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XL201 Video Card Upgrade

Topic started on Nov 22, 2007 7:34 PM , last reply on May 19, 2011 3:33 PM

in VAIO and Computing > All-in-one Desktops
grahamjb33
8 posts since
Dec 28, 2006

I have recently started using my Sony XL201 MCE 2005 running on WinXPSP2 for playing games and all was well until I installed MotoGP 2007. Whilst the graphics on this game are extremely good and even with the resolution set to its lowest, the CPU can reach over 90% power usage and the screen 'sticks' occassionally which makes it difficult to play.
>
I am thinking that as the standard card fitted namely the Nvidia Geforce 7600 GTL with 256Mb on board could be struggling with this game, the main CPU is trying to compensate and this is causing the high power usage.
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If I am correct in my diagnosis I would appreciate advice on what video card upgrade would resolve these problems, eg a Nvidia Geforce 8800 GT? By the way... the XL201 is bog standard with 1Gb ram and no upgrades to date.
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Great forum for info, keep up the good work everyone!
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Thanks... Baler


  • GavMack
    GavMack
    15 posts since
    Nov 14, 2007
    Written on Nov 23, 2007 8:47 PM

    It's not that easy to replace the card in the XL series, you need a low profile graphics card with a silent heatsink which isn't that easy to find.  An 8800 consumes a lot of power and generates a lot of heat but I do believe others have found alternatives so search the forum for info.

    I'm not sure whether your diagnosis is correct, stuttering as you describe sounds like you're short of main memory playing this game, it occurs when windows swaps out memory to virtual memory on the hard disc causing the 'pause' so I'd recommend going to 2Gb.

    Another option for improvement is to install a second SATA hard drive into the XL and install your games on a separate drive.  Because it's not the Windows boot drive the game will have uninteruppted access to it's data.

    The final suggestion if would be to install a newer Nvidia graphics driver but as Sony don't provide the latest versions you have to hack the video driver's INF file to support the 7600 GTL..


    • Reply
  • grahamjb33
    8 posts since
    Dec 28, 2006
    Written on Nov 23, 2007 9:24 PM

    It's not that easy to replace the card in the XL series, you need a low profile graphics card with a silent heatsink which isn't that easy to find.  An 8800 consumes a lot of power and generates a lot of heat but I do believe others have found alternatives so search the forum for info.

    I'm not sure whether your diagnosis is correct, stuttering as you describe sounds like you're short of main memory playing this game, it occurs when windows swaps out memory to virtual memory on the hard disc causing the 'pause' so I'd recommend going to 2Gb.

    Another option for improvement is to install a second SATA hard drive into the XL and install your games on a separate drive.  Because it's not the Windows boot drive the game will have uninteruppted access to it's data.

    The final suggestion if would be to install a newer Nvidia graphics driver but as Sony don't provide the latest versions you have to hack the video driver's INF file to support the 7600 GTL..

    >
    Thanks a lot Gav... what you have said could be right. I will look for more info on the forums before possibly trying the options that you suggested.
    >
    Thanks again... I'll post my progress so that others can benefit.
    >
    Cheers... Baler...


    • Reply
  • achster1
    achster1
    6 posts since
    Nov 5, 2007
    Written on Dec 4, 2007 4:00 PM

    Baler

    Let me know what you find out. The only card I've found is the Gainward Bliss 8600 GT 512 HDMI - PCI Express, HDMI out but able to do 1080p .....whoohooo..
    Ta

    Achster


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  • grahamjb33
    8 posts since
    Dec 28, 2006
    Written on Dec 8, 2007 5:06 PM

    Baler

    Let me know what you find out. The only card I've found is the Gainward Bliss 8600 GT 512 HDMI - PCI Express, HDMI out but able to do 1080p .....whoohooo..
    Ta

    Achster

    >
    Thanks Achster... I have now upgraded to 2Gb ram and whilst I had the lid off I added another 320Gb HDD primarily for storing TV recordings. I have re-tried the Moto GP07 game but haven't installed the game on the new drive yet, would it really make the difference? Still jerks when the CPU gets to 90%+ performance so I still wonder if the CPU is trying to help the Nvidia Geforce 7600 GTL cope but is sapping performance.
    >
    When I had the lid off I could see that it is very cramped in there and not much room. I would be interested in whether the Gainward Bliss 8600 GT 512 HDMI - PCI Express actually fits in the XL201 and how easy it was to do and what improvement to expect. Have you actually fitted one yet?
    >
    Appreciate any other help and suggestions that anyone will have on the subject.
    >
    Cheers... Baler


    • Reply
  • FHB
    FHB
    16 posts since
    Dec 17, 2007
    Written on Dec 17, 2007 9:17 PM

    The only card I've found is the Gainward Bliss 8600 GT 512 HDMI


    This graphics card won't fit because it uses two slots and it isn't low profile either.
    The only suitable card, that I know at the moment, is the new Leadtek WinFast PX8500 GT TDH HDMI. It's a low profile card with passive cooling. The 8500 GPU isn't really fast for gaming, but at least it has nVidia's VP2 engine built-in that will take most of the load from the CPU while decoding HD video content.

