New Graphics and Sound for Presario?

[JordanSummers]

I have a new Presario 7478 w/ 533MHz and 192MB RAM. Of that, 8MB are taken for the On-board Video.
I don't like the sound and I don't like the graphics that much. I'm not a high-end gamer or listener, I just think there's more than I'm getting.
Two questions:
Can I add a separate video/graphics card (I have open PCI slots)?
What will I get/ what should I look for with a sound card?

I know these are really basic questions, but my use for the last ten years has been strictly business and I haven't been generally impressed with the sound or graphics out of the basic systems I've had.

Thanks for the help.

[Obsolete]

For video you are pretty much screwed to be honest.

Sound i would suggest a Soundblaster Live Value

[Warthog]

Your sound and video are both onboard?

Warthog

[Mykex]

After dealing with Compaq onboard sound and vid you can upgrade both, but you will have to find the instructions though Compaq for disabling the oboard stuff. In my personal opinion you will be able to get better sound and vid from adding PCI cards but,you will always be held back slightly from getting full performance from them.I would definatly look into Compaq's sofpaqs and see if there is some added boost or fixes there to get better performance from what you have though.

[JordanSummers]

Both video and sound are on board. The video uses 8MB of my RAM. I don't know if sound has any impact, it just isn't good.
I'll contact Compaq about updates.

I was afraid I hadn't done as good a deal asif I had built my own.

Thanks.

[Warthog]

I was afraid I hadn't done as good a deal asif I had built my own.

hehe...no way, man http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

How old is your computer? You could always get a new one....that's what I did when I discovered my (Dell budget) computer sucked. I bought a much better Dell in August, only to find out that I (if I didn't want to build) I could have bought from a small manufacterer (in link) and gotten a MUCH MUCH MUCH better system http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

At this place, I could've bought a better system for HALF the price I that I bought the Dell at. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif
http://www.cyberpowersystem.com/

Warthog

[Mykex]

There are listed updates for both your Trident video and ESS sound here http://web14.compaq.com/falco/sp_list.asp?action=drivers&model_number=7478&cat=Desktop Along with quite a few others. Myself I am very anti Compaq through a bad experience, but my best advice is dont throw a bunch of money at it. Just try to enjoy it as much as you can until you really need to purchase a new PC. Just a jaded opinion so take it w/a grain of salt. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by Mykex (edited 12-08-2000).]