What is a good graphics card to go with this PC?

Zenith Pitts · Dec 9, 2013

This is my current gaming PC though it is barely worthy of the title. The potato of a rig has the following specs. I can try to get more if necessary. Only problem is I don't know how many watts the PSU has. I'd say 300 cause it didn't come with a graphics card and is a dual core.

The specs:

Intel Dual Core 2.0

4GB of RAM (Though only 3 shows up on the PC)

2.0 GHz

Windows XP

1TB Internal space

Nvidia Geforce 210 (added this myself)

Unsure of the PSU.

Basically I want to upgrade the PSU since the fan is freaky loud and I am afraid the computer will crash. I also want to get a slightly better GPU since i am giving this PC to my younger bro when I get a new one. I will also use this PC a while longer until I get the new one. So if you could tell me a cheap GPU preferably from Nvidia that only needs 300w, I would really appreciate it.

By the way can I upgrade this PC myself with i7 and a high end graphics card? I have no idea what motherboard I have but it should be compatible no? Cause the PC has an Intel Dual Core CPU.

Many thanks in advance!

P.S. If I can upgrade the PC then I will be selfish and keep it for myself!

By the way, my budget for a graphics card is around 50-60 British Pounds (I live in the UK) and around 20 for the GPU. I know it's dumb to upgrade this if I am getting a new one but this PC lasted me for 2 years now and I want to respect it with some much needed upgrades. I also want to invest in it so my bro can use it and just in case I need a spare for whatever reason.

Captain75 · Dec 9, 2013

Well, find out your PSU wattage first, then only are we able to find you a good GPU

huilun02 · Dec 9, 2013

What's with the Nvidia bias? The words 'cheap' and 'Nvidia' don't go along very well. I suggest a HD 7750 which should be able to run even with a 300w PSU.

We need to know what model of board or CPU you are using to know if it will accept an i7 processor. But from the looks of it I doubt it will, because if it's just 'Dual Core' it's probably an E2xxx or E5xxx series chip that uses the LGA 775 socket. No i7 will work in that socket.

Also, graphics card = GPU. You can get a good 7750 for £69
http://www.ebuyer.com/434602-powercolor-hd7750-graphics-card-radeon-hd-7750-2gb-pcie-dvi-vga-hdmi-ax7750-2gbk3-h

Captain75 · Dec 9, 2013

I was going to say the exact same thing! I can run the HD 7750 even with a 220W PSU, perfectly, so it should work fine if you have a 250W~400W PSU

Zenith Pitts · Dec 9, 2013

Okay I will get a Radeon card then. Do you know if there is a website to find out my full specs? Cause I can't figure out how to find the motherboard and power supply. Many thanks in advance!

huilun02 · Dec 9, 2013

I just need to know what processor you have, to determine the type of socket your board uses.

To do that, right click on the 'Computer' or 'My Computer' icon on the desktop (the start menu also works) and select Properties. A window will open that states what processor you have.

As for the PSU, the only way to check is to open the case to find a box-like thing at the rear bottom or rear top of the case. It should have a sticker on it stating the brand, model, and power specifications. Also take note of the amount of Amperes on the +12V rail.

Zenith Pitts · Dec 9, 2013

The processor is an Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Dual CPU E4400 @ 2.00 GHz unsure of the PSU but I will check. Many thanks!

Zenith Pitts · Dec 9, 2013

I am not sure what name the PSU had but I know that it said it was a 280w PSU though somehow it said it won't exceed 108w. I took some pictures of the sticker of the PSU with my phone if you'd like them though I don't know how to upload them to this website.

Zenith Pitts · Dec 9, 2013

Also I have no idea what name or anything I am supposed to look for in the motherboard, sorry about that.

Captain75 · Dec 9, 2013

Is it a Pre-built PC? Or you built it yourself? and a 7750 should work fine with the 280wPSU

huilun02 · Dec 9, 2013

The Core 2 Duo E4400 is an LGA 775 socket processor. Your motherboard will not accept any i7 processor.

Zenith Pitts · Dec 10, 2013

It's a prebuilt PC that I got as a gift. It's quite old. Would it be worth it to get a new graphics card for this PC? Will the motherboard accept an i3 processor perhaps?

Zenith Pitts · Dec 10, 2013

Also would the new PSU help the fan problem? I don't know if it's a fan related problem but sometimes the PC gets VERY loud and I think it is definitely the fan from the power supply. Unfortunately the PSU is so old that it's in one of those annoying metal boxes for protection and is screwed down so the proper sticker was probably underneath inside that box. If I just get the 7750 would that help the fan problem? Or should I get a new PSU as well? I don't mind getting a 300w PSU if it'll help prolong the life of the PC.

Zenith Pitts · Dec 10, 2013

Also a Corsair 480 PSU came in a bundle with the HD 7750. Here's the link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-Builder-Series-Bronze-Supply/dp/B009RMP14M/ref=pd_bxgy_computers_text_y

Would that power supply fit in my PC? Do I even NEED a new PSU? Would that help quiet the fan noise? Or should I get a new fan? When it's not noisy (like after I just cleaned it yesterday) it still hums and makes a weird noise like a cricket almost.

Many thanks in advance!

Zenith Pitts · Dec 10, 2013

By the way I got fed up with deciding what graphics card to get so I just up and bought the Radeon HD 7750. I will wait with the PSU to see if the new graphics card helps at all with the fan noise. Would canned air work? Many thanks in advance!

huilun02 · Dec 10, 2013

If it's the PSU fan causing the noise, just replace it and problem solved. No your board won't accept any i3, i5 or i7 processor. If you got a new PSU for free, thats good, you should use it if you can. I don't know if it will fit in your case because I don't know what case you have.

Canned air is just to blow dust out of hard to reach areas and to avoid damage from physical contact while doing it.

Zenith Pitts · Dec 11, 2013

Thanks for all the help! I got the HD 7750 and a 300w PSU from Amazon along with some canned air just in case it helps though the new power supply should do the trick. Can't wait to try out Skyrim on the new card.

Captain75 · Dec 12, 2013

Have fun with the new card!

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