system build

IceBergSLiM

Lifer
Jul 11, 2000
29,932
3
81
Current Rig:

Built in 2002
http://support.asus.com/cpusup...e=en-us&model=A7M266-D
A7M266-D motherboard 2 athlon mp 1600 cpu's
2 gb memory
128 mb ati vga vid card single output about 4 years old


2 ide hard drives sufficient space no issues


My problem:

I need a dual output vid card that will be compatible. Can't find any as the board is so old.

Solution:

Find me a good card that will be compatible

or

a new mobo/cpu/mem/graphics combo.


I use this PC for business. I have graphics itensive applications Adobe CS3 mastersuite. I am not a PC gamer. I do alot of multimedia though.


so is it worth it to just upgrade the graphics card or get a new set up and sell off my old parts? I am just worried because as time goes on its going to be more difficult to maintain this rig to keep up with my demands.

UPDATE


Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136284
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
$149.99


EVGA 512-P3-N975-AR GeForce 9800 GT 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130380
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$25.00 Mail-in Rebate
$134.99
$124.99


Kingston HyperX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX8500AD2K2/4GR - Retail
Item #: N82E16820104060
Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy
$30.00 Mail-in Rebate
$92.99


ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131299
Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$15.00 Mail-in Rebate
$134.99


ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835186134
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
-$10.00 Instant
$36.99
$26.99


Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80569Q9550 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115041
Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy


I'm going to recycle the case and antec 600w psu which are both only < 2 years old

So will i be good to go with this?

UPDATE 11-04-08

Ok I got everything put together and installed. Goto fire it up the first time. Everything lights up case light, mobo light, fans, vid card fan.....power everywhere.

No POST beeps. Monitor is blank. No signal.

Uhhhh wtf?
 

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
4,902
0
71
Is your system handling everything you do with Adobe fast enough for your liking? If so I would think you could find a graphics card somewhere with dual outputs. If not, you could always get a cheap PCI graphics card.

If you are encountering slowdowns related to your old processor/RAM/etc., then I would probably just rebuild the whole thing.
 

aatf510

Golden Member
Nov 13, 2004
1,811
0
0
I don't think you should be looking at a 9800GT if you aren't a gamer.

and you shouldn't be looking at DDR1066 if you aren't a high FSB overclocker either.
 

IceBergSLiM

Lifer
Jul 11, 2000
29,932
3
81
Originally posted by: toattett
I don't think you should be looking at a 9800GT if you aren't a gamer.

and you shouldn't be looking at DDR1066 if you aren't a high FSB overclocker either.

trying to future proof a bit. my last set up like i mentioned fulfilled my needs for over 6 years. I probably will overclock this at some point as well(if and when i do the vista upgrade)l which is why i got the artic cooler deal.
 

DSF

Diamond Member
Oct 6, 2007
4,902
0
71
Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
Originally posted by: toattett
I don't think you should be looking at a 9800GT if you aren't a gamer.

and you shouldn't be looking at DDR1066 if you aren't a high FSB overclocker either.

trying to future proof a bit. my last set up like i mentioned fulfilled my needs for over 6 years. I probably will overclock this at some point as well(if and when i do the vista upgrade)l which is why i got the artic cooler deal.

I agree, the video card is a lot more than you need to spend. A $60-70 card will have plenty of power for 2D graphics, now and in the future.

Heck, the 7600GS in my secondary rig that was $60 when I got it over a year ago still has easily enough oopmh for what you're doing.
 

IceBergSLiM

Lifer
Jul 11, 2000
29,932
3
81
Originally posted by: DSF
Originally posted by: IcebergSlim
Originally posted by: toattett
I don't think you should be looking at a 9800GT if you aren't a gamer.

and you shouldn't be looking at DDR1066 if you aren't a high FSB overclocker either.

trying to future proof a bit. my last set up like i mentioned fulfilled my needs for over 6 years. I probably will overclock this at some point as well(if and when i do the vista upgrade)l which is why i got the artic cooler deal.

I agree, the video card is a lot more than you need to spend. A $60-70 card will have plenty of power for 2D graphics, now and in the future.

Heck, the 7600GS in my secondary rig that was $60 when I got it over a year ago still has easily enough oopmh for what you're doing.

thanks.
 

IceBergSLiM

Lifer
Jul 11, 2000
29,932
3
81

UPDATE 11-04-08

Ok I got everything put together and installed. Goto fire it up the first time. Everything lights up case light, mobo light, fans, vid card fan.....power everywhere.

No POST beeps. Monitor is blank. No signal.

Uhhhh wtf?
 

Denithor

Diamond Member
Apr 11, 2004
6,298
23
81
First thing to try is clear the CMOS and try again.

Did you try booting it up before putting it all in the case? I normally do that with a completely new build, just to make sure all the parts work before I get it all installed. Pull out the motherboard/cpu/ram/gpu and set up on the motherboard box (on the static bag). Plug in mouse/keyboard/monitor. Hook up the power and short the PWR pins to start it up.

If you get video signal, most likely you had a grounding issue or something during install.

If no signal bare outside the case then try just one stick of memory. Move the stick around and try the other stick if that still doesn't work. Probably clear the CMOS also.
 

IceBergSLiM

Lifer
Jul 11, 2000
29,932
3
81
Originally posted by: Denithor
First thing to try is clear the CMOS and try again.

Did you try booting it up before putting it all in the case? I normally do that with a completely new build, just to make sure all the parts work before I get it all installed. Pull out the motherboard/cpu/ram/gpu and set up on the motherboard box (on the static bag). Plug in mouse/keyboard/monitor. Hook up the power and short the PWR pins to start it up.

If you get video signal, most likely you had a grounding issue or something during install.

If no signal bare outside the case then try just one stick of memory. Move the stick around and try the other stick if that still doesn't work. Probably clear the CMOS also.

I should add that the monitor is a vga monitor connecting through an adapter to the dvi connector on the video card. Could this be the issue?
 

daw123

Platinum Member
Aug 30, 2008
2,593
0
0
I should add that the monitor is a vga monitor connecting through an adapter to the dvi connector on the video card. Could this be the issue?

This shouldn't make a difference. It certainly didn't with mine; I used a VGA to DVI adapter with my X2.

 

IceBergSLiM

Lifer
Jul 11, 2000
29,932
3
81
i'm an idiot. The problem was I only had the 24 pin plugged into the mobo. Last time I built a machine there was no 8 pin connectors!