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How do I know which graphics card are compatible with my computer

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Looks like your current rig has integrated graphics and It has one PCI-e 16x slot for adding a card. I think the thing you need to consider is that your PSU is only 300W and you can't use a card that draws too much power.

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Well first you have to see what your motherboard supports if its AGP which it shouldn't be the specs say you have PCI express slots. 1 (total) / 1 (free) x PCI Express x16,
3 (total) / 3 (free) x PCI Express x1. So you have one pci express x16 which means that on a video cards specs you will have something that says Interface PCIe 3.0 x16 meaning it would work. the x16's are for a graphics card the x1's have a slower speed 500 mbps vs. 8gbps these slots are used for usually network cards and such. The x1 and x16 pretty much just means its the number of lanes it has x1 one lane x16 16 lanes, but for your purpose you have a PCIExpress x16 for one graphics cards so any video card that is PCIexpress which most are now. The problem with this computer is that the power supply only has 300 watts which is rather low so you would have to look at how much power the video card consumes. If you want a new video card for your computer I would change out the power supply as well.
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cmichael138 said:
Looks like your current rig has integrated graphics and It has one PCI-e 16x slot for adding a card. I think the thing you need to consider is that your PSU is only 300W and you can't use a card that draws too much power.


Thank you I appreciate the help
Graphics card Expert

There are 3 factor you have to look for when finding a suitable graphics card. I just simplify what mvweez1 said.

1) CPU. When choosing a GC, we have to look if it's compatible with the CPU. There are no specific ways to tell that, so we have to use logic. A newer CPU usually compatible with newer GPU. In your case, you have an i5 2300, so most newer GPU is compatible.

2) The slot. Newer graphic cards use PCI-E X16 slot. You have to find out if your motherboard have that slot. In your case, your motherboard have one.

3) PSU. PSU is the most important factor when choosing a GC. High end GPU use lots of power, so a bigger watt PSU have to be use. In your case, you have a 300W PSU, so any GC without a power connector can fit in. But, I recommend you to upgrade your PSU to atleast quality 500W PSU (Antec, Corsair, SeaSonic, XFX) and above. You can find one about $40.

Now, we only want to know your GC budget. :) 

mvweez1 said:
Well first you have to see what your motherboard supports if its AGP which it shouldn't be the specs say you have PCI express slots. 1 (total) / 1 (free) x PCI Express x16,
3 (total) / 3 (free) x PCI Express x1. So you have one pci express x16 which means that on a video cards specs you will have something that says Interface PCIe 3.0 x16 meaning it would work. the x16's are for a graphics card the x1's have a slower speed 500 mbps vs. 8gbps these slots are used for usually network cards and such. The x1 and x16 pretty much just means its the number of lanes it has x1 one lane x16 16 lanes, but for your purpose you have a PCIExpress x16 for one graphics cards so any video card that is PCIexpress which most are now. The problem with this computer is that the power supply only has 300 watts which is rather low so you would have to look at how much power the video card consumes. If you want a new video card for your computer I would change out the power supply as well.


Thank you so much for the in depth answer It is appreciated

I did take a look inside the case and it looks to me as if the power supply is really crammed up in there Is there any way to find a higher wattage power supply that will fit in it thats the same or close to the same size Do they have any places that you know of like when you're looking for RAM cards sometimes they have a page where you can just put in your computers model and it tells you the compatible Are most power supplies a standard size or do you have to measure the existing one and go from there I was also wondering about the plugs coming off the power supply Most of the plugs on this one look like little six pin plugs four on one row and two on the other just above the four. I guess what Im trying to say is Do most aftermarket power supplies come with specific plugs coming off of them I really appreciate the help I guess I could just get one that works with the existing power supply but I was really hoping to get an upgrade that would help with running video and such Thanks Again

acerace said:
There are 3 factor you have to look for when finding a suitable graphics card. I just simplify what mvweez1 said.

1) CPU. When choosing a GC, we have to look if it's compatible with the CPU. There are no specific ways to tell that, so we have to use logic. A newer CPU usually compatible with newer GPU. In your case, you have an i5 2300, so most newer GPU is compatible.

2) The slot. Newer graphic cards use PCI-E X16 slot. You have to find out if your motherboard have that slot. In your case, your motherboard have one.

3) PSU. PSU is the most important factor when choosing a GC. High end GPU use lots of power, so a bigger watt PSU have to be use. In your case, you have a 300W PSU, so any GC without a power connector can fit in. But, I recommend you to upgrade your PSU to atleast quality 500W PSU (Antec, Corsair, SeaSonic, XFX) and above. You can find one about $40.

Now, we only want to know your GC budget. :) 


Thank you

mvweez1 said:
Well first you have to see what your motherboard supports if its AGP which it shouldn't be the specs say you have PCI express slots. 1 (total) / 1 (free) x PCI Express x16,
3 (total) / 3 (free) x PCI Express x1. So you have one pci express x16 which means that on a video cards specs you will have something that says Interface PCIe 3.0 x16 meaning it would work. the x16's are for a graphics card the x1's have a slower speed 500 mbps vs. 8gbps these slots are used for usually network cards and such. The x1 and x16 pretty much just means its the number of lanes it has x1 one lane x16 16 lanes, but for your purpose you have a PCIExpress x16 for one graphics cards so any video card that is PCIexpress which most are now. The problem with this computer is that the power supply only has 300 watts which is rather low so you would have to look at how much power the video card consumes. If you want a new video card for your computer I would change out the power supply as well.



Thank you for taking the time to answer my question I appreciate it,Jeff
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