Hello,
You're right, it is very confusing.
A "GPU" (graphical processing unit) usually refers to only the video card, or the video chip on the motherboard (for computers that have "integrated" video)
nVidia is a well known brand name in the production of video cards and video chips.
In the computer that you are looking at (an Acer Aspire x1420), it appears that nVidia supplied the whole motherboard, hence the discussions you found on eHow as to the memory, ethernet, etc.
Normally those topics do not concern the GPU, nor are affected by it, but the eHow articles seem to be addressing the motherboard in total, not just the GPU chip.
I think the articles on eHow are a bit poorly written in that respect.
If one goes to the Acer website, and looks in the Support section, we can get some information.
1) The computer only comes with various versions of Windows 7, 32 bit.
No mention of 64 bit is listed in the Driver Download area, so we can assume that this computer is not fully compatible with Windows 7 64 bit.
This, however, is not something that should concern you. Windows 7 32 bit is just fine for all the things you want to do. I'm typing on my main computer right now and it has had Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit installed and running fine from the day Windows 7 came on the market.
2) The computer comes with DDR3 memory, which is just fine. Ignore the comments about DDR2, as they pertain to certain older versions of this model that came with AMD AM2 CPU chips, and will not affect you in anyway.
The motherboard (not the "GPU") comes with an AMD X3 cpu and DDR3 memory, which will work just fine.
3) You can ignore the comments that you read from "gamers" ... they are simply saying that this is a more basic computer that doesn't run their fancy high-end games.
But you said that you are not a "gamer" ... this computer will be just fine, and fast enough, for the things that you said you do.
3) I am concerned that this is an older model, but then, that's why the price is lower. Make sure you are buying it new, not refurbished or reboxed (returned by somebody else), so that you get the full manufacturer warranty.
4) Whether this can display a full 1920 x 1080 resolution I cannot tell. It should.
The best way to be sure would be to try a working model in the store. In Win 7, you can go to Control Panel, Display and then look in the left margin. There should be a link to "Adjust resolution".
On the Screen Resolution page, there is a drop downl menu called "Resolution". In that menu you will see all the resolutions available. The highest one is the most telling ... you want it to be at least as high as your monitor's highest res, and also a wide format.
It may even be higher than 1920x1080, so you can scroll the selector up and down to see if you can find the resolution you want.
5) Also, you can ignore the part about HD video playback. This refers to full screen playback, at a resolution of 1024 x 720 or higher. The "720" is the key, which is the minimum vertical resolution to be considered "HD"
But you won't be playing your YouTube videos full screen, so don't worry about it.
What this computer won't do is play back a BluRay movie at full screen. (as best I can tell)
6) I believe this computer could take a video card, if you ever decided that you wanted to run full screen HD video. There are cards called "low profile" which are designed to fit into the low height cases like this one.
All in all, this computer should do everything that you said you want to do, in which case you may find that it's perfect for you.
rogerX
--- In simplycomputers2@yahoogroups.com, "Sue" <whichsue@...> wrote:
>
> I have been thinking about buying this computer for weeks. It keeps getting cheaper and something keeps me from buying it. Am a BIG believer in ESP and so kept researching all the components in the box. They are not selling, hence the constant sales. This week it is $70.00 off and for $328.86 Canadian sounds like a good deal. But the Video GPU on the motherboard seems to be a bit strange... The box is too small to install a separate card and I have found comments from gamers about it's limitations and fails. Below I have added the systems specs and two write ups from a UK based site about the GPU.
>
> Please explain to me if this would fully support my new, Acer S230HL bd 23" widescreen monitor that wants 1920 X 1080 resolution. It is a HD monitor and can use either HDMI or VGA cable. Current XP system doesn't have that resolution so everything is stretched wide - no wide resolution settings currently available to me on my XP system.
>
> The computer has DDR3 Ram, but the write up seems to say the GPU supports DDR2 Ram, no mention of DDR3. Write up also says it doesn't support HD video playback, mentions 32bit but not 64bit. All the other computers for sale now have 64 bit Windows7 installed.
>
> See my confusion? Am I right in thinking the GPU is the weak link in the system? Am I also right thinking it does not support 64 bit software? Would there be a conflict with the DDR3 RAM? I'm not a gamer, just surf the net, email, use WordPerfect, join groups and would like to watch UTube videos if possible. Also hoping to have a website to sell my jewellery so need to be able to upload photos etc. Will have DSL connection for the new system.
