I wish to upgrade my graphics card

acdagreat17

Reputable
Feb 22, 2014
3
0
4,510
Hello, I've been wishing to build my first pc for awhile. Sadly that is not a possibility with my current job and income. However I am hoping once I file and receive my income tax will have enough to at least upgrade the graphics card of my pc. I am beyond new at the thing and frankly don't event know what graphics card to get that won't overheat the thing and wont cause my to get a new power source. If you could for one recommend a suitable upgrade and then perhaps a short guide? I mainly want to upgrade for ESO and games like total war or skyrim.

Here is my Dxdiag

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 2/22/2014, 21:07:51

Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.vistasp2_gdr.130707-1535)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Inspiron 546
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) 9750 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 4094MB RAM
Page File: 2424MB used, 5986MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 7.00.6002.18107 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Sound Tab 3: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 4300/4500 Series
Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x954F)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_954F&SUBSYS_904E1028&REV_00
Display Memory: 2296 MB
Dedicated Memory: 505 MB
Shared Memory: 1791 MB
Current Mode: 1360 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Generic PnP Monitor
Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver Version: 8.17.0010.1129 (English)
DDI Version: 10.1
BGRA Supported: Yes
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 11/16/2012 13:49:04, 1081856 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-D60F-11CF-F177-44B0BEC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x954F
SubSys ID: 0x904E1028
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Speakers (USB AUDIO )
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: USB\VID_1130&PID_1620&REV_0140&MI_00
Manufacturer ID: 65535
Product ID: 65535
Type: WDM
Driver Name: USBAUDIO.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.6002.18887 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
Date and Size: 7/12/2013 02:19:21, 99200 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Microsoft
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

Description: Speakers (Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1102&DEV_000A&SUBSYS_11021007&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: t3.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.0000.0209 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
Date and Size: 5/6/2009 01:34:52, 639512 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: CREATIVE
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

Description: Digital Output Device (SPDIF) (Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1102&DEV_000A&SUBSYS_11021007&REV_1000
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: t3.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.0000.0209 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
Date and Size: 5/6/2009 01:34:52, 639512 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: CREATIVE
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: Microphone FP (Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio)
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: t3.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.0000.0209 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 5/6/2009 01:34:52, 639512 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x1
Format Flags: 0xFFFFF

Description: Digital Input Device (SPDIF) (Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio)
Default Sound Capture: No
Default Voice Capture: No
Driver Name: t3.sys
Driver Version: 6.10.0000.0209 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 5/6/2009 01:34:52, 639512 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x1
Format Flags: 0xFFFFF

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Mouse
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: USB Receiver
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC517
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: USB Receiver
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC517
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: USB Receiver
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC517
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: USB Receiver
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC517
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Logitech BT Mini-Receiver
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC71C
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Logitech BT Mini-Receiver
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC71C
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Logitech BT Mini-Receiver
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC71C
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Logitech BT Mini-Receiver
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC71C
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Logitech BT Mini-Receiver
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC71C
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: USB AUDIO
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x1130, 0x1620
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x1002, 0x4398
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ HID Keyboard Device
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC517
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_keyboard
| Service: kbdhid
|
+ HID Keyboard Device
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC71B
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_keyboard
| Service: kbdhid
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC517
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC71C
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 186.6 GB
Total Space: 700.4 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: ST3750528AS ATA Device

Drive: D:
Free Space: 7.6 GB
Total Space: 15.0 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: ST3750528AS ATA Device

Drive: E:
Model: TSSTcorp DVD+-RW TS-H653G ATA Device
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.00.6002.18005 (English), , 0 bytes

--------------
System Devices
--------------
Name: PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_7006&SUBSYS_00101102&REV_00\4&3A629A&0&0030
Driver: n/a

Name: High Definition Audio Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0009&SUBSYS_00181102&REV_00\5&3A8F9554&0&000030
Driver: n/a

Name: Realtek RTL8102E/8103E Family PCI-E Fast Ethernet NIC (NDIS 6.0)
Device ID: PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8136&SUBSYS_02E21028&REV_02\4&9CB6A98&0&0038
Driver: n/a

