Is it possible to upgrade my Graphics Card? If so, what should i get?

Whiteraven30 · Jan 4, 2014

Ok, before you say anything, just tell me if i'm able to get any upgraded gpu or not. And also, id like to shop at Amazon.com if i am able to upgrade it. I have:

Tower/Case/Computer - Acer Aspire X3200
PSU - Liteon PS 5221-06 (220W)
Current GPU - Nvidia 9200 (onbard)
OS (not sure if needed) - Windows Vista Home Premium 64bit
CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+
Motherboard - Acer WMCP78M

I have a max budget of $75 (yes, i know, not much). Mostly what i do is watch YouTube, go on Facebook, and play quite a lot of games, examples: Skyrim, Oblivion, Minecraft, Dark Souls (lol), and both Amnesias (Dark Descent and Machine for Pigs).
And also, i honestly prefer Nvidia cards, i heard they get updates more often, also i heard their PhysX was pretty cool. But, if AMD Radeon HDs card would be a better choice, so be it.

animal · Jan 4, 2014

I'm assuming that your build was a pre-built unit. In most cases, the included PSU is a POS made by the cheapest manufacturer they could find that would operate the originally included hardware. Since it only has a 220W PSU, you will be hard pressed to do much of any upgrade IMHO. It's a very antiquated machine, really need a brand new system.

Whiteraven30 · Jan 4, 2014

animal :

Yeah, thought so..It's just my first time thinking about upgrading my computer, and i only have $75 at the moment..probably better if i just wait and save up to build my own computer..

Ironsounds · Jan 4, 2014

Hello... Yes your power supply is holding you back with GPU upgrade... if budget is low, Go to your local computer re-cycling location for a larger PS for your case, if your case will not accept a STD ATX PS, then you will need a different case and PS, and move your MB and parts into it.

animal · Jan 4, 2014

You might be able to get a very low-end GPU since you have an available PCIe 2.0 x 16 slot on your motherboard, but when I tried upgrading my first pre-built machine with a GPU, I discovered not enough power was available (mine had a 300 W PSU), the GT 9600 I installed needed a minimum of 400W but my case would not allow for PSU upgrades. That became my last pre-built machine I've ever owned, only build my own since then.

Whiteraven30 · Jan 4, 2014

animal :

Well, i like taking risks sometimes

what would you recommend, the GT9600, something else, or just saving up to build my own setup? Oh, and by the way, i appreciate all help given, whether or not i like it.

I just REALLY want to have a good/decent/entry-level/better than what i have graphics card and enjoy my games, maybe at low to medium settings with little to no lag.

animal · Jan 4, 2014

again, with only having a 220W PSU, you will be hard pressed to install ANY discrete GPU and not have it tax (if not overload) the existing PSU. Save your money, you will probably need at least a $600 budget if you can re-use your current monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc.

animal · Jan 4, 2014

again, with only having a 220W PSU, you will be hard pressed to install ANY discrete GPU and not have it tax (if not overload) the existing PSU. Save your money, you will probably need at least a $600 budget if you can re-use your current monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc.

Whiteraven30 · Jan 4, 2014

I wanted to get either one of these, and honestly, i dont care if my power supply is terrible

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Profile-PCI-Express-R6450-MD1GD3-LP/dp/B004X6ABTM/ref=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_i

http://www.amazon.com/Asus-Radeon-Silence-Profile-PCI-Express/dp/B004X8EO6Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1388864917&sr=1-2&

http://www.amazon.com/XFX-Radeon-Profile-PCI-Express-ONXFX1PLS2/dp/B007B5YUMQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1388861210&sr=1-3&

http://www.amazon.com/EN210-SILENT-DI-1GD3-V2/dp/B004I5UDO6/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1388864917&sr=1-4&

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-1024MB-Graphics-01G-P3-2615-KR/dp/B00847TOLC/ref=sr_1_5?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1388864917&sr=1-5&

animal · Jan 4, 2014

Any card you buy may not work. And having a terrible PSU DOES matter! If you insist on upgrading your POS computer, just do it and then come back crying when things don't work. Won't get any help from me though.

Whiteraven30 · Jan 4, 2014

animal :

Why do you keep on replying then..you're not being very positive either..just leave, simple as that..

Whiteraven30 · Jan 4, 2014

is there anybody ELSE that could help me choose out of the 5 GPUs i posted in an earlier post which one to get, or is this site useless?..in fact, i think ill try some other site..to actually help me out..

Ironsounds · Jan 4, 2014

Hello... what are your current monitor needs? HDMI/DVI/VGA? the cards you list are in your PS level, get the one with the largest (128bit) memory interface and GDDR5 if you can.

MasFBailey · Jan 4, 2014

Whiteraven30 :

dude it WONT WORK. its like trying to power a light with a watch battery, best case scenario it cuts out every time you're computer tries to load, worst case you end up with a pretty new doorstop, you cant realistically upgrade your system. honestly save £300 / $600 and build your own / pay some one to build a new one. The people on this site love helping people build new computers, that's how i put mine together. don't waste money i promise you it wont work

Whiteraven30 · Jan 4, 2014

Ironsounds :

lol, i honestly dont know, according to Piriform's Speccy, i may have an Acer S202HL 20'' and the cable to the computer is blue..

Ironsounds · Jan 4, 2014

Hello... what does it look like? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_connectors

Whiteraven30 · Jan 4, 2014

Ironsounds :

Ok, yeah, shouldve known, haha, its a VGA..and im glad you're atleast trying to help me..almost tempted to just buy this: http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Profile-PCI-Express-R6450-MD1GD3-LP/dp/B004X6ABTM/ref=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_i and just go with it, cuz i saw on a different website that someone had a 220W psu and they listed a whole bunch of gpus compatible..

Ironsounds · Jan 4, 2014

Hello... http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/video_lookup.php?gpu=GeForce+9200 here is your current card performance...
Google the GPU/model of the card and type Passmark after it, and search for the Charts/Numbers, for each card you are considering... Also some of the Models will give you 1080P, 3D gaming, and Dual-monitor options, read carefully, Theses are very LOW performance Cards, But will be better than what you have now in modern features/performance and connectability.

Whiteraven30 · Jan 4, 2014

Ironsounds :

yeah, according to that, the 9200 is only at 87pts and most of everything i looked at is abouve 100pts..so basically, anything is STILL better than that.

Ironsounds · Jan 4, 2014

Hello... Yes, those cards are all 64 bit/GDDR3 memory, but in your PS range... just moving up to a 350watt PS will get you great Mid-Range cards with a 128bit/GDDR5 memory and performance... that why all the earlier Posts were stuck in that MIND-SET of answers... GPU's use and need so much Power these days, but you see the difference with all the Modern Gaming titles, EYE CANDY is good,

Whiteraven30 · Jan 4, 2014

Ironsounds :

Thnak you for all the help, and i understand that if i got a better Power supply, i could easily get a good graphics card, but that would require getting a new case, and all im looking for is a simple answer to see if i can get any gpu at my current situation without replacing anything else. And, i've made my final decision to take it safe (somewhat) and buy either a Nvidia GeForce GT 610 or a 620. You never know unless you try, right??

Ironsounds · Jan 5, 2014

Hello... Yes, the performance of Video cards and Programs have come a long way, but at the cost of power and $... I have upgraded my Video cards more often than my CPU's... The new versions of all cards do offer 1080p and hdmi connectivity, in a low Power situation like yours, Well GL and hope you learned something from our time together here.

Is it possible to upgrade my Graphics Card? If so, what should i get?

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