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    Compatibility questions

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Ardroth, Mar 14, 2008.

  1. Ardroth

    Ardroth Notebook Consultant

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    I'm trying to discover whether my system is compatible with a specific recording interface I'm considering purchasing. How do I determine the following:

    -Whether my motherboard contains SiS (Silicon Integrated Systems) chipset
    (currently Intel 945GM express). I currently have PC wizard installed... but I can't find ANYWHERE if I have this "SiS chipset".

    -Whether I have a Dedicated video/graphics card (I can't figure out how to do this... I've been trying now for like an hour).
    NOT supported = integrated (i.e. northbridge-based), PCI or PCIx based
    All I could find was this:
    "NVIDIA GeForce Go 7400, 128 MB Dedicated + 128 MB Shared"
    Is that cool? I'm just making sure.

    -My processor is 1.66Ghz... The lowest I've seen for processor support is Intel core 2 duo with 1.83Ghz. Can I boost that somehow?! I'm not too knowledgeable on this stuff yet (as you can tell).

    -I'd like to upgrade my sound card for mobile purposes (editing/listening audio). Currently it says "conexant high definition audio"... can this be upgraded to something "better"? I was looking at Creative Soundblaster X-fi Extreme (I have no idea what this is... but is sounds cool).

    Thanks!
     
    Ardroth, Mar 14, 2008
    #1
  2. adinu

    adinu I pwn teh n00bs.

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    1) if you know you have an Intel 945GM express, how can you have a SiS chipset at the same time?

    2) it says it right there:
    You have a dedicated card that also supports shared ram.

    3) no you can't, except if you buy a faster cpu and put it in there

    4) you can't upgrade your internal card, but you can get an external one (USB or ExpressCard). How about to google "creative soundblaster x-fi extreme" and see what you get...
     
    adinu, Mar 14, 2008
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  3. Ardroth

    Ardroth Notebook Consultant

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    Haha... dude, I have no idea what SiS even means. I just saw "not supported: SiS!" and I looked all over to see if I had that or not. I guess I'm clear.

    So for faster processor, you must buy faster processor? Simple enough. But most likely expensive... so I'll either just tough it out, or skip this interface.

    I found the "driver" (self installation) for the Soundblaster X-fi card from the creative website. What exactly is this for? Is this the driver for the external card?
     
    Ardroth, Mar 14, 2008
    #3
  4. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    I'm sure there's a way to software-overclock the processor, but it's definitely not anything I would do in a notebook. The driver you downloaded is indeed probably the driver for the card, but the driver itself won't do much unless you have the physical card itself...
     
    Commander Wolf, Mar 14, 2008
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  5. Ardroth

    Ardroth Notebook Consultant

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    Got it. I'm doing some research now and looking at some Express Cards (I have an express card slot on my machine).
     
    Ardroth, Mar 14, 2008
    #5