I'm confused about what type of video card I have.?

Question

I'm running on a cruddy old Emachines Media Center PC, T3096. The card is a Nvidia GeForce4 Mx Integrated.

When I open the display and click on the adapter properties, it says I have a PCI card. But then, when I go to the Nvidia Geforce menu or w/e it's called, it says "Bus: AGP 4x"

So I'm confused as to which type of video card I should buy. I have about $120 to work with. Please help!

Answer 1

Your motherboard has an 8x AGP slot. And yes, onboard video has to use a graphics bus. How else would it communicate with the processor and system memory?? Here's a working link to your system specs: http://www.shopcartusa.com/P_EMachines_T3096_T3096/View_Specs/

With only a 2.1 Ghz Athlon XP processor, and a (still) empty AGP slot, I'd recommend just buying another computer. Even a new computers' onboard graphics will be much, much faster than what you have now, AND it will come with a PCI-E slot.

Answer 2

Open the side of your case and look at the card to see what your options are.
A PCI slot is about 6 inches long and comes close to the end of the case. A AGP slot is shorter and is more in the middle.
If you have a AGP slot on your motherboard you should buy that type of card Scroll down on the link I've included and check the picture to identify the slots

Answer 3

If it is integrated then it isn't actually using a bus. Look at the motherboard and look at pictures of the different types of buses to see what kind you have. If it is PCI, you need a new computer. If it is agp, you're ok but not great. If it is pci express x8 or higher, then hooray. Go on newegg.com and look at cards in your pric range. And just so you know, 512mb cards suck (they are a gimmick/n00b bait) unless they cost over $200. Get a 256mb card. And higher numbers in the name are better. You want something in the Radeon X1K series or maybe Geforce 7, although I prefer Radeon for DX9 cards. Also, what are your other specs (processor and RAM)

Answer 4

specs

http://www.e4me.com/support/product_support.html?cat=Desktops&subcat=T-Series&model=T3096

You *do* have integrated graphics.

It *appears* that you have only PCI slots in your system (not PCI e). This limits your video board selection. With these older boards

http://computers.pricegrabber.com/video-cards/p/5/popup2%5B%5D=2:596/qlty=n/popup3%5B%5D=340:371/sortby=priceA

I am only familiar with nVidia. Generally, the higher the number, the faster the board.

http://computers.pricegrabber.com/video-cards/m/2429591/qlty=n

http://computers.pricegrabber.com/video-cards/m/47800561/qlty=n

The 2nd choice has a faster GPU and twice the memory, so seems much the better deal.

I recommend contacting eMachines and *making certain* that the only adaptor slots in your system are PCI slots. IF you have a PCIe slot or an AGP slot, you may have to look at different video cards.

Jim, http://www.life-after-harry-potter.com

Answer 5

You'll have to open 'er up and look inside for the graphics slots. You can't tell from the existing one because the existing one is integrated (i.e. it is NOT using a slot!)