Hardware I need a new graphics card...

[Twiffles]

While I'm saving money, I decided to save up for a new graphics card too. I have a utter piece of fail called "Nvidia GeForce 6150SE nForce 430". It's a default on this Vista comp. Any ideas on what I should get? Nothing over the top, but can play games like Team Fortress 2 and Portal perfect and maybe Crisis.... maybe.

 

[NeoWoeN]

Ati 4850. ( or 4870 )

I'm playing a TF2 in very high, Portal too.

For Crysis, 1680 * 1050 with high graphics.

( only for 150€ .... )

 

[coolbho3000]

The Radeon 4850 is what I'd recommend. It's around $160-$200 (USD) if you include the rebates that come with it, but the card packs a lot of power for the price.

 

[Joe88]

whats your current specs

like PSU, and open slots (AGP, PCI-e 16x ?), and buget (how much you want to spend)

 

[Twiffles]

whats your current specs

like PSU, and open slots (AGP, PCI-e 16x ?), and buget (how much you want to spend)

Eh, highest I'd probably go is $300~

 

[coolbho3000]

Judging by the specifications of your computer, I would say that it has a PCI-E slot. Let me check the model to make sure...

For your budget, a Radeon 4870 sounds like the optimal choice.

EDIT: Yes, it has a PCI-E x16 slot, so a 4870 will work:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16883107512

 

[Joe88]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16883107512

thats seems to be his PC

now the concern is the PSU
judging by the pics it has no PCI-e power conenctors
which most likely means its can not support big GPU's

can you open your case and copy the information on the sticker on the PSU and post it?
that way I can see the watts and amps it is pushing the the 12v+ rail

 

[Twiffles]

Well I can't really open the case since my parents are here and won't approve, but from what I gather it's a 300w.

 

[Deleted User]

For your budget, a Radeon 4870 sounds like the optimal choice.

Do what this guy says. He's way smart.

And get at least a 500 W PSU with the 6 pin GPU plugs. (Antec....)

 

[Joe88]

he cant just stick that card in the computer and expect it to work
the PSU cant provide power for it

 

[fischju]

$180 for video card, $120 for PSU. Get the cheapest 4850 from newegg, and a 600w OCZ PSU (should have a $25-30 MIR)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16817341001
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16814161235

Also, HER

 

[TheWingless]

You also might want to check if you can use a high profile card/low profile card. I only see 4 expansion slots. But you won't really know unless you open it. It's really dependent on where the PCI-E slot is located. Most of the 4850s look like they only use one expansion slot while the most 70s will use 2 for venting out hot air.

 

[Gman 101]

Get a decent Corsair or Thermaltake PSU (don't get Antec, reports on other forums of blowing fuses and stuff) which is 500W, possibly 430W (you might be stretching it, but it's all in the name of saving money). And go for an HD4850. It's better than the 9800GTX+ and it's full of win. But if the case is a low profile case... well I guess there's not much. Can you take a pic of your computer (and more specifically, the back?)

 

[Joe88]

there is pics of the back on the newegg link

 

[Gman 101]

there is pics of the back on the newegg link

I meant the back of her computer. If her computer is a Mini ATX, then the PSU mightn't fit... I hate comps which you buy at the store...

 

[TheWingless]

IMAGES FROM THE NEWEGG LINK:

Spoiler

PCI Slots (Available/Total)
(1/2) PCI slots
(1/1) PCI-E x16 slot
(1/1) PCI-E x1 slot

Since one is being taken up, I assume the top 2 are the PCI slots, then the small is the PCI E x1, and then the PCI-EX16.
There's gonna be a whole lot of wires in the way... But a high profile card might work as you probably might not use the X1. If you get a card with just a heat sink(probably not too good for gaming?), it might be too large depending on its size.

 

[xcalibur]

If you don't want to go all out, you could just buy a good mid-range card. The 8800GS and 9600GT are good choices. If you honestly just want to play games at low resolutions like 1024x768 or 1280x960 then you might as well get an 8500GT or HD 3650. They probably could only play crysis at medium settings but it probably wouldn't matter to you. Also, they're considerably cheaper than the rest.

 

[Mangofett]

Well I can't really open the case since my parents are here and won't approve, but from what I gather it's a 300w.

The best thing you can purchase right now is an 8600gt.

HP computers don't come with additional +12 volt rails so you can't attach a high powered graphics card.

Alternatively, you can wait for the 9500gt... a little more powerful than the 8600gt.

 

[Gman 101]

Well I can't really open the case since my parents are here and won't approve, but from what I gather it's a 300w.

The best thing you can purchase right now is an 8600gt.

HP computers don't come with additional +12 volt rails so you can't attach a high powered graphics card.

Alternatively, you can wait for the 9500gt... a little more powerful than the 8600gt.

As a rule of thumb, you need 430W minimum for a graphics card. 300W will die even with a 6600GT. To be perfectly honest, you CAN'T upgarde. Even an 8600GT won't be compatible. Well it could possibly run at first, but you would get a lot of lag errors, BSODs, and damaged hardware over time. Especially when the computer's under load (e.g. during a game or HD movie), your graphics card will eat up a lot more power.

Also Xcalibur mentioned above that you could possibly play Crysis on medium with an 8500GT. I wish that were the case. Unfortunately I had massive problems playing on medium at 1440x900 with a 7950GX2. Most reviews used medium detail anyway... so Crysis is definitely out of the question with any low end card.

 

[xcalibur]

Well I can't really open the case since my parents are here and won't approve, but from what I gather it's a 300w.

The best thing you can purchase right now is an 8600gt.

HP computers don't come with additional +12 volt rails so you can't attach a high powered graphics card.

Alternatively, you can wait for the 9500gt... a little more powerful than the 8600gt.

As a rule of thumb, you need 430W minimum for a graphics card. 300W will die even with a 6600GT. To be perfectly honest, you CAN'T upgarde. Even an 8600GT won't be compatible. Well it could possibly run at first, but you would get a lot of lag errors, BSODs, and damaged hardware over time. Especially when the computer's under load (e.g. during a game or HD movie), your graphics card will eat up a lot more power.

Also Xcalibur mentioned above that you could possibly play Crysis on medium with an 8500GT. I wish that were the case. Unfortunately I had massive problems playing on medium at 1440x900 with a 7950GX2. Most reviews used medium detail anyway... so Crysis is definitely out of the question with any low end card.

the 7 series were the first ones to use sli on a stick and had a lot of issues. I've played crysis on those settings before and it worked fine in DX9. A new PSU would also be a good suggestion too.