Need new graphics card.

phantom_cyph · 04-22-2008, 10:28 AM

This is the card I have right now: (see here). The obvious problem is the 32mb of graphics memory. My monitor has one DVI-D connector, and if possible, I would like to get a dual graphics card so I can get a second screen at some point.

The thing is, I need to know what kind of card I can get. I would like a Nvidia product, 512mb, with dual DVI. I'm not sure what "version" of PCI it is, and what it is compatible with. Here is my list of PCI devices:

Code:

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation 82860 860 (Wombat) Chipset Host Bridge (MCH) (rev 04)
00:01.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82850 850 (Tehama) Chipset AGP Bridge (rev 04)
00:02.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82860 860 (Wombat) Chipset AGP Bridge (rev 04)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 PCI Bridge (rev 04)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801BA ISA Bridge (LPC) (rev 04)
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801BA IDE U100 Controller (rev 04)
00:1f.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM USB Controller #1 (rev 04)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM SMBus Controller (rev 04)
00:1f.4 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM USB Controller #1 (rev 04)
00:1f.5 Multimedia audio controller: Intel Corporation 82801BA/BAM AC'97 Audio Controller (rev 04)
01:00.0 VGA compatible controller: Matrox Graphics, Inc. MGA G550 AGP (rev 01)
02:1f.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82806AA PCI64 Hub PCI Bridge (rev 03)
03:00.0 PIC: Intel Corporation 82806AA PCI64 Hub Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controller (rev 01)
03:04.0 SCSI storage controller: Adaptec AIC-7899P U160/m (rev 01)
03:04.1 SCSI storage controller: Adaptec AIC-7899P U160/m (rev 01)
04:02.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Texas Instruments TSB12LV26 IEEE-1394 Controller (Link)
04:03.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 21152 PCI-to-PCI Bridge
04:04.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation 82557/8/9 Ethernet Pro 100 (rev 08)
05:04.0 Multimedia controller: Philips Semiconductors SAA7146 (rev 01)
05:08.0 Multimedia controller: C-Cube Microsystems E4? (rev b1)
05:0c.0 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Texas Instruments TSB12LV26 IEEE-1394 Controller (Link)

Looking at Newegg, they have PCI Express 2.0 x16, PCI Express x1, and PCI Express x16. Which do I need?

H_TeXMeX_H · 04-22-2008, 12:37 PM

I can't tell from that. What motherboard do you have ?

Also, note that PCI is something very different from PCI express (PCIE).

IsaacKuo · 04-22-2008, 12:53 PM

What's the problem with 32megs of video memory? Since it's a Matrox card, it's not like you're doing 3d graphics anyway.

Your current card is PCI Express x1, which is compatible with all PCIe slot types. Therefore, we can't tell what type of PCIe slot you have. You could play it safe and get another PCI Express x1 card.

But are you sure that's your current card? The name listed in your screenshot is "Matrox Graphics, Inc. MGA G550 AGP"...that sounds like the AGP version of the G550. In that case, you don't want a PCIe card; it won't fit in your computer. You'll probably want another AGP card.

taxtropel · 04-22-2008, 03:53 PM

You shouldn't rely on your Operating system for "what kind of card does my system support" kind of information.
Rather look at your mother board and get the brand and the model number...then check on the web for your motherboard's specifications.
Then you will know for sure what your motherboard supports.

As for 3D cards I've had both Nvidia and ATI and I can tell you from my experience that ATI is a pain in the ass on Linux and the drivers for it are less than stellar.
I would recommend Nvidia for sure.

Unless you are running alot of games I wouldn't worry too much about how much memory your video card has...but if you are gamming alot or other graphics intense applications, then get a lot of video memory on your card.

phantom_cyph · 04-27-2008, 10:34 PM

OK, I found my motherboard manual, and I have a Super 94DC6+/P4DCE+ board. Is this the info you need?

IsaacKuo · 04-27-2008, 10:51 PM

Is this your motherboard? Supermicro P4DE+

If so, then you'd need either an AGP Pro card (good luck finding one!), or settle for a PCI video card (sluggish and slow). What type of slot is your current video card plugged into? The unique slot nearest the processors is the AGP Pro slot. The long slots next to that are 64bit PCI slots (good luck finding anything for them!). The short slots are familiar standard PCI slots.

There are no PCI Express slots on that motherboard.

phantom_cyph · 04-27-2008, 10:55 PM

That looks like it...

How would this card work?

IsaacKuo · 04-28-2008, 12:16 AM

No, that's an AGP card, not an AGP Pro card. As I said, good luck finding an AGP Pro card.

BTW, what's the problem with 32megs of video memory?

H_TeXMeX_H · 04-28-2008, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phantom_cyph

That looks like it...

How would this card work?

Yes, that card should work ok. Any AGP 4x card should work.

A note on compatibility:

Quote:

AGP Pro cards will not fit into standard slots, but standard AGP cards will work in a Pro slot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerated_Graphics_Port

Remember to double check all info with wiki, it's more likely to be right that any one person. (But can be wrong while one person is right, but that's more of a philosophical issue)

IsaacKuo · 04-28-2008, 08:56 AM

Ah, I see. I was confused about the exact placement of an AGP card within an AGP Pro slot, and thought it wouldn't even fit. But see this: http://www.ertyu.org/steven_nikkel/a...atibility.html

It shows how the AGP card would fit within an AGP Pro slot, so the rear key doesn't get in the way. It also notes that not all AGP cards will work in an AGP Pro slot; the card must have a registration key.

Personally, I would NEVER trust Wikipedia alone for information. It seems good for a lot of things, but it's prone to numerous errors and ommisions like this.

H_TeXMeX_H · 04-28-2008, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IsaacKuo

Personally, I would NEVER trust Wikipedia alone for information. It seems good for a lot of things, but it's prone to numerous errors and ommisions like this.

You know what I usually do ... look it up on google, and select random links having to do with this topic. If more say one thing, it's more likely to be true. Of course, if they all took the info from the same places, it would screw this theory.

It's so hard to get reliable info. I've found wiki to be wrong many times, but using that and other sites, one can get close to the truth. Either way, make sure you keep the receipt in case it doesn't fit in the slot.

phantom_cyph · 04-28-2008, 10:25 AM

The biggest reason I'm trying to get a new card is because of the lag. When I move my windows, they kinda "tile" or something of the sorts. I'm using the DVI to VGA converter which I'm thinking may be the problem. I do have a DVI-D monitor, and I'm wondering if I take of the converter and use the DVI, if it will eliminate the lag.

Also, did anyone see anything about 3D graphics? A little Beryl or Compiz would be nice, but not fully necessary.

IsaacKuo · 04-28-2008, 10:35 AM

That has absolutely nothing to do with a DVI to VGA converter, nor does it have anything to do with the amount of RAM in the card. My guess is that either the driver is slow or X is not quite configured optimally. Possibly a BIOS setting may be affecting the AGP speed also.

What resolution, depth, and refresh rate are you using, and what driver is in your xorg.conf? Do you have any lines in xorg.conf specifying the AGP speed? By default, xorg will use an AGP card at 1x speed--still twice as fast as standard PCI, and this actually should still be fast enough to avoid the "tiling" effect, depending on the resolution/depth/refresh rate. Usually when I see this "tiling" effect, it's due to a slow CPU or insufficient RAM.

H_TeXMeX_H · 04-28-2008, 11:48 AM

Hmmmm ... if you could post your '/etc/X11/xorg.conf' it would help.

phantom_cyph · 04-28-2008, 12:18 PM

I'll upload the xorg.conf as soon as I'm home.