Help on upgrading to Geforce 7800 GTX

buck4nothing · Jul 23, 2005, 04:58 AM

Hey, this is my first post so I'd like to say hi to everyone and how cool this website/forum really is.

I'd like to ask for help on upgrading my graphic card into a Geforce 7800 GTX PCI card. I bought my new computer less a month ago and it was company manufacteured by HP; its model is HP a820n. My question is my computer eligible enough to install it. I'm into gaming so I would like to have a computer good enough to play games perfectly, mainly in games like Battlefield 2.

To my knowledge my computer uses PCI-Express. I've been looking around the net for answers but this was the best place that I found with perfect liability. If the answer is yes I would like to ask which one should I buy (since I noticed there are different versions of it (SLI etc) just as long its a 7800 card). I'm a novice in computer hardware so I'm sorry if I didn't provide you with the proper specifications. Here are some specifications off the top of my head.

3.2gHz Pentium IV
512 mb RAM (will soon upgrade to 2)
Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family
180 GB Hard Drive

Thanks!

m|Ke · Jul 23, 2005, 07:25 AM

Im not really into retail pc's since they always cause these problems, they suck on upgrades. I looked up your pc and I think this is it in the link here . From that spec it doesnt look like the motherboard has PCI Express or even an AGP slot. The Geforce 7800 is PCI Express only so without any slots on your board you cannot have one. You will need a new board from the specs I found.

drakesteakn · Jul 23, 2005, 09:34 AM

The Intel� 910GL Express chipset brings compelling new capabilities to the desktop PC. Designed for the Intel� Pentium� 4 processor supporting Hyper-Threading Technology�, the 910GL chipset features a decade's worth of innovation:

PCI Express* buses can deliver over 3.5 times more bandwidth for I/O2

this is from Intel website. so it should have a PCI-E slot, unless the motherboard maker didnt include one. only oe way to find out. open it up and see.

Link

Necrosis · Jul 23, 2005, 01:40 PM

One of the easiest ways to find out is by opening it up and taking a look inside. If you're not sure what to look for take a picture & show us.

ReDGuiTaR · Jul 23, 2005, 01:51 PM

From the spec on HP website it is integrated graphic on MoBO so, you dont have a PCI-E slot free ... and even if it was, brand name like HP use crappy PSU so im not sure if it would meet the need of such a power hungry card ...

buck4nothing · Jul 23, 2005, 09:48 PM

I appreciate your guy's posts

Here are two pictures of my motherboard that I just took now.

They're both viewed at different angles

Thanks!

Necrosis · Jul 23, 2005, 10:30 PM

Bad news see the spot above your PCI slots? The one where it looks like some thing could of went there? That is where your PCI-E slot should be so you cannot upgrade to a 7800GTX.

buck4nothing · Jul 23, 2005, 11:18 PM

[edit] Oh I see what you mean now, thanks.

Due to the unfortunate possibility that I can't have a Geforce 7800 graphic card, what other cards could I get that's similar to a 7800 card? I know there's a difference between the other cards but like I said, I'm a gamer and I would like to have good quality when I play a game [/edit]

HawgsHead · Jul 23, 2005, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buck4nothing

I always thought those free slots are for PCI cards. If those aren't PCI slots, what are they?

They are for upgrades.Like a sound card or so something up that alley.If i'm not mistaken, you cant put in an aftermarket GFX card...sorry.{Someone correct me if I'm wrong}You have whats called on board GFX.You really arent gonna be able to do much upgrading to youre system.Youre MoBo wasnt made for that.I dont know how long you have had the machine,but if you baught it from somewhere like Best Buy or Circuit City they have a 15 day return policy.I even took back a laptop I bought from Circuit City 30 days after I bought it.You mite wanna check into that and get youreself something a bit more upgradeable.Or even build 1 youreself.It's not hard.I built my 1st computer a year ago.If you can put a model car togther you can prtetty much build a computer.And another thing.Youre a the right place to learn.The vast majority of the guys here know what there doing.They have helped me outta more jams than I can count.Just be patient.These guys are from all over the world and they may be sleeping and its 8 AM where you are.....Good luck and welcome!

