A hardware question

[Condor33]

Well, I've finally gotten tired of my frankly poor system performance and have started to upgrade my computer. I've already installed 2GB of additional ram and am now trying to find a new video card. Currently I have a lame-ass integrated card that is more of a leech on my system then any help. I'm trying to get the most powerful video card I can find for a 300 watt PSU, although I'm willing to upgrade that. I don't really want to spend more than 120-150 dollars on this (I'm a cheapskate) and I don't know enough about video cards to just go Google it and get the best option. I've tried.


I have an HP a1710n. Rather than just give the specs and probably miss one, I'll link you to them. Can anyone help?

[123savethewhales]

I doubt you can plug in an external video card without more power.

Unfortunately, a good (as in quiet) 500 PSU cost about 80+ dollars.  Last I checked corsair is pretty good.  If you must be cheap you can get one of those vacuum cleaners for 50.  I personally can't stand the noise.

[Condor33]

Could you give me a link to that? I'd prefer to just get a 300-watt video card and live with the smaller processing power than get a new PSU but if that's what it takes I'll do it. Mainly I just want a new card because even the cheapest crappiest one on the market would be better than my GeForce 6150 LE, which can't even boot most up to date games.


I'm considering a GeForce GT 240. Can my system do better? Recommendations?

[123savethewhales]

Well, plug a video card on a 300 watt PSU at your own risk.

If you want to learn more about PSU, here's a good place to look

http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/ram-power-supply-support/192217-power-supply-information-selection.html

If you don't want to up your PSU, you are probably better off not upgrading.  It's best be safe than sorry.  The thing is that your 300 watt is barely enough to run all the other components as is.  Even low end video card you are pushing it with 400 watt and are probably best with a 550 watt.  Not having enough power and you might encounter overheating and blue screen (and on occasion, hardware failures).

They also have a short list of video card and power recommendations here.

http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/video-card-support/371158-video-card-quick-list.html

If your computer is "really" old it might not be using the PCI e 2.0 (open it up to check if you are not sure).  You obviously don't want to buy your video card only to find out you don't have the slot for it.  Also be sure to check if there are enough physical space to fit a video card into the machine.

If you want to use the GeForce GT 240 (though it's not that good), you can try with this 550 watt psu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004&cm_re=corsair_psu-_-17-139-004-_-Product

Or if you want to risk having just 400 watt, here's another option.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008&cm_re=corsair_psu-_-17-139-008-_-Product

Corsair is fairly sturdy and should be able to handle it, although *MAKE SURE YOU CHECK FOR COMPARABILITY BEFORE BUYING ANY PRODUCTS.*

[Serge]

This may sound dumb, but does your motherboard have a PCI-E or AGP slot? Many HP computer motherboards don't.

I'd upgrade the whole motherboard if I were you.

[Jack Daniels]

This may sound dumb, but does your motherboard have a PCI-E or AGP slot? Many HP computer motherboards don't.

I'd upgrade the whole motherboard if I were you.

It actually has an Asus Motherboard with a 16x PCI-E slot.  Not a bad board at all.  The Power supply is the main issue with that computer though. Terribly underpowered. Upgrading the card and PSU should be the best things to do with that machine.

[Condor33]

Ok... now I need a PSU recommendation as we as one for a video card. So, lets say I buy the 550 watt one listed above. That's $90 out there, unless I can get it cheaper, and I cap at $200 because past that point I'm going to run out of money. What kind of card can I get for 110 dollars that doesn't suck?

[Serge]

It's going to be hard. I bought a 8500GT from Gigabyte a few months ago, and it kinda sucks.

[123savethewhales]

Well, a 550 watt can probably handle a GeForce 9600 without overclocking, and also fit within your expected price range.  Through I can't say I know much about the video card department.

[Condor33]

Well, after much procrastinating thinking on the subject, I've decided on this PSU (550 watt version) and one of these video cards. The only problem is that there's 19 of them! What should I use to decide between them? Most of them would work in my system, so that isn't very helpful.