*Newbie thread* I am interested in getting a new graphics card for gaming

[Clyde Cieslik]

This is the setup I am running:
http://www.asrock.com/mb/intel/g31m-s/

(I have replaced the power supply to an A-power AK series 680W power supply.)

I am very new to computer upgrades/ computer tech but am trying to learn as much as possible I looked into graphics cards and am looking to buy a nivida geforce 6800, but as I searched for a graphics card in my PC I could not find anything that matched the description of a "graphics card"

So what I'm trying to as is does my computer have a graphics card and should I even buy a graphics card or a GPU. Because I play WoW mostly and have gotten a message that for the new expansion I must upgrade my graphics card, which is why Im doing this in the first place. And as my knowledge expands I will slowly create my own rig for gaming

 

[Pcbuilder123]

Any graphics card will work, just need a new psu and obviously a gpu.
Cx430:http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Builder-Series-EPS-80-certified/dp/B0092ML1SC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403644810&sr=8-1&keywords=cx430
Gtx 750:http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Superclock-Dual-Link-Graphics-02G-P4-3753-KR/dp/B00IDG3IDO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403644820&sr=8-1&keywords=gtx750

 

[CrispyChips]

Well the link you provided is just your motherboard so im not for sure you DONT have a graphics card,but most prebuilt PCs wont have one. You could download GPU-Z and it will tell you for sure.

Do not buy the 6800,its from 2004 so you wont see any use in more modern games or even WoW since it got the DX11 patch.

PCbuilder linked a pretty decent card for light gaming,the GTX 750ti, but we could find you a more powerful card for the same amount of money.

The main thing the 750Ti has going for it is; super low power consumption. At load it only draws 60watt which can all be supplied through the PCI-E slot.

Which makes me wonder why he listed a new powersupply,as yours is fine..

 

[Pcbuilder123]

Well the link you provided is just your motherboard so im not for sure you DONT have a graphics card,but most prebuilt PCs wont have one. You could download GPU-Z and it will tell you for sure.

Do not buy the 6800,its from 2004 so you wont see any use in more modern games or even WoW since it got the DX11 patch.

PCbuilder linked a pretty decent card for light gaming,the GTX 750ti, but we could find you a more powerful card for the same amount of money.

The main thing the 750Ti has going for it is; super low power consumption. At load it only draws 60watt which can all be supplied through the PCI-E slot.

Which makes me wonder why he listed a new powersupply,as yours is fine..

He doesn't mention which one does. Better to upgrade more so you can aim for a system rebuild. You should really really not get the 6800. Get the gt630 worst case, haha. But don't. At least a 640, but preferably a 750.

 

[Clyde Cieslik]

Well the link you provided is just your motherboard so im not for sure you DONT have a graphics card,but most prebuilt PCs wont have one. You could download GPU-Z and it will tell you for sure.

Do not buy the 6800,its from 2004 so you wont see any use in more modern games or even WoW since it got the DX11 patch.

PCbuilder linked a pretty decent card for light gaming,the GTX 750ti, but we could find you a more powerful card for the same amount of money.

The main thing the 750Ti has going for it is; super low power consumption. At load it only draws 60watt which can all be supplied through the PCI-E slot.

Which makes me wonder why he listed a new powersupply,as yours is fine..

What else would you suggest in terms of the graphics card? Im not looking to break the bank....... yet but just looking to play Warlords of Dreanor when it releases

And what else would be good to upgrade at this time that isnt too expensive

 

[Pcbuilder123]

Well the link you provided is just your motherboard so im not for sure you DONT have a graphics card,but most prebuilt PCs wont have one. You could download GPU-Z and it will tell you for sure.

Do not buy the 6800,its from 2004 so you wont see any use in more modern games or even WoW since it got the DX11 patch.

PCbuilder linked a pretty decent card for light gaming,the GTX 750ti, but we could find you a more powerful card for the same amount of money.

The main thing the 750Ti has going for it is; super low power consumption. At load it only draws 60watt which can all be supplied through the PCI-E slot.

Which makes me wonder why he listed a new powersupply,as yours is fine..

What else would you suggest in terms of the graphics card? Im not looking to break the bank....... yet but just looking to play Warlords of Dreanor when it releases

Whats the budget? Won't even open with the 6800. Try the gt630 or 640? on ebay the 640 is as cheap as 49$

 

[Clyde Cieslik]

Id like to spend less than 300, unless I am going to start up a whole new rig which will probably be in the next 6 months

 

[CrispyChips]

Well there's probably nothing you can upgrade and use in that rig that you could use in a new rig besides,

a Graphics card; The 750ti would work in that PC and in a new PC,but it would be the weakest point in the new PC. EDIT: And anything stronger than a 750ti will stress your powersupply,which i wouldnt trust for reasons shown below.

And Powersupply; Yours supplies 48amps over two 12volt rails,which is ok but i wouldnt trust it because ive never heard of the brand and it lists no efficiency rating(i.e +80%).

Those are the only two parts your current PC and a new PC could use.

 

[Clyde Cieslik]

Well the link you provided is just your motherboard so im not for sure you DONT have a graphics card,but most prebuilt PCs wont have one. You could download GPU-Z and it will tell you for sure.

Do not buy the 6800,its from 2004 so you wont see any use in more modern games or even WoW since it got the DX11 patch.

PCbuilder linked a pretty decent card for light gaming,the GTX 750ti, but we could find you a more powerful card for the same amount of money.

The main thing the 750Ti has going for it is; super low power consumption. At load it only draws 60watt which can all be supplied through the PCI-E slot.

Which makes me wonder why he listed a new powersupply,as yours is fine..

What else would you suggest in terms of the graphics card? Im not looking to break the bank....... yet but just looking to play Warlords of Dreanor when it releases

Whats the budget? Won't even open with the 6800. Try the gt630 or 640? on ebay the 640 is as cheap as 49$

Also, Im not sure exactly where I would plug the Graphics card in.... I was reading an article (http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/pc-upgrades/3470162/how-upgrade-your-graphics-card/) and it talks about the "PCI express" which I cant seem to find on my motherboard

 

[CrispyChips]

I Rotated the pic to its correct orientation and outlined the PCI-E slot in red here.

 

[Clyde Cieslik]

I Rotated the pic to its correct orientation and outlined the PCI-E slot in red here.

Thank you both so much, you have saved my gaming life haha