Need medi... assistance about new video card

QLang

New Member
G'Day ComputerForum people to who im new! :p
Getting straight to the problem (not really a problem, a problematic question more like):
im a greenhorn when it comes to hardware, computer guts and i could use your assistance. Point is, i have this PC right here; AFAIK its fine and all exept the video card. GeForce 6600 is quite retro and crappy right now, i suppose, right? Im looking for some specialists assistance about this - im looking to buy a new video card while not knowing much of them (wich one is good, better and so on). Need your suggestions.
Here's my computer irons (the ones i tought worth telling you):
compspecs.jpg

The software said motherboard is unknown, but it's ''945P Series''. Atleast thats what the book says. And i guess ''945P'' is just series, not a specific model and i dont know how to find out the motherboard model apart from taking off the computer sides and digging inside its guts (if really needed, i can do that).
In general:
I have nVidia GeForce 6600, i think its old and crappy, i need new one. What you suggest? I wish to play vgames like ArmA2 and others around that kind of graphical performance (so far all the system requirments pass such games reccomended specs except the vcard).
Mainly its the vcard assistance needed here, but if im already posting this here, gonna ask one more: how's the rest computer? Will it stand some more years?

P.S.
If more info needed, i can anytime find out more about this PC, but i dont think such detailed intel about it isnt needed just for a videocard change.
 

daisymtc

Active Member
Budget?
Do you have PCI-E x16/ AGP slot?
What PSU have you got?

You could download CPU-Z, you would able to find the mobo model from that.
 

QLang

New Member
Budget?
Do you have PCI-E x16/ AGP slot?
What PSU have you got?

You could download CPU-Z, you would able to find the mobo model from that.

So, lets see...

I guess dont offer me nothing more expensive than 200$ for now, preferably cheaper than that. But i'l see that later. For now <200$, most likely <160$.

I downloaded that CPU-Z, heres my motherboard:
mymotherboard.jpg

Google'd that model... Had heavy time understanding thoes stupid schemes and stuff... It has some PCI-E slots, but cant figure out more, see for yourself: http://www.retrevo.com/pdf/11370dj098/5/Mainboard+Layout#q=MSI+MS-7176 The manual of MS-7176, page 14, board layout.

And about the PSU (had to use vocabulary for this, lol), how do i get to know its model or smth?
 

johnb35

Administrator
Staff member
You have a pci-express port for your video card.

And as far as the psu goes, there should be a model number listed on it somewhere.
 
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QLang

New Member
Im gonna check the PSU in a moment, thanks for the help so far, guys.
I was thinking of swaping the vcard awhile now, but now when i tried ArmA2:OA and it looked like theres 99999 m/s wind blizzard on the battlefield (heavy lags and awful (really really awful) graphics) it made me finally do the step and start doing something.
So yeah, checking thoes vcards you offered and will check my PSU in few moments (as i recall, it should be atleast 500W).
 

FuryRosewood

Active Member
its kinda funny how low you can go on psu's sometimes tho, my friend has a gateway with a 350W psu, 3 gigs of ram, and a phenom i 9500 cpu, which isnt even supported supposedly, according to the motherboard, and has two 500 gig sata harddrives, and he has a non green 9800GT running in it, which to me is kinda silly, but knowing the psu would be useful, but its suprising 'how low you can go'
 

QLang

New Member
Is this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125335
good?
Looking forward to the GTX 460; is there any difference between the same model gigabyte or asus or something card? I still havent found out whats my PSU, need the comp right now, no time to 'disassemble' it :D
So yeah, once i find it out, i guess im gonna ask you guys if the PS fits with the card i intend to buy (would be stupid to buy it and fail).
P.S.
You guys so far been very helpful ;)
 

mihir

VIP Member
you would need a PSU of around 450W of good quality to have a GTX 460 or HD 5830

I would go for a GTX 460
 
Since nobody else has asked. . .

Is this a pre-built system such as a Dell or Gateway or a custom built rig? If it's a pre-built system, please post the brand and model number so that we may help you better.
 

QLang

New Member
I just checked, that GTX 460 is PCI-E x16 2.0. What if i have just PCI-E x16? Will it still support it?
 

mihir

VIP Member
PCI express is a backward compatible slot.
Even though the card will be supported by your motherboard but it will no perform to its full potential as the Older PCI express slots had a lower bus speed compared to the new ones
 

QLang

New Member
Gotcha.
So im looking forward for the GTX 460. Just one last question: AFAIK it has two versions: 768mb and 1gb ones. Is it worth taking the 1gb one as my mobo doesnt have PCI-E 2.0? Or should i take the 768mb card? Actually i dont think thoes 30$ dont matter that much and besides, 30$ for more 256mb? Cheap! Right now im thinking bout the 1 gig version. Any cons about it?
 
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