Graphics card question

[Eireann]

Okay, I found a new graphics card for sale from a guy in my area. He seems to have something of an attitude, judging from the emails he's sent (or maybe he's just been burned by potential buyers; who knows?). Anyway, he sent me a picture of the card he has for sale, and it's something like this:

http://www.obchodny-dom.sk/graficka-...dium=srovnavac

I looked at the photo. The length of the strip is fine; I checked it (he told me how long the strip is). Now, take a look at the photos in the link above. There is a short metal strip, then a space, then a long metal strip. The thing is, it's the opposite of the holder in my computer. My computer has a holder that is long-space-short. If I buy it, will it still work in my computer?

[ReadyToRetire]

Well, I don't know if formats differ in other countries <I am in the US>, but the card in the ad is PCI. If your computer has PCI slots, you'll be fine. Unless, like I said, the format is different and the PCI connection is reversed.

[barcode]

There is a short metal strip, then a space, then a long metal strip.

What do you refer to by "metal strip"? The card edge "fingers" that are copper/gold running along the bottom of the green card, or the silver/tin brackets that hold the card down?

The brackets are standard, no worries.

If it's the card/socket type, as RTR points out, that's the rub.

PCI = Peripheral Component Interconnect. The old school way of doing things (found on later 486 systems and almost all Pentium/AMDK6). Runs at 33/66MHz.

AGP = Advanced Graphics Port. A higher-speed direct-to-graphics bus that used a special connector, usually chocolate-brown in color and offset from the other sockets. When retired from use, AGP was up to 8x (~528MHz), but even this wasn't fast enough.

PCI-E = PCI_Express. Smaller connector than original PCI, and much faster. Comes in four sizes, a long (PCI-E x16), mediums (PCI-E x4/8) and short (PCI-E x1). The long one is typically used for video cards, and will most likely have a locking mechanism to hold down the rather bulky card. You can shove a small card into a big slot (say, an x4 into an x16), but not always the other (the x16 into an x4).

The ATi/Sapphire card you link to uses the PCI-E x16 socket. We are still talking about the HP dx7300, right? The quick specs I still have don't show the mobo, but it does say you have 2-PCI (regular), one PCI-E(x1), and one PCI-E(x16). Should be a perfect fit (the small bit in front and the "hook" in back on the edge connector are for extra stability and keeps the card from wobbling/moving while plugged in). Also, it only provides a DVI output. If your monitor doesn't use this, then you'll need an adapter of some sort.

SapphireTech shows what comes in the commercial package (note the adapters are not shown). On the other hand, Sapphire does make good cards. I don't particularly care for Radeons (I'm an nVidia fan), but Sapphire seems to know what they're doing.

barcode

[Eireann]

I bought the card today, brought it home, opened the computer...

And the card doesn't fit. It fits into the internal plugs with no problem, but the metal strip on the outside is too short. Some time after I got home, I got an email from the guy, which led to a whole series of emails, which led to him asking me what sort of motherboard I have, and I sent him a link.

His response:

"The motherboard you sent me a link has a integrated graphics card! If you're not using it, so it needed an external graphics card PCI-Express x16! 12 cm. long service profile (metal)! Other not there!"

Yeah, well, the integrated graphics card went kaput, which is why I need another one. This guy is really dedicated.

[Der Cute]

Send me a link to your motherboard.

And you said the outside/metal is too short? Do you mean the whole metal back (where the plugs are) is not long enough to cover the slot opening for it?

If I'm right, the card you're talking about looks "shorter" than this one.
The one I found is PCI Express x16. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814103204
It has a longer looking back end.

Now. If you put your current graphics card into the motherboard, are any of the ports on the back side of the card you CANNOT use? Is this setup with the new card "cosmetic" ? That you might not be able to screw the L edge to the aluminum backside of the PC? (the big slab of aluminum that the other cards screw into. This: http://watermarked.cutcaster.com/cut...kside-view.jpg Those skinny rectangular slots. If your graphics card fits into the motherboard, and the ports it controls are available...you could still use it. But I don't think you can; the one you "have" looks like a card for a smaller case.
----( :::: ) (:::: ----- <shorty if it fits in the motherboard slot and those 2 ports aren't crooked or off center, you could still use it. Jury rigged, but useable. TBH I'd search more, different places. Send me info on your motherboard.