>
> I wanted to email ACER to ask them, seemed the simplest solution, but couldn't find a way of contacting them, seems you can only ask questions after purchasing the product. This computer does not appear on their website and is only sold in Canada for some reason. Salespeople at the store selling the system are not helpful either.
>
> Hoping you can help me.
> Sue
>
> System...
> ACER 3.2GHz AMD Athlon II X3 450 processor; 1.5MB total Cache
> * 4GB system memory
> * 1TB SATA hard drive
> * 16x DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti Drive
> * Windows 7 Home Premium
> * Integrated NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE Graphics
> * High-definition audio with 5.1-channel audio support
> * Gigabit Ethernet LAN and Wireless LAN 802.11b/g/n
> * Multi-in-one card reader
> * Ports include 6 x USB 2.0
> * Dimensions: 10.5"(H) x 4"(W) x 13.9"(D)
> * 1-year limited warranty
>
>
> * Included in the Box: Acer AX1420-ES20P Desktop
> * Power cord
> * Keyboard
> * Mouse
> * Setup Poster
> * Warranty Card
>
> Specifications
> Processor 3.2GHz AMD Athlon II X3 450
> Memory 4GB
> Memory Type DDR3
> Maximum Memory Supported Not Avail.
> Hard Drive 1TB SATA
> Hard Drive Speed Not Avail.
> CD-DVD Drive 16x DVD+/-R/RW SuperMulti Drive
> Blu-ray Drive No
> Operating System Windows 7 Home Premium
> Ethernet LAN Gigabit
> Wireless LAN 802.11b/g/n
> Bluetooth No
> Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 6150SE Graphics
> # of USB Slots 6
> Media Card Reader Multi-in-one: SD, MS, MS Pro, MMC, xD-Pic
> Ports VGA, Headphone, Microphone, RJ-45
> Other Features Includes USB Keyboard and Optical Mouse
> Energy Star Qualified Not Avail.
> Dimensions 10.5"(H) x 4"(W) x 13.9"(D)
> Weight 12 lb.
> Warranty 1-Year limited
>
>
> Write-ups...
>
>
> The NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE is one of the entries of NVIDIA's sixth iteration of the PC gaming-oriented GeForce graphics processing unit (GPU) brand. The 6150 SE was an updated, single-chip version of the 6100.
>
> Video
> With VGA support, the NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE was among the first GPUs in the industry to sport Microsoft DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 3.0 capability for multimedia processes. It also featured NVIDIA's PureVideo for transferring video decoding and post-processing from the computer's central processing unit, or CPU.
>
> Audio
> The NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE offered high-definition audio support for computers. It was rated at 192 kilohertz /32-bit quality for eight channels.
>
> Connectivity and Ports
> The NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE enabled Internet connectivity with 10/100 Mb/s (megabits per second) Ethernet network interface. It also had a plug-and-play interface with eight USB 1.1 or 2.0 ports, although the GPUs manufactured after August 2006 had ten of them.
>
>
> Read more: Specification for an NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE | eHow.co.uk http://www.ehow.co.uk/facts_6832291_specification-nvidia-geforce-6150-se.html#ixzz1Zdq9k3ju
>
> Also found this, think it says it doesn't support HD monitors???
>
>
> Compatibility
> The 6150 SE integrated into motherboards that utilize the AMD Athlon 64 X2 and the Athlon 64 Sempron. It supports DDR and DDR2 memory. DDR2 is only available if the motherboard is built with an AM2 socket for the processor. The 6150 SE motherboard can also be equipped with a PCI-E 16x expansion slot for a standalone card to be added.
>
> GPU
> The 6150 SE has a core clock speed of 425 MHz. It supports DirectX 9.0 and Shader Model 3.0. The 6150 SE provides full support for OpenGL 1.5 applications. The 6150 SE also utilizes NVidia's PureVideo technology. PureVideo enhances video with smoother playback and more accurate color.
>
> Limitations
> The 6150 SE does not support any version of DirectX past 10.0 or Shader Models past 3.0. The integrated GPU also does not offer HD video playback. Finally, the 6150 SE does not provide support for multiple monitor displays. These limitations can only be overcome by installing a standalone graphics card that supports these features.
>
>
> Read more: Specs for the GeForce 6150SE | eHow.co.uk http://www.ehow.co.uk/facts_7579760_specs-geforce-6150se.html#ixzz1ZdvDQG4u
>
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/simplycomputers2
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.