what would people advise as a new graphics card

[naznoms]

Currently i am running my pc on windows 7 ultimate, my motherboard is dell, i unfortunately only have 2x 1GB ram sticks, 40GB internal hdd and an 1TB external hdd , my graphics card is a nvidia geforce fx 5200, what would people recommend to use so i can get it up to gaming pc standards? anyhelp would be most greatful, i know quite a bit about pcs but mainly taking them apart and putting back together and some software knowlegde .

 

[RoasterMen]

What kind of expansion slot do you have for your computer? AGP, PCI or PCI-E?

 

[Mellon Head]

What is your budget for a graphics card?

There are three things I would do:

1. Put in a larger hard disk (internally)
2. Upgrade the memory to at least 4 GB if your machine can use it
3. Buy a new graphics card

Once we know your budget, we can advise on what kind of GPU to get. Keep in mind that if the machine is really old, it may bottleneck your graphics card, and it may not be worth upgrading the components. It might be better to just start from scratch and build a new machine if you want to get into gaming.

 

[Mellon Head]

What kind of expansion slot do you have for your computer? AGP, PCI or PCI-E?

His existing card is PCIe, from what I found online.

 

[oscer1]

also keep in mind depending on what graphics card you choose you might need to change out the stock power supply

 

[Layback Bear]

If you do go looking for a new needed power supply be sure to watch measurement. A lot of those OEM cases don't allow room for todays power supplies.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Well first I would add a ssd for the os that will speed up the system pretty well and make it an at least 120/ 128gb ssd
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/149969-ssd-install-transfer-operating-system.html

32 bit is capable of 3gb of ram also upgrade it to the max

Open the case and take a picture of the tag on the power supply and post it here.

 

[naznoms]

this is my current motherboard, it is dell. my power suppy is a z power 550w and im female not male

 

[naznoms]

What is your budget for a graphics card?

There are three things I would do:

1. Put in a larger hard disk (internally)
2. Upgrade the memory to at least 4 GB if your machine can use it
3. Buy a new graphics card

Once we know your budget, we can advise on what kind of GPU to get. Keep in mind that if the machine is really old, it may bottleneck your graphics card, and it may not be worth upgrading the components. It might be better to just start from scratch and build a new machine if you want to get into gaming.

havent got a budget atm as would need to save up so doesnt really matter about cost ,

 

[oscer1]

Are you going to be using same case? If not might need to check that the motherboard will mount to a new case. I know older dell's motherboards are proprietor to the case it came in they made the boards for it.

 

[Mellon Head]

this is my current motherboard, it is dell. my power suppy is a z power 550w and im female not male

My apologies on the mixup.


All I see are PCI slots on that motherboard. It's going to be very difficult to find a capable card today that would fit those slots. You won't be able to get much in the way of a card that would allow you to play today's games, if you could find PCI video card at all.

Unless I'm, missing something from the picture.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Use cpu-z/ cupid,
CPU-Z | Softwares | CPUID

Open cupid go to the MainBoard section and post a screen shot.
Also go to the Graphic's section and do the same.
Might as well do the memory too

Oops,
Scroll down the links page just a bit on the left side you'll see Downloads,
English 32-64 bit version

 

[AddRAM]

I would not waste a dime trying to upgrade your PC, you need a new motherboard before you do anything, and that would require a new non Dell case.

You need money before you even consider upgrading a PC.

Only PCI slots and only 2 memory slots, looks very old.

 

[naznoms]

Possibly using same case not to sure as of yet ,