And aww I'm flattered you asked my opinion

[Chromatix]

I've taken a few photos of cards in my spare-parts heap so that we can be sure of what's going on here. The first shows the difference between PCI, PCI Express and AGP, the rest are all about Full Height versus Low Profile cards.















In at least some cases it is possible to fit a Full Height end-plate to a Low Profile card and vice versa. You need to find a plate that has ports in the right places. The pair of cards in the last three photos would probably be suitable for such a swap in either direction.

[Der Cute]

AGP !!! Flashbacks!!!!
I've only ONCE had to purchase a low profile card.Ever. I'm so used to the regular sized ones. (and I'm dating myself here).
Eireann - AGP means Alien Graphics People. Little green gremlins would write on the screen what the computer told them to do. Those are so outdated, the Aliens left our planet. LOL

God. AGP had brown slots only. White was PCI and you COULD have graphics card there but before PCI express...it was oddball to have a PCI graphics card vs an AGP, it was a gradual change.
God. Now these white hairs are making sense..I am getting old and cranky.

[Chromatix]

Just FWIW, the requirement for Full Height or Low Profile is determined by the case, not the m/board. Reading between the lines, I think this is what Eireann has run into - so the card fits into the m/board but not into the case.

How do I have low-profile cards myself? A couple are from redundant Dell boxes from the office, but I also have one in current use in a net-top. The latter is also a rare example of a PCIe x1 graphics card.

I also have about three PCI graphics cards. The one in the picture is probably the most advanced - a Rage 128 - but since it came from a Mac, it is somewhat difficult to use in a PC (wrong BIOS). My collection stretches even further back, but that is unlikely to solve *this* problem.

Hopefully those photos should make things crystal clear for everyone.

[Eireann]

I got another email from the guy:

"Hello, if you gave me the correct name of the motherboard, so it's all completely different. It is a dual core processor and motherboard, which has a integrated graphics. Video card must be added to the PCI - E slot and install the driver. This means: In the BIOS disable the integrated card to enable an external card slot PCI-e. Garickou remove the old card, the new plant and start the computer. The computer will go in an emergency setting. On the Internet you can find the card you want to download and install the driver for it. Driver and start installing resetnete and you're done. If you do not know this, so go to the service. The card that I will sell you replace with a new PCI-e. Let me know if you understand. Compiler sometimes writes crap. thanks"

I don't think I need to disable the integrated card in BIOS, because when I installed the dinosaur card I'm using now, it worked. Relatively speaking. Yes, Der Cute, the card itself fits into the port, but it doesn't fit into the case. The whole metal back is too short. It looks like the guy who sold me the card is committed to selling me the right one; good on him!

[Der Cute]

Eireann - you are right, this guy is doing good by you. It really looks like he's making effort to help you. And yes, when you install the "new" card, you will be on a very low resolution.
Turn machine off.
Take side off.
Remove old/too small vid card
Look on newer card first. There should be a mfg name and model. Like Nvidia Quadro 4 256.
Write that down.
Install taller vid card
Make SURE it's nice and tight in the motherboard
Might as well check the other parts, power and such all tight on everyone? Yay!
Power if needed.
Turn machine on (don't put cover back on!)
See if the OS recognizes a card and is OK with it.
Plus, go look in the case. Is there a fan on the card? Yes? Is it running? Yes? Yay.
Turn computer off.
Close case up.
Turn computer on again
Open browser, search for Drivers for Whatever Name Vid Card. Use the mfg's website if possible.
You will d/l it, install it and probably have a couple of restarts before you're totally finished.
But hey, you'll be able to see again!



@ Barcode. Can we say scope creep here?