Just got a graphics card, wanting to do some...have some ?'s

ultrazls1 · TweakNOOB Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 22

I just picked up an nvidia geforce 6800 ultra....256mb....pci express. Got it for 250:)

I have a gateway gx7022e.

It originally came with the crappy 6200 turbocache...64mb on the card 256 allocated.
But it is pci express

The comp has 2 gigs of ram and a 3 ghz pentium dual core 830 processor.

Should this be a solid gaming machine? Can I play doom3 and half-life 2 on it smoothly?
anything I need to know with my set-up...TIPS....?

whats the deal with that special power connector thing?

sorry for stupid questions...im new and only have basic knowledge of computers.

thanks

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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Some quick answers.

Yes, it should be a halfway decent gaming rig.........better than mine, anyway.

The special power connector thing............I assume you mean the PCIe power connector on the 6800 Ultra. You need the matching plug on your PSU (Power Supply) to plug the card in. It draws more power than the PCIe bus can handle. If your PSU doesn't have a PCIe plug for your graphics card.........I don't know for sure that you'll be able to use the 6800 Ultra without buying a new PSU as well.
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ultrazls1 · TweakNOOB Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 22

I was reading a review on a website some guy did on the ultra and he said if it would not plug in directly you could probably find an adapter...I hope so

[KoG]^weaZel · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 11:39 am Post subject:

there are adaptors, but your power supply may not have the power needed to supply the new video card.

Are there any specs listed on the the power supply? we need to find out if it going be be able to handle the new card or not. But with the system specs you listed so far I am going to go out on a limb and say you might be ok in this situation. But give us the specs so we can check on that/
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ultrazls1 · TweakNOOB Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 22

http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/GXModels/5429/5429nv.shtml

That shows just about all the specs on my computer.

It is a 400 watt power supply. When I bought the card it said (the auction) to have a 350 watt minimum....but some people are saying a 450 is what should be used.

what should I do?

I just want a solid gaming machine....half-life 2 and doom3 need to run smooth.

ultrazls1 · TweakNOOB Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 22

Also...My computer has pc4200 ddr2 RAM

Is this type of ram good enough?

thanks again

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

Yup, the RAM is fine. Not the fastest, but fast enough. With 2gb, speed isn't as big an issue as it would be with just 1gb or less.

Your PSU will be on the edge of giving enough power. If it's a generic PSU, chances are good it'll only be putting out 250-300 watts max under normal conditions.

The good news is the Gateway machines no longer use proprietary PSU's, so you should be able to replace it with just about anything.

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[KoG]^weaZel · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 6:00 pm Post subject:

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

When did they switch back to proprietary? I just worked on a model from last year that used a standard PSU.................
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ultrazls1 · TweakNOOB Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 22

Ok so what are my options?

what could happen if my PS isnt good enough?

thanks for all the help

fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

It'll run slow, if at all. If you try to run BF2, say, at full graphics settings, you'll crash alot, if the game will even start.

Looks like a standard Intel 945G motherboard, so I'd hazard a guess that it's standard PSU wiring. The only snag I can see is the mounting, with the goofy retaining clip.

Do this.........contact Gateway, and ask if the motherboard power connection is standard. If it is, and it's just a case mounting issue, that's workable.
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ultrazls1 · TweakNOOB Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 22

Cool....so what kind of power supply do you guys recommend?

ultrazls1 · TweakNOOB Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 22

Also...should I ask them if I have a standard power supply or a proprietary when I call them?

sickofsoyo · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 12:40 pm Post subject:

look around in here... In a couple days I'll tell you about the enermax I bought. But if you want to order it soon, then I would recommend antec, enermax, PC-Power and Cooling. Make sure to get an active PFC and dual 12V rails.
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fussnfeathers · Lord of the Tweak Joined: 14 Dec 2004 Posts: 2763

ultrazls1 · TweakNOOB Joined: 14 Dec 2005 Posts: 22

Hey...I just got my new card in the mail today and it doesnt come with anything but the special connector I needed.

Dont I need some kind of installation manual/cd/drivers etc etc.

How can I go about getting this thing running once I get my power supply?

2old2care · Posted: Tue Dec 20, 2005 8:10 pm Post subject:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_81.95.html
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