Graphics card for my PC

[ydravid]

Hey everyone. I need your advice on a good graphics card for my PC. It is a standard Dell XPS 400 with 4gb of memory. Everything else (motherboard, graphics card etc...) are the standard components that came with the PC.

Edit: some more information about my PC: Intel(R) Pentium (R) D CPU 3.0GHz; 2.99GHz

I don't need a super fast card, since I don't do any gaming on the PC. I just need something that will allow me to exploit all the features of Windows 7, and also run well with some of the graphics intensive websites.

Thank you very much for the help!

Regards,
Yash

 

[not so gray matter]

You have one PCI x16 slot for graphics which is good, but only a 375 watt power supply. In other words you can't really go with a top of the line card without getting a new power supply, but I assume you knew that. With that low of a power supply, you'd likely only be able to get a GeForce 8400 GS card, as the 9 series cards require a minimum of 350 watts power. That doesn't leave much room for error.

If you want a newer GFX card, even a budget one you'll need a new power supply as well.

I recommend that you get an Antec 550 Watt PS for $50 along with an EVGA 9800GT for $75. Granted that's a whole lot more than you need but it'll last you quite a while if you don't play any games. You'll be able to place both in your new system as well, that is as long as you don't end up gaming. If you really want a cheaper card you could go with a PNY 9600 GT for $60 but you'll do much better in the long run spending an extra $10-25 to get a decent card rather than a budget low memory one.

Let us know if you want anymore help.

 

[ydravid]

Thanks for the response! I am quite savvy with computer operations, though am a total newbie when it comes to any hardware. With that being said, no, I had no idea about the power supply issue. How hard is it to change the power supply? Are there tutorials on how to do it?
When you say I Would be cutting it close with the 8400 GS card, what exactly do you mean? Can my motherboard or any other component get fried?
Thanks again!

 

[not so gray matter]

Basically the 8400 GS requires 350 watts to run. This means that you'd only have 25 watts left of insurance. You'd do much better spending $50 for a new one that's got enough juice to power a new card and all of your current stuff. It's pretty easier to replace a power supply, and yes there are tutorials online.

Here's one tutorial, there are tons more of varying detail on the web... Just search for "How to install a power supply"

How to install a power supply for your computer

EDIT: To answer the rest of your question. Your components probably wouldn't be fried, but they'd end up not working properly and you'd get all kinds of blue screens and shut downs without enough power. As mentioned you're much better off getting a power supply w/ atleast 500 watts that way you can power a decent graphics card and all the rest. That graphics card I mentioned should last you years if you don't do anything graphics intensive such as high end gaming, photo editing, video editing, etc.

 

[ydravid]

WOW! Thank you SO much for your help. That is some great information,and a whole lot cheaper than I anticipated. I definitely will go with the new power supply.
Appreciate the help.

 

[kurahk7]

Actually, I would recommend an ATI card simply because they use less power and offer more performance, I think an ATI Radeon HD 5750 or something similar to that would work fine.

 

[kurahk7]

Basically the 8400 GS requires something like 300 watts of power to run I think. This means that you'd only have 75 watts left for everything else and most processors require between 65-90 watts on their own. You'd do much better spending $50 for a new one that's got enough juice to power a new card and all of your current stuff. It's pretty easier to replace a power supply, and yes there are tutorials online.

Here's one tutorial, there are tons more of varying detail on the web... Just search for "How to install a power supply"

How to install a power supply for your computer

EDIT: To answer the rest of your question. Your components probably wouldn't be fried, but they'd end up not working properly and you'd get all kinds of blue screens and shut downs without enough power. As mentioned you're much better off getting a power supply w/ atleast 500 watts that way you can power a decent graphics card and all the rest. That graphics card I mentioned should last you years if you don't do anything graphics intensive such as high end gaming, photo editing, video editing, etc.

If an 8400gs requires 300watts to run, the 5870 would require over 1000watts to run, yet the 5870 requires only less than 200watts full load.

 

[ydravid]

If an 8400gs requires 300watts to run, the 5870 would require over 1000watts to run, yet the 5870 requires only less than 200watts full load.

If an 8400gs requires 300watts to run, the 5870 would require over 1000watts to run, yet the 5870 requires only less than 200watts full load.[/QUOTE]

I'm a little confused with this post. What do you mean by 1000watts to run, but only 200 watts full load?

