Wondering what Graphics Card and RAM I can get without having to upgrade any other hardware on my system?
- Thread starter kincaid88
- Start date
Based on your system spec's provided in your profile's signature, the only recommendation I would make is to upgrade your video to AMD's HD 7750, such as this one, SAPPHIRE 100357LP Radeon HD 7750 1GB; and that will depend on the quality of your PSU, otherwise only RAM.
Need better details about your existing RAM and PSU.
Onus
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- Jan 27, 2006
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Hmmm, missed that. Was it there the whole time? Must be getting to my bedtime.
But yeah, radiovan is right about the graphics card; it's the strongest card your PSU can safely support.
Going to 8GB of RAM may help some, but a faster CPU would help too, if your mobo supports CPUs that are 95W or 125W.
But yeah, radiovan is right about the graphics card; it's the strongest card your PSU can safely support.
Going to 8GB of RAM may help some, but a faster CPU would help too, if your mobo supports CPUs that are 95W or 125W.
To answer everyones questions I dont know what manufacturer my PSU is I guess I can crack open my tower and check tomorrow and let you all know that one. I cant get a faster CPU from what ive been told because I have an OEM Mobo. My RAM type is Samsung 4GB DDR3 PC3-10700 (667 MHz). Was told I could get the Radeon HD 7750 1GB but dont quite understand that when I have a 300Watt. and heard that it requires a minimum of 400watt PSU. Again ill let you all know tomorrow what my PSU manufacturer is.
Who was the OEM for your machine? Based on your mobo's model number, it is capable of accepting a number of AM2/AM3 socket processors - http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/M4A78LTM/#support_CPU - all the way up to AMD Phenom II x6 1100T, which is pretty good.
As for the video card, HD 7750, the recommended PSU wattage of 400W is only there to safeguard the end user from overloading their system's PSU with too many power demanding components. In your case, the maximum theoretical draw the HD 7750 can have is 75W, and it won't. You have a pretty low powered proc's of 65W (unless you OC). So unless your PSU is really low grade, you should not have a problem using the HD 7750 in your system.
As for the video card, HD 7750, the recommended PSU wattage of 400W is only there to safeguard the end user from overloading their system's PSU with too many power demanding components. In your case, the maximum theoretical draw the HD 7750 can have is 75W, and it won't. You have a pretty low powered proc's of 65W (unless you OC). So unless your PSU is really low grade, you should not have a problem using the HD 7750 in your system.
I bought it from Best Buy but I would say Asus is the OEM for my machine im guessing because its an Asus Essentio CM1630 Desktop (Is that what you mean by "who is my OEM for my machine"?). I dont plan on overclocking, ill have the answer for what brand my PSU is for you tomorrow when I open up my case.
If you can, when you pop open the cover, please provide the Wattage info provided on the PSU lable, i.e. in the +12V column it should say something like 280W; for illustrative purposes here is an example: http://hardocp.com/image.html?image=MTMxMDQ4MzQwMEdnd2R2dWxBU21fMV8yX2wuanBn
Ill definitely make sure to watch for the correct wattage marking on the PSU when I look, also I took a look at the compatible CPU list for my Mobo that you provided. Since my current CPU is a Athlon IIX2 220 (ADX220OCK22GM),2.8GHz,512KB,rev.C3,65W,SocketAM3, BIO version 0802 would I be able to swap it out for a Phenom IIX4 905e (HD905EOCK4DGM),2.5GHz,65W,rev.C3,SocketAM3,Quad-Core,BIO version 0802 without any problem even though I have an OEM Mobo and without changing any other parts/components (other than my RAM and Graphics Card)?
Yea, because it would be really sweet if I can swap out my CPU (while adding the Radeon HD 7750 1GB and 4GB's more of RAM) even though my Mobo is OEM and without getting a new PSU. Ill call Asus tomorrow and confirm as you advised. Get back to you on the PSU's exact make and wattage tomorrow, thanks Radiovan.
Well, that answers that question. Now, the only catch is finding that processor as most of the AM3 (AthlonII/Phenom II) proc's are being phased-out.
Personally, I think you would get a better performance boost out of an HD 7750 video card, if all you use is the integrated GPU, then getting a replacement CPU. Just my 2 cents.
Personally, I think you would get a better performance boost out of an HD 7750 video card, if all you use is the integrated GPU, then getting a replacement CPU. Just my 2 cents.
(sorry im still a noob lol) Im not to sure I understand what you mean by "Personally, I think you would get a better performance boost out of an HD 7750 video card, if all you use is the integrated GPU, then getting a replacement CPU." Do you mean instead of getting a replacement CPU just get the HD 7750 card and use my Integrated ATI Radeon 3000 with the the 7750 card? Can you explain better?
Onus
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Any of the "e" processors are designed to use less power, not perform extremely well.
If you can spend $125 on a CPU, this Phenom II X4 970BE is probably about the strongest you'll find: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103894 but even the $70 Athlon II X3 450 will be a nice step up: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886
If you can spend $125 on a CPU, this Phenom II X4 970BE is probably about the strongest you'll find: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103894 but even the $70 Athlon II X3 450 will be a nice step up: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886
Theoretically yes, your PSU should be more then adequate to handle the Athlon x3 450 + an HD 7750, however, all this will depend on the quality of your PSU. Based on the spec you provided for your OEM system (Asus Essentio CM1630), ASUS had the "peak" wattage at 350W for the PSU, so from that you should have more than enough.
As for upgrading your RAM, look at the QVL (Qualified Vendors Lists) straight from ASUS, for your mobo: http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socketAM3/M4A78LT-M/AMD-DDR3-4DIMM-Memory-QVl.pdf, to match your Samsung memory to avoid hardware conflicts.
Ok so any memory on the memory QVL should work with my samsung memory already on it, correct? Also I was just told by someone that my computer is not OEM but actually has a retail motherboard in it, even though I bought my computer at best buy because companies only sell OEM to HP and other manufacturers that dont make there own Motherboards. Heres what I was specifically told. " Even though its an Asus computer, they will still put their retail version of their motherboard in it. They only sell OEM's to HP and other system manufacturers that don't actually make motherboards." Is this true???
1. Your Samsung memory will work well with another Samsung memory. Do NOT mix memory modules, though they might work, you could have trouble due to hardware conflict.
Ideally, you should buy memory kits in their entirety. So if you want 8 or 16 or 32GB of RAM, them get an 8GB or 16GB or 32GB kit of RAM at once, because that kit was tested to work together. People can experience problems with memory even if they match the memory vendor/frequency/product number/model number, which you want to avoid.
2. Sorry, I was referring to your "Asus Essentio CM1630" as an OEM system. Yes, the mobo is/was a retail one.
Ideally, you should buy memory kits in their entirety. So if you want 8 or 16 or 32GB of RAM, them get an 8GB or 16GB or 32GB kit of RAM at once, because that kit was tested to work together. People can experience problems with memory even if they match the memory vendor/frequency/product number/model number, which you want to avoid.
2. Sorry, I was referring to your "Asus Essentio CM1630" as an OEM system. Yes, the mobo is/was a retail one.
Its ok, dont be sorry. I thought it was OEM this whole time also until someone told me different, but thank you very much for all your info. and help Radiovan. Youve been a great help and it is greatly appreciated, so again thank you.
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