Hardware Help

[BashirSabeel]

Hello,

I am currently an XBOX 360 gamer but want to try out PC gaming, I have a standard desktop computer and the specification are below:

Model: a6305.uk
RAM: 2GB at 201MHz - Can upgrade this easily
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ at 2.61GHz
Motherboard: ECS Nettle2 (socket AM2)
Onboard Graphics: nVidia GeForce 6150SE nForce 430 (Physical Memory 64MB - Virtual Memory 800MB)
OS: Windows 7 Pro
Hard Drive: 360GB Primary
80GB Secondary

(Information is from Speccy)

I need to know what type of graphics card this desktop computer will take and if I need to upgrade the PSU (I think it is a PCI express), I want a graphics card that is as good as the XBOX graphics quality. Can you please let me know what type of upgrade I need to do and what type of graphics I need. Thank you.

 

[bobkn]

HP Pavilion a6305.uk PC (Data sheet/c01364238.pdf)

Looks like it has a single PCI-Express X16 graphics slot available. It's probably not PCI-E 2 or later, but I think that most cards are backward compatible.

I see no information whether its PSU has the PCI-E power connectors, or enough capacity for some of the high-powered graphics cards available.

Maybe a card based on the AMD/ATI Radeon HD5670 chipset? It's new (DX11) technology, and it needs no auxiliary power. (Gets it all through the slot.) Under $100 in the USA.

 

[BashirSabeel]

Thanks bobkn, this has helped. Can you please take a little time and put a link to the graphics card you recommend. Thanks again.

 

[V3xar]

Thanks bobkn, this has helped. Can you please take a little time and put a link to the graphics card you recommend. Thanks again.

Hi BashirSabeel,

Have a look on the AMD site for product info and specs : ATI Radeon? HD 5670 Graphics ,

and here is just one of many places you can get hold of one : bit-tech.net | Review - ATI Radeon HD 5670 Review

Hope this helps.


.

 

[jfar]

It doesn't seem to get a good write up.

Conclusions

Whether the HD 5670 appeals to you will rely heavily on how much you think is an acceptable amount to spend on a graphics card, hence its “mainstream" tag line. We imagine for the vast majority of our readers, £120 on a graphics card probably doesn't sound unreasonable, especially as for that money you're getting at least a decent return on your investment. The HD 5670 is then clearly not for you.

Selling for around £90 for the almost pointless 1GB version, but just above £70 for the 512MB model, it struggles to play year old and even two year old titles at playable frame rates when you set the detail level above medium at a basic 1,280x 1,024. As the resolution rises one notch (in TFT terms) things get inevitably worse.

To even think about using this card for gaming at reasonable detail levels at increasingly popular HD resolutions like 1,920x1,080, let alone the ultra-resolutions possible with Eyefinity is ridiculous. There'll be added disappointment when you realise that your shiny brand new graphics card can't even handle last year’s games at high detail levels without chugging like a Barney Gumble locked in the beer cellar, let alone the latest and greatest DX11 titles that the card boasts support for.

To its credit though the HD 5670 does at least resoundingly outperform it's GeForce counterpart - the GT 240 - across the board, making it the strongest choice for those looking for an upgrade without the need for a PCI-Express power connector. PSU upgrades can be difficult for some PCs with unique chassis design, or even scary for inexperienced PC users, so we respect that a graphics card without a connector certainly has its appeal.

For the rest of us that know our PCI-Express from our HDMI, there are plenty of far superior options even at this "mainstream" price, not least the £80 Radeon HD 4770 512MB that resounding bests the HD 5670 across the board (albeit without DX11 support). Even then we'd urge you to look towards spending a little more and grabbing an Radeon HD 5770 1GB for a little more than £110, which performs admirably with modern games and which will age immeasurably better.

The HD 5670 then thoroughly lives up to its acrimonious "mainstream" title. This is very much a card aimed at those who don't understand too much about PCs and while it's commendable for bettering the direct competition in this very competitive segment, it just doesn't offer enough performance, even at these low resolutions, to be worth considering for anyone who knows even a little about PCs and enjoys gaming.

