Looking to upgrade graphics card

S

Stacey88

New Member
I'm looking to upgrade my graphics card, when i bought it years ago it wasn't too bad, but it's now outdated and I'd like a graphics card that will be able to handle better graphics when I'm gaming and stuff. but i haven't got the first clue about computers and i don't know if I'll go out and buy a decent graphics card only to get home and find out that my computer can't handle it, so I'm gonna post my specs in the hope one of you guys can enlighten me please.

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System Information
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Time of this report: 8/7/2012, 13:22:00
Machine name: 6E316049E3BF48F
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.100216-1441)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Higraded
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) D CPU 3.40GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1022MB RAM
Page File: 423MB used, 2036MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 7300 LE
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 7300 LE
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_01D1&SUBSYS_22081682&REV_A1
Display Memory: 512.0 MB
Current Mode: 1360 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Res:
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.9131 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 6/2/2006 00:22:00, 4529408 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 6/2/2006 00:22:00, 3925920 bytes


No idea whether this is enough info but if it isn't i can get the rest.
 
Hi, :)

What games are you intending to play on this machine?..and whats your budget?

That systems quite outdated,Only has 1GB of ram and you would most likely need a new Power supply.
So even if you did get a new graphics card your still going to be held back by the CPU and ram.
 
No wonder it runs so slow and glitchy then lol.
I had a feeling the computer wouldn't be able to handle a new graphics card like you said, given the rest of it.
Not really sure about budget, I can always try and get the new bits piece by piece.
Is it that bad that it would work out cheaper just to buy a new PC? is this PC just useless for gaming? To be honest I've only just recently got this computer, bought it a few years back but my brother had it, I've just tried SecondLife on it, and even that is seriously struggling. What would you recommend I buy to try and upgrade it so it's more useable?
Thanks for replying :)
 
Its not "Useless",Just could do with more ram..a better graphics card etc.
But like i said it depends on what games your intending to play that determines if your okay with your current setup or not.

Download and install this App,
http://www.piriform.com/speccy

Have a look on the "Motherboard" part and tell us what model your motherboard is.
Really we also need to know what Power supply you currently have in the system too,Only way of knowing this would be to take off the side panel of your case and take a look.
 
Ok I'm back with the info, not sure whether you just wanted the model of the motherboard so I'm just gonna post everything that came up in the motherboard section just to be safe.
I opened up the case and think I found the power unit, the info written on it sounded pwer-ish, so I jotted down all that was on there and I hope I got what you needed, will post that underneath the motherboard info.
Thanks for this. :-)

Motherboard
Manufacturer Foxconn
Model P4M890-8237 (Socket 775)
Chipset Vendor VIA
Chipset Model P4M890
Chipset Revision 00
Southbridge Vendor VIA
Southbridge Model VT8237
Southbridge Revision 00
System Temperature 38 °C
BIOS
Brand Phoenix Technologies, LTD
Version 6.00 PG
Date 05/25/2006
Voltage
CPU CORE 1.168 V
MEMORY CONTROLLER 1.840 V
+3.3V 3.264 V
+5V 4.919 V
+12V 11.648 V
-12V -3.520 V
-5V -9.152 V
+5V HIGH THRESHOLD 5.027 V
CMOS BATTERY 3.216 V
PCI Data
Slot PCI
Slot Type PCI
Slot Usage Available
Bus Width 32 bit
Slot Designation PCI0
Slot Number 0
Slot PCI
Slot Type PCI
---------------------------------

Power:

Model ATX-300GTF
AC Input - 230V-4A,50hz
DC Output - 300W
+3.3v-20.0A (org) +5v-30.0A (red)
+12v-130A(yel)+5vsb-2.0A(purp)-5v
0.3a(white)-12v-0.8a(blue)
Fuse Rating: 6.3a,250v
(+3.3v & +5v = 180W MAX)

It also had FSP GROUP written on it, not sure whether that's any help, I sorta wrote everything I could see on my hand lol.
 
Right,Looked up that board on Foxconns website,And cant seem to find it for some reason,So im unsure of what CPU or Memory it supports. :cool:

The only thing i could find on Google was this,Which does not tell me a whole fat lot in terms of MAX memory it can take or CPU. :cool:
http://www.mrmemory.co.uk/memory/product.asp?ProductID=46248

What exact games do you want to play though?

That Power supply you have isn't great either :cool:,Would most likely have to be replaced if you bought a new GPU.

