video card PCI-E x1 (or PCI) in Calgary [Archive]

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singhrh

Jul 17th, 2012, 10:23 AM

HELP!

I am looking to upgrade the video in an old dell dimension 3100 PC and looking to spend as little as possible as the PC is very old already but still runs okay. Just need a new video card to support the 24" samsung monitor that was gifted to me. The current on-board video does (1400 x 1050 max) not support the resolution of the monitor (1920x1080) and everything on the screen appears squashed. I tried updating the video driver but got nothing newer than what was already installed.

The motherboard has a 2x PCI slots and 1x PCI-E x1 slot. Anyone know where i could get a cheap (~$30) old PCI-E x1 OR PCI video card. Don't really like going to kiijiji or Craigslist for these things as you never know what you are going to get.

Thanks for your help.

fastlayne

Jul 17th, 2012, 10:42 AM

I used the Zotac GT218 ION (PCI-E x1) card as an upgrade in an older PC.

However, there is a review on Amazon.com for this card when specifically used in a Dell 3100. It seems that Dell assumes that any card in the PCI-E x1 slot is a sound card, but there are tricks to outsmart Dell BIOS.

beuh_dave

Jul 17th, 2012, 10:44 AM

willy

Jul 17th, 2012, 10:53 AM

What you need is a low profile graphics card. You can get one for $30 at DirectCanada (http://www.directcanada.com/search/?kw=low%20profile) (free shipping over $50) or at Newegg (http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007708%20600001667&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20). Just make sure that it supports that resolution that you're looking for.
I don't think the height is an issue here .... Take a look at the mobo ...

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3100/en/sm/parts094.jpg

PCI-E x1 video card is kinda rare to find. The old PCI might work but I have a feeling it might not have enough bandwidth to handle display @ 1920x1080 smoothly.

willy

Jul 17th, 2012, 10:57 AM

UPDATE> Found one ... http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=60666&vpn=AE5450%20512MD2-SH&manufacture=PowerColor

http://img.ncix.com/images/60666_1.jpg

Another one ... http://ncix.ca/products/?sku=36679&vpn=256-P1-N400-LR&manufacture=eVGA&promoid=1067

http://img.ncix.com/images/36679_l.jpg

DavidY

Jul 17th, 2012, 11:00 AM

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/Category/guidedSearch.asp?CatId=28&sel=Price%3BPrice2,Detail%3B55_158_2872_2872

Dave

beuh_dave

Jul 17th, 2012, 11:08 AM

I think that you're right. A full size card should work. My bad. Maybe an old Geforce 8600GT or 9400 GT would be for OP. Those are pretty hard to find. They're about $50 on ebay.

I don't think the height is an issue here .... Take a look at the mobo ...

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3100/en/sm/parts094.jpg

PCI-E x1 video card is kinda rare to find. The old PCI might work but I have a feeling it might not have enough bandwidth to handle display @ 1920x1080 smoothly.

willy

Jul 17th, 2012, 11:12 AM

I think that you're right. A full size card should work. My bad. Maybe an old Geforce 8600GT or 9400 GT would be for OP. Those are pretty hard to find. They're about $50 on ebay.
Well, finding a PCI-based or PCI-E x1-based 8600GT/9400GT is not gonna to be an easy task. I don't think they ever went lower than AGP ...

fastlayne

Jul 17th, 2012, 11:17 AM

Or for $82 with free shipping ... Amazon.ca - AE5450 (http://www.amazon.ca/Power-Color-AE5450-512MD2-SH-PCI-Express/dp/B004OXXEVQ)

(May or may not come with half-height bracket.)

DavidY

Jul 17th, 2012, 11:37 AM

Or for $82 with free shipping ... Amazon.ca - AE5450 (http://www.amazon.ca/Power-Color-AE5450-512MD2-SH-PCI-Express/dp/B004OXXEVQ)

(May or may not come with half-height bracket.)

What's the PC worth..$50-$100? Is it wise to spend anything more than $40-$50 on this card...even that's outrageous IMO? Personally, I would buy used for under $20-$30 and take your chances.

Dave

DavidY

Jul 17th, 2012, 11:51 AM

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-computer-accessories-NVIDIA-PCI-Dual-Head-Graphics-Cards-3MTHS-WARRANTY-W0QQAdIdZ388236985

http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-computer-accessories-Compaq-PCI-Video-card-W0QQAdIdZ350571632

No model no! http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-computer-accessories-ATI-Sapphire-Video-Graphics-Card-W0QQAdIdZ381700481

Would need to find specs to see if it supports your monitor's rez.

BTW, a Sapphire Radeon X800 PCIe supported my 1920x1200 monitor. Prior to that, my 6150SE integrated video also....analog only..wow!

Dave

singhrh

Jul 17th, 2012, 08:46 PM

Thanks everyone, this gives me things to think about. Like i said it is an old PC and I didn't want to spend more than $30 on a card. I'll check out the kijiji stuff and see if it is any good.

DavidY

Jul 17th, 2012, 09:13 PM

Thanks everyone, this gives me things to think about. Like i said it is an old PC and I didn't want to spend more than $30 on a card. I'll check out the kijiji stuff and see if it is any good.

Looked at some of them.....not sure if they are the right interface....so look closely. Good luck.

Dave