pin GPU plug). And there is usually one included with the video card.

If your system came with a 300W powersupply and you got a 3450 you should be set.

Enjoy the movies!

 

[codyz2035]

you can't 'upgrade' onboard graphics. you have to buy a graphics card. why would you want to do that? just buy a graphics card.

 

[postmortemIA]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: v8envy
One thing to watch out for is basic desktops from the big vendors have power supplies engineered to work reliably with the stock machine. Adding another 100 watt or so draw on the 12 volt rail may not be healthy for the box.

That's why the CSRs may claim the video is not upgradeable -- they don't offer the option because the PSU is a 250 watt unit. Even cards without an external connection may be a bit too much for reliable long term operation.

QFT!!!!

DO NOT ADD A VIDEO CARD TO THIS BOX W/O UPGRADING PSU!!

Chances are, the current PSU does not have a PCI-E power connector anyway, which rules out most of the best cards.

Get something like an Antec NeoHE 500 or better, then add an 8800GT/9600GT/4850/whatever, and happy gaming!

ditto, Dell that I have at work has no PSU connectors beside SATA power connectors.