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Need to Upgrade?

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Hi, I'm new and unfortunately not very tech savy. I have a HP Athlon 2.5GHz dual core, motherboard M2N68-LA with intergrated GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 card with 250W power supply. Not a big gamer but enjoy half life etc. Just wondering what is best bang for buck on small budget and what is compatable for this machine etc etc.
Thanks, Harry

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What do you look for? video card?

Reply to masterjaw

Yeah upgrade the video card.

Reply to Harry_H

I would like to recommend a 4670 but I'm not sure about your power supply. 4670 has power comsumption of 207W under load. http://www.guru3d.com/article/ati- [...] 0-review/4

It might be better if you would consider upgrading the PSU to something like this. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371005

Message edited by masterjaw on 08-11-2009 at 02:13:12 AM

Reply to masterjaw

That is a pretty small power supply.
In order to get a decent new video card I would HIGHLY recommend a larger power supply to feed it.
I would say to look at this link to get you started.http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=48&page=1

Reply to pat mcgroin

a 250w will not power the 4670, try the 4550 for the cheapest fix or upgrade the PSU for future games. Luckily Valve does a good job optimizing their PC games and the 4550 will have no issue running Half Life 1 or 2.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814121306

Message edited by ct1615 on 08-11-2009 at 02:27:11 AM

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Reply to ct1615

Thanks so much guys. Will probably go down the 4550 road for now until i can upgrade PSU. Hopefully my PCI express slot is NOT the top slot!
Cheers, Harry

Reply to Harry_H

I don't think your psu is capable of running anything much more than an 8400/9400GT (if that) which wont give you as much of an upgrade as you will likely want.

Your PCI express is the longest slot closest to your processor.

How much memory do you have installed? Its likely you could use some as pc manufacturers like to install the base amount to run windows and low end apps. You have DDR2 and its cheap right now.

Wait until you can replace your power supply and get a decent video card. You will be throwing money away otherwise...

Message edited by englandr753 on 08-11-2009 at 05:10:13 AM

Reply to englandr753

A 9500GT doesn't use up much power. Since you got a half step multiplier (12.5x) I'd assume that you have the Brisbane Athlon X2 so that doesn't use up too much power either. A 9500GT would be just fine in your system. The Radeon 4670 is much better, but uses considerably more power and would really be pushing that cheap PSU. If you have money to upgrade your PSU and get a decent video card then go for it. If not then just get a 9500GT for now.

Reply to megamanx00

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but your power supply wont support anything desirable. If you want to go on the cheap the do the following:

Power supply: not the best but good and cheap
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817153023

Video Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814125250

Memory: If you find you are deficient
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820148163

This will get you very acceptable game play with half-life 1 & 2 and a few other games.

The lowest power requirement I could find on any of the 3 cards suggested was a 4550 @ 270 watts. The rest were 300 and above. I think that's asking for problems IMO especially after my issue:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] uild-issue