CDsDontBurn · Jul 23, 2005, 11:58 PM

well...as far as upgrading video cards, you'll be limited to PCI (not PCI-E) video cards. And as far as performance vs. a 7800GTX, it's like comparing a tricycle against a corvette

buck4nothing · Jul 24, 2005, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawgsHead

They are for upgrades.Like a sound card or so something up that alley.If i'm not mistaken, you cant put in an aftermarket GFX card...sorry.{Someone correct me if I'm wrong}You have whats called on board GFX.You really arent gonna be able to do much upgrading to youre system.Youre MoBo wasnt made for that.I dont know how long you have had the machine,but if you baught it from somewhere like Best Buy or Circuit City they have a 15 day return policy.I even took back a laptop I bought from Circuit City 30 days after I bought it.You mite wanna check into that and get youreself something a bit more upgradeable.Or even build 1 youreself.It's not hard.I built my 1st computer a year ago.If you can put a model car togther you can prtetty much build a computer.And another thing.Youre a the right place to learn.The vast majority of the guys here know what there doing.They have helped me outta more jams than I can count.Just be patient.These guys are from all over the world and they may be sleeping and its 8 AM where you are.....Good luck and welcome!

Thanks for your advice. Though unfortunately I bought my computer at Fry's Electronics and I already threw away the box (stupid I know), so I can't return it anymore even if it has a 30 day return policy.. So I just got off the phone with a friend and he's considering to buy my desktop..

Quote:

Originally Posted by CDsDontBurn

well...as far as upgrading video cards, you'll be limited to PCI (not PCI-E) video cards. And as far as performance vs. a 7800GTX, it's like comparing a tricycle against a corvette

Ah... that really really sucks. I guess I'm gonna have to sell this desktop then..

This is so annoying

HawgsHead · Jul 24, 2005, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buck4nothing

Thanks for your advice. Though unfortunately I bought my computer at Fry's Electronics and I already threw away the box (stupid I know), so I can't return it anymore even if it has a 30 day return policy.. So I just got off the phone with a friend and he's considering to buy my desktop..

Ah... that really really sucks. I guess I'm gonna have to sell this desktop then..

This is so annoying

Everyone makes mistakes...Hey,I was buying Alienware computers for $4000-$5000 apiece before I found out how fairly simple it is to build it youreself.as I said,the guys here really helped me alot.And I guess I was wrong about the motherboard you have.{These 44 year old eyes are fading away}You can add a GFX card to it.So you can upgrade if you dont sell the rig.You can get an nVIDIA 6800 ULTRA...thats what i'm running in my Shark rig.It's a great card too.

HawgsHead · Jul 24, 2005, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawgsHead

Everyone makes mistakes...Hey,I was buying Alienware computers for $4000-$5000 apiece before I found out how fairly simple it is to build it youreself.as I said,the guys here really helped me alot.And I guess I was wrong about the motherboard you have.{These 44 year old eyes are fading away}You can add a GFX card to it.So you can upgrade if you dont sell the rig.You can get an nVIDIA 6800 ULTRA...thats what i'm running in my Shark rig.It's a great card too.

What model is youre HP?????I was tring to look it up on the HP website but 820n doesnt come up....?????

buck4nothing · Jul 24, 2005, 02:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawgsHead

What model is youre HP?????I was tring to look it up on the HP website but 820n doesnt come up....?????

The model is HP Pavilion a820n

Quote:

Everyone makes mistakes...Hey,I was buying Alienware computers for $4000-$5000 apiece before I found out how fairly simple it is to build it youreself.as I said,the guys here really helped me alot.And I guess I was wrong about the motherboard you have.{These 44 year old eyes are fading away}You can add a GFX card to it.So you can upgrade if you dont sell the rig.You can get an nVIDIA 6800 ULTRA...thats what i'm running in my Shark rig.It's a great card too.

Ah.. Alienware. I heard that they're really a ripoff and the only reason why people buy it is because of the case it has.

Necrosis · Jul 24, 2005, 02:15 AM

If you really want to upgrade to a 7800GTX w/o buying a whole new computer you do have an option. You can purchase a new motherboard. However, I'm not sure if there will be enough clearance to install a video card in reference to the expansion slots in the case. Worst case scenario you have to buy a motherboard, ram, case, and a new power supply. Of course plus the cost of the new video card.