(OT) Monitors and graphics cards

[neg]

I am thinking of buying a new hard drive instead of a whole new computer. I figured if I could use my existing monitor with my new hard drive, and save some money at the same time.

Here is my concern. Being a non-computer guy as it is, will it be difficult to get my existing monitor and new hard drive to "talk" to each other? I currently own a Dell system, so I might have software for the monitor somewhere. Should I have software somewhere that I can load on the new hard drive?

Final question to the technically patient. Any suggestions on good (not necessarily top of the line) graphics cards? Who are the top contenders and what is the price range?

I was thinking of getting the hard drive from Alienware or something like that.

Any help would be wonderful. Thanks folks.

-Neg

 

[neg]

Oh hey! Did know there was a separate forum for this! Cool and sorry for the etiquette error!

-Neg

 

[gariig]

Should I have software somewhere that I can load on the new hard drive?

Are you replacing your old hard drive or just putting a new one in? If you are replacing the hard drive you will need to reinstall your operating system(windows). I would suggest just adding the hard drive in as extra storage and keeping your old one as the one with your operating system on it.

Any suggestions on good (not necessarily top of the line) graphics cards?

Are you also upgrading your video card, too? If you are, I would talk one of your Techie friends into coming over for a few minutes to check out the feasability of this. Also, what do you plan to do with your new video card? Is it for gaming, graphics editing, movie/3D model rendering?

I was thinking of getting the hard drive from Alienware or something like that.

If Alienware does sell hard drives they will charge an arm and a leg for them. I would check your local paper to see if Best Buy, CompUSA, Circuit City, Fry's, Microcenter, or other local computer discount chain is having a sell. Also, New Egg and Google Gear probably have the best prices around and the cheapest shipping. If you are in California I think both charge sales tax, bummer.

Gariig
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[Heartless]

You might also try Pricewatch. It's a wildly popular site that lists the lowest prices available on a lot of computer hardware out there.

 

[jdavis]

Adding a hard drive should be no problem, I don't know anything about your computer but I bet the best place to start would be the Dell website, there should be plenty of information there. Alienware sells full systems, I don't know if they even sell separate parts. Pricewatch is a good place to start but heck just head to the local Circuit City/ Best Buys/ Office Depot to get some prices to start with. Compare them with what you see at pricewatch and go from there. Heck you might be able to get a good deal from Wal Mart. A monitor is a monitor, they haven't changed all that much in the last several years (unless you want a flat panel). You should have a Dell system disk that came with your computer that will let you do a complete reinstall. It is a pain in the butt, and you are starting from scratch, part of the reason it is better to add a second hard drive rather than replacing the one you have.

The video card is a different problem entirely, you have to know if your computer has a AGP slot and what speed it is (that depends on how old the computer is), or if it has graphics on the motherboard. Dell can tell you what you need to know.

http://www6.tomshardware.com/
A good place to read up on computer hardware, has some good how to articles too.

http://www.ubid.com/cat/get_cat_page.asp?CatID=0&Pg=0
a decent place to get stuff if you don't mind bidding.

http://www.tcwo.com/
one of many good computer parts sites. (I could list tons of sites just make sure that any you order from online have a good record.)

 

[bondetamp]

I am thinking of buying a new hard drive instead of a whole new computer. I figured if I could use my existing monitor with my new hard drive, and save some money at the same time.

Just to make sure:

When you say hard drive, are you in fact talking about the whole computer minus the monitor?

It's just that I've seen that mistake done by others.