video card Compatibility question

Cantstopthemadness

Honorable
Aug 23, 2012
2
0
10,510
I purchased the following computer.. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/cyberpowerpc-gamer-xtreme-desktop-8gb-memory-500gb-hard-drive/2541114.p?id=1219074174161&skuid=2541114&sellerId= and im stuck on figuring out what video cards are compatible. i have a radeon hd 5550 that i tried, and it fits in the slot thats available but nothing seemed to change and i tried loading drivers and the screen just blacked out on me until i removed it. I thought i read somewhere that the card above and below are compatible, but i cant find the webpage i was looking at, and i just dont know what i can get online somewhere thats compatible without having to send it back and try again. I dont do much gaming, i mostly am on secondlife which doesnt seem to like AMD products, so im looking at maybe an Nvidea card, im on a tight budget so trying to stay under 100 if possible. if anyone can help id really appreciate it. More complete computer info - http://valid.canardpc.com/1mud7d
 
Solution
The Radeon 5550 should be fine even if its a wimpy 350 watt PSU. You will probably have to boot into the BIOS and disable the Intel graphics. Power down once you save the settings. Install your new card and hook up the monitor cable to the new card then boot back up.


The Radeon 5550 is only marginally better than the integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600. In some cases the 5550 is bested by the Intel 4600. I'm not sure its even worth the effort to do theis "upgrade".
http://hothardware.com/Reviews/Intel-Core-i74770K-Review-Haswell-Has-Landed/?page=16
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/mid_range_gpus.html
The Radeon 5550 should be fine even if its a wimpy 350 watt PSU. You will probably have to boot into the BIOS and disable the Intel graphics. Power down once you save the settings. Install your new card and hook up the monitor cable to the new card then boot back up.


The Radeon 5550 is only marginally better than the integrated Intel HD Graphics 4600. In some cases the 5550 is bested by the Intel 4600. I'm not sure its even worth the effort to do theis "upgrade".
http://hothardware.com/Reviews/Intel-Core-i74770K-Review-Haswell-Has-Landed/?page=16
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/mid_range_gpus.html
 
Solution


Yeah I couldn't really figure that out either from the best Buy link the OP posted or the photo. The specs are just terrible on Best Buy.