Need to Upgrade Graphics Card

B

Bakkus

New Member
Hi I'm a entry level gamer and know basically 0 about hardware. The stock graphics card sucks and needs to be upgraded. Here's what I'm running:

Total amount of system memory 4.00 GB RAM
Processor Pentium Dual-Core CPU E5700@ 3.00 GHz
System type 64-bit operating system
Display adapter type Intel(R) G45/G43 Express Chipset
300w Power Supply

I would like to try to keep it under 100. If I have to upgrade my power supply too 125 max. Any suggestions??? Thanks for the help
 
it all depends on the money you want to spend/ the money you can spend/ and the type of gaming you will do.
If you are going to spend a resonable amount of money on a GPU (graphics processing unit/ or graphics card) You will most definatly want to look into a new PSU (power supply unit). As said by jonnyp11, a cheap psu will not always be able to output the power the GPU requires and in cases that it can, it may lead to the death of the GPU.
You need to consider, the GPU you are going to buy and the power the GPU requires.
For example, I purchased a Asus gtx 560 ti dirrectcu2 from this link
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2021918&CatId=3669
and realized i needed a better PSU with the two 4 pin power output cords.
I then had to go on and buy a cool master 750w (i didnt exactly need that psu but i was looking into dual sli and thought it would be a good idea to buy into a really good PSU)
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5662681

Just thought i would give you some example of how the gear in your current setup may need to be upgraded just for you to buy a new GPU
 
What Jonny said is the best you'll probably get for 100. But if you have the patience and a way to make some cash. Save and get a new PSU and video card that's better than what he listed.

Do note that those cards will run any game on medium to high settings with probably closer to high.
 
With that price range you'll need to get a used video card. You also need to make sure you have an available PCIe x16 slot. Assuming that you do, I'll continue.

First we need to address the power supply because that MUST be upgraded first. This corsair is the best bang for the buck with being a little future upgradable-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027&name=Power-Supplies

There's a 10% off promo too for the next 3 days.

Onto the video card, a gts 250 is a really nice card in the price range of the remaining money you'll have. It can play most games at 1080p with medium settings. Plus, at that point your CPU will be much more of a bottleneck than a gts 250 will be for games.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/EVGA-NVIDIA...921?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item25769fd3f1


Both of those combined is only $110 including shipping. Hard to beat that upgrade for the money.


I would NOT recommend getting an AMD 6000/7000 series or Nvidia 500/600 series because I seriously doubt the card will even POST in your board. They are too new for your older hardware.
 
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87dtna said:
I would NOT recommend getting an AMD 6000/7000 series or Nvidia 500/600 series because I seriously doubt the card will even POST in your board. They are too new for your older hardware.
Click to expand...
That and even if he did get a newer card it'd be a waste of money as the CPU would bottleneck it most probably.

My friend has an E5400 with a GTS 250, it's a nice combination. :)
 
Yeah it is a good combo. Plus, both the PSU and the gts 250 would work great once he gets a CPU/motherboard upgrade.
 
If he has a PCIe x 16 slot that is 1.1 or 2.0 spec, it will post any graphics card in there.

It is an issue of power and money. If he has the money and the right PSU, he can put anything he likes in there. I agree though, you can get a good GPU on ebay for less and spend the required amount on a PSU.

And the Corsair 87 linked is damn cheap!
 
bigfellla said:
If he has a PCIe x 16 slot that is 1.1 or 2.0 spec, it will post any graphics card in there.
Click to expand...

Not true! I had 2 cases that older boards would not post a newer card. And one of them was indeed a 775 board, had a 2.0 slot, anything newer than gtx 200 series would not post. I tried a 460, 570, and even a 6850 wouldn't. But the gtx 260 and 8800gt would fire it right up.

bigfellla said:
And the Corsair 87 linked is damn cheap!
Click to expand...

Yeah right now the corsair 430w is $45 and even $5 off with the promo code...PLUS a mail in rebate of $20!!!! Damn thing would be $20! And a quality 430w would be enough for that setup easily, but I'd rather see him get something with a little future upgradeability.
 
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Your example must be a pretty isolated case, nothing I would base his purchasing thoughts around. There are a lot of things like that. I remember getting a Fatality Pro Sound Card which I tried 3 of them, and worked out I had to overclock the PCI lanes to get it to work. Otherwise it would just bluescreen.
 
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