Well, I installed a new video card in the PC — an ASUS GeForce 6600LE.

Its difficult to know exactly how well it stacks up re: benchmarks

Interesting thoughts:

1) it required a separate power jack — without pluging power INTO the video card, the whole PC emits a high pitched squeal loud enough to penetrate through several walls.? I’m not kidding.

2) this particular hp pavillion 763n PC has a little catch switch to let the video card go (that is, the one you’re trying to take OUT) … without it, you won’t obviously be able to take it out.

3) OTher than that, its pretty simple to put it in, and then plug in the monitor to it … away you go!

In what I think is a major feat for me — I have (with the help of Anita) installed some new RAM.

I used the PC GAmer BIBLE to help, as well as crucial FAQs from “crucial.com”

Through that website, I was able to tell what kind of RAM I already had, and what I had to put in.

Basically, I had DDR SDRAM 184pin DIMM type, and needed to replicate it.

So — I purchased another 512mb chip at Sonaggi, in 5 minutes, as well as a toolset **bonus!, its really helpful! **, and a few hours later up and running!

Interesting problem — actually accessing the memory bay, as it was blocked by the hard drive … there is a doo-hicky inside that allows it to swing out of the way.

Also, the crucial guide was right, you DO need a significant amount of force to get the chip IN.

Problem for us — if the chip isn’t properly aligned — i.e. perfectly parallel with the ground, it won’t go in (duh!); as well, if it the locking mechanism isn’t perfectly disengaged it won’t either (duh!) … lessons for next time.

Mini project 2: New AGP Video card!!