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Score Guide

 

[Coolness]

You'll need to get at least 4gigs of pretty fast (1066-1333Mhz) RAM, the processor might just do, buy for Xbox quality graphics, you'll need a far better graphics card than that. Maby a ATI Radeon 5770, or a 4890, or Nvidia GTX 285. At least.

 

[bobkn]

It doesn't seem to get a good write up.

Score Guide

You might have mentioned that this is a Bit Tech Net review.

If BashirSabeel's system can support it, the best price/performance card at the moment may use the Radeon HD4850 chipset. It also uses a 6 pin PCI-E power connector. I'd imagine that it would be better than a 4770.

If you look at my system specs, you'll see what I prefer for muy own use. (I don't have an appliance PC.)

 

[BashirSabeel]

Thanks to all for the help, I will do a little more research and let you know which card I have decided to get. Thanks again

 

[computersplus]

you first need to get yourself a good power supply with a single hefty +12 volt rail like the following

Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Power Supplies

then shop for your video card

 

[BashirSabeel]

So can I get any PSU for my motherboard or do I have to match it with the voltage, wattage etc... will my motherboard wont blow if the PSU is too powerful???

 

[V3xar]

Hi BashirSabeel,

PC power supplies are pretty standardized, however approaching a reputable dealer and providing them with your PC specs would probably be the best way to go about sourcing a PSU.

Your motherboard won't "blow" with a PSU with a higher watt capacity than you actually require.

A popular misconception is that the greater the total watt capacity is, the more suitable the power supply becomes for higher-end graphics cards.

The most important factor for judging a PSUs suitability for certain graphics cards is the PSUs total 12V output, as it is that voltage on which modern graphics cards operate. If the total 12V output stated on the PSU is higher than the suggested minimum of the card, then that PSU can fully supply the card.

It is however recommended that a PSU should not just cover the graphics cards' demands, as there are other components in the PC that depend on the 12V output, including the CPU and disk drives.

Hope this helps.
.

 

[LPDad]

You motherboard will be fine. The PSUs are regulated to put out a very specific amount of current. Stick with the higher quality name brands and you will be fine.
The higher end units (750 w up to 1200 w) will allow you to run more things at the same time (multiple cores, multiple video cards, a couple dozen hard drives (LOL), etc. ...However, they may be "overkill" if you are only going to use a single video card and a couple of drives.

I would strongly suggest, all other things being equal, that you get one that has a higher efficiency rating. Most are around 80%....you can find some >85%. The higher the efficiency, the less your power bill will be.

You won't blow your motherboard.

ADDENDUM: Crap. Too old and Way Too SLOW (AGAIN). Note to self....TYPE FASTER.

 

[BashirSabeel]

Ok, thanks for the help

 

[V3xar]

It has been a pleasure.

If you need any assistance once you get your new card let us know.

 

[BashirSabeel]

Ok so after a little while, I have decided to go for the Gainward GeForce 9800 GT Green Edition 512MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card for £64.99 (Gainward GeForce 9800 GT Green Edition 512MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card [426018336-0568] Graphics and Video NVIDIA Graphics Plus 9800 Series). My computer has a PSU DC Output of 300W output (lable on the physical PSU) so I dont think I will need to upgrade this, later on I am also planning to upgrade my RAM by at least 2GB so I have a total of 4GB to play with. If anyone has any better offers or information about the graphic card I have selected please let me know, thanks.

 

[Coolness]

Ok so after a little while, I have decided to go for the Gainward GeForce 9800 GT Green Edition 512MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card for £64.99 (Gainward GeForce 9800 GT Green Edition 512MB GDDR3 PCI-Express Graphics Card [426018336-0568] Graphics and Video NVIDIA Graphics Plus 9800 Series). My computer has a PSU DC Output of 300W output (lable on the physical PSU) so I dont think I will need to upgrade this, later on I am also planning to upgrade my RAM by at least 2GB so I have a total of 4GB to play with. If anyone has any better offers or information about the graphic card I have selected please let me know, thanks.

Its a bit over priced. Thats what i'd say.