New Graphics Card for Old Computer

FireWienie · May 12, 2015

Hey guys, I'm new to hardware and this website. So recently I've gotten the chance to upgrade my REALLY bad computer's graphics card. It's a Lenovo in fact, a mini version, system model 6072A5U. It's BIOS is: Lenovo ThinkCentre BIOS Ver 2RKT54.0. Some important specs I have are:

2 GB ram
Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, 2.33 GHz with a performance rate of 4.0 GHz
256 VRAM
My chip type is Intel GMA 3100.

My computer isnt too bad, but there are a few games that I like that are unable to run on this toaster. Those include Mirror's Edge, CoD4, etc. I get bored of studying and playing the same boring games so I decided to make some money and buy a new graphics card. Now I've already found some that could potentially work on my computer, and I need your help to find out whether it is compatible or not. I have about 5 or 6 graphics cards that could maybe work on this computer, here are the links.

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Profile-PCI-Express-R6450-MD1GD3-LP/dp/B004X6ABTM/ref=sr_1_22?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1431307563&sr=1-22&keywords=graphics+card

http://www.amazon.com/Sapphire-Radeon-PCI-Express-Graphics-100292DDR3L/dp/B004N3BH0C

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FM7BRGM/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687542&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0002KU5J4&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1NVQZPTWVEVPYFGQA5ES

http://www.amazon.com/NVIDIA-GeForce-8800-Graphics-Upgrade/dp/B0012YZGQ6

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-PCI-E-Graphics-01G-P3-1302-LR/dp/B0049MPQA4

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004I5UDO6/ref=psdc_284822_t2_B0049MPQA4

Yeah, I know its alot. But anyways, they are all PCI graphics cards that could work on old machines. I'm not exactly trying to find the best graphics card for my computer, I just want it to run a few more programs and games to not keep me bored. Thanks a lot guys!

timeconsumer · May 12, 2015

Can you tell us the specs of your power supply?

pasow · May 12, 2015

According to Lenovo's site, your computer should have 1 PCIe 16x slot. i recommend not even looking at PCI cards as PCIexpress ones will perform far better. Of the cards you listed, all but the Nvidia 6800 and 8800 (which is overpriced at that link) will work without a power supply replacement. However, i think you will be really disappointed in the performance of the others. (Some i highly recommend against due to being no longer supported)

If you could give us a price range, that would be great, and what kind of frame rates you’re expecting. Also, Lenovo's site doesn't list the space available for a graphics card. lastly, the wattage Lenovo lists is 280watts which is quite contained. typically PSU's list the amperage by voltage on them, if you could provide use with how much is available on the 12volt rail, that would help.

edit...
not knowing completely what's available, but trying to stay within the constraints of whats known, a Nvidia GT 730 or 740 might be a good option for you. they are much newer, low power cards that should fight in any case and PSU limitations. just make sure to get a low profile card.

FireWienie · May 12, 2015

Okay, me and my father will be looking insiide the computer for the watt usage. Thanks alot

Also, Im looking for less than 50dollars, although I have more than 1 hundred,I need to buy a mouse and a harddrive. I was looking for some below 30. Anyways I am not looking for the best performance possible, just a graphics card that actually has a vertex and pixel shader, as my current graphics card does not have one.
So Ill look for PCIe cards, but PCI cards seem cheap and I might go for those. Im not going for performance, just to play a bit more games.

Emerald · May 12, 2015

you need a low profile video card for your system; therefore, the 3rd and 4th one you listed will not work.

the PSU is either 240W or 280W

FireWienie · May 12, 2015

Okay thanks a lot. Now here's an update of a few PCIe cards I found, both cheap and seem to be pretty good
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-Passive-Graphics-01G-P3-1313-KR/dp/B004KABG1I/ref=pd_sim_147_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=0X3ZSTAG6YJ0KA21NCJ0
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GeForce-PCI-E-Graphics-01G-P3-1302-LR/dp/B0049MPQA4/ref=pd_sim_147_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=0X3ZSTAG6YJ0KA21NCJ0
http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Radeon-HD5450-650MHZ-Heatsink/dp/B004JXVLQ6/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1431441412&sr=1-3&keywords=pcie

Also I've just downloaded a program to tell whether I have a PCI slot or a PCIe, it's called CPU-Z. Where exactly can I find where it says if I have a PCI or PCIe slot?

pasow · May 12, 2015

FireWienie :

the GT 210's the oldest i would go.

i still recommend spending 50 USD more and getting a card that will give some nice frame rates in older titles. i have a GT210 in my parents old desktop, and its 3D performance is middling at any resolution. while it will let you play Mirrors Edge and Cod4. it will be on low settings and around 30fps.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gt-220,2445-14.html

sora · May 12, 2015

I think GPU-Z might actually tell you your PCI slot or PCIe slot.

