Video Card Compatibility Help

the beef111

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Dec 21, 2010
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18,510
Hey, I currently have an emchaine t5212 that has the radeon xpress 200. I play WoW, or at least i'd like to play on a setting other than minimum. My computer DOES have a PCI Express slot. So i wanted to get the GeForce 9500 GT DDR2 1GB 2.0. Do i have to install anything since this is 128 bit? Thanks for any help =)
 
Solution
No. You need to open the computer case and check the label on it. The computer itself isn't going to give you the details we would want. :)

GT 240 $85 + Free Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261065&cm_re=gt_240-_-14-261-065-_-Product

This will outperform the 9500GT, and if you use Windows Vista or Windows 7, could take advantage of some DX11 performance benefits with WoW Cataclysm. Just don't turn the settings up high.

ATI 5670 1GB (Rear Exhaust) $89.99 - $20 MIR = $69.99 + Pay for Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161334&cm_re=ati_5670-_-14-161-334-_-Product

This card is more powerful than the GT 240, and also has the DX11 ability.

Now you'll need/want a better...
That eMachine probably isn't worth it to upgrade. The first problem is that your power supply is sufficient at best when it left the factory on day one. You will need an upgrade there in order to upgrade the new video card. If you haven't upgraded your stock 1GB of memory, that will need to be done as well (at least 4GB). THEN you will find that your old Pentium 4 CPU will not cut the mustard.

So to recap... What is your budget for building new? Or are you dead set on upgrading your current rig?
 

the beef111

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Dec 21, 2010
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18,510
Well, i dont have the money to buy a new computer, so i'm pretty much deadset on upgrading this thing. i play wow on it now as it is (i did upgrade the RAM by the way) on low settings, so im used to it. I just figured this is my best option. I don't know anything about power supplies either......
 

4745454b

Titan
Moderator
If its a P4 era PSU, its been working for many years. It should probably be replaced anyways before you add a high draw 12V device.

While the 9500GT isn't a good card, you'll need to get a new PSU as well. Whats the budget and can you buy from newegg?
 
Since he really needs a new PSU, I'm wondering if it would be advantageous to look at something much newer.

GT 240 or ATI 5570 or something? I guess it all depends on budget, and where the OP can buy from (in US or outside US).
 
No. You need to open the computer case and check the label on it. The computer itself isn't going to give you the details we would want. :)

GT 240 $85 + Free Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814261065&cm_re=gt_240-_-14-261-065-_-Product

This will outperform the 9500GT, and if you use Windows Vista or Windows 7, could take advantage of some DX11 performance benefits with WoW Cataclysm. Just don't turn the settings up high.

ATI 5670 1GB (Rear Exhaust) $89.99 - $20 MIR = $69.99 + Pay for Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161334&cm_re=ati_5670-_-14-161-334-_-Product

This card is more powerful than the GT 240, and also has the DX11 ability.

Now you'll need/want a better PSU probably. Here's a good budget oriented PSU that retains quality.

Antec Basiq 430W $39.95 - $10 MIR = $29.95 + $1.99 Shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371023

EDIT: The Power Supply Calculator suggests a 248W PSU (brand new) if you have:
Pentium D 805 + 1 DVD drive + 1 7200RPM IDE + 92mm Fan + 120mm Fan + ATI 5670 + 2 DDR2 Dimms

Even with 25% aging on the PSU capacitors that jumps to 297W. I'd pick up a new PSU and video card if I were you. The ATI 5670 + Antec PSU I listed above come in well under your $200 budget. Frankly with your older processor, any video card more powerful is probably going to be wasted. So that's probably a good option above.
 
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