Sorry about these elementary questions.

 

[not so gray matter]

Basically the 8400 GS requires something like 300 watts of power to run I think. This means that you'd only have 75 watts left for everything else and most processors require between 65-90 watts on their own. You'd do much better spending $50 for a new one that's got enough juice to power a new card and all of your current stuff. It's pretty easier to replace a power supply, and yes there are tutorials online.

Here's one tutorial, there are tons more of varying detail on the web... Just search for "How to install a power supply"

How to install a power supply for your computer

EDIT: To answer the rest of your question. Your components probably wouldn't be fried, but they'd end up not working properly and you'd get all kinds of blue screens and shut downs without enough power. As mentioned you're much better off getting a power supply w/ atleast 500 watts that way you can power a decent graphics card and all the rest. That graphics card I mentioned should last you years if you don't do anything graphics intensive such as high end gaming, photo editing, video editing, etc.

If an 8400gs requires 300watts to run, the 5870 would require over 1000watts to run, yet the 5870 requires only less than 200watts full load.

Well first of all I said about, it could be 200 I really have no idea because the ratings weren't on the card I looked up. Now that I have, I've found that they do require 300-350 watt power suppies:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187108&cm_re=8400_gs-_-14-187-108-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130451&cm_re=8400_gs-_-14-130-451-_-Product

Even a normal (non-double) 9800 GTX+ requires a 500 watt power supply.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133246

How are you coming up with your figures anyway? It's not of function of how much ram it has or what the memory interface is.

The 5870 doesn't require 200 watts under full load. It requires 500 on some cards, probably more on others. Read the specs.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0456&cm_re=radeon_5870-_-14-150-456-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...1329&cm_re=radeon_5870-_-14-161-329-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...3084&cm_re=radeon_5870-_-14-103-084-_-Product

EDIT: Even a Radeon 4650 requires 350-400 watts of power...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161308
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129123

To the original poster: He was trying to make a point that NVIDIA cards require more power than ATI cards. While that might be true in some cases, his figures aren't close to correct. As you can see in the specifications of each card, a 5870 (Newest, Top of the Line ATI Card) requires 500 watts of power. The card I recommended to you requires 400 watts of power.

Basically, you'll need enough for your graphics card's ratings plus a bit of insurance incase you ever want to install anything that the graphic's card rating doesn't include.

I recommend NVIDIA card because I've had much better experiences with them and they have larger memory interfaces than ATI cards (the number before -BIT in the card name) For example, an ATI Radeon 4650 has 1GB of memory and 128-bit memory interface. The 9600-9800 GT normally has 512MB and 256 bit, but if you're worried about memory you can also get a 9800 GT with 1GB and 256 BIT memory.

 

[ydravid]

notsograymatter - I appreciate your help, and research! Besides, I really can't see myself spending the big dollars on the faster card, given that I am not going to be using it for any really graphics intensive projects. After reading some of the reviews of the card you suggested, it looks like it will be more than enough for my needs.

 

[kurahk7]

Basically the 8400 GS requires something like 300 watts of power to run I think. This means that you'd only have 75 watts left for everything else and most processors require between 65-90 watts on their own. You'd do much better spending $50 for a new one that's got enough juice to power a new card and all of your current stuff. It's pretty easier to replace a power supply, and yes there are tutorials online.

Here's one tutorial, there are tons more of varying detail on the web... Just search for "How to install a power supply"

How to install a power supply for your computer

EDIT: To answer the rest of your question. Your components probably wouldn't be fried, but they'd end up not working properly and you'd get all kinds of blue screens and shut downs without enough power. As mentioned you're much better off getting a power supply w/ atleast 500 watts that way you can power a decent graphics card and all the rest. That graphics card I mentioned should last you years if you don't do anything graphics intensive such as high end gaming, photo editing, video editing, etc.

If an 8400gs requires 300watts to run, the 5870 would require over 1000watts to run, yet the 5870 requires only less than 200watts full load.

