What card can I upgrade to from 8600GT (512mb) given system resources?

[Texas-Hansen]

I have a 8600 GT (512mb GDDR2) and would like to upgrade the video card but do not know which one to go with given my system components.

I have a new HP Pavillion Elite 9250. It has a Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 2.66 ghz processor, 4 GB DDR2 800 mhz RAM, Vista x64. From HP's website support info [url=http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewf...62&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=3688702&lang=en [/url] it's hard to tell what power supply is in there but I think I recall somthing in the specs somewhere about it being either 350 or 360 watts.

Thanks for all help.

 

[rodney_ws]

http://forums.nvidia.com/lofiversion/index.php?t60547.html

That makes me think you'd about be maxing out with a 9600 GT... assuming it works at all. That said... a 9600 GT would be double the card you've got now and should definitely be noticeable in gaming.

 

[jonyb222]

Well with that PSU, you might be restricted on your upgrade path, though

3850
9600/3870

For the next ones you'll probly need a bigger PSU:
8800 GT
8800 GTS
4850/9800
4870

 

[terror112]

360 watt psu and Q6700 QUAD with a 9600GT would be pushing the limits. I believe you should get a new power supply for the HP. I don't think that they use a proprietary power system like dell, so everything should fit in normal if you got a new, more powerful one. If you don't have much cash on hand, just get like a 400-500watt Cheap PSU from a Known good manufacturer such as PCP&C. Don't get some $10 unstable reactor ready to meltdown.

 

[aevm]

You could get a StealthXStream 600W PSU if you want a really good video card and your PSU holds you back. I'm suggesting it because it's pretty good quality, cheap, and I actually fit one in an HP once. PSUs like 520HX or Silencer 610W wouldn't have worked in that smallish case. Maybe yours is different, I don't know. What size is your current PSU (length, width, height)?

How much clearance do you have now, with the 8600GT? That is, if the card was 4 inches longer, would it still fit? The best video cards available these days are almost 11" long, and IIRC the 8600GT is under 7".

 

[terror112]

If your looking for a decent PSU for a good price, here is the antec Earthwatts 500watt psu:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007

I hear a lot of great things about this psu. Its small and powerful.

 

[Onus]

Yeah, I've noticed over the past few months that one or another of the Earthwatts PSUs has been available at a good price on Newegg.