How Do I Tell If A Graphics Card Is Compatible With My Pc

[Paskra]

Hi there everybody, I'm interested in picking up a NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT, however before I purchase it I want to make sure that my computer is compatible with this graphics card, but I'm not sure how to tell if its compatible or not, and if it's not how do I make it compatible? I probably should post some stuff about my computer, but I'm not exactly sure what to post... so if you could point me in the right direction that would be great.

 

Thanks alot.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Hello Paskra

 

Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help

 

Well the make and exact model along with CPU size and the amount of memory you have would help us.

 

Regarding the operating system do you have the pc icon on the desk top and does it say My Computer or just Computer?

 

Does your desktop look similar to this http://rbonini.files.wordpress.com/2006/06/startmenu.JPG

 

or this

 

http://www.guidebookgallery.org/pics/gui/startupshutdown/login/winxppro.png

[Paskra]

The first one, my computer is a Vista - Home Premium.

 

Also, here's my basic computer information;

 

Manufacturer: Gateway

 

Model: GT5092b

 

Processor: Intel® Core2 Quad CPU Q6600 @2.40GHz 2.39GHz

 

Memory (RAM): 2.00GB

 

System type: 32-bit Operating System

Edited September 27, 2008 by Paskra

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Ok it would be appreciated if you would be patient until our resident component expert gets online to advise you further on this matter.

 

Would you be wanting to use the card for gaming etc?

[Paskra]

Yes, gaming is mostly what I had in mind.

 

And as for the waiting, I don't mind.

 

Thanks for the help so far.

[JEBWrench]

What genre of games are you interested in? The graphics card you'll need will be very dependent on that.

 

The machine you have supports PCIe upgrade, which as far as I know is still the standard, however you won't be able to use SLI or Crossfire technology, as from what I can gather, it's only got one of such slots for upgrade.

 

So, to get top-notch performance, you're going to have to pay for a single powerful card. As opposed to combining mid-range cards a la Voltron.

[Dalo Harkin]

Your mobo will support the 9600GT - what came with it as the Q6600 is a very powerful processor and I imagine something more powerful than a 9600GT was in with it in the first place :confused:

[JEBWrench]

Intel integrated chipset (though I can't rememcall which particular one) - which I'm fairly certain does not support Hardware Transform and Lighting, which are requirements for many modern games.

[Dalo Harkin]

Anything socket 775 will support a GPU that has T&L