    Regards,
    Frank


    • Reply
  • ITTroll
    ITTroll
    120 posts since
    Apr 19, 2007
    Written on Jan 24, 2008 4:49 PM

    Has anyone tried the WinFast PX8500 in an XL series? I too am looking for video upgrade and was wondering if it fitted.


    • Reply
  • ITTroll
    ITTroll
    120 posts since
    Apr 19, 2007
    Written on Jan 25, 2008 8:14 PM

    I've had a poke around and found another couple of possibilities:

    MSi NX8500GT-MTD256EH/D2
    This is low profile, has passive cooling and HDMI.
    http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=1231&maincat_no=130&cat2_no=136#

    MSi NX8600GT-MTD256E
    This is low profile, has active cooling and HDMI. Quite rare to find an 8600 in low profile!
    http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=1232&maincat_no=130&cat2_no=136#

    I'm not sure what they would be like fitment-wise though.


    • Reply
  • FHB
    FHB
    16 posts since
    Dec 17, 2007
    Written on Jan 25, 2008 9:01 PM

    The brackets on the MSI cards aren't low profile. Looks like a no go for the XL series, although the PCB's of the cards are low profile. Silly MSI.


    • Reply
  • ITTroll
    ITTroll
    120 posts since
    Apr 19, 2007
    Written on Jan 26, 2008 1:33 AM

    I believe they come with a low profile bracket so you can switch them.


    • Reply
  • JRB2608
    JRB2608
    17 posts since
    Apr 3, 2007
    Written on Jan 26, 2008 1:20 PM

    Dear All

    I know that people on the Forums at XL100.co.uk have successfully upgraded to the MSI 8500 low profile card.

    It seems from this thread that there is now an MSI 8600 low profile card available.

    Can anyone tell me if the additional power demands of the 8600 would be a problem for my XL201 if I decide to upgrade?

    Thanks


    • Reply
  • ITTroll
    ITTroll
    120 posts since
    Apr 19, 2007
    Written on Jan 28, 2008 6:23 PM

    Oooh, I've just been reading about the new G98 core from nVidia. The first card to use the G98 will be an updated version of the 8400GS. This core features the third generation of PureVideo HD which now has 100% hardware decoding of VC-1 and H.264 material.

    Geforce 7 series and 8800 cards only have 50% hardware decode, whilst 8600, 8500 and old core (G86) 8400 cards have 75%.

    Looks like it might be worth hanging on for the new G98 core to filter through.


    • Reply
  • ITTroll
    ITTroll
    120 posts since
    Apr 19, 2007
    Written on Mar 5, 2008 5:30 PM

    If like me you are still waiting for the G98 based 8400, they may now be released as the 9400. The latest leaked ForceWare drivers have entries for the 9400 and 9400GS. It would seem to make much more sense to give the updated card a new name.


    • Reply
  • clivadio
    clivadio
    10 posts since
    Mar 3, 2008
    Written on Mar 6, 2008 11:58 PM

    Hi guys,
    since I tried a couple of things on my 201, let me give yuo my feedback.
    I purchased the MSi NX8500GT-MTD256EH/D2, but it does not fit: even though it is a low profile, the passive heatsink is a little bit too thick, and it won't fit in the slot, no matter what. I even tried to exchange the heatsink with the one from the original graphic card, no success.
    I exchanged it for the Leadtek 8500 passive, and that one fitted, since the heatsink is a lot thinner. I did see the difference: while with the 7600, CPU was at around 70% when playing the BluRay, with the 8500, it went down to 10-15%.
    But I don't know if mine had a problem, it was burning hot, especially when decoding h264, and I couldn't watch a complete BluRay movie, it started to lag after an hour or so.
    Another issue: no more sound on the HDMI, therefore no sound on the TV. The 7600 has a custom connector I guess to mix the sound into the HDMI output.

    So after all, I changed back to the 7600

    Regarding games: I do not play on that computer, so I cannot say

    Those machines are not built to be changed...


    • Reply
  • ITTroll
    ITTroll
    120 posts since
    Apr 19, 2007
    Written on Mar 10, 2008 4:36 PM

    I have heard reports that the 8500 can get rather toasty so I don't think you got a faulty one. The new G98 core (which will be used in the rumored 9400) is based on 65nm technology which means it will run alot cooler. This may be your best option.

    With regards to sound the Leadtek should have a connector and cable to allow SPDIF over HDMI. See here:
    http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1249/2

    Out of interest can I ask which Blu-Ray drive you have and how you have connected it?


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