Upgrading a friend's pc

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C4Dman314

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Sep 2, 2013
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So my friend wants to put a graphics card into his computer. The computer is an off the shelf HP w/out a graphics card. He wants to be able to play games that require more than the mediocre integrated graphics of his processor (listed below). My question is two fold. First, does it even make sense to put this card in his machine (gtx 750 ti), and second does his PSU have enough head room to add the card.

CPU: amd phenom ii x4 840t
PSU: 250 W LiteOn
Ram: 6 gb (no idea what clocks)

Do I also need to check out the mobo for PCI version issues?
 
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Look up the PC manual on-line at HP. Search with Google for the model number (like "HP 5761-ABC manual"), and you should be able to find the manual in PDF form. That should tell you what kind of PCI-e slots are available on the motherboard.

But for sure you will need a new power supply (PSU). The top major PC brands put just enough PSU in their systems so that they work reliably, there isn't enough extra headroom to add a discrete graphics card, at least one you're likely to want to add. And it needs to be a name-brand PSU (Antec, Seasonic, Corsair, etc.). And make sure the HP will take standard PSUs. I know some Dells use non-standard motherboards and non-standard PSUs. Put a standard ATX PSU in those and you will fry the...
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C4Dman314

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Sep 2, 2013
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10,510


Okay that makes sense (I was thinking I might need 350 W)


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151077&clickid=3Zixos0xj2bmSVo3F7yhzVtrUkTWQ2Sh111l240&iradid=97618&ircid=2106&irpid=79301&nm_mc=AFC-IR&cm_mmc=AFC-IR-_-na-_-na-_-na

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487025&clickid=3Zixos0xj2bmSVo3F7yhzVtrUkTWQxxV111l240&iradid=97618&ircid=2106&irpid=79301&nm_mc=AFC-IR&cm_mmc=AFC-IR-_-na-_-na-_-na

Is there a way to tell from the OS (or BIOS) what PCI ports are available?
 
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mbreslin1954

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Nov 27, 2010
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Look up the PC manual on-line at HP. Search with Google for the model number (like "HP 5761-ABC manual"), and you should be able to find the manual in PDF form. That should tell you what kind of PCI-e slots are available on the motherboard.

But for sure you will need a new power supply (PSU). The top major PC brands put just enough PSU in their systems so that they work reliably, there isn't enough extra headroom to add a discrete graphics card, at least one you're likely to want to add. And it needs to be a name-brand PSU (Antec, Seasonic, Corsair, etc.). And make sure the HP will take standard PSUs. I know some Dells use non-standard motherboards and non-standard PSUs. Put a standard ATX PSU in those and you will fry the motherboard.
 
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