Pci express x16 250w

[bried]

Hello,
I have a Compaq CQ5320y computer. I would like to buy a video card to play WoW. Integrated 6150se nvidia. 250w power supply. Supports pci express 16x card. Is there a card which will play WoW decently on this machine? I realize this machine was not built for good graphics

 

[Pallimud]

That's gonna be tough, you might be able to squeeze a Radeon HD 3450, but that is cutting it close since most require a 300W supply. I know GeForce FX require only a 250W supply.

Basically though, it might be a good idea to upgrade your power supply. Then you will have much better choices of cards since the ones I've mentioned are pretty old, can't vouch for how good they will handle your games.

 

[shadow187]

What's your monitor's resolution? Also what's the PSU brand? How many amps on the 12v?

 

[Pallimud]

you can do better than that..
PNY: nVidia GT240 DDR5 version
http://www.amazon.com/PNY-GeForce-PCI-Express-Graphics-VCGGT2405G5XEB/dp/B002VUCCVC

I've done this upgrade on this unit and it's HP twin unit with 250-watt psu and 65-watt cpu upgrade..

Yeah, that's much better .

I guess Compaq/HP's power supplies can handle more wattage requirements?

This is what the card you mentioned requires: A minimum 300W or greater system power supply (with a minimum 12V current rating of 18A)

I know with Dell PSUs you can go 50W bigger than they say, same rule for HP/Compaq?

 

[bried]

What's your monitor's resolution? Also what's the PSU brand? How many amps on the 12v?

Monitor res is 1600x900. I am completely ignorant about the psu brand and number of amps. How do I determine the answers to those questions?

 

[bried]

your fine bro...

example:
Compaq Presario sr2030nx a lesser sister unit to yours..
240-watt or 250-watt psu
upgraded the unit with 300-watt requirement EVGA 8600GT 512mb (PCI Express x16 graphics cards)
2GB of DDR2 667MHz in dual channel RAM
and athlon 64x2 chip..

your unit has a less powerful (power usage, not stronger as in clock speed) chip then the one I used.
that's another reason it will work.

Does that mean that this card that u linked, http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FPNY-GeForce-PCI-Express-Graphics-VCGGT2405G5XEB%2Fdp%2FB002VUCCVC&tag=5336121882-20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325 is the one I should buy?

 

[bried]

i would, yes.
can't go any higher than that..

Thanks a bunch. I was at a loss as to what to buy. I understand that card is also available with 1 GB. Is that an option for me , do you think?

 

[bried]

no problem..
depends on the rest of your system specs including which OS and how much RAM.
any chance of running a good game on playable settings I'd say the 1GB but like I said it depends on OS and current RAM.
I have the 512MB version and I can't complain, real smooth and runs dual 19" LCD's..

Win 7 and 3 GB

 

[shadow187]

The HD5670 is better than the GT240 though..uses 7 watts more on from HardOCP, and beats the 240 in nearly every game.

 

[Onus]

+1 @Shadow; a HD5670 should also work, and will be a lot stronger.