HP m8430f - Upgrade Video Card?

[girdherd]

Hi,
I Have an old HP m8430f desktop with Pentium Quad Core process that performs fine but I want to start using it for CAD work with a hi-res 27 inch monitor. I'm running Windows 7 and have upgraded the RAM to 8 GB (DDR2-6400). I just purchased a Radeon HD 7750 card to handle the 1920x1080 resolution but haven't opened the box yet. I don't play games or watch movies on it - just e-mail, web surfing, Word, Excel, and now TurboCad. My questions are, will it handle architectural cad drawing and is the $100 upgrade worth it?

 

[COLGeek]

For the purposes/apps listed, it will perform just fine. Another option would be the FirePro V3900 (for the AutoCad support). Here is a link:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195112

 

[girdherd]

Thanks, COL. I installed the card and ordered an HP 27xi monitor. The resolution on my old monitor is slightly better and the system seems to be faster.

 

[COLGeek]

Have fun! WOO HOO!!!

 

[girdherd]

Best answer selected by girdherd.

 

[girdherd]

Hi,
I Have an old HP m8430f desktop with Pentium Quad Core process that performs fine but I want to start using it for CAD work with a hi-res 27 inch monitor. I'm running Windows 7 and have upgraded the RAM to 8 GB (DDR2-6400). I just purchased a Radeon HD 7750 card to handle the 1920x1080 resolution but haven't opened the box yet. I don't play games or watch movies on it - just e-mail, web surfing, Word, Excel, and now TurboCad. My questions are, will it handle architectural cad drawing and is the $100 upgrade worth it?

UPDATE - I installed the card and hooked up the new HP 27xi monitor. Incredible resolution and the system appears to be faster when surfing the web. One benchmark software test shows that the system now ranks with many mid-range Intel i5 systems so I'm pleased with the inexpensive upgrade. My hope was to get a few more years out of this HP m8430f then donate it to the Smithsonian. I think I've met that goal.

Thanks to COLGeek for responding.