Name: PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_9607&SUBSYS_02E21028&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&38
Driver: n/a

Name: PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_9606&SUBSYS_02E21028&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&30
Driver: n/a

Name: PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_9603&SUBSYS_02E21028&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&10
Driver: n/a

Name: PCI standard host CPU bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_9600&SUBSYS_02E21028&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&00
Driver: n/a

Name: PCI standard host CPU bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_1204&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&C4
Driver: n/a

Name: PCI standard host CPU bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_1203&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&C3
Driver: n/a

Name: PCI standard host CPU bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_1202&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&C2
Driver: n/a

Name: PCI standard host CPU bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_1201&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&C1
Driver: n/a

Name: PCI standard host CPU bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_1200&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&C0
Driver: n/a

Name: High Definition Audio Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_AA38&SUBSYS_AA381028&REV_00\4&E9378FC&0&0110
Driver: n/a

Name: ATI Radeon HD 4300/4500 Series
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_954F&SUBSYS_904E1028&REV_00\4&E9378FC&0&0010
Driver: n/a

Name: PCI standard ISA bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_439D&SUBSYS_02E21028&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&A3
Driver: n/a

Name: Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_439C&SUBSYS_02E21028&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&A1
Driver: n/a

Name: Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4398&SUBSYS_02E21028&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&99
Driver: n/a

Name: Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4398&SUBSYS_02E21028&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&91
Driver: n/a

Name: Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4397&SUBSYS_02E21028&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&98
Driver: n/a

Name: Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4397&SUBSYS_02E21028&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&90
Driver: n/a

Name: Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4396&SUBSYS_02E21028&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&9A
Driver: n/a

Name: Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4396&SUBSYS_02E21028&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&92
Driver: n/a

Name: Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4390&SUBSYS_02E21028&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&88
Driver: n/a

Name: ATI I/O Communications Processor SMBus Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4385&SUBSYS_02E21028&REV_3A\3&267A616A&0&A0
Driver: n/a

Name: ATI I/O Communications Processor PCI Bus Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4384&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&A4
Driver: n/a
 
Solution
Since the card you're getting is under $200, you'll seemingly wont need more than 500 watts from a quality unit, so I'm gonna suggest you a good PSU:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0092ML1SC/?tag=pcpapi-20

430Watts of pure efficienty, also it's been rated 80+ bronze efficiency, so if it goes over the pre-determined 430 watts, it'll still have some headroom to work before it shuts down due to voltage overload.

But first, honestly, how big is your case? I should have asked that first, since the PSU might or might not fit in your case depending on your case's form factor.

pcgaming98

Honorable
Jan 24, 2014
1,067
0
11,660
In order to suggest you a graphics card, you gotta tell us what PSU (Power Supply Unit) you have. This ensures that the one we suggests can cooperate well with the PSU you have. Also, this sounds alot like a pre-built computer (well, you did say you wanted to build your "FIRST" computer, so context clues), they never come with high quality PSUs, so any graphics cards upgrades will often fail with an OEM (Original Equipment Manufactured) PSU. If you wanna upgrade anything, I advise you upgrade that power supply first.
 

acdagreat17

Reputable
Feb 22, 2014
3
0
4,510


So I popped open my pc to find PSU and found out it had 160w
 

acdagreat17

Reputable
Feb 22, 2014
3
0
4,510


Any suggestions on the wattage of the psu?

I rather not go too far over $200, I have seen graphics cards like the 650 as low as $104 so as long as I find that I should be fine.
 

pcgaming98

Honorable
Jan 24, 2014
1,067
0
11,660
Since the card you're getting is under $200, you'll seemingly wont need more than 500 watts from a quality unit, so I'm gonna suggest you a good PSU:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0092ML1SC/?tag=pcpapi-20

430Watts of pure efficienty, also it's been rated 80+ bronze efficiency, so if it goes over the pre-determined 430 watts, it'll still have some headroom to work before it shuts down due to voltage overload.

But first, honestly, how big is your case? I should have asked that first, since the PSU might or might not fit in your case depending on your case's form factor.
 
Solution