Tom's Hardware > Forum > Graphic & Displays > Graphics Cards > DECIDING A GOOD GRAPHICS CARD...PLEASE HELP!!

DECIDING A GOOD GRAPHICS CARD...PLEASE HELP!!

Forum Graphic & Displays : Graphics Cards - DECIDING A GOOD GRAPHICS CARD...PLEASE HELP!!

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cyberboy778   07-26-2009 at 07:50:50 PM

Hi im sort of a newbie with the whole computer hardware but was wondering if some of u experts out there could help...
Basically im looking to buy a graphics card and was wondering wat would be my best choice...now please keep in mind that the psu is only 300W and i am NOT looking to upgrade that (long story). I would love to also play new gen games preferably at 1280 x 1024 if at all possible.

the best card i've found at the moment is HD 4770 ...wat do u lot think any good??

i was also thinking mabey the gtx 260 but don't know if that would work on 300W

any feedback would be much appriceated guys...thanks in advance

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jsc   07-26-2009 at 08:03:03 PM
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Depends on budget. And in your case, it very much depends on the quality of your PSU. A lot of 300 watt PSU's really, really aren't.

And if you are that cramped for power, we need to know your system specs, including the brand and model of your PSU.

Reply to jsc
mindless728   07-26-2009 at 08:09:41 PM
- 0 +

^+1 to jsc

also on 1280x1024, it doesn't take much of a video card to run games maxed out on the resolution

Reply to mindless728
cyberboy778   07-26-2009 at 08:29:03 PM
- 0 +

well i don't really know how to find the model of my psu but if u tell me how to find it i will...
Also comming bak to graphics cards im not too bothered about setting a budget but seeing as though it should run at 300W i would say the best card u guys can offer

im really tempted to buy the gtx 260 core 216 but can it run at 300W??

Reply to cyberboy778
Bronze Graphics badge coozie7   07-26-2009 at 08:36:50 PM
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@ Cyberboy778. No, the GTX260 will not run on 300W.
But we need to know a little more about the system: Who built it, what CPU (processor) is installed and does the motherboard have a PCI-E slot?.
To find out download, install and run this:

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

The download link is in the top left hand corner.

------------------------------ Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding: Eienstien
 Reply to coozie7
invisik   07-26-2009 at 08:44:12 PM
- 0 +

Unless its a top notch 300w psu it will fail to work. Find spec so we can recommend you a card. I agree with coozie7 we need specs.

Reply to invisik
cyberboy778   07-26-2009 at 08:47:19 PM
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ok right using cpuid...the cpu is intel core 2 quad Q8200...with some other numbers and stuff i don't understand and th motherbord has a PCI-e slot as i have a hd 4350 at the moment

Reply to cyberboy778
cyberboy778   07-26-2009 at 08:53:18 PM
- 0 +

the computers basically the HP p6045uk if anyone feels to google it...

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Bronze Graphics badge coozie7   07-26-2009 at 09:01:33 PM
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Ain't CPUZ just grand?

If this were a Dell I would say a HD4670 is fine, but I am not certain of the HP powersupplies, so I'll go for the DDR3 HD4650 as the fastest, safest option.
And here is one Newegg prepared earlier:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102838

Whichever card you choose 4650 or 4670, neither is going to play top notch games at maximum settings with high framerates.
That said either is streets ahead of the 4350;)

------------------------------ Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding: Eienstien
 Reply to coozie7
cyberboy778   07-26-2009 at 09:13:56 PM
- 0 +

ok i understand...now how about the HD 4770...will that work as i've heard that is almost as fast as the 4850

Reply to cyberboy778
Bronze Graphics badge coozie7   07-26-2009 at 09:23:42 PM
- 0 +

@ Cyberboy778: No, it still draws too much power.
I still think you will be safer with a HD4650.

------------------------------ Peace cannot be kept by force, it can only be achieved by understanding: Eienstien
 Reply to coozie7
invisik   07-26-2009 at 11:06:55 PM
- 0 +

It might work if you can find the psu spec.


Message edited by invisik on 07-26-2009 at 11:07:16 PM
Reply to invisik
Bronze Graphics badge jaguarskx   07-27-2009 at 05:36:35 AM
- 0 +

cyberboy778 wrote :

how can i find the psu spec??




Open the case and look for the label on the power supply. It should look something like the following:

http://c1.neweggimages.com/NeweggImage/productimage/17-139-008-08.jpg


The most important information is the +12v rail (some higher wattage PSUs have multiple +12v rails). According to the above CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W PSU, it has 30 Amps on the +12v rail and can provide a max of 360w of power. That 360w max power assumes the other rails (+3.3v, 5v, etc) do not draw more than 40w combined.

Also, the closer the PSU is running at 100% capacity (in this example 400w) the shorter the life span.

------------------------------ Q9450 |Corsair XMS 4GB DDR 800 | ABit IP35 Pro | HD 5850 | Audigy 2 | Seasonic S12 550 | Cooler Master Centurion 532 | NEC LCD2690WUXi and Planar PX2611w | WinXP

Peace on Earth by means of the destruction of all life on Earth.
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