2 questions of nerdom, computer/ software question Options

[chook]

I got a computer that is a 3 GHz p4 that has an AGP slot and uses 800 MHZ DDR (I think). It is from the compaq business desktops, and seems good enough for a gaming platform (after more ram and a good video card)

What do you guys recommend for a good video card that is AGP and under 200. Its replacing my XP1800+ system.


The second question is my router. I have a Buffalo WHR-HP-G54 router. On some computers configured correctly, it has problems assigning a IP address through DHCP. I was wondering if anyone had had issues with this and was thinking of installing DD-WRT on it. Does anyone know something that may be wrong with it? I know its not password/encryption.

[impala454]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814102730

on the some computers not getting an IP, are they wireless? if so are they at least "seeing" the wireless network? have these computers ever been used on this router successfully?

[chook]

They have been used sucessfully before, and have good SNR's. They work sometimes and not other times (sometimes they are assigend an address sometimes they timeout and go private)

[Mommy]

For video cards, just go to Best Buy and find the most expensive video card that is still within your price range. If you don't like it, return it within 14 days (you may have 30 days but I can't be positive). That's what I did. Just kept returning them until I found a card I liked (which we finally just ended up building a whole new computer because the Mobo was fried as well so we just returned the card again and bought a $350 graphics card on newegg...but that's beside the point).Trial and error at Best Buy's expense is fun. I do it with RAM too. Basically, if I have hardware issues with a computer, I buy a video card and RAM from BB to see if that fixes the issue. If not, I rule those out and return the parts with nothing more wasted except a little time

[impala454]

oh my God Jessica quit giving computer advice...

[Mommy]

I know Best Buy doesn't have the best range of graphics cards, but at least you can fuck around and switch em up to find something you like.

What's wrong with that?

It's like he can go there and get an NVIDIA card, and if he doesn't like it, he can switch it out for an ATI or vice verse.

[impala454]

"Going to Best Buy and buying the most expensive video card you can afford" is a really stupid piece of computer advice. Especially given Chuck's question. I won't point it out because you'll just google it and come back acting like you know what you're talking about and thinking I'm being mean to you. I respect that you probably know a little more than the typical person, but computers are an area where a little bit of knowledge is dangerous.

[THECHICKEN]

www.newegg.com

AGP is pretty old technology by now but if you need one check there. They have good reviews and the lowest prices (so just check your price range and what is available... ). They are pretty much the site for getting computer crap. the highest agp (nvidia wise) is a 7800, so google it if you can't find it on newegg and want the best agp you can get.

[chook]

I couldn't find a 7800 that was AGP anymore (its disc). The card that Impalia showed seemed the best chipset. I was contemplating this one though
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814161225

but probably too long.

[impala454]

Yeah those extra long cards can run into the HD space in a lot of cases. If you have somewhere else you can put the HD I'd imagine it'd be fine. You could also put the HD into an empty 5.25" bay if you get an adapter.

[THECHICKEN]

Yeah those extra long cards can run into the HD space in a lot of cases. If you have somewhere else you can put the HD I'd imagine it'd be fine. You could also put the HD into an empty 5.25" bay if you get an adapter.

Yeah, i have a Hard Drive installed in a 5.25 bay (have an 8800gt). The main thing to look for is that it isn't going to cover anything important on the board like Hard drive ports, etc. ... just look at your board and look directly behind your agp slot.

[Mommy]

"Going to Best Buy and buying the most expensive video card you can afford" is a really stupid piece of computer advice. Especially given Chuck's question. I won't point it out because you'll just google it and come back acting like you know what you're talking about and thinking I'm being mean to you. I respect that you probably know a little more than the typical person, but computers are an area where a little bit of knowledge is dangerous.

google something about video cards? Umm... nah. Not my style. You could go the route of reading reviews on video cards listed on Best Buy's site. I just was saying that in my person experience, all the video cards in a given price range at Best Buy are about the same in quality. Of course there are differences between ATI and Nvidia, but that's where person prefernce comes along. If a person knows they need an AGP, likes Nvidia better, and knows how much they want to spend then they can just go, take a wing at it, buy a card and see how well it works in their system. Honestly, I don't think there is much of a difference in quality among video cards in that price range, but that's just me. It's not until you get into the higher end cards that you notice vast differences and should really do your homework and research reviews and shit. Yeah, when you're standing there at Best Buy, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that you should compare specs on the cards. Honestly, I thought that was a given. What I meant was splurge a little. Pick the most expensive thing in your price range, install it, see if it works, and if not then just return it. Trust me, this is just how I feel. It doesn't mean it's wrong. It's just how I do things. I don't think you're mean. I just think that you think I'm computer stupid. I know a lot. I'm out of the loop a lot because computers aren't a big hobby of mine anymore, but I still know a lot.

