Installing a new graphics card

[saroy94]

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.

 

[tea]

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.

 

[bobkn]

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.)

 

[saroy94]

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?

 

[saroy94]

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?

 

[Fumz]

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?

 

[saroy94]

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

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

 

[Fumz]

Yes, your screen's resolution.

 

[saroy94]

The one im currently using is 1440x900

 

[Fumz]

Do you know the model number of your HP?

 

[saroy94]

HP-Pavilion RS919AA-ABU m7755.uk

 

[Fumz]

K, thanks. Give me a bit to go over your manuals. If you're interested, they're here: Manuals for HP Pavilion Media Center TV m7755.uk Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

 

[saroy94]

K, thanks. Give me a bit to go over your manuals. If you're interested, they're here: Manuals for HP Pavilion Media Center TV m7755.uk Desktop PC - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

wow thanks! Now I just need to know which graphics cards would work on my desktop, because i'm just unsure whether all would work or I have to get certain ones :\

 

[Fumz]

Do you have a shop/website you use in the UK?

 

[saroy94]

going to get an ebay account soon & PC World

 

[Fumz]

Do you have another shop? PC World looks pricey and they don't have a very good selection. ebay I would avoid; parts don't come with a warranty.

Do you happen to know if you have a micro atx power supply or a standard size? Also, do you know what speed your memory is?

 

[fishnbanjo]

Your mobo supports 1 PCI Express x16 so any video card that is PCIExpress x16 that will work with your current power needs. Since your PC has a 300 watt PSU you are probably going to have to do a bit of research. The Geforce 9600M GT is a card some folks on the HP forum recommend as an upgrade and if you look at the power requirements for that you should be able to find the right card for what you use the PC for.

 

[saroy94]

My memory is 1GB (1024MB) and i don't know, how would i be able to find out whether I have a micro ATX power supply?

I can't think of any other ones, think that's the only one I know.

 

[saroy94]

Your mobo supports 1 PCI Express x16 so any video card that is PCIExpress x16 that will work with your current power needs. Since your PC has a 300 watt PSU you are probably going to have to do a bit of research. The Geforce 9600M GT is a card some folks on the HP forum recommend as an upgrade and if you look at the power requirements for that you should be able to find the right card for what you use the PC for.

Thanks for the tip i'm looking for a new power supply because I realised the latest graphic cards work at around 450W. How did you find out what my motherboard supports by the way?

 

[Fumz]

Not the size, the speed. Your machine came with either 800MHz or 1066MHz memory. Download and install cpu-z (CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting), run it, then click the memory tab and tell us the DRAM frequency.

How did you find out what my motherboard supports by the way?

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...en&dlc=en&cc=us&lang=en&product=3362650#N1023. scroll down to expansion slots.