Windows 7: need help finding graphics card for pc

hey peeps

i just got a new pc its a hp s5300 slimline. but it only has onbord graphics the nvidia geforce 6150. but i have been lookin at other graphics as im lookin forward to playing the new final fantasy xiv. i done the graphics test an got a score of 70 lmao as the game is not out yet so i dont no the specs of the game. so i need a real graphics card in my pc but im not sure what cards would b best or even fit lol

if any1 could help me i just dont wana buy the wrong graphics card 2 find out it will not fit or work right

Can you please post a link to your computer?

I believe it has a PCIe slot, so you can fit any card with that slot type. Just make sure your power supply has enough watts for it.

~Lordbob

HP listed a number of different configurations for that model number. As near as I can tell (and the name "slimline" is a pretty good clue) the case is only about 4.4" wide (112mm).

HP Pavilion Slimline s5300 Desktop PC series specifications - HP Home & Home Office products

(Note: This is from HPs UK website, so double-check to make sure you are looking up the exact model you have.)

Under "Slots" it mentions "Low Profile" so I'd be sure about how much room you actually have in the case before ordering anything. The length of the card could be an issue as well, since some of the latest and greatest cards are about as long as your forearm.

Personally, I would shut down the computer, take the side off it and look inside. Find a free PCIx slot and actually measure how much room there is from the slot out to the side of the case and how much room you have from the back of the case to whatever point you'll start bumping into things on the front end. Keep in mind that any good card is going to need an extra power connector or two to run and that they often plug in at the end of the card opposite the mounting bracket. Allow a little extra space for the power connector(s).

The other big thing with video cards is that it's possible to spend just about as much money on one as you can imagine. To make specific recommendations we would need the measurements and also an idea of your budget.

Is this the graphics test you were referring to?

FINAL FANTASY XIV Official Benchmark

It looks like a DirectX9.0c game, so you probably won't need anything too extravagant to run it. Buying more card than you need will help future-proof your computer for when Final Fantasy XV is out. (Sooner or later one of them may actually be the Final Final Fantasy.)

Here's a link to what's available from HP for a CTO (configure to order) version of the S5300:

HP Pavilion Slimline s5300z Desktop PC Product Specifications and Configurable Options HP Pavilion Slimline s5300z CTO Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

HP sells it with nVidia G210 or GT220 cards, or the ATI Radeon HD4350.

If I seach for low-profile PCI-Express graphics cards at www.newegg.com, this is what comes up:

Newegg.com - Yes, PCI Express 2.1 x16, PCI Express 2.0 x16, Low Profile Ready, Low Profile, PCI Express x16, Desktop Graphics / Video Cards, Video C...

(first of 4 pages). It looks like the most powerful card on the list is a Radeon 5570. I don't believe that it's a lot more powerful than a GT220, though. None of the low-profile cards are likely to make your gamer friends envy you, but I presume that they'll give better performance than the onboard nVidia graphics.

ok peeps thanx ever so much for the feed back. last time i added a graphics card to my old pc it was just DDR PCI card but i have had a look at what all u peeps put an i think i have found 1
ASUS HD 4650 1GB DDR2 DVI HDMI Out PCI-E Low Profile.. | Ebuyer.com
i had alook at the GT210-220 as ( profdlp ) said having the slimline kind of a sapce prob lol
as i see that it is a DDR2 witch i presume is what my pc takes.
so i did have alook at the slot were the graphics card go's it has bout 1cm of the slot b4 it has bout a 1mm brake then bout 4-5 cm b4 the end. if any of you no if the link to the graphics card will fit an work in my pc i will buy that 1 as it is a 1gb low profile card

sorry for what i write i no its all over the place

You need to measure the length from the back of the case toward the front as depicted in the red line. Also measure the size of the slot opening in the back of the case.

Regardless what you buy I suggest you get it from a place where you can return it (e.g. Newegg). Chances are that your first selection will not fit because of the cramped quarters in a slimline. Then at least you can go for another one. Measuring the space is one thing, trying it out is another.
You should also review the capacity of your PSU. Chances are you need to beaf that up too.

The graphics memory type on the card has nothing to do with the RAM in the PC. Any sort will do, including GDDR5.

I'd suggest buying a graphics card directly from HP, to make sure that it would fit. I haven't been able to find any links, though. Surprising.

You appear to be in the UK. Here's a link to a GT220 that fits both low-profile and standard ports:

ASUS GT220 1GB GDDR2 DVI VGA HDMI Out PCI-E Graphics.. | Ebuyer.com

I don't know about its length, though.