64mb On board memory vs 16mb external

  • Thread starter Thread starter Adam
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A

Adam

Hi,
I have an Everex Explora RS2800, I currently have the standard video card
that came with the system that shares 64mb of my 256mb of ram in the system.
Would it be wise to install an external video card with 16mb of ram? both
are agp, I dont play games a lot, usually just browse the net and chat in
newsgroups.

thanks
 
IMHO, Since you are not running "high end" applications the 16 MB video card
would probably work OK. I would install the video card (read the
instructions on installing a video card on your system's web site or manual
since some but not all systems will automatically turn off the onboard video
when an external is installed).

The reasoning for my opinion is this, 256 MB is minimal for quick response
with XP. When you take the 64 MB video out of the 256 MB you are getting
closer to the minimum amount of RAM that XP will work with.

If you haven't bought the card yet, you can possibly get an almost immediate
speed boost by lowering the amount of ram used by the onboard video.
Normally set in the bios you should be able to decrease the 64 MB down to 16
MB. Again, read the manual for your system.
 
Hi,
I have an Everex Explora RS2800, I currently have the standard video card
that came with the system that shares 64mb of my 256mb of ram in the system.
Would it be wise to install an external video card with 16mb of ram? both
are agp, I dont play games a lot, usually just browse the net and chat in
newsgroups.

thanks
Click to expand...

Most newer AGP video card have 128MB of RAM built into them. By getting a
16MB (if they still exist new) will be going to a "small" video memory portion
(than 64 MB), the external memory on the video card will be better since you
have more RAM for programs.
 
I tried lowering the shared memory, but it still seems to drag a little.
The 16mb card is only costing me 10 bucks so I'm not really out a whole lot
by trying it.
 
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