Update Video card

[Sean]

Sorry, got another techie question for the infinite knowledge of the CSC.

But first

Okay, now the question. I hooked a desktop HP, that's about 7 y/o, to my TV hoping to play hulu and other online streaming vids. My buddy came over, helped me out and we got everything working, only trouble is the video card. It's not fast enough to smoothly play Hulu streaming video. I think the video card I have in there is a Radeon 9200? He suggested getting something more current in the computer but isn't really familiar with hardware and what's good/bad. He said that the rest of the computer is fine and there should be enough power behind it to play, it's the video card that's the weak link. I can also hook up my Macbook and play it with no troubles.

Is there an affordable option to getting it to play smoothly? I don't do games or anything else, just want a smooth video. Thoughts?

Thanks y'all!

[Zach929rr]

Doesn't really matter what you get. Look on newegg, sort by ratings, and pick something in your price range.


Since its so old, that's probably a PCI slot and not PCI-E, right?

[Darth Do'Urden]

Since its so old, that's probably a PCI slot and not PCI-E, right?

His current card is an AGP slot.

You'll need an AGP card (as opposed to the now common PCI-e slot cards) since it's so old. THIS ONE looks to be pretty decent at just under $50, with 4 times the memory of your current card. THIS ONE is only $40.

Whatever you look at, make sure it's an AGP slot card, and that your power supply is strong enough to handle the increased load (the two above look like they need at least a 300w power supply).

[Zach929rr]

Oh yeah, AGP.

lawl

Pretty sure that's what Moses used to watch movies on the Ark.

[rforsythe]

Lemme poke around my basement briefly before you order something, I might actually have one in the Island of Misfit Tech (aka my old used computer pile).

[Sean]

Whatever you look at, make sure it's an AGP slot card, and that your power supply is strong enough to handle the increased load (the two above look like they need at least a 300w power supply).

For some reason I thought it was a PCI slot?

Thanks for bringing the idea of power supply to my attention. I would have never thought of that.

Pretty sure that's what Moses used to watch movies on the Ark.

Lemme poke around my basement briefly before you order something, I might actually have one in the Island of Misfit Tech (aka my old used computer pile).

Cool, thanks Ralph!

[Darth Do'Urden]

For some reason I thought it was a PCI slot?

Well, upon further investigation it looks like there was also a PCI version of the 9200, so you could in fact be rockin' a PCI slot card. Better check the physical layout of the card to be sure.

Hope this helps:

[longrider]

If Ralph doesn't find anything I know I have an old AGP card in the basement, the only issue is it is fan cooled and you can hear the fan running. Nothing wrong with the fan, it is just noisy

[Sean]

Sorry for the delay on this.

I'm not 100% sure what I have? The computer is a HP Pavilion a706n. According to this link, it looks like it's a APG. But after looking at the insides, it says it's a Radeon 128 PCI and the plastic housing is white (like in Darth's image). So do you think it's a PCI?

If so, would even the newer, cheap cards work? Example: Link
Or are there certain specs I would need to meet? Again, I just want to show video on my TV. It's a 42" Sony Bravia 1080 (only a year old) and it doesn't have to be in the greatest pic for internet watching.

Thanks again for the help, guys.

[rforsythe]

According to that link it's probably AGP by the slot available, but it also indicates the video is integrated onto the motherboard. Is there onboard video and a separate video card both in this thing? Can you post a pic that shows what you're talking about?

[Sean]

Yes, there is an integrated video. It's not very good though. Hence the additional card.

Do you want a pic of the inside of the computer?

[modette99]

Could also buy a little newer used machine probably for cheap.

I was going to say, my old one...but I think I will keep it because of the case right now for when I build the next PC.

I would checkout: http://www.tlccomputerrepair.com located in Monument. Talk with the owner Damian...he might be selling stuff cheap my wife says he is moving to TX and selling the business (he might have a system laying around that you get cheap). Tell him Mark & Sheila Odette sent you.

[bodhizafa]

How about an Apple TV box. $99? And if for some reason you need to sell it, say next July or June you could probably get a good price for it.

[modette99]

Also to let you know, the last HP I opened used a Proprietary connected on the power supply to the motherboard. If your good with wiring you can get around this by rewiring the power supply, that is what I did for a shop HP PC.

[bodhizafa]

How about an Apple TV box. $99? And if for some reason you need to sell it, say next July or June you could probably get a good price for it.

Maybe not, looks like they won't let Hulu stream to it. Takes away from iTunes rentals.
Unless you hack it.
http://apple-tv-hacks.com/apple-tv-hulu-demonstration/

[Sean]

Could also buy a little newer used machine probably for cheap.

It runs well enough to do everything else I want. I figure a $20-30 part is cheaper than buying a new rig. Plus, with as many tech buffs as we have on the board, there a chance I could get it even cheaper or free. rforsythe and Longrider were already generous enough to dig through their old parts. But thanks for the suggestion.

How about an Apple TV box. $99? And if for some reason you need to sell it, say next July or June you could probably get a good price for it.

Thought about that, but I still want to run itunes, spotify and load up some movies I have on MP4 (Long Way Round/MotoGP). I feel like AppleTV would limit me. But thanks for throwing it out there!

[modette99]

That or I figured he would have a card maybe for cheap...he gets a lot of PC's he repairs then people flake and don't come to claim them or whatever. So he either strips them and sells the parts on ebay or sells the whole system if its even worth anything. If its really worth not much he has to recycle the parts and he gets a few bucks for that.

Like I said worth a shot, I never dealt with him on a business level...but he seems like a stand up guy. Seemed he has a ton of systems just laying around when I been in where the owners have flaked.

A used AGP card, your talking $5-$10....LOL I know its a drive...why I said might have a cheap system...by cheap I was thinking $50-$100. Something newer then you have, play HD video better (I know my 7 year old PC did not like 1080 video). Plus if your power supply is not up to snuff for a better card, again might be cheaper to get a used system that is 3-4 years old for what you need.

I might let you have a power supply, I got a few....

[rforsythe]

Yes, there is an integrated video. It's not very good though. Hence the additional card.

Do you want a pic of the inside of the computer?

Maybe just the video card in it...

I'll dig through parts before the toy run, if I have one I will bring it with me Sunday.

[Ezzzzy1]

I have one of these for my media center thats hooked up to my tv, its pretty handy.

http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Wireless-...2801695&sr=8-1

[Sean]

How's this shot, Ralph? Does it give you the info you need? Thanks for all of the help!

[Sean]

I have one of these for my media center thats hooked up to my tv, its pretty handy.

http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Wireless-...2801695&sr=8-1

That's not bad. I actually picked up a wireless keyboard/mouse from Radio Shack a while back. Found one on clearance. It's not bad!

[3D]

before you spend money on a new card, have you tried updating your old card? Most people don't bother to run updates for their video cards once they buy them. You can go to the radeon website and search for any new updates for your card. They release updates for old cards pretty regularly. I'd try that first if nothing else is wrong with your old card. It only costs a little bit of time. Good luck either way.

[Sean]

before you spend money on a new card, have you tried updating your old card? Most people don't bother to run updates for their video cards once they buy them. You can go to the radeon website and search for any new updates for your card. They release updates for old cards pretty regularly. I'd try that first if nothing else is wrong with your old card. It only costs a little bit of time. Good luck either way.

When me and my buddy were setting up the computer, he was updating all of the drivers and software. I'm about 95% sure he checked this too, but it's not a bad thing to double check. Thanks!