To be perfectly honest,If i was you i would not spend any money on this system,I doubt that board will support over 4GB of ram,and even if it did support a decent Quad core CPU they are still expensive for LGA 775.
 
:( ok Thankyou.
To be honest I wasn't thinking of using the computer for major games, just SecondLife, it's just annoying because I pretty much have to have the graphics settings on the bare minimum, so it all looks pretty crappy, and even then the frame rates I get are quite bad. That's why I was hoping maybe if I bought a new graphics card I could take advantage of some of the higher graphic settings without the frame rate going down to like 5 or less.
Thanks for the help though.
 
Please download and install PC WIzard from my sig. Run it and go to FILE SAVE AS and click OK, save the text file and copy its contents into this thread.

You will need a new PSU either way.
 
PC Wizard 2012 Version 2.0
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Owner: stace
User: stace
Computer Name: 6E316049E3BF48F
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 5.01.2600 Service Pack 2
Report Date: Wednesday 08 August 2012 at 10:30

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<<< System Summary >>>

> Manufacturer : Hi-Grade Computers PLC

> Mainboard : Foxconn P4M890-8237

> Chipset : VIA P4M890

> Processor : Intel Pentium XE 945 @ 3400MHz

> Physical Memory : 1024MB (2 x 512 DDR2-SDRAM )

> Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce 7300 LE

> Hard Disk : HDT722525DLA380 (250GB)

> Hard Disk : HDT722525DLA380 (250GB)

> DVD-Rom Drive

> DVD-Rom Drive

> Monitor Type : HannsStar HZ194A - 19 inches

> Monitor Type : Samsung SAMSUNG - 19 inches

> Network Card : Realtek Semiconductor RTL8169/8110 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter

> Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition 5.01.2600 Service Pack 2 (32-bit)

> DirectX : Version 9.0c

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
***** End of report *****
 
Ok it supports PCIe x16, but that PSU doesn't.

You will need a new PSU too, please specify your max budget.
 
To be honest I haven't really put aside money specifically for upgrading the computer, I was hoping to find out the approximate cost and put money aside each payday etc and build up to buying whatever I need. Obviously I'd prefer it be cheap as possible, but if I'm buying an upgrade I want it to be worthit and notice an improvement.
I have no idea what a PCIe x16 is.
 
Stacey88 said:
To be honest I haven't really put aside money specifically for upgrading the computer, I was hoping to find out the approximate cost and put money aside each payday etc and build up to buying whatever I need. Obviously I'd prefer it be cheap as possible, but if I'm buying an upgrade I want it to be worthit and notice an improvement.
I have no idea what a PCIe x16 is.
Click to expand...

Sorry bro, PCIe stands for peripheral component interface express. The 16 means 16 lanes. Basically that is the interface between the CPU and the graphics card. PCIe16 is the basic modern requirement for graphics cards.

Your computer supports that meaning you can technically put any graphics card into your computer and it should work.

The limiting agent will be the ability to supply stable, clean and sufficient power on the 12V rail which is what the graphics and cpu runs on. That is something that your PSU needs to be able to provide. So given any new graphics card purchase you choose will necessitate a new PSU, state your budget bro.
 
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To be honest mate, here's an idea, i have an 8800GT sitting here that I have just refurbished. I will get a quote on the shipping costs, you can have it for free.

That is a massive upgrade from what you have, and will play any game at your resolution.

IMG_0727.jpg


Spend your money on a nice PSU like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

$50 after rebate, and will power you into the future easily.

If you want something more powerful than a 8800GT then we can find you something too..
 
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That would be bloody amazing. Thanks mate :eek:
So if I get that PSU, I can use that graphics card ?
Should I be thinking about trying to get some extra ram, like a 4gb or something? I'm beginning to realise how crappy 1gb really is, couldn't even install Photoshop CS6. Grim. But then if the ram isn't needed for the graphics card and PSU I can maybe get that later down the line?
 
Stacey88 said:
That would be bloody amazing. Thanks mate :eek:
So if I get that PSU, I can use that graphics card ?
Should I be thinking about trying to get some extra ram, like a 4gb or something? I'm beginning to realise how crappy 1gb really is, couldn't even install Photoshop CS6. Grim. But then if the ram isn't needed for the graphics card and PSU I can maybe get that later down the line?
Click to expand...

Yeah no problem, just PM your deets and ill get back to you on the cost of shipping.
 
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