Upgrading the bits in a Shuttle P8100G (SB81p base unit)

[angusmcr]

Hello, I find myself a little out of my depth in choosing upgrade components for my Shuttle XPC. I want to upgrade my graphics card form an ATI x600 Pro 256Mb to the fastest graphics card that will fit and run on this system with out taking out a mortgage.

present system
Shuttle xpc p8100G which is the system based on the sb81p base unit.
p4 3.2 Prescott 1024mb DDR400
250gb sta
Graphics card ATI x600 Pro256Mb
Windows xp

The compatibility list for graphic cards is at

is avialable at shuttle sit but i can't post a url yet

I keep going round in circles and i been at it for months i just don't know enough about graphic cards to pick the correct one can any one help.

If i have a PCI Express based mother board will any PCIe card run on that board or is there only certain cards that a will run.

confused
Angus

[kalniel]

You might be pushed for a double slot card, so try and look for single slot ones.

I'd recommend the x1950pro - darn fast card, single slot versions available (look for the sapphire ones).

[angusmcr]

i have been looking at the x1950pro, but was confused by the compatibility list, which didn't mention it. You would think they would test the x1950pro being such a popular card.

Just so i can understand can some one tell me

Will any pci express graphic card work on a pci express mother board or will there be differing compatibility?

Will i have a wattage problem if i only have a 350W psu?

thanks again Angus

[kalniel]

Well there are several different versions - dual slot ones may not be compatible, and it could just be too new a card to be listed.

Wattage isn't going to be a problem with this card, it's quite efficient, however you do still need a seperate PCI-E cable for the graphics card coming from your power supply.

All PCI-E cards work on all motherboards that have a PCI-E graphics slot, as long as your powersupply is correct (in this case just needs to have a PCI-E cable), however space constraints often mean that you are restricted to a single slot design, which the Sapphire one is, but the HIS and ASUS ones aren't.

[angusmcr]

That's cleared up the bit of information i was missing, thank you very much.

It all a little less confusing now. I think every thing I've read has just assumed that i should have known that and now i do =)