[impala454]

I don't think you're computer stupid at all. But, given all of the stuff I've seen you post on here, I don't think you should be giving computer advice. It's nothing personal Jessica.

[Mommy]

FINE! Maybe I'll just change my approach then and give retail advice.


HEY! if you happen to buy your video card from Best Buy, you can return it for a full refund if there is a problem.



That's what I was trying to get at anyway.

[THECHICKEN]

google something about video cards? Umm... nah. Not my style. You could go the route of reading reviews on video cards listed on Best Buy's site. I just was saying that in my person experience, all the video cards in a given price range at Best Buy are about the same in quality. Of course there are differences between ATI and Nvidia, but that's where person prefernce comes along. If a person knows they need an AGP, likes Nvidia better, and knows how much they want to spend then they can just go, take a wing at it, buy a card and see how well it works in their system. Honestly, I don't think there is much of a difference in quality among video cards in that price range, but that's just me. It's not until you get into the higher end cards that you notice vast differences and should really do your homework and research reviews and shit. Yeah, when you're standing there at Best Buy, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that you should compare specs on the cards. Honestly, I thought that was a given. What I meant was splurge a little. Pick the most expensive thing in your price range, install it, see if it works, and if not then just return it. Trust me, this is just how I feel. It doesn't mean it's wrong. It's just how I do things. I don't think you're mean. I just think that you think I'm computer stupid. I know a lot. I'm out of the loop a lot because computers aren't a big hobby of mine anymore, but I still know a lot.

Sure... buy at bestbuy if you want to pay a significant amount of money MORE for the exact same product elsewhere.

example: bfg 9800gx2: $649.99 at best buy. SAME ONE: $424.99 (after $45 rebate) at newegg.

Same way with every other card you would ever get. Don't get anything from best buy, especially computer related... newegg does returns too.

[Mommy]

Yeah but you have to pay for shipping. I got my video card from newegg too. Tiger Direct has decent deals at times too. The whole Best Buy thing is just a matter of convenience rather than price.

[kcroxyoursox]

Sure... buy at bestbuy if you want to pay a significant amount of money MORE for the exact same product elsewhere.

example: bfg 9800gx2: $649.99 at best buy. SAME ONE: $424.99 (after $45 rebate) at newegg.

Same way with every other card you would ever get. Don't get anything from best buy, especially computer related... newegg does returns too.

So get it at BestBuy to make sure you have the one you want, then return it, and buy it cheaper on Newegg.

A fusion of two ideas? Inconceivable! And I'm a computer IDIOT!!!

[James]

So get it at BestBuy to make sure you have the one you want, then return it, and buy it cheaper on Newegg.

A fusion of two ideas? Inconceivable! And I'm a computer IDIOT!!!

Logic. From a woman. What has this world come to?!

[THECHICKEN]

So get it at BestBuy to make sure you have the one you want, then return it, and buy it cheaper on Newegg.

A fusion of two ideas? Inconceivable! And I'm a computer IDIOT!!!

Or do a little research first and the only return you may have to make is for a bad card (which both replace free).

[kcroxyoursox]

Or do a little research first and the only return you may have to make is for a bad card (which both replace free).

Ah, but primary research (as in, testing it yourself) is the most reliable, and most preferred, method of research!

[pebkac]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814161226

I've seen good things about this card. I think ATI released this card within the last year, so I'm actually a bit surprised that they make it for AGP. But I know absolutely nothing about HIS (the company that made the card), which could be a bad thing. But then again, I don't see any brands I know are reputable selling any decent AGP cards. I know they made some of the geforce 7000 series for AGP slots, but I don't see any of the better ones.

[chook]

I ended up buying the one Impalia suggested tonight because of the size of my case. I need to get a HDTV (much less A TV) before I go HDMI.

[impala454]

You can get a cheap adapter like this: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product....=1&format=2 that will convert DVI->HDMI. You just have to make sure your card's drivers support it (which all ATI based cards made for the last several years do).

[chook]

sweet!

[chook]

I got and installed the card yesterday. Don't get to test it till after the weekend cause I'm going to party up in Phoenix.

That card is freaking huge!

[impala454]

yeah it's a doublewide for sure heheh