Questions about choosing components

touchofinsight · Apr 27, 2013

I have in the past relied on the help of others who are more experienced in computer hardware to build my previous gaming machines. I want to change that, I recently payed someone to repair my machine but there is still an issue which I believe needs to be addressed with a new Video card/CPU. I also realized that all I am paying for is his time and I could easily do this my self and not pay money but use my own abundant free time.

So I want to start building my own PC and repairing my own system and the tutorials provided are great but I need to know how and why parts are compatible.

How do I know what video card is compatible?

What should I look for in a gaming video card?

Also, how do I know which CPU/Video card fits into what board?

Where do I find the information on the sockets of my board concerning the video card and CPU?

Here is my system info (that is related to the questions):

My current power supply is 115v/230v Xtreme Gear XG-P600 (so 600).

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.130318-1533)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)

System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: M68MT-S2
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG

Processor: AMD FX(tm)-4100 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs), ~3.6GHz

Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 7918MB RAM

Page File: 2346MB used, 13488MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

Thank you very much for your time.

tiny voices · Apr 27, 2013

Any videocard works in any board.

The CPU must have the same socket as the motherboard. (lga1155 or am3+) Yours is am3+

You probably want a new PSU as yours is not from a reputable manufacturer. Get one from Antec, xfx, Corsair, Seasonic.

For more gaming performance you need to add a good Video Card.

jnkweaver · Apr 27, 2013

In general a motherboard is the start for compatibility discussion. The CPU goes into a certain socket and mb manufacturers make mb with that CPU socket. So if you wanted an i5-3570K CPU it is a socket LGA1155. If you go to Newegg and look at intel mb, you will see they have 269 motherboards that are LGA1155.

Next you have a chipset that runs the mb and determines what that mb can do. For the LGA 1155 you have over a dozen chipsets (like Z77). If you want to know what each chipset does than read this article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGA_1155

Then you have the memory slots and expansion slots. The chipset is the main driver on what memory is compatible.

Most graphics card today use the PCI Express slot (PCIe). This can be all the way now to ver 3.0 which are just speed/bandwidth upgrades.

Though not strictly a compatibility issue if you get a weak CPU it can "bottleneck" or keep your graphics card from using its total potential.

As far as your system goes, you do a google search on the model number and either go to the manufacturer's page or I like Newegg (mostly because Gigabyte doesn't always come up at work) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128529 and it says you have an AM3+ slot (AMD motherboard), a NVIDIA GeForce 7025/nForce 630a chipset, and use DDR3 1600 / 1333 / 1066 / 800
memory.

You have 1 x16 PCIe slot which is where an external video card would go in.

What else do you want to know? Are you thinking of upgrading? If so you have a lot of good processors to choose from and cards that will work.

ksham · Apr 27, 2013

touchofinsight :

Compatible with what?

touchofinsight :

Priority is to get the best card if possible, but also keep in mind your budget.

touchofinsight :

The motherboard will tell you what socket it uses. From there, you find a compatible CPU that uses the same socket. As for the video card, it'll require a PCIe slot.

touchofinsight :

Google it. Manufacturer sites should tell you. Sellers like Amazon and Newegg also tell you.

On a side note, you may need to make sure that your PSU can power your GPU.

touchofinsight · Apr 28, 2013

jnkweaver :

In general a motherboard is the start for compatibility discussion. The CPU goes into a certain socket and mb manufacturers make mb with that CPU socket. So if you wanted an i5-3570K CPU it is a socket LGA1155. If you go to Newegg and look at intel mb, you will see they have 269 motherboards that are LGA1155.

Next you have a chipset that runs the mb and determines what that mb can do. For the LGA 1155 you have over a dozen chipsets (like Z77). If you want to know what each chipset does than read this article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGA_1155

Then you have the memory slots and expansion slots. The chipset is the main driver on what memory is compatible.

Most graphics card today use the PCI Express slot (PCIe). This can be all the way now to ver 3.0 which are just speed/bandwidth upgrades.

Though not strictly a compatibility issue if you get a weak CPU it can "bottleneck" or keep your graphics card from using its total potential.

As far as your system goes, you do a google search on the model number and either go to the manufacturer's page or I like Newegg (mostly because Gigabyte doesn't always come up at work) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128529 and it says you have an AM3+ slot (AMD motherboard), a NVIDIA GeForce 7025/nForce 630a chipset, and use DDR3 1600 / 1333 / 1066 / 800
memory.

You have 1 x16 PCIe slot which is where an external video card would go in.

What else do you want to know? Are you thinking of upgrading? If so you have a lot of good processors to choose from and cards that will work.

Yea I am looking to upgrade, my budget is about 130$ for each, processor and Graphics card. Considering how old some of the stuff in this build is, I know it probably won't be a huge upgrade in that budget range but I know its definitely possible.

Any suggestions?

tiny voices · Apr 28, 2013

Keep your CPU as it is. It is fine for gaming. Get an hd7870 and a 500w PSU from Antec, XFX, corsair, Seasonic. If you cannot afford a 7870 look at a gtx660.

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Questions about choosing components

touchofinsight

Honorable

tiny voices

Titan

jnkweaver

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ksham

Splendid

touchofinsight

Honorable

tiny voices

Titan

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