New Video Card

Fine Tuning

from WinCustomize Forums
I broke down and got a video card that would allow me to see what I have been missing with WB5. (I had been working with an intergrated card that wouldn't let me see all the new features.)

I got a e-GeForce FX5500. I know it's not what a lot of people recomended, but it was what I could manage while still in recovery here. And, I got a good deal on it (after rebates of course.)

Anyway, installing it was an adventure for me and I am still kinda holding my breath. I followed all the instructions ending with going to evga's syscan to make sure it was all configured properly and that I had the latest drivers. So far it seems I did okay for an armchair geek. And as far as I can tell, I can see everything I need to be in WB5.

My question is this. I have never had a card like this and it has all these settings and features and stuff. Not a lot of instructions on what they all do. I want to be sure I have it set for the best performance and also would like to know what kind of diagnostic I could run to be sure it's all set up right. The syscan at EVGA basically just scanned the configuration and gave me a recomended driver download.

Any help, advice would be welcome.
10,471 views 9 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
First rule: never download/install a manufacturer's driver.....

What monitor do you have and what is the nVidia driver version installed now?
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have a Compaq FS7600 and the current drive is 8198XP 2K. That was the driver that their SYSCAN recom. after the scan.
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
WindowBlinds 5.0 System Information Report:

STATUS : WB+ SRV+ HLP+ UI+ TRAY+

WindowBlinds is installed correctly on this PC.

WindowBlinds appears to be activated on this PC

Your machine supports per pixel borders on WindowBlinds skins.

You have one monitor in total.

(COMPAQ FS7600 Color Monitor) 1 is attached to NVIDIA GeForce FX 5500

Wblind.dll 2006/02/10 19:33:34
Wbsrv.dll 2006/02/05 12:58:22
Wbconfig.exe 2005/12/05 18:42:52
Wbload.exe 2006/01/19 16:19:18
Wbhelp.dll 2004/09/18 16:37:00
Wbui.dll 2005/12/06 21:29:06
Tray.dll 2005/11/02 13:28:26

Everything 'seems' to be good. I just want to be sure.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
That's a CRT and the card is a 64 bit, so you might run into some lag if the screen resolution is set to high, but if it looks and acts right, sit back and enjoy it....it's fine
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
CRT? I usually have the res set at 1024x768. My screen and my eyes aren't cut out for anything smaller. I was checking out all the settings from the system tray icon for nvidia and I have never even heard of half of them.

I have noticed 2 things right off. I can see all the cool stuff in WB5 and that when I switch skins, the transition is much 'smoother', if that makes sense. Before everything kinda jumped a little, the change was jerky. Now it kinda fades into the next skin kinda smooth and soft. Is that good/better?
Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The monitor is a CRT vs a LCD. 1024x768 is the correct resolution. I'd kill that nVidia tray icon....it does nothing for ya. Smooth and soft is good.....at least in my dreams it is.....
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks yrag.
Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
compliments of bichur