Installing a new graphics card

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  1. Posts : 150
    Windows 7 Ultimate x32
       #1

    Installing a new graphics card


    Hi,

    I'm looking to buy a new graphics card for my desktop, as my current one doesn't really compatible with new games. My graphics card is Intel(R) 82945G Express Chipset Family. However I have no knowledge when it comes to things like this and it would be great if someone recommended me a good graphics card.

    Also does it have to be a certain type or can I buy and use any graphics card?

    Thanks.

      My Computer


  2. tea
    Posts : 157
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit
       #2

    Hey, Welcome to the forums! What kind of games do you wish to play? I see you only have 1GB of RAM, this will hold you back, you should try to get 2+. Also check and see what kind of PCIe slots you have.

    Newegg.com - PNY VCGGTS2501XPB GeForce GTS 250 1GB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

    is the card I have and I play Bad Company 2, Mass Effect 2, ect.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2,606
    Windows 7 Pro X64 SP1
       #3

    According to HP:

    Motherboard Specifications, P5LP-LE (Leonite) - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

    your motherboard has a PCI-E (PCI Express) X16 graphics slot. It's probably PCI-E 1.0. Newer cards are 2.0 or 2.1, but they're supposed to be backwards compatible.

    The main limitation may be your power supply. The board is a microATX one, so it is probably matched with a fairly low capacity supply. It may also lack the auxiliary PCI-E power connectors that higher-end graphics cards require. (The GTS 250 suggested by another poster has a 6 pin PCI-E auxilary connector, for example, and a 450W PSU with a 24A rating at +12V.) As you don't list your HP model, it's hard to guess. Even cards that don't need auxiliary power (Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100253HDMI Radeon HD 4650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Low Profile Ready Video Card) still may want fairly hefty PSUs (400W, SAPPHIRE- HOME).

    My favorite reference for graphics cards is the "power search" page at www.newegg.com. It's a good place to look, even if you're outside their market (USA and Canada).

    Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!

    I'd guess that the best price/performance at the moment may be cards that use the ATI Radeon 4850 chipset. They can be had for around $100US. They are the low end of the Radeon 48xx series (DX 10.1 cards), which was ATI's best prior to the 58xx (DX 11) series. I'm not sure that such a card would fit in most microATX systems, and it needs a 450W+ PSU, with a 6 pin PCI-E power connector.

    (I don't want to give the impression that I'm an ATI fan. I've used both ATI and nVidia. I'm using an nVidia card at the moment.)
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 150
    Windows 7 Ultimate x32
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Alright then thanks for the information guys!

    @tea: I was thinking of doing that before, but the thing is I don't really know how how to install new RAM. All i know is that I have 4 slots, one of them already filled in with 1GB, so Would I have to buy another 1GB RAM to fill the other slot?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 150
    Windows 7 Ultimate x32
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Actually it doesn't matter, I've found the RAM I need to buy.

    So bobkn, is it best if I get a new graphics card with PCI Express 2.0 or higher?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1,496
    7 Ultimate x64
       #6

    You have a 64-bit OS. Get yourself 4GB's of RAM, not 2. You'll be a much happier camper with 4, as will your machine. While 64-bit 7 will run with 1 or 2GB's of RAM, it doesn't run nearly as well as it does with at least 4.

    What games do you want to play and at what resolution will you be playing them at; and, more importantly, how much can you spend in total: card, ram and psu?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 150
    Windows 7 Ultimate x32
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Yeah I realised that, thanks for the tip. I'm looking to spend £60 (max) for each, nothing too expensive

    & I'm normally into FPS or RPG and what you mean resolution? As in screen resolution?
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 1,496
    7 Ultimate x64
       #8

    Yes, your screen's resolution.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 150
    Windows 7 Ultimate x32
    Thread Starter
       #9

    The one im currently using is 1440x900 :)
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 1,496
    7 Ultimate x64
       #10

    Do you know the model number of your HP?
      My Computer


 
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