Wicked Graphics

[Wolfgamer]

This is the computer that I have to work with:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01553737&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=ca&product=3809086&lang=en#N203

What is the best graphics card that I can get to give me the best graphics for gaming?

 

[monsta]

You are limited by the 300 watt psu, if you would like the best graphics out of your pc , I suggest you upgrade the psu first to accomodate a better graphics card, it also depends on your budget?

 

[Wolfgamer]

Forgot to mention that I have a 600w PSU in now.

 

[monsta]

The best you can get with that would be a GTX580 or a HD 6970 if it is a good quality psu.

 

[Wolfgamer]

Would my motherboard and CPU be able to handle that much of a GPU or would it bottleneck from them and lose out on how much that GPU puts out?

 

[monsta]

Overclocking your cpu would definately help or even upgrading it depending on what cpu your motherboard can take. Looking at your cpu I would suggest upgrading it to a faster cpu, not sure what yours can take.

 

[Wolfgamer]

I was considering swapping out the CPU as well but with all of the searching i've done I have still not found a good CPU of at least 2.8 Ghz that can be supported with a bios to update it with. I was thinking that I might be able to get better graphics with a 6670 or maybe a 6770 but anything like a 6870 might be too much for the motherboard and current CPU to handle.

 

[monsta]

Yeah thats true , a 2.8 aint bad if your can overclock it then I would go for something like a 6870

 

[Wolfgamer]

I have priced and found a good 6870. That is a card that I really want to work with. I plan on sometime in the future (soon I hope) being able to build a nice gaming rig. But for now I am looking to upgrade to the best graphics with this setup I have now. If I could run this comp with the 600w PSU and get much better graphics with a decent GPU that I could even swap out to my new system then that would work perfect for me. But I want to know and find what is the best GPU that I can get that won't be lost or cause problems with the motherboard and CPU that I am now forced to work with.

 

[monsta]

Would be great if you could overclock that cpu, it might be enough to run a 6870 well.

 

[Wolfgamer]

I'm not that much of a computer tech honestly. I know parts and some specs, not really any tech applications. I have never overclocked and not sure if I could. I have recently taken an interest in building one and am learning a great deal the more I look into it. But that is more for the future. Right now I have to deal with what I have to work with so I am left considering buying a GPU that my system can handle and if it can use a good one i'll swap it out and use it again later.

 

[monsta]

Take it this way , any upgrade you make with your gpu will make a difference from what you have now. Overclocking can be tricky but also fun but it does help if you know what you are doing , or you could always follow an overclocking guide.
I'm not 100% sure if a 6850 would get bottlenecked by your cpu , but if you considered a 6770 for now it will give you graphics a boost and at an affordable price.

Later on you can start learning more and building your own gaming pc. In reality it would be best for you to upgrade the whole system, if you considered this now how much would your budget be?

 

[Cash091]

With mid range CPU and RAM a GTX 580 would be a HUGE waste of money!!! I'd get a GTX 460 or AMD 5770/6770. It's not going to play BF3 on Ultra, but you'd get decent game play out of it. Also, I don't know if I would try overclocking your CPU as you have a locked multiplier. I would maybe do some research to see if your motherboard could support AM3. If so you can get a Phenom 2 x4 955 Black Edition for around $100. If AM2+ is your best bet, you can find the Phenom 9950 BE pretty cheap... I had that CPU and it games pretty well. Plus with the unlocked mutliplier they can OC pretty well(look into cooling for OCing).

 

[jaguarskx]

Overclocking your cpu would definately help or even upgrading it depending on what cpu your motherboard can take. Looking at your cpu I would suggest upgrading it to a faster cpu, not sure what yours can take.

Considering the PC is made by a brand name company (HP) I really doubt there will be any overclocking options for the CPU.

 

[lemlo]

Considering the PC is made by a brand name company (HP) I really doubt there will be any overclocking options for the CPU.

This and not to mention the first generation phenoms were completely terrible overclockers. I think a 6770-6850 will work just fine and not break your budget. Try and see if you can find a cheap 4gb ddr2 ram kit and go dual channel and get a 6770 I say.