Need Help Picking a Graphics Card

mustangking

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Jul 19, 2010
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Hi I got a HP Pavilion desktop about 2 years ago, I'm wanting to put a better graphics card in it. I done a little research already and found out that better cards require a better power supply so I plan on getting a new case and power supply so no real issue on enough watts just need to know what to get, so I don't have any bottle necking or slowing down. Here is my system info,

CPU: AMD Athlon x64 x2 Dual-Core 4100+
MoBo: ASUS A8M2N-LA (NodusM3)
RAM: 1024 MB DDR2 533 Dual-Channel (512x2)
Video: Integrated Nvidia GeForce 6150 LE (128mb shared)
PSU: 300W Max Standard ATX
Hard Drive: Seagate 320GB SATA
OS: Windows Vista Premium 32-bit
3 PCI Slots (2 open)
1 PCI-Express x16 (open)
 

2ndtimer

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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171046


For a limited budget:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171046
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102901 for DirectX 10.1
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102870 for DirectX 11
Either of these cards will totally blow away your onboard video (for that matter, so would a $50 Radeon 4650 or Nvidia GT240)
The 4850 is the older, more powerful (and power hungry card)
the Radeon 5670 is much lower power demand and only slightly less performance and will run cooler. I would not suggest going with a more expensive powerful card as even these will probably be limited by your CPU.
I have two of the Coolermaster Elite 460 power supplies and believe it offers great "bang for the buck" Of course, you can spend more for a bigger name, but my PSU powers my Dell Vostro C2D E7300, Radeon 5750, without issues.
 
Just get an HD5670 and at least another gig of ram. The HD5670 is the most I would bother with on your current processor and it should also run fine on your current power supply.
Alternately you can replace the motherboard/processor/ram for a fairly low price.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.436270
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148235
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008
That's less than $200 after the rebate. The processor is a x3 but the motherboard can unlock the fourth core and it is very likely to work. The PSU is very high quality and should do fine up to and including a GTX 460 or HD5850.
Here's an ok case for $32 shipped;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811233062
Then you just need to pick out a video card. Everything else can be recycled form your old system.
 

This HD5670 is a better deal than those;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102870
1gb of ram is not worth the extra money on a card of this caliber.
 

Tamz_msc

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I'm not talking about Full HD and 8xCSAA.At lower resolutions like 1280x1024, if the image feels jagged, then I can apply a little AA say 2x and the card should be capable of handling that.
 

mustangking

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Jul 19, 2010
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The factory recommended resolution is 1280x1024 @ 60hz, as far as budget goes I dont want to spend too much because I dont want to put much money on things that are just compatible for this mother board. So I would say around $100, little more wouldnt be to big of deal. I was planning on adding some memory as well, just tell me how much ram to get.
 

mustangking

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I have read alot of good things about them, plus I could do a little growing with that PSU. I'll probably add 2 or 3 gb of ram just to be safe, any preferred brands ?
Also you said that the PCI ex 2.0 x16 cards you listed will work in my 1.0 right ?
 
That case and PSU cost almost as much as the entire new build I outlined. Spending so much to upgrade an outdated system is never a wise idea. I would either keep your current case/psu and get an HD5670 a gig of ram or consider what kind of budget you want to spend on a new computer. As you can see from what I linked above it doesn't have to cost much to build something much better than what you have now.
 
You are running Vista so i'd recommend adding another 2GB of RAM.. Also, memory modules need to be matched to your existing RAM sticks so it'd be better if you let us know more about your current RAM.. Download CPU-Z.. It'll give you all the relevant info.. The HD 5670 is a good recommendation as given by all so go for it.. Corsair is a good PSU brand but a little pricy.. The HX 650W, as mentiode by Tamz, would be an overkill for your rig but if you plan to keep the PSU through your next rig, you may as well get it.. If not, the Corsair VX 450W will be enough power.. For the case, I'll recommend the CM 690 II Advanced..
 

True. However if that is your plan you may want to go for a better video card now as well. An HD5770 would be a good choice. It's about $150 and a good deal for the money. If that is a bit much for the moment then I would recommend going for a cheaper power supply rather than buying a video card you are just going to want to ditch shortly. The 650HX certainly is a great PSU but it's really quite expensive. Antec is a very good brand as well and this is a nice deal on a 650w modular PSU for only $55 after the promo code;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371011
They also make some nice cases as well. This case is both cheaper and better than the one you are looking at IMO;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066
 

mustangking

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Jul 19, 2010
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I downloaded the CPU-Z program but I dont know what I'm looking for on the ram little help ?
 

JofaMang

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You should replace the ram you have and not try to use it with new sticks. a 2gb kit (2x1gb) would be the most cost effective way to go, but a 4gb kit (2x2gb) wouldn't be entirely wasted either.