Wanting to upgrade to a graphics card, HELP.

[wyseguy]

Ok, I have a HP desktop and i am wanting to upgrade the stock graphics to a better card. I have picture of the slots, and the power supply. I want to get a card in the $100 area and do not really want to upgrade the power supply. If anyone can help me shoot me email and i will send the pictures wyseguy@ymail.com

 

[jgutz2006]

shouldnt need any pictures if you can supply us with the HP Desktop model number, we can then determine the Slots available and the power supply. If you only have the GPU that came with the computer, it wouldnt take much for a huge improvement. Now if you want to play Battlefield 3, your going to be looking for a power supply upgrade as well

 

[wyseguy]

My HP model number is p6823w, bought it this past October

 

[jgutz2006]

Ok so this is the specs page:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c02863024&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=5099035#N1134

Your PC currently has intergrated graphics via a Radeon 4200 with a PCIe 16x slot which is great, you can use any graphics card of your choosing, your achilles heel is really your power supply as its only 250watts which is VERY light on the power side.

Even a 6570 priced at $59 at newegg ( http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150613 ) says it requires a minimum of 400watts, So going down to a 6450, maybe your going to be able to get this to run, but your performance bump, though substantial compared to your internal graphics, is going to struggle playing many games at higher resolutions/frame rates depending on the game.

What are the objectives of this GPU upgrade? gaming?

How about this as an alternative:
Corsair CX500 V2 500W 80Plus Power supply normally 59.99 down to 39.99 with rebate - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027&cm_sp=Cat_Power_Supplies-_-Spotlight-_-17-139-027
Gigabyte 6670 GPU normally 64.99 down to 39.99 with rebate - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125403

this would bottom line set you back $80 + shipping and give you decent results. Now there are many 6670 variations on newegg and some with GDDR5 RAM which will yield better performance over the GDDR3 variant i listed here.

hope this helps

 

[deweycd]

I agree with jqutz2006, the power supply will be needed and the 6670 should help you to play battlefield 3.

 

[wyseguy]

Im not a hardcore gamer, but i just want something that will play games with no slowdown, but dont want to break the bank. I have singularity, sims 3, WOW, might get call of duty, and diablo 3 in the future. Also want the net to look better, videos, dvd, hdmi so i can game and ,surf, watch in hd

 

[wyseguy]

Heres the power supply im interested in

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1147669&CatId=106

Heres some cards i am interested in.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=41125&CatId=3669

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=41126&CatId=3669

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=19633&CatId=3669

Something along the lines of that. Any suggestions ?

 

[jgutz2006]

You cant go wrong with those GPUs, Personally i'm currently a fan of the AMD/ATI GPU's and since you currently had an ATI based intergrated graphics, you wouldnt have to dink around with drivers much at all (not that i would let that prevent you from getting a GPU you are happier with!)
but i would really recommend going with a reputable power source. Especially one with 80plus rating, this rating has to do with efficiency and the Corsair that sets you back more out the gate but ends up only $10 more in the long run is going to pay its dividends over the PSU you mentioned. So its only 72% effificient and that 550 watt power supply is effectively not as powerful as the 500watt Corsair. Now if you prefer Tigerdirect over newegg, then heres the same PSU for the same price after rebate:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=422168&CatId=5431

 

[wyseguy]

So which AMD/ATI GPU would you get, around the price range of the ones i listed. I like TD and NE just the same, dosent matter where i get it from.

 

[wyseguy]

Also this power supply,
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=422168&CatId=5431

i shouldnt have any problems fitting it into my computer would i?

 

[jgutz2006]

GPU, maybe something like the 6670 or something of the sorts. Basically GPUs aside from brand are going to be very competitively priced. You could literally run through the list with your remaining allowance to spend and find your price range and grab the biggest model number from that list!