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free4eaglej
free4eaglej asked in Computers & InternetHardwareDesktops · 1 decade ago

Should I Upgrade From 32 to 64-bit OS? (Also are there risks with using 37" 1080p TV for monitor).?

First off, the TV is used for regular & HD cable TV watching though I have not got the box yet.

I was using an old 17" CRT monitor which was clearly about to die.

Are there any risk with getting a burned in image on the TV? Are there any risks to the TV? I made sure to skim the manual, which stated to only use 1024x768 (My current graphics card supports 1280x1024). Also, I am stretching out the image.

Currently I am using a VGA/SVGA video cable, I am returning audio cables simply b/c they sold me the wrong ones (works for ipods, but also xb360/ps3 I assume).

I was considering upgrading the graphics card so I can use HDMI cables, the question is will I see a difference?

Now the particulars, here is my custom system:

GA-7VAXP motherboard

Currently running Win XP Professional SP3

2400+ XP AMD (did searching, it's a Thunderbird, x86 processor; very old I know)

Had 2x256MB PC2100 & PC2700 ram (Generic sticks of RAM)

(I have since upgraded to 3x1GB PC3200 Corsair, currently waiting on the last two, but I am running it at 1.5 GBs, obviously at the PC2100 rate)

120 GB IDE 7200 rpm HD

Geforce 4 TI-4800 SE Graphics card (which has the VGA slot, a similar looking white slot, and a middle circular slot)

Onboard sound/lan though I never got the onboard lan to work.

I have no driver CDs (not that it would help since I built this originally in 2002/03). When I installed Windows XP, it was able to detect all drivers, which kind of shocked me. Since, I have only upgraded the codex for video, windows media player works fine, but VLC player does not.

Based on what I have looked up on my motherboard, the maximum upgradeable ram is 3x1GB, which I have already taken care of. I was considering getting a newer graphics card that can support HDMI; the only issue is I need older graphics cards, older = 8x AGP.

I am not interested in getting a new PC, this one works fine, and is mainly my work computer. I will be getting a quad-core PC early next year, so please don't suggest I should simply get a new computer. I was having problems with random freezing when I left the computer alone, but I am pretty sure that issue is 99% resolved with the ram upgrade.

Look forward to any potential feedback, I can probably even help you if you have any questions. Thanks for any potential help, my main concerns are if doing this will hurt my new TV and if there is any purpose in upgrading the OS to 64-bit (it seems there is no advancement).

I am also upgrading my old laptop, and doing the 62-bit upgrade which allow it to support/see 2x2GB DDR2 ram instead of 3-3.5GB. The laptop is a Toshiba Satellite A105-S4084. Everything is standard and unmodified from the original purchase. I'm really open to any and all ideas..

Update:

To the first two posts:

1) I already got the ram upgrade, I know more ram is better.

2) Dually noted on the OS question.

3) I already got the TV, I'm aware the burn-image is mainly a plasma TV issue I just wanted to make sure there were no other LESSER KNOWN issues with using a TV as a PC monitor.

If I upgrade the Graphics Card, I could potentially use HDMI, my TV will support 2 HDMI (one for cable box, one for PC).

Will there be a difference in HDMI? Any differences in various audio cables?

3 Answers

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  • ?
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago
    Favourite answer

    32-64 bit is only good if u have 3.5 gigs + of ram, if only 4 gigs it dont really matter, if you use 8 gigs then definately 64 bit... 32 bit only supports 3.5 gigs of ram

    37inch tv is fine for a monitor, just be sure to get one with really good resolution it will be expensive. and no it will not burn an image on the tv, plasma on the other hand it will burn an image into the tv.

    upgrading graphics card some see a difference, personally i do not. but it will be faster on games and encoding videos. i wouldnt worry about it.

    your drivers can always be found at the manufacturers websites, such as www.nvidia.com for your graphics card. click the support tab. or drivers tab.

    going to 2/3 gigs of ram you will definately notice a speed difference, especially when loading stuff.

    you do want to look into a new computer in the near future.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    Your PC is really too old to use like a media centre with your TV. The Ge force 4ti's were good in their day but will be no good for large screen TV and wont run HD Video either. I don't know of any current AGP video cards that have HDMI outputs which is really what you need these days for connecting to large screen TV's.

    I use a 37 inch Panasonic plasma TV with my PC sometimes but with HDMI out and with the latest Nvidia video cards (HDMI) you can adjust the desktop to fit the TV to as closest it's native resolution, and works great.

    With Plasma's it good to make sure the windows screen saver is active after a few minutes because of screen burn. If you Have LCD then no problem.

    If your 32 bit OS is running just fine LEAVE it alone, you could end up with more problems than you need especially if using older hardware.

    If you only have a 32 bit OS on the laptop you can use up to 3Gb ram which is usually more than enough for most purposes.

  • claudius753
    1 decade ago

    You can't upgrade to a 64 bit OS on that system since you don't have a 64 bit processor. It won't run.

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