I bought a new monitor, however, its wide aspect ratio and the crappy video card that came with my dell (2003)doesn't support the wide aspect - it stretches everything. Can I buy any old inexpensive PCI Graphics Card. I am not using this for any 3D gaming - I will be doing standard business computing, E-mail, web and maybe watching a DVD here and there. Any suggestions?

Ezra

I would be generally apt to look for updated drivers first. After that I would replace the graphics card, but a cheap PCI card is probably not going to help you in your quest either. YOu would be much better off looking for drivers or a replacement card.

Tim Harry
BandwagonHD
Texas

Thanks,

I looked for drivers - no luck. I am not comfortable switching out the video card, besides, I would love to be able to just go back to the original card if all goes awry. I was told I can keep the original card and install the PCI to get the widescreen and run the new monitor.

Ezra

you should be able to find an AGP replacement card to put into it, provided that it has an AGP slot. If you will send me the model of the Dell computer I can help you figure out a decent one to get. You can always keep your old card to put back into the slot if you have a problem. Keep in mind that the computer is 4 years old now, so you may want to possibly look at replacing it as well. You just need to weigh your options. If you find a PCI card that will work in that computer, the chances that it will support widescreen resolutions are slim to none. I have not seen an original PCI graphics card in 4-5 years, so the card you get will most likely be older than the one you have currently.

Tim Harry
BandwagonHD
Texas

I just pulled my Dell invoice from 6/04. It says it has an integrated Intel 3D AGP Graphics #430-3900 Its a Dimension 2400 Series P4 @ 2.660ghz Windows XP. Whats the cheapest card to give me widescreen? Thanks

Ezra

Ezra, first make sure that the computer has an AGP slot for your video card. The spec you quoted says that the motherboard has AGP graphics integrated into the board...that doesn't necessarily mean that there is also an AGP slot for your new card. The Dimension 2400 doesn't have one, for instance, but the 2400c does. You should also check your specs, either in the written documentation or the BIOS, to make sure the AGP slot will support at least AGP 4X.

If you do have a slot, then check out this card: http://www.newegg.com/...Item=N82E16814102484 It's under $50.

When you install your card, you will need to go into your computer's BIOS and disable the onboard graphics.




Regards,
Doug Graham
Panda Productions