FireWienie · May 12, 2015

Thanks alot pasow, I will check that out. Also at sora, for some reason I couldnt find it.

Now here is something that caught my attention. I also got another program to tell me whether I have a pci or pcie slot.

http://gyazo.com/c4417bf65376d9b2cc05c8c2a9d0b21e

What exactly does this mean? I have 2 pci slots and 2 pcie slots?

@pasow my budget is below $75, the gt210 on amazon is $150+. But remember, Im trying to save my money for a gaming mouse AND a harddrive to put all my games in.

this graphics card seems pretty good

http://www.amazon.com/XFX-GEFORCE-9600GSO-580M-2XDVI/dp/B001RPXHCU/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1431442745&sr=1-2&keywords=geforce+9600+GSO

pasow · May 12, 2015

FireWienie :

yup, says you have two PCI slots and one full length PCIe 16x and one PCIe 1x slot.

FireWienie :

is that $75 with the mouse and hard drive included or just the GPU?

also that is not a low profile GPU which means it wont fit in the case.

i found a GT 730 with 1GB GDDR5 for $65 at amazon http://www.amazon.com/PNY-GeForce-GDDR5-Graphics-VCGGT7301D5LXPB/dp/B00KYCTCZ8
and 55 at new egg http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133542

FireWienie · May 12, 2015

My brother bought a gaming mouse for 20 dollars, so Im not gonna spend much on that. What I really need is a portable hard drive because I have like 15 GB left in my computer. Im going for atleast 250-500 GB. My budget for the GPU is below 75 dollars, I would prefer below 50. In a few months Ill be getting another 120 dollars, so yeah Ill look to the graphics cards you have sent me.

Oh and my motherboard name is Lenovo ThinkCentre M57, so if that can help you find a more suited graphics card, there it is.

And also the program i am using just told me the maximum voltage usage, which is 99.4 - 119.3 W (depending on clock speed)

Thanks a lot!

pasow · May 12, 2015

FireWienie :

well, a GT 720 would come in just under $50 and still be significantly faster than a GT 210. just one thing to be careful about though with upgrading this computer, that PSU is both old, and OEM, and low wattage. you will likely quickly max it out. also, if your just goign to replace the GPU you buy now in a few months, just go for the cheapest thing you can find or none at all and put the saved money towards better parts at the later date.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%204025&IsNodeId=1&Description=GT%20720&name=Desktop%20Graphics%20Cards&Order=BESTMATCH&isdeptsrh=1

if your just looking to unload your media files to the external, than your USB limitation wont be much of a bottleneck, however i advise against loading any games on to one. finding one in your capacity range for around 50 is easy these days, and i don't really have any suggestions beyond sticking to the well known brands. (Western Digital, Seagate, Lacie, ect..)

FireWienie · May 12, 2015

Alright thanks. For the motherboard and the amount of watts my computer uses, will that affect what graphics card I should get? I heard you need a specific amount of watts for a graphics card and also the motherboard must be compatible with it. My motherboard is pretty old so should i go for an old and cheap graphics card?

pasow · May 12, 2015

FireWienie :

old does not mean it will use less power (quite the opposite for depending on the generation). i noted the power limitation because i feel a card that wants 50+ watts from the socket may be pushing it for your motherboard/PSU combo. (a GTX 750 draws around 55 watts) that is all just hunches though, as PCIe 2.0 is supposed to correctly power up to a 75watt card on the buss alone, and your PSU is only just under the minimum listed on Nvidias site.

for reference Tom's has a pretty good list of GPU's by their power draw http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/2014-vga-charts/24-Power-Consumption-Maximum,3616.html

FireWienie · May 12, 2015

So what kind of graphics card would my motherboard be able to use without pushing it over it's limits?
Also I checked the Lenovo support page about my computer, and I found out that this computer has 280 Watt power supply with manual voltage selection switch

pasow · May 13, 2015

FireWienie :

Assuming your PSU works as advertised and is not underpowered do to design flaws or age, and is paired correctly to the power draw your motherboard maxes at, you can use any GPU that doesn't require an external power connection. So you could go for something like a Nvidia GeForce GTX 750ti at the high end.