Well first of all I said about, it could be 200 I really have no idea because the ratings weren't on the card I looked up. Now that I have, I've found that they do require 300-350 watt power suppies:

Newegg.com - SPARKLE SX84GS256D2LDPP GeForce 8400 GS 256MB 64-bit DDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card
Newegg.com - EVGA 512-P1-N724-LR GeForce 8400 GS 512MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Video Card

Even a normal (non-double) 9800 GTX+ requires a 500 watt power supply.
Newegg.com - PNY VCG98GTXPXPB GeForce 9800 GTX+ 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

How are you coming up with your figures anyway? It's not of function of how much ram it has or what the memory interface is.

The 5870 doesn't require 200 watts under full load. It requires 500 on some cards, probably more on others. Read the specs.
Newegg.com - XFX HD-587A-ZND9 Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB XXX Edition 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
Newegg.com - HIS H587FN1GD Radeon HD 5870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
Newegg.com - DIAMOND 5870PE51G Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity

EDIT: Even a Radeon 4650 requires 350-400 watts of power...

Newegg.com - HIS H465F1GHA Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit DDR3 AGP 4X/8X HDCP Ready Video Card
Newegg.com - VisionTek 900252 Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

To the original poster: He was trying to make a point that NVIDIA cards require more power than ATI cards. While that might be true in some cases, his figures aren't close to correct. As you can see in the specifications of each card, a 5870 (Newest, Top of the Line ATI Card) requires 500 watts of power. The card I recommended to you requires 400 watts of power.

Basically, you'll need enough for your graphics card, plus 150 watts for everything else. So in your case 550 watts for a 400 watt graphics card will work. If you want an ATI card, just make sure it has 400 watts or less of a requirement.

No....Those figures are the amount of watts needed for the whole system including the graphics card...the figures I produced were the amount of power needed just for the graphics card.

 

[not so gray matter]

notsograymatter - I appreciate your help, and research! Besides, I really can't see myself spending the big dollars on the faster card, given that I am not going to be using it for any really graphics intensive projects. After reading some of the reviews of the card you suggested, it looks like it will be more than enough for my needs.

Well, if you do get the 8400 GS, you may need a new power supply anyway. It requires anywhere from 300-350 watts of power and your power supply might struggle to provide that power plus the power to supply everythign else in your system. In other words, you're going to have to buy that power supply as well.

EDIT: According to the other guy those are the power requirements for the entire system. That means that as long as you don't have any high power requirement items in your computer you should be ok. However, like I said those figures are assuming you don't have any specialty items in your computer. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

[kurahk7]

notsograymatter - I appreciate your help, and research! Besides, I really can't see myself spending the big dollars on the faster card, given that I am not going to be using it for any really graphics intensive projects. After reading some of the reviews of the card you suggested, it looks like it will be more than enough for my needs.

Well, if you do get the 8400 GS, you may need a new power supply anyway. It requires anywhere from 300-350 watts of power and your power supply won't be able to provide that and the juice to power your motherboard. If you really want that card, you're going to have to buy that power supply as well.

Nah....He can get this ATI Radeon? HD 5450 Graphics it requires only 20Watts, just for the graphics card under full load, his power supply would be more than enough for it.

 

[ydravid]

I recommend NVIDIA card because I've had much better experiences with them and they have larger memory interfaces than ATI cards (the number before -BIT in the card name) For example, an ATI Radeon 4650 has 1GB of memory and 128-bit memory interface. The 9600-9800 GT normally has 512MB and 256 bit, but if you're worried about memory you can also get a 9800 GT with 1GB and 256 BIT memory.

Well, since you brought this up ... what is the difference between the 512 and the 1GB cards? The price difference is only about $15 and the power requirements are the same. Will the 1GB card give me better (faster) performance?

 

[not so gray matter]

notsograymatter - I appreciate your help, and research! Besides, I really can't see myself spending the big dollars on the faster card, given that I am not going to be using it for any really graphics intensive projects. After reading some of the reviews of the card you suggested, it looks like it will be more than enough for my needs.

Well, if you do get the 8400 GS, you may need a new power supply anyway. It requires anywhere from 300-350 watts of power and your power supply won't be able to provide that and the juice to power your motherboard. If you really want that card, you're going to have to buy that power supply as well.

Nah....He can get this ATI Radeon? HD 5450 Graphics it requires only 20Watts, just for the graphics card under full load, his power supply would be more than enough for it.

