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

[Orangeman]

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]

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]

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]

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

Orangeman

[jaeger]

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]

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

Orangeman

[Orangeman]

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]

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]

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