Integrated Video and Audio

[Spookster]

I have been looking at Dell computers on Ebay. Most all have Integrated video and audio. When they say "Integrated" does that mean it is onboard or built-in so that I cannot install a better video and audio card?

[oracleguy]

It means it is on the motherboard. Some motherboards that have onboard video will have an agp slot for upgrading the video and of course you can always stick a new sound card in a PCI slot.

Just depends on the board, if it is a micro ATX motherboard then it most likely will not have an AGP slot.

[Spookster]

Thanks. That's what I was figuring. There should be a law against integrated/onboard audio and video.

[oracleguy]

I dunno if I'd say that, there are practical uses for it. A couple years back I built a computer using an nForce chipset that had everything on board for my grandma to write emails on. Works great. The entire system cost less than 500 bucks for me to build.

[Celtboy]

i recently bought a dell 4600....i'm ashamed. it's the first computer I didn't build myself....but it came in the mail...and i didn't have the heart to send it back...long story...

anyway, only reason I didn't send it back (well, one of 'em) was because of the AGP slot. I refuse to have a system w/o an AGP slot. oh wait, I forgot...my mom bought me a Gateway way back when...integrated video. NO UPGRADE. It sucked.

nforce chipset rocks. just get a board with the agp slot. nforce = 1 driver = everything works. tis great.

[jkd]

Yeah, my current computer is a Duron 1ghz running out of an MSI 420N nForce motherboard (nForce, not nForce II mind you). Really excellent stuff, though getting everything perfect under Linux has always been fun....

[Spookster]

I used to get into building my own computers alot but I haven't done that in several years so I am out of the loop on the latest and greatest components and what goes with what. Normally now I just go to Gateway or Dell and buy my new computers as it is easier and I can usually get everything I need. Now I am just kind of looking around for a couple of extra computers for tinkering. There are a lot of great deals to be found on ebay when it comes to refubished dells. Unfortunately most of them have integrated video and audio with no upgrade options. More than likely they use to be office computers.

[Celtboy]

check out http://www.compgeeks.com/ as well. They've usually got some great deals.

That's why I liked the 4600 (dimension) so much- integrated video AND the AGP slot for upgrades!

[sage45]

Just make sure that when you do purchase a pre-manufactured computer that you get a tower or standard destop model and not the small footprint or small form factor model...

-sage-

[Spookster]

Originally posted by sage45
Just make sure that when you do purchase a pre-manufactured computer that you get a tower or standard destop model and not the small footprint or small form factor model...

-sage-

footprint? form factor? :) What language are you speakin in man? :D

My attempted translation of that would be get a tower big enough to put stuff in?

[oracleguy]

Originally posted by Spookster
footprint? form factor? :) What language are you speakin in man? :D

My attempted translation of that would be get a tower big enough to put stuff in?

What spook, you don't remember writing it? Maybe you should have one of your alternate personalities look for the computer. ;)

[sage45]

Originally posted by Spookster
footprint? form factor? :) What language are you speakin in man? :D

My attempted translation of that would be get a tower big enough to put stuff in?

I knew you could figure it out Spook... ;)

But just to answer, the footprint I am refering to is the size of the case... Small footprint and small form factor cases are generally the cases that will not accomodate a standard height PCI or AGP card... To make up for this shortcomming they use a riser card.

-sage-

[Spookster]

Maybe they could add a multiple personality feature in VBulletin. This logging in and out business is killing me.

I'll probably never get one on ebay. Stupid snipers keep snatching up the puters at the last minute. Maybe I will get 2 or 3 if I can and just scrap two for parts and put together a monster machine.

[scroots]

Spookster, there is a service i think it is bid napper and you set it up and it will place a bid in the final stage of the action (ie a few mins/seconds before the auction ends).

scroots

[Spookster]

Originally posted by scroots
Spookster, there is a service i think it is bid napper and you set it up and it will place a bid in the final stage of the action (ie a few mins/seconds before the auction ends).

scroots

Ebay has a feature too where I can enter in how much I am willing to spend and it will increment up to that max amount if someone bids against me. Unfortunately these snipers are willing to spend just a few dollars more than my max bid.