According to that webpage, that card requires a SYSTEM WIDE power supply of 400 watts or greater. So how is he getting around this to run the card on a 375W PSU? Isn't this the minimum power required with no other high power items installed? Either way, the 8400 GS will be just fine because it requires a 350W system side power supply.

I'm not going to argue with you about ATI vs NVIDIA, that's an endless fight and this is a civilized forum. I'm going to recommend what I see on the system specs and tell him to get a card that requires 350 system wide watts or less if he keeps his current PSU, and/or 500 watts or less if he gets the other one.

 

[not so gray matter]

I recommend NVIDIA card because I've had much better experiences with them and they have larger memory interfaces than ATI cards (the number before -BIT in the card name) For example, an ATI Radeon 4650 has 1GB of memory and 128-bit memory interface. The 9600-9800 GT normally has 512MB and 256 bit, but if you're worried about memory you can also get a 9800 GT with 1GB and 256 BIT memory.

Well, since you brought this up ... what is the difference between the 512 and the 1GB cards? The price difference is only about $15 and the power requirements are the same. Will the 1GB card give me better (faster) performance?

Personally I don't see much of a point in getting the extra ram, but you can do it if you want. ATI card tend to have high amounts of ram, NVIDIA tends to have less ram but higher memory interfaces. From my gaming experiences and talks with other gamers, I've found that the memory interface is more important, but thats just me. I think it depends on what the game requires, since you're not gaming it won't matter much. If you want, get the higher ram, it can't really hurt.

 

[kurahk7]

Well, if you do get the 8400 GS, you may need a new power supply anyway. It requires anywhere from 300-350 watts of power and your power supply won't be able to provide that and the juice to power your motherboard. If you really want that card, you're going to have to buy that power supply as well.

Nah....He can get this ATI Radeon? HD 5450 Graphics it requires only 20Watts, just for the graphics card under full load, his power supply would be more than enough for it.

According to that webpage, that card requires a SYSTEM WIDE power supply of 400 watts or greater. So how is he getting around this? Isn't this the minimum power required with no other high power items installed? Either way, the 8400 GS will be just fine because it requires a 350W system side power supply.

I'm not going to argue with you about ATI vs NVIDIA, that's an endless fight and this is a civilized forum. I'm going to recommend what I see on the system specs and tell him to get a card that requires 350 system wide watts or less.

If you read the red bubble, it clearly say's "Consumes less than 20 watts under full load, eliminating the need for an external power connection and making installation a snap." on the last line.
And according to this: ATI Radeon HD 5450 - Power Consumption & Temperatures he can even run a 9800gt on it with no problem.

 

[ydravid]

I will be getting the new power supply as well, since I don't want to end up cutting things so close.

 

[kurahk7]

I recommend NVIDIA card because I've had much better experiences with them and they have larger memory interfaces than ATI cards (the number before -BIT in the card name) For example, an ATI Radeon 4650 has 1GB of memory and 128-bit memory interface. The 9600-9800 GT normally has 512MB and 256 bit, but if you're worried about memory you can also get a 9800 GT with 1GB and 256 BIT memory.

Well, since you brought this up ... what is the difference between the 512 and the 1GB cards? The price difference is only about $15 and the power requirements are the same. Will the 1GB card give me better (faster) performance?

Personally I don't see much of a point in getting the extra ram, but you can do it if you want. ATI card tend to have high amounts of ram, NVIDIA tends to have less ram but higher memory interfaces. From my gaming experiences and talks with other gamers, I've found that the memory interface is more important, but thats just me. I think it depends on what the game requires, since you're not gaming it won't matter much. If you want, get the higher ram, it can't really hurt.

The amount of RAM doesn't not make any difference on the low end, it's the memory interface that makes the biggest difference, ATI generally have GDDR5 to compensate the 256bit while Nvidia has GDDR3 paired with higher 512bit or something like that, so in the end, the memory bandwidth is the same; the amount of memory doesn't affect it.

 

[not so gray matter]

I will be getting the new power supply as well, since I don't want to end up cutting things so close.

It's safer and doesn't require much more money. Plus, if you ever want to install items that require power along side your currently installed items you can do that. That system wide power requirement assumes that you have minimal items installed.

Oh yeah, it'll also let you upgrade your motherboard and cpu whenever you want without buying a new power supply

EDIT: If you want anymore help, just post again, this thread is getting a bit long with rants of power this and power that.