Forum Home
Press F1
Thread ID: 38181	2003-09-29 23:54:00	AGP	Lizard (2409)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
179160	2003-09-29 23:54:00	I hope someone can help me. I've been trying to work out what 3d card I can use with my FIC SD11 Mobo. I learned through the FIC website that the mobo actually goes up to AGP 2X. That seemed like good news, except that the FAQ on the same page says that the mobo can't handle cards with 32MB on board, as they draw too much current - 6amps instead of 2amps. It lists a few boards that don't work - Savage 4 Pro, TNT2 Ultra and Geforce 256. It also says that the reason for this is that the mobo was built to AGP 1.0 specs. Hang on, I thought, I thought it could handle AGP 2x? I've since learnt that there are different specs - AGP 1.0, AGP 2.0 etc. and that there are different speeds within those specs. For example, AGP 1.0 handles AGP 1x and AGP 2x at 3.3v, but AGP 2.0 handles AGP 1x, AGP 2x and AGP 4x at either 3.3v or 1.5v. I'm no electrician, so a lot of that flies over my head. But it sounds like I'm looking for a card that is either AGP 1x or 2x, drawing 2amps instead of 3amps at 3.3v. Regrettably, these kind of statistics aren't commonly available on trademe, review pages, or even manufacturer's pages (as far as I've seen). So my question is: any idea what card would meet this description? I'm looking for something with at least 16MB. From what I've read (and posted here), I think a 32mb card that draws 2amps at 3.3v would be alright, but I have a feeling that's unlikely... Any thoughts would be appreciated. It isn't a critical issue - more procrastination than anything... :) Lizard	Lizard (2409)
179161	2003-09-30 00:18:00	you could use tnt2 vanta 16 meg, 3dfx voodo3....all 2nd hand by now. tho for a new card you might be able to get away with some of the low drawing ones such as sis. you will need to check how much currant they draw tho. or simply look at getting new mobo and cpu.	tweak'e (174)
179162	2003-09-30 01:05:00	Hi, what is the spec of your machine i.e. cpu speed, memory, power supply wattage, I'd be amazed if you couldn't get an old 32mb graphics card to work (1x or 2x). I've been fitting these cards into older machines for years without a problem. The older cards draw very little current and even a pentium 233 will take a 32mb card without a problem. pompeymike	pompeymike (4601)
179163	2003-09-30 01:23:00	it hasn't got much to do with cpu but how much current the motherboard can supply to the vid card. ram size isn't really a good indicator. the gf256 where really hungry cards in their day. most of the budget cards should work ok. just keep away from the ultras, pros, ie highend cards.	tweak'e (174)
179164	2003-09-30 02:26:00	> or simply look at getting new mobo and cpu. I wish I could! :D Everytime I go down that road, I think: "just a basic, new mobo, medium cpu", but then it ends up being "plus new RAM, might as well chuck a new HDD in, the case I've got is crap, might as well get a new one..." and I'm looking at a minimum of $3000. I plan to build (read = have built) a new system when I finish uni and find employment, which will be (hopefully) a kick-ass computer. Until then, I want to squeeze every last drop out of the current system. Might as well post the specs: AMD K7 (Athlon) 500 mhz FIC SD11 Mobo 320MB PC 100 RAM S3 Trio 3d/2x 4MB Video 1x8GB HDD 1x20GB HDD Asus DVD ROM HP CD Writer It's pretty lacklustre, but a new graphics card would boost the performance for games. I'm also on the lookout for a better CPU - Slot A, up to 800Mhz (no Thunderbird, though - the FIC CPU chart says it wont work, for some reason). The SD11 is pretty much no-go for overclocking, so a faster CPU, with a better VGA adaptor would help. ANd then there's the new hard drive, but that's a few hundred dollars away... Lizard	Lizard (2409)
1