New PC

[drift150]

Hey guys. I recently bought a new HP Paviliion desktop. It has an AMD Phenom X3 8600 processor, 3GB RAM, 500GB HD, and an NVIDIA GEFORCE 6150SE NForce 430 graphics card on Windows Vista... I installed Crysis Warhead and I cant even run it on the lowest graphics setting... What is limiting my PCs performance? I think its the graphics card, since I also couldnt run Doom 3 or even Battlefield 2 on a decent setting... If my graphics card is indeed limiting my PCs graphics capacity, which one is best (and not too expensive) for my desktop's specs?

Thanks a lot in advance

 

[RazberyBandit]

The 6150 is an on-board graphics adapter designed to perform 2D and only basic 3D rendering. It is not designed at all for games. That is in fact the reason you cannot play any of those games.

Can you list the specs of the Power Supply in that system along with the resolution of the monitor? These are 2 of the most important factors when selecting a video card for a system.

 

[rags_20]

^ +1
Considering the fact that OEM PCs have very poor PSUs, get a Corsair VX 550 and a GTX 260.

 

[rewindlabs]

^ +1
Considering the fact that OEM PCs have very poor PSUs, get a Corsair VX 550 and a GTX 260.

I must agree...i just bought the exact same setup for my pc and im overly pleased


lol it is common since to not expect much from an igp but did you even search for it via google..?

 

[orangegator]

Your pc is not meant for gaming, period. To be able to game, you'd really need a graphics card, better cpu, and better psu. Not worth it. Just buy or build a new rig meant for gaming.

 

[rewindlabs]

Your pc is not meant for gaming, period. To be able to game, you'd really need a graphics card, better cpu, and better psu. Not worth it. Just buy or build a new rig meant for gaming.

He can actually run most games just fine on that cpu...if he could overclock it that would help aswell...

He could spend 130$ on a 9800GTX+ and 50$ on a psu and he can run COD4/5 any source game...anything but crysis and gta 4....of course it won't run many processor intensive games but it would work just fine for current titles as a cheap machine...very very cheap...


Of course if he has the money CHUCK THAT .... IN THE GARBAGE...and go quad core....

 

[rags_20]

I'm not sure about this, but maybe he got lucky and the 4th core can be unlocked in his CPU? Of course you need a new mobo, but you need a new mobo anyway to be able to overclock. or can the 4th core only be unlocked on some Phenom IIs?

 

[RazberyBandit]

Or he could spend far less on a mainstream GPU like a 4650, 4670, or perhaps even the new 4770 when it's released, and do the exact same thing at lower resolutions. And on top of that, since they require far less power than the 9800GTX+, he may not need to replace the original PSU at all.

Allow him time to reply with his PSU Specs and resolution then go from there. Anything else is just speculative at this point.


Edit in response to rags' question: Only the Phenom II's, and only 1 of them on only a few mobos, and there's no guarantee it'll work, ever.

 

[ravenware]

Your pc is not meant for gaming, period. To be able to game, you'd really need a graphics card, better cpu, and better psu. Not worth it. Just buy or build a new rig meant for gaming.

That's ridiculous.

I have a lesser CPU that can handle crysis just fine.

He just needs a new graphics card and possibly a PSU.

 

[rags_20]

PSU specs please?

 

[yonef]

1) Case form factor can be major issue when you try to slip new Graphic card into that branded PC. (I don't know why the hell people buy branded desktops)
2) your PSU, it is most probably <400W which renders it useless. (not possible to upgrade Graphics)
3) Your CPU is just fine for gaming. (google some benches for X3 and you'll see that there is no difference from X4 for most of the games.
...if possible upgrade your graphic card and it could be a solution to play most of the games but not on max details.

 

[rewindlabs]

1) Case form factor can be major issue when you try to slip new Graphic card into that branded PC. (I don't know why the hell people buy branded desktops)
2) your PSU, it is most probably <400W which renders it useless. (not possible to upgrade Graphics)3) Your CPU is just fine for gaming. (google some benches for X3 and you'll see that there is no difference from X4 for most of the games.
...if possible upgrade your graphic card and it could be a solution to play most of the games but not on max details.

Am i wrong in saying a 4670 and the newer 40nm/4770? gpu's use little power? i know a 4670 can run on a 350w considering it is good quality

Anyways i just wanted to say bullshit...end post

 

[RazberyBandit]

I know for a fact that 4650's can run on 220W PSUs. Disregard yonef's #2, please.

Again, total wattage is not the deciding factor, 12V amperage is.

 

[yonef]

I know for a fact that 4650's can run on 220W PSUs. Disregard yonef's #2, please.

Again, total wattage is not the deciding factor, 12V amperage is.

1) It is depending on other components!
Phenom II X3 itself is 95W TDP, which means that all other components should consume about 100W !? You can probably run HD4650 on 220W psu only with minimal setup and that is not for sure.
2) of course it is depending on 12V rail amp. BUT how much apms on 12V rail can you expect from 220W PSU !??? 20A ?? I'll guest 10A!
and most important is that HD4650 will not push the performance enough to play games much bether than current setup. The OP gonna need at LEAST 4830-4850 to be able to play at medium details or even high details. What is the point to upgrade Graphic card for perf. boost of 3-4 FPS !?

 

[mamw93]

Get a 9800 gt and a 600w PSU to run it.