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Replacing VGA card / maybe other stuff

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First post, by Kitty Trouble

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Current info found in system information, I don't feel like opening it up right now for more specifics unless I need to

GenuineIntel x86 Family 5 Model 2 Stepping 12 (This is what device
Pentium-S 133 MHz
10 MB RAM
Windows 98 SE / DOS

Current VGA card: trident 9685/9680/9682/9385/9382/9385-1

The primary things I use this computer for are DOS games, but I do sometimes play DOS games in windows mode when I have issues (such as Fate of Atlantis crash issue that I can't solve) and I also want to use it for early windows games too, like some games in adventure game studio and adventure games, though I did have trouble running Escape from Monkey Island and probably all 3d games. It also requires 233 cpu I think, which CPU can't be easily upgraded, so I'll probably struggle with a lot of games like this...

I want to replace my VGA card because sometimes the connection flickers and it's super annoying and I think it's probably time to replace it. What should I be looking for in a graphics card? I don't want to break the bank, but I did do some doordashing today so that I could afford something actually decent and not go for absolutely cheapest ever. (i.e. I had $20 before I have a little over $100 now.)

i see these 2 https://www.ebay.com/itm/276808652128 https://www.ebay.com/itm/387365811035 both of them okay? idk what i'm looking for besides digging up old forum posts

I don't think even if I upgraded my video card to something that supported 3d games that the computer would be able to handle them anyways, yeah? But I do have an XP machine that can do that. Is it worth upgrading the RAM at all or is 10 MB enough?

Reply 1 of 3, by Horun

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If you do not want to open the case, you should run an app that at least gives better info like HWiNFO. Would be nice to know the exact motherboard, exact video card and it's ram....
And Yes upgrade the ram to at least 32MB....

Hate posting a reply and then have to edit it because it made no sense 😁 First computer was an IBM 3270 workstation with CGA monitor. Stuff: https://archive.org/details/@horun

Reply 2 of 3, by Cosmic

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> I want to replace my VGA card because sometimes the connection flickers and it's super annoying and I think it's probably time to replace it.

It might be a bad VGA card, but before tossing it aside, you could try applying Deoxit to the sockets and inserting the card repeatedly to hopefully destroy any oxidiation and restore good functioning.

Otherwise there are lots of good VGA ISA cards out there - just try to avoid getting scalped with high price. Sit and wait until the card you want is available for a reasonable price

UMC UM8498: DX2-66 SX955 WB | 32MB FPM | GD5426 VLB | Win3.1/95
MVP3: 600MHz K6-III+ | 256MB SDRAM | MX440 AGP | 98SE/NT4
440BX: 1300MHz P!!!-S SL5XL | 384MB ECC Reg | Quadro FX500 AGP | XP SP3

Reply 3 of 3, by Kitty Trouble

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Horun wrote on 2025-01-28, 03:17:

If you do not want to open the case, you should run an app that at least gives better info like HWiNFO. Would be nice to know the exact motherboard, exact video card and it's ram....
And Yes upgrade the ram to at least 32MB....

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13yIUvDQV_665 … iew?usp=sharing

Tried to get relevant info

CPU
Intel Pentium-133
350 nm
cC0 / mcC0 (P54LM-VRT) / aC0 (P54CT)
P54C
Socket 7 (PGA-321)
Core 1/1
Cache L1 8 + 8
L2 no
L3 no

Motherboard
Azza PT-5IVH
Intel 82430VX (Triton III) + PIIX3
BIOS date 05/28/97

Memory 16 MB
EDO
1.00 x 0.0 MHz
Single Channel
When I click on memory in the other screen, it shows Row: 0 - 8 MB EDO, Row: 1 - 8 MB EDO, and the rest empty
not sure why other screens are telling me 10 mb instead of 16...

GPU
Trident TGUI9680
PCI
1 MB DRAM

Microsoft Windows 98SE

Active clock 133.3 mhz

> I want to replace my VGA card because sometimes the connection flickers and it's super annoying and I think it's probably time to replace it.

It might be a bad VGA card, but before tossing it aside, you could try applying Deoxit to the sockets and inserting the card repeatedly to hopefully destroy any oxidiation and restore good functioning.

Otherwise there are lots of good VGA ISA cards out there - just try to avoid getting scalped with high price. Sit and wait until the card you want is available for a reasonable price

Yes... but I know nothing about them besides what google/chatgpt tell me. I've tried inserting taking the card out and even moving it to a different PCI port, so far nothing has helped... I haven't cleaned any of it yet because I don't have the alcohol handy but it doesn't seem dirty at all. Basically I want recommendations and if the 2 ebay links I showed are decent, or if not, other recommendations...

I read that 133 CPU would be a waste to try and get any sort of 3d video on, so if that's the case. I'd rather not waste money on it...

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