Due to the age of the computer and the wattage of the PSU though, I’m hesitant to suggest doing such. Only real way to know is to load the PSU (which most cannot do), or install the card and see if problems arise. You should be quite safe going with a sub 50watt card though. If it’s possible to upgrade the PSU, i highly recommend it as OEM's have a history of using junkers that cannot hit their rated wattage.

FireWienie · May 13, 2015

Okay thanks, but the main problem I have is my computer size. Most of these graphic cards are pretty big and my computer is pretty small comparing to other desktops. Heres the exact size of my computer that I found on the internet, measured in millimeters.

http://u.jimdo.com/www21/o/se2f23f30efa40f0f/img/id04dc6a08c872085/1331071416/orig/image.jpg

Honestly I was quite happy with the results of my power supply and was pretty excited to find out that my computer would be able to upgrade it's video card, but I know the biggest problem is the size of my computer.

pasow · May 14, 2015

FireWienie :

That is why we are only considering low profile graphics cards as potential upgrades for your system.

In trying to get a better sense of the space constraint, i found a Newegg listing for what i believe if your computer. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883108129 if this is indeed the same as yours; I can see quite easily how you filled your hard drive. 80GB's is tiny these days. Thankfully you have twice the RAM as this listing but your 2GB's will be a hold up (consider buying more). Any ways, it looks like you can fit a double slot, low profile, graphics card with out any problems.

When shopping around, just make absolutely sure the card comes with a low profile bracket, has a fan, has 512MB to 1GB of VRAM (more than 1GB will be a waste in this performance bracket), and try to stick to GDDR5 and GDDR3.

If you’re interested in what I've found that fit the bill and will offer some good performance.
PNY Nvidia GT 730 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133542
ZOTAC Nvidia GT 740 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500337
MSI Nvidia GT 730 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127830 (out of stock)

FireWienie · May 14, 2015

Haha, that's the exact answer I needed. I'm not looking to upgrade my RAM because I'm not looking to play really good games, playing Mirror's Edge and CoD4 at it's lowest settings are completely fine with me. In fact, every game I play is at the lowest setting possible so it's totally fine. I looked at the MSI on amazon and it's sold for about 70 dollars. I looked at the second link on amazon and they are selling it for 200 dollars, so I'm guessing it's on sale. Honestly I'm really glad that you used your time to research good graphic cards for my computer, and I really appreciate it!

FireWienie · May 14, 2015

God dammit I knew it was too good to be true, well in a way it's bad. I got a pop up telling me to go to the Canadian site and I accepted. Now when I press the link it redirects me to the Canadian Newegg. I edited the link you gave me to be newegg.ca not newegg.com. The prices boosted up, especially the GeForce GT 740... Went all the way to 140 dollars

pasow · May 14, 2015

FireWienie :

that stinks, that's way larger of a difference than the conversion rate... feel free to shop around at different sites than i may link to, i'm just really used to Newegg's site so i tend to price check there the most.
looks like going with a GT 730 will get you back under 100 again. it's sad that happened though.
ZOTAC GT 730 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500343CVF
PNY GT 730 http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA5TY22M2932 (out of stock)

i did find some GT730's that fit your situation for under 100 CDN on Amazon.
PNY GT 730 http://www.amazon.ca/GeForce-GDDR5-Profile-Graphics-01G-P3-3731-KR/dp/B00L5GZOOK/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1431633357&sr=1-3&keywords=gt+730
eVGA GT 730 http://www.amazon.ca/GeForce-GDDR5-Profile-Graphics-01G-P3-3731-KR/dp/B00L5GZOOK/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1431633357&sr=1-3&keywords=gt+730

FireWienie · May 14, 2015

The GeForce GT 730 1GB you sent me is out of stock. I just changed the previous link you gave to newegg.ca and it gave me the exact same graphics card but around 90 dollars. Thanks a lot for your help, I'll be looking forward to ordering them and finally being able to run decent games ^^

New Graphics Card for Old Computer

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