Installing a new graphics card

[Fumz]

haha just ate it sorry :devil:

Just opened up my computer and by looking at where the PCI-E x16 port is, there is only a gap of 0.8cm between the port and the intel thing. what am i going to do now

Probably wish you hadn't been so greedy?

 

[saroy94]

Oh no it's alright now, I just realised the fan on the product I'm intending on getting goes down, not up Thanks for all the help

 

[Fumz]

Covered, page 4. http://www.sevenforums.com/799652-post39.html

 

[saroy94]

Covered, page 4. http://www.sevenforums.com/799652-post39.html

oh yeah, and all this time I thought that the heatsink would be going up :shock:

 

[Lordbob75]

Your motherboard has a 24pin ATX with a 4pin extension. A lot of newer boards use this, as do the newer PSUs, but it is worth making sure. I don't know if the one Fumz posted has that or not.

If you have something in the way where your graphics card will go, simply move it

~Lordbob

 

[saroy94]

Well one of the PCI ports has a TV tuner in there, but I don't need that

 

[Faladu]

Ah, see how easy it is to get confused!!

PCI slot btw.

So you are taking the plunge?

Which video card?

 

[saroy94]

Yeah you know what I mean

I'll probably be going for this one, similar to what you recommended me: HIS ATI Radeon HD 4850 iCooler IV 1024MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card [H485FM1GH] Graphics and Video ATI HD 4000 Series

Apart from putting the graphics card into the PCI-E slot, what else must I connect to it?

 

[bobkn]

Yeah you know what I mean

I'll probably be going for this one, similar to what you recommended me: HIS ATI Radeon HD 4850 iCooler IV 1024MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card [H485FM1GH] Graphics and Video ATI HD 4000 Series

Apart from putting the graphics card into the PCI-E slot, what else must I connect to it?

Auxiliary power: one 6 pin PCI-E power connector. (They may give you a Molex-to-PCI-E power adapter.)

Rather than read back through the thread: are you upgrading the PSU as well? I think that it'd be a rare 300W PSU that could support such a card. The recommended PSU for the card is 450W or greater, although some with lesser power ratings might work if they have good +12V ratings.

 

[saroy94]

Yeah I am upgrading my PSU aswell. All that's left now is for me to get some money

 

[saroy94]

When I was on the specs of a power supply, this came up under DC Output and Max Load.

DC Output +3.3V +5V +12V4 -12V +5Vsb Max Load 28A 23A 20A 0.3A 2.0A

Which 2 is it that I must look at?

 

[Fumz]

What you're looking at is a quad +12 volt rail PSU... that isn't actually telling you the amperage of each 4 rails. Typically, they spread the load evenly across each rails, but not always. I suppose we are to assume that each has 20 amps. However, it would be nice if they came out and said so.

Do you have a link for this?

 

[saroy94]

Yeah here it is: NOV-PSU650 Novatech 650W ATX Power Supply for AMD and Intel Motherboards 20Pin + 4Pin This PSU features a 120mm fan for low noise operation and cooler running improving reliability : novatech.co.uk

 

[Fumz]

You don't want this. Their labeling (+12V4) suggests it's a multi-rail unit; however, on the site they say, "dedicated single +12 volt rail". If that's the case, and that single rail is only 20 amps strong, it's not nearly enough.

I know you're on a budget, and I don't normally advise multi-rail psu's, but this would be much better: http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Components/PowerSupplies/OCZ/OCZ500SXS-UK.html

So would this, but it would not last you as long into the future: http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Components/PowerSupplies/Corsair/CMPSU-400CXUK.html

 

[saroy94]

Ok, so make sure it does say +12V volt rail and make sure its at least 30A? Some people are also talking about a 6-pin PCI connector or a 4 pin molex cable. What do they mean by this?

 

[Fumz]

There are two types of pci-e (pci-express) connectors for graphics cards: 6 pin and 8 pin. These plug directly into the graphics card (if the graphics card requires a 6 pin connection).

There are several types of molex connectors, 3 pin, 4 pin, floppy, etc etc. Molex is more of a generic term that describes the plastic connectors on the board, hdd's, floppy drives, fan connectors, etc.

btw, check my previous post, I've linked two inexpensive psu's from that site for you.

 

[saroy94]

There are two types of pci-e (pci-express) connectors for graphics cards: 6 pin and 8 pin. These plug directly into the graphics card (if the graphics card requires a 6 pin connection).

There are several types of molex connectors, 3 pin, 4 pin, floppy, etc etc. Molex is more of a generic term that describes the plastic connectors on the board, hdd's, floppy drives, fan connectors, etc.

btw, check my previous post, I've linked two inexpensive psu's from that site for you.

Oh I get you now. I saw many cables coming from the power supply and connecting into different hardware. If the molex connectors don't have enough pins for certain hardware, can I buy adapters or something? Or should they all definitely fit? & what if there isn't enough molex connectors?

Thanks for the link by the way

 

[Fumz]

There will be more than enough cables and connectors.

 

[saroy94]

Haha ok, I just don't want to be short and then sit there like a fool.

 

[thefabe]

Just tot add a litle, I like to try and stay at a minimum of 28A on the 12v rail.It should do the trick. Fabe