Graphics Card for Windows XP system

[Rachel87]

I am building a security system for a Dell 5150 Windows XP system. I got a Geovision DVR card, and to use that I need to add a graphics card. It seems many of the graphics cards are compatible with WIndows 7 only. Also, the specs for the Dell 5150 for "External Connectors" and "Video" has a response of "15-hole connector". For the "Expansion Bus", there are listed "PCI - 2 connectors, 120 pins, 32 bits maximum connector data width", "PCI Express, one X 1 connector, 36 pins, 32 bits maximum connector data width", and "PCI Express, one by 16, 164 pin connector size, 16 PCI Express lanes connector daya width maximum".

Questions - Do I need to get a graphics card to fit the 15 hole connector? Or can I get one to fit an expansion bus?

Most websites don't list an operating system requirement for the cards, but when they do, they list Windows 7. Does that mean they aren't compatible with Windows XP?

The Geovision DVR card says it is compatible with AGP or PCI-Express and 32 bit color. Does this mean that I can't get a 64 bit card, or is 64 bit okay also?

Thank you.

 

[ultimatebob]

That Dell 5150 had on board graphics... Wouldn't that work for this application?

Maybe I'm not understanding this right, but it looks like cameras plug into the DVR card and you just need the VGA output for your display monitor. You shouldn't need a fancy video card for that, unless you need multiple displays for some reason.

 

[Rachel87]

The Geovision DVR card specs include minimum system requirements for a graphic card, and it says "AGP or PCI-Express, 800 X 600 (1280X1024 recommended), 32-bit color." I called the company I bought the card for and asked if a separate graphics card was necessary, and he said yes. Do you know if 64 bit will work based on the specs above? ALl cards I've looked at are 64 bit. Thanks!

 

[Rachel87]

Or if you think the rep may be wrong, please let me know.

 

[javier_machuk]

try with the integrated graphics first, i have a dvr system with a geovision card, it had a nvidia 8400gs gpu that just recently started giving problems, i removed it and now it is working fine with the integrated graphics

 

[ultimatebob]

Or if you think the rep may be wrong, please let me know.

Did you tell their tech support guy that the Dell PC has built in graphics on the system board? That should be enough to run a DVR display monitor.

If you really needed an additional graphics card, a cheap PCI Express card like a GeForce 8400GS would probably work for that application. They're only $40, and they have Windows XP drivers.

 

[Rachel87]

Good advice. I'll try it without the graphics card first. I did say it had integrated graphics, but he may have offered what was preferred rather than required even though I asked if required. The system won't be used for anything else, so hopefully it works. Thank you both for your help.

 

[SPBHM]

the integrated video should be sufficient,

newer cards still support windows XP, so just buy any HD5450