• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Compaq Presario SR1638NX video memory issue

E

etxrr1

Junior Member
the computer is 2 years old - Athlon 64 3400+, Radeon Xpress 200 integrated video, 2 512MB memory sticks. the manual says the system will take up to 4 GB memory without ECC (whatever that is). Running Windows XP. Manual says there is one PCI Express x16 slot.
Recently DVD movie video stutters/slow motion, and looking at pictures on Hard drive is slower than normal. Computer comes with PC Doctor. I ran that and the DVD drive showed OK, but on the video portion of the test it shows "Internal Error". When you open the BIOS on boot up under internal video the memory entry is grayed out and shows 64MB. Should I replace the memory with two 1 GB Sticks of PC3200 400 MHZ? Should I go with a dedicated video card? Should I do both? Should I punt on this machine and just build a new one? The power supply in this is the OEM one so what card should I get that would do moderate gaming but not pull much power or generate much heat? I would like to play some games but don't need to have a super gaming computer. Is the integrated video starting to fail?

Have been building computers since the mid 80's and this is the first computer I didn't build, but I haven't kept up with the changes...
Can someone help me out? I am not $$ short, so can spend whatever, but don't want to waste money.
Thanks!
 
Originally posted by: etxrr1

Should I replace the memory with two 1 GB Sticks of PC3200 400 MHZ? Should I go with a dedicated video card? Should I do both?
Click to expand...

Both will help, and both are relatively inexpensive. 🙂

Unless your onboard video has its own separate RAM, it is using some of your system memory, which means your system isn't able to use all of the 1 GB you have, now. A separate vid card will have its own onboard RAM so it won't use your system's memory.

As an example of RAM prices, if you live near a Fry's Electronics, they have two specials that may interest you:

1 GB Crucial PC3200 for $34.99 - $20 mail-in rebate = $14.99.
SKU: 5297207

2 GB (2 x 1 GB) Corsair PC3200 for $69.99 - $30 mail-in rebate = $39.99.
SKU: 4700798

These deals are limited to one per customer so if you want two of the Crucial sticks ($5 less), you'll need a rebate buddy to provide a second mailing address for the the other rebate.

These deals run through today, but Fry's has other good RAM deals, as well as various specials on vid cards, on a regular basis. You can check pricewatch.com for other good sources, including online stores.

What you'll have to pay for a vid card depends on what you need it to do. An entry level PCI-e card will help because it frees up system RAM. A more powerful card will be more expensive, but it should migrate easily a newer system when you're ready for that.

Hope that helps. 🙂
 
Thanks. I am a little concerned if I put a video card in which pulls too much amperage and generates too much heat it wouldn't be good. What is a midrange card that does pull much wattage but would be ok for playing some middle of the raod games?
 
You didn't give us the make or model of your machine. What is the power rating of your power supply? If it's a "department store" brand (Compaq, Dell, etc.), check with their online chat support. I know HP/Compaq is pretty helpful, even after the warranty is expired. I don't know about other makers.

The make and model of your machine would also be useful to evaluate your cooling needs. If your board supports it, all you may need is an extra $3.00 fan.

Try more RAM, first. It's the cheaper investment, and it will help even if you stick with your onboard video, simply because you'll have more available memory even after subracting the RAM your vid system uses.

You can still go for a vid card, later. I'll leave it to others to help you pick a card.
 
It's a Compaq Presario SR1638NX. PS is 300 watt HIPRO.
PS sticker says 5V and 12V not to exceed 268 watts
PS sticker says 5V and 3.3V not to exceed 268 watts.
 
Correction:

It's a Compaq Presario SR1638NX. PS is 300 watt HIPRO.
PS sticker says 5V and 12V not to exceed 268 watts
PS sticker says 5V and 3.3V not to exceed 175 watts.
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121094

ASUS EN8500GT TOP/HTP/256M GeForce 8500 GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Video Card - Retail

$49 after rebate. This is basically a Geforce 8600GT card. Consumes very little power and will run fine in your system. It should be about 4-6 times faster than your onboard video for games.

Also has a nice large heatsink/fan which is always a plus and comes with a free game. 🙂
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top