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Started by Peter5498 | | 10 answers
Graphics Card Compatibility
Hey!

I'm new to these forums and have heard good things. But to the chase, I'm questioning if I'll need a new motherboard for a graphics card that I'd like to install. My PC can be found here: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01...
While the graphics card that I'm interested in can be found here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

I am well aware that for the graphics card to be installed, I will need a better PSU which I will get depending on if this card is compatible with my machine. I do have a PCI x16 slot so I'm assuming that it will fit for sure since I've heard that any graphics card is able to fit in a x16 slot. Yet I'm not too sure about the HDMI that the card offers. If it's compatible with HDMI, does that mean that I may need a new motherboard?

Any other hardware that should be recommended to me with this card, go ahead and list.

Thanks,

Peter
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Best solution chosen by noahhicks

September 7, 2014 5:24:03 PM

I have a very similar motherboard and cpu on my compaq (same as HP) desktop. Its got pci-e 1.0 with a hd 7770 installed which uses pci express 3.0. Your cpu is more than adequate to handle the graphics card. Personally, I would get a gtx 750 or 750 ti because they perform much better with a small price increase and they don't require much power. I am 150% sure the card you chose will fit in your machine. Good luck with your decision.
edit: I forgot to add, if you do want a card in this price range, why don't you get the gt 740. Its newer and has better performance at the same price.

Gt 740: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Gtx 750: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Gtx 750 ti: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
September 7, 2014 2:09:35 PM

I've actually been deeply looking into the 650 and have found that it's a PCI-E 3.0 while my motherboard is only a PCI-E 1.0. I have also found that i believe PCI-E 3.0 cards have backwards compatibility with PCI-E 1.0 - 2.0(I believe). So as I've read, I may encounter problems with this possibly? Or a possibility of a very low bandwith thus making gameplay significantely or insignificantely slower? I'm a but worried about this and questioning if I should buy a PCI-E 3.0 motherboard.

Thanks,

Peter
a c 250 U Graphics card
a c 374 V Motherboard
September 6, 2014 9:51:47 PM

I wouldn't spend time or money upgrading a pre-built. Especially with HP and Dell; its too hard to get detailed info.

If you want to chop and change bits and pieces, it's a hell of a lot easier if you're playing with a custom built pc.

So I'd advise to just put your graphics card in and leave it at that.
September 6, 2014 8:53:42 PM

noahhicks said:
The 650 has much faster RAM.
The speed of RAM on a GPU (GDDR5 vs GDDR3) can be more important than the actual amount. Obviously this varies from card to card but is a good general rule.

Though really, if you're looking for cards at a certain price point or power draw, check out Tom's guide.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-car...
There should be a new one for September soon. Any of the cards will work in your PCIE slot as long as they fit the physical space.

Thanks again!

My last question would be, do you believe that I should also invest in a CPU that could have the ability to overclock if this graphics card can? Either way, would overclocking on a newer CPU be the better choice? I'd imagine that I should get a new motherboard if that's the case.

Thanks,

Peter
a b V Motherboard
September 6, 2014 8:24:23 PM

The 650 has much faster RAM.
The speed of RAM on a GPU (GDDR5 vs GDDR3) can be more important than the actual amount. Obviously this varies from card to card but is a good general rule.

Though really, if you're looking for cards at a certain price point or power draw, check out Tom's guide.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-car...
There should be a new one for September soon. Any of the cards will work in your PCIE slot as long as they fit the physical space.
September 6, 2014 6:38:00 PM

noahhicks said:
Yes the card is compatible, though we don't know exactly how much space you have.

May I recommend instead of the 640, this one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=14-130-...

Note that the dimensions under Specifications are listed. Open the case, take a tape measure and see if you have enough space above the PCI-E16 slot.

Also, HDMI is the connection from the GPU (Video Card) to the monitor. In the case of the card I listed there are 3 options, HDMI, DVI-D and DVI-A. Make sure your monitor can handle at least 1 of these connections and you'll be good to go!


Hm, well the card listed does look interesting. May I ask, why the one listed? I had noticed that it has only 1GB which I'd imagine is perfectly fine. Along with it being a GDDR5 card.

Another question, would this card be compatible with a DirectX 9.0c requirement for some sort of game? I'm not too aware on DirectX.

Thanks again
a b V Motherboard
September 6, 2014 6:08:36 PM

Yes the card is compatible, though we don't know exactly how much space you have.

May I recommend instead of the 640, this one?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=14-130-...

Note that the dimensions under Specifications are listed. Open the case, take a tape measure and see if you have enough space above the PCI-E16 slot.

Also, HDMI is the connection from the GPU (Video Card) to the monitor. In the case of the card I listed there are 3 options, HDMI, DVI-D and DVI-A. Make sure your monitor can handle at least 1 of these connections and you'll be good to go!
a c 250 U Graphics card
a c 374 V Motherboard
September 6, 2014 6:05:20 PM

If the GT640 fits in your case and your power supply is 350+W then you should be OK.

The HDMI can be used with a HDMI port on a monitor. There's no issue with your motherboard.
a b U Graphics card
a b V Motherboard
September 6, 2014 6:02:52 PM

While it would work , I am not very sure the CPU will handle it ! Also I don't know if that motherboard accepts modifications or not but to make sure you can always message our best guy here SR-71 Blackbird as he has experience with these sorts of stuff.

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