Graphic card compatibility

[steezy]

Just another "help me! I donno what the heck I'm doing!" thread, anyways, I want to buy a new graphics card but my pc is a little dated and I'm wondering if the Nvidia GeForce GTX 560 is compatible with my:

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium (x64)
Processor: 2.50 gigahertz AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core
Board: ASUSTeK Computer INC. M3A32-MVP DELUXE Rev 1.xx
And 4096 mb's ram

Thanks a ton for any help!

Note: If it's not compatible or if I should consider upgrading something to maximize my new cards performance please mention it!

 

[ghnader hsmithot]

Is this your mobo?
http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM2Plus/M3A32MVP_DeluxeWiFiAP/#specifications
You should be at least willing to upgrade to a phenom II X4.

 

[RazberyBandit]

While the 9850 may limit performance, a GTX 560 will work in that board. But, other key concerns regarding a graphics upgrade are:
What resolution is your monitor?
What make/model power supply do you have? If an off-brand, what are it's specs? (Specifically, it's 12V output.)
Does the power supply have 6-pin or 6+2-pin PCIe power cables? If so, how many?

There are other considerations besides "will it work if I pop it in my motherboard" that must be factored.

 

[need4speeds]

The 5770 is about $100 and is a good match for the older quad. The 5770 uses less power than the nvidia cards or the larger amd cards and should work with your current power supply. The 460 is ok too. so is the 6850.


To upgrade to a larger card, depending on your current power supply, you may need a new power supply. something like this...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371044
Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121390
ASUS ENGTX460 DirectCU TOP/2DI/768MD5 GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB
$114.99 after mail-in rebate card The 560 is just a higher clocked 460. As you can see the 460 is cheaper, it would be ok with your current cpu.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102941
$117.99 SAPPHIRE 100338L Radeon HD 6770 1GB Free Dirt3 game coupon w/ purchase $97.99 after mail-in rebate card (the 5770 and 6770 are basically the same card, just that this one comes with a free game for $10 more than the 5770).

If you don't want dirt3, then this one saves $10 and is the same.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121363

-There is a 560ti that is faster than the 560, but your cpu is too slow for it.

But with a bios update your am2+ board should take this cpu...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808
$113.99 AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz
They usually clock to 3.6ghz to 3.8ghz. The multi is unlocked.

That will give you enough cpu power to go to the 560ti, 570, or hd-6950 cards.

-The 5770 or 6770 is by far your cheapest upgrade.