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"Hardware DVD decoders and Graphics Cards"

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Tue 24/07/01 at 23:23
Regular
Posts: 787
The story is I'm looking to upgrade my graphics, currently Intel 815 Integrated Graphics Controller, Creative 12X DVD, 500MHz Celeron, 128MB.
I use my computer for mainly playing DVDs and games. The question is do I buy a Hardware DVD Decoder AND new Graphics card (is this possible? what does the monitor plug into? do I need to swap it around depending on what I using it for, games/dvd, any suggestions for graphics card around £100) or JUST a new graphics card with integrated DVD support (if so any suggestions around the £150 price tag)?
Mon 13/08/01 at 00:28
Regular
"How Handy."
Posts: 2,631
Whoa! Not a good idea!

You need a high power supply (300W) for an athlon with plenty of cooling, that solution won't be enough!
Sun 12/08/01 at 13:36
Posts: 0
Hehehehe, that was a good question wasnt it eh? Nobody knew the answer, but i researched it even more and got the CL2 RAM (slightly faster). But i have a new problem, my power box fan thing no longer works, after upgrading to a KT7A, with an 850mhz Duron with 256mb of RAM. Could this be due to some electro static damage or is it something to do with the motherboard?

I opened up the power supply box and everything seems to be ok. For now i am using my old CPU fan taped to my case to extract the hot air.
Wed 08/08/01 at 00:06
Posts: 0
It's ok i just narrowed it down to the ECC Unbuffered RAM.
But should the RAM be CL-2 or CL-3? Its so confusing and i cant find any sites providing info on the differences between them.
Please help!
Tue 07/08/01 at 22:39
Posts: 0
What type of 256mb of RAM (1 module) should i buy of the selection from crucial.com (PC133)

If it helps it will be going into a KT7-A.
Wed 01/08/01 at 13:51
Regular
"Tag as above"
Posts: 513
Treat yourself to a DURON. I got rid of my PII400 CPU and Board, Slapped in a Duron 800 and Abit KT7 Mobo and it flies.

I had a DVD decoder card (Creative Encore) It was pretty good, but I changed my graphics card for a ATI Radeon and the playback on DVD is perfectly alright.

With a combination of this chip,board and graphics plus a nice helping of ram I get Quake II at 133fps. (w98 only, w2k/me drivers drop it to 60fps).

Go Duron 800 then clock it to 1GHZ when it needs its on its last legs (or before then if you are brave/loaded)

Check out Anadtech for clocking guides. http://www.anandtech.com
Wed 01/08/01 at 02:08
Posts: 0
McNAB wrote:
> Also, another question for anyone who is willing to answer.
What is
> faster, a 650mhz P3 (recent flip chip) or an 800mhz AMD Duron?
> Cheers

The AMD Duron is faster but the Intel P3 is easier to set-up, And requies less updates etc.

You will also find that motherboards for the P3 are cheaper than the Duron / Athlon motherboards.

The P3 also has slightly better software and hardware compatibility.
Wed 01/08/01 at 01:53
Regular
"Eff, you see, kay?"
Posts: 14,156
McNAB wrote:
> Also, another question for anyone who is willing to answer.
What is
> faster, a 650mhz P3 (recent flip chip) or an 800mhz AMD Duron?
> Cheers


Buy the AMD or I will break your fingers. Even if it was a 800 P3 and a 650 AMD, the AMD would still probably be better.
Wed 01/08/01 at 01:52
Regular
"Eff, you see, kay?"
Posts: 14,156
McNAB wrote:
> Hi im upgrading my PC, i just wanted to know wether RAM is available
> in 64mb "sticks" (please excuse the unscientific term)
> because i currently have 2 32mb sticks of SDRAM. So if i had 4 DIMM
> slots on my motherboard i could have 256 mb of RAM.


Yes.
Wed 01/08/01 at 01:51
Regular
"How Handy."
Posts: 2,631
the ram is available in 64mb sticks and the AMD is definetly faster.
Wed 01/08/01 at 01:07
Posts: 0
Also, another question for anyone who is willing to answer.
What is faster, a 650mhz P3 (recent flip chip) or an 800mhz AMD Duron? Cheers

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