On-board graphics to pci-E video card

[DW in UT]

I'm adding a PCI-e video card to a basic Windows XP computer that has been running on on-board graphics. Do I really need to disable the onboard video in the bios first? Some instructions say that, others say it is optional, and others just ignore the question.

I have plenty of memory installed on the motherboard, but just want to make sure I'm not hurting performance too badly if I only have the monitor attached to the new video card (a 7300 with 256mb) but don't disable the onboard graphics.

(Not a gamer, just web surfing and lite desktop publishing.)

 

[Paperdoc]

Disable the onboard graphics in the mobo's BIOS. Your system needs to know who's in charge of graphics, and there can't be two (excepting SLI and Crossfire special designs).

 

[StinkyPinky]

Originally posted by: DW in UT
I'm adding a PCI-e video card to a basic Windows XP computer that has been running on on-board graphics. Do I really need to disable the onboard video in the bios first? Some instructions say that, others say it is optional, and others just ignore the question.

I have plenty of memory installed on the motherboard, but just want to make sure I'm not hurting performance too badly if I only have the monitor attached to the new video card (a 7300 with 256mb) but don't disable the onboard graphics.

(Not a gamer, just web surfing and lite desktop publishing.)

I would disable it. It only takes 30 seconds to do so why not.

 

[poisonthewell]

Another vote for disabling. The toughest part is usually going through your BIOS and figuring out how to do it.

 

[DW in UT]

Originally posted by: StinkyPinky
I would disable it. It only takes 30 seconds to do so why not.

To someone who has not done it before, it sounds like I'm turning off the mobo video before I even know if the new card works. Does disabling onboard make it go black, or just very low res so that I can still get to the control settings if needed?

 

[poisonthewell]

Originally posted by: DW in UT

Originally posted by: StinkyPinky
I would disable it. It only takes 30 seconds to do so why not.

To someone who has not done it before, it sounds like I'm turning off the mobo video before I even know if the new card works. Does disabling onboard make it go black, or just very low res so that I can still get to the control settings if needed?

Turn off the integrated video AFTER installing/testing the new card (if it makes you feel more comfortable).

 

[Blain]

Don't worry about it, just set the BIOS to look for an add-in card first.

 

[TheNiceGuy]

I disabled my old system's in Windows under Device Manager. Worked well.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

What MB do you have and what does the MB manual say?

 

[tcsenter]

If your motherboard was manufactured in the past five years there is maybe 1% chance it offers this control in the BIOS rather than automatically disabling the IGP when a PCI-E graphics card is installed. There still may be frame buffer sharing in the BIOS to set at None/Disable.

Correct sequence would be:

- Change primary adapter to PCI-E (though it isn't supposed to matter)
- Uninstall IGP drivers and related utility
- Shut down, install PCI-E
- Boot and install new graphics drivers