Upgrade graphics, but limit on size and watts

[stevenrunner]

Hey. I have his computer
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10118149&catid=20217&logon=&langid=EN

Its an acer aspire ax1700
Intel Pentium Dual Core E2200
2 gb RAM ddr2
220w power supply
integrated geforce 7100

Anyways most graphics cards out there that meet my needs (cod4 medium - high + 25 fps ) res above 1280-800)
require a minumim of a 350w powersupply, but i have heard that in reality cards like 7600gt only draw about 30w of power from my psu, so in theory i have enough. The other issue is the size of my case, and i am not sure what graphic card will fit. The dimensions are
Tower Height 37.50 cm
Tower Width (internal, important for my gfx) 10.50 cm
Tower Width 26.75 cm (side length)

As you can see my options are limited, but im sure i can buy something right?

 

[Bluescreendeath]

You can get a 7600GT for about $25 on ebay. I had it - it's a decent card to play older games. ie. COD4 on medium, Oblivion on High, FEAR on high, etc

But I suggest you upgrade to a bettr PSU if it fits in your case, and get a better GPU.
The larger GPUs today are 10.5 inches

 

[stevenrunner]

Do you think the 7600gt that you had would fit my case and work with my psu?

 

[Bluescreendeath]

7600GTs are fairly small, so most likely yes. Check the pics to make sure.

 

[stevenrunner]

I can't really tell by pictures. I wish someone would confirm if they have a slim pc and the type of gfx they were able to fit into it as well as how well their psu copes with everything

 

[jaguarskx]

You have a slimline case which means that you can only fit a low profile video card inside the case.

I do not know if they make a 7600GT low profile card; which consumes 36w of power @ stock speed.

Your best option will probably a low profile ATI HD 4650 (30w) or the HD 4550 (19w). The HD 4650 is definitely more powerful than the 7600GT. The HD 4550 is up in the air since it has not even been benchmarked (it more of an HTPC card). Best guess is it will be about 20% slower than the HD 4650.

See following for HD 4650 / 4550 power consumption and HD 4650 benchmarks:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/ati-radeon-hd4650_4.html#sect0


Low profile HD 4650:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102829

Low profile HD 4550 (it is shown with a full size bracket, you will probably have to place it with the included low profile bracket):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102819


Being that you only have a 220w power supply the HD 4650 (30w) may not be usable. The only way to find out is to buy it and if your computer crashes when playing a game that is a sign that a 30w video card is "too powerful".

 

[stevenrunner]

Thank you. Do you think though that there is a much higher chance of the 4550 being able to work?

 

[jaguarskx]

I'm pretty sure the HD 4550 will work since it has been measured to use a max of 19w.

Can you look at the sticker on the power supply (PSU) and check how many watts are available on the 12v rail? It might also tell you the amps as well.

 

[Bluescreendeath]

^ I have both the 7600GT and 4650 and I can tell you that they're about the same size.

 

[stevenrunner]

But i would need the Low Pro version right? because the low profile versions also take less watts from my psu right?

 

[Bluescreendeath]

I thik all 7600GT are the same. "Low profile" isn't a version, but a general designation for smaller and less power consuming GPUs

 

[stevenrunner]

Okay, i think i might get this card.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=14-102-754&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&SelectedRating=-1&PurchaseMark=&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&Page=1&Keywords=(keywords)

radeon 3650 Someone commented and said that the card fits and works with the exact model computer that i have.

"Pros: cheap, performs well, low power requirements

Cons: not in stock

Other Thoughts: this was an upgrade from a Nvdia G100 for my recently purchased Acer Aspire X1700. like what others have said, the card works great even on my 220w power supply. my Vista score went from 4.0 to 5.1. i did notice a slight burning smell for a few minutes under a load but it's gone now. overall i am very pleased with this cards performance. this midrange performance is what i thought i was buying with the G100 that came with my Acer small form factor PC. As you know, upgrading these things can be a nightmare and i was happy that my power supply worked. I would recommend this card to anyone with a small form factor. On a side note, i did purchase a self powered USB hub to connect all of my extras to so that i can conserve as much power as possible."

 

[Gedoe_]

hey man

truth of the matter is that E2200 is power efficient CPU. It will maybe use 40 watts max. I assume you are only using one optical drive just one harddisk drive.
Put mobo+memory+harddiskdrive to max 50, and it means you have got at least some headroom for GPU. Just pick any card that does not have an extra power plug and fits your case. Id go for 3650 too

 

[morfinel]

To be honest I don't see point in upgrading ur pc, what every u upgrade its not enough and u will have to change other components too u will replace ur 7100 with 7600 and there is not much difference, and even that ur pc will work on that power supply it may freez very often.

 

[stevenrunner]

um, what?

 

[Gedoe_]

mordinel screw you

i saw CSS on a E2200 with 3650 and it ran 1680x1050 with over 40 fps. Definately enough for some. 3650 easy upgrade too.

 

[stevenrunner]

i am trying to think weather it will run cod4 on high 1440 900

 

[jaguarskx]

"Low profile" isn't a version, but a general designation for smaller and less power consuming GPUs

No.

Low profile means the bracket is shorter than a full height video card so that it can fit in a slimline case.

Or at least partially true; somewhat... All low profile video cards are of the less powerful GPUs, but it is because more powerful GPUs needs larger heatsink fan that can fit on what is essentially a half-height card.

See the links I provided for the HD 4550 and HD 4650. IIRC, the HD 4650 comes with a detachable full height bracket and comes with a low profile bracket.

 

[RazberyBandit]

4650 dimensions according to XFX - L=6.6 in (16.8 cm) W=4.376 (11 cm) in H=0.75 in (1.9 cm) See here

3650 dimensions I couldn't find, but they "look" the same.

Are you absolutely certain you need a low-profile version? These things don't use much power, and they're not big at all.

 

[morfinel]

mordinel screw you

i saw CSS on a E2200 with 3650 and it ran 1680x1050 with over 40 fps. Definately enough for some. 3650 easy upgrade too.

calm ur attitude I'm just saying that to really upgrade ur pc you would have to change everything, what u change ur graphic card now and few months later u will have to upgrade ur card again and on that power support there is limit, its suggestion, I would buy cheap computer with pci-e 2.00 good mother board and then start to upgrade depending on amount of money u have, and u can easy pick up this pc's for around 300 rather then putting this 300 in ur old computer which still will be old computer after all

 

[stevenrunner]

Question. The 4650 is better than the 3650 and the 4550, bot how do these cards compare against the 8600gt?

 

[itheral]

Im joining this conversation late, but the 8600gt ~=~ 3650/4550. The 4650 is a significant step up, and is about the equivalent of the 3850.

 

[Gedoe_]

calm ur attitude I'm just saying that to really upgrade ur pc you would have to change everything, what u change ur graphic card now and few months later u will have to upgrade ur card again and on that power support there is limit, its suggestion, I would buy cheap computer with pci-e 2.00 good mother board and then start to upgrade depending on amount of money u have, and u can easy pick up this pc's for around 300 rather then putting this 300 in ur old computer which still will be old computer after all

The point is that E2200 compairs to that $ 300 system you had in mind easily. As stated above, he woudlnt need to change anything except adding the gpu card. But yeah, hed need to consider upgrading alltogether if hed want real preformance in the latest games.

 

[stevenrunner]

I just want cod4 almost as good as ps3.

 

[stevenrunner]

http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10118149&catid=20217


small computer

220w psu

acer aspire ax1700 will it work with it?

radeon 4650

Will it fit?

I will buy right now if you answer yes to all these questions