Lost some speed when I added a WRAM PCI Card to my SDRAM System

Orangeman · November 16th, 2001, 03:39 PM

I recently had a RAM upgrade from 32mb to 256. My computer was running twice as fast as it did before. I am using SDRAM.

Recently I added a PCI card with 4mb of WRAM for video. I had to disable my onboard video card to do it but it was only using 2mb of RAM so I can out ahead.

Anyway, now my computer is not running as fast as it used to, I have definitely lost some speed since I added the PCI card.

Does anyone have any suggestions, other than take out the PCI card? Is this some kind of conflict between WRAM and SDRAM?

jaeger · November 16th, 2001, 03:55 PM

Orange could be several things. First, the onboard vid was probably using a portion of your main system RAM, so going from using system ram to using the vid cards ram would account for some speed loss. Second, the onboard vid probably used a 2x AGP interface which is faster than PCI. Third, you probably have a crappy video card. If you could post what kind of vid card you have, it would be helpful.

Orangeman · November 16th, 2001, 04:59 PM

Thanks Jaeger,

The video card, PCI, not AGP, is a Matrox Millenium PCI. I It was manufactured in 1996. I this the reason?

My system was designed around the same time as the card. I have a P233 Gateway2000, with 4G HD. It was designed in March of 1997.

Orangeman

Orangeman · November 16th, 2001, 05:01 PM

-Also, I should add that my system was designed before AGP came out. I don't have AGP capability on my system.

Orangeman

jaeger · November 16th, 2001, 06:16 PM

Ok my mistake about the AGP bit. I tend to assume that peoples hardware is a bit newer. Considering the age of your system my first and second suggestions don't apply. However, the Millenium is not a good video card. If you can't afford a new card, keep the resolution at 800x600, 16-bit color, and no desktop wallpaper. You should notice a increase in speed. Also, check to make sure you have the latest drivers here <a href="http://www.matrox.com/mga/support/drivers/unified/home.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.matrox.com/mga/support/drivers/unified/home.cfm</a>

A Voodoo3 would make a good upgrade video card for that system.

Orangeman · November 16th, 2001, 07:01 PM

Can I use 16bit high color instead of 16 bit color?

Orangeman

Orangeman · November 17th, 2001, 05:49 AM

Actually I've decided to keep my PCI card, crappy as it is. It does add 4mb of video ram which makes for a clearer picture. Second it cost me zero dollars to buy. I got it in a deal during a garage sale.

Thanks anyway,

Orange.

*Platypus* · November 17th, 2001, 02:48 PM

To answer your original question, the WRAM will give you slower video than SDRAM, WRAM is Windowed Ram, which is EDO memory "double ported", which means it can be written to and read from at the same time. This speeds up video functions, but as EDO memory is already much slower than SDRAM, it doesn't improve matters by much.

You should find your screen image clarity good with the Matrox, which will probably justify your decision to keep it for now. Other cards like the Voodoo will be faster, but Matrox is hard to beat for image quality.

Orangeman · November 17th, 2001, 04:01 PM

Thanks Platypus,

Actually, I do plan to upgrade. I'm just waiting for the prices to fall after the Holidays. (and after the Recession is in full swing)

Orangeman

November 16th, 2001, 03:39 PM	#1
Orangeman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Sunny Tacoma, WA Posts: 3,535	Lost some speed when I added a WRAM PCI Card to my SDRAM System I recently had a RAM upgrade from 32mb to 256. My computer was running twice as fast as it did before. I am using SDRAM. Recently I added a PCI card with 4mb of WRAM for video. I had to disable my onboard video card to do it but it was only using 2mb of RAM so I can out ahead. Anyway, now my computer is not running as fast as it used to, I have definitely lost some speed since I added the PCI card. Does anyone have any suggestions, other than take out the PCI card? Is this some kind of conflict between WRAM and SDRAM? __________________ Bouncy Bouncy

November 16th, 2001, 03:55 PM	#2
jaeger Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,491	Orange could be several things. First, the onboard vid was probably using a portion of your main system RAM, so going from using system ram to using the vid cards ram would account for some speed loss. Second, the onboard vid probably used a 2x AGP interface which is faster than PCI. Third, you probably have a crappy video card. If you could post what kind of vid card you have, it would be helpful. __________________ "The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair." The Hitchikers Guide to the Universe - Mostly Harmless - Douglas Adams

November 16th, 2001, 04:59 PM	#3
Orangeman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Sunny Tacoma, WA Posts: 3,535	Thanks Jaeger, The video card, PCI, not AGP, is a Matrox Millenium PCI. I It was manufactured in 1996. I this the reason? My system was designed around the same time as the card. I have a P233 Gateway2000, with 4G HD. It was designed in March of 1997. Orangeman __________________ Bouncy Bouncy

November 16th, 2001, 05:01 PM	#4
Orangeman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Sunny Tacoma, WA Posts: 3,535	-Also, I should add that my system was designed before AGP came out. I don't have AGP capability on my system. Orangeman __________________ Bouncy Bouncy

November 16th, 2001, 06:16 PM	#5
jaeger Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,491	Ok my mistake about the AGP bit. I tend to assume that peoples hardware is a bit newer. Considering the age of your system my first and second suggestions don't apply. However, the Millenium is not a good video card. If you can't afford a new card, keep the resolution at 800x600, 16-bit color, and no desktop wallpaper. You should notice a increase in speed. Also, check to make sure you have the latest drivers here <a href="http://www.matrox.com/mga/support/drivers/unified/home.cfm" target="_blank">http://www.matrox.com/mga/support/drivers/unified/home.cfm</a> A Voodoo3 would make a good upgrade video card for that system. __________________ "The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair." The Hitchikers Guide to the Universe - Mostly Harmless - Douglas Adams

November 16th, 2001, 07:01 PM	#6
Orangeman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Sunny Tacoma, WA Posts: 3,535	Can I use 16bit high color instead of 16 bit color? Orangeman __________________ Bouncy Bouncy

November 17th, 2001, 05:49 AM	#7
Orangeman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Sunny Tacoma, WA Posts: 3,535	Actually I've decided to keep my PCI card, crappy as it is. It does add 4mb of video ram which makes for a clearer picture. Second it cost me zero dollars to buy. I got it in a deal during a garage sale. Thanks anyway, Orange. __________________ Bouncy Bouncy

November 17th, 2001, 02:48 PM	#8
Platypus Intel Mod Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Australia Posts: 5,471	To answer your original question, the WRAM will give you slower video than SDRAM, WRAM is Windowed Ram, which is EDO memory "double ported", which means it can be written to and read from at the same time. This speeds up video functions, but as EDO memory is already much slower than SDRAM, it doesn't improve matters by much. You should find your screen image clarity good with the Matrox, which will probably justify your decision to keep it for now. Other cards like the Voodoo will be faster, but Matrox is hard to beat for image quality. __________________ Pleased to have been a Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) 2007/8, 2008/9 I like honey, but apart from that I'm harmless.

November 17th, 2001, 04:01 PM	#9
Orangeman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Sunny Tacoma, WA Posts: 3,535	Thanks Platypus, Actually, I do plan to upgrade. I'm just waiting for the prices to fall after the Holidays. (and after the Recession is in full swing) Orangeman __________________ Bouncy Bouncy

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