Advice on a new Video Card!

[Manchurian]

Hello!

I am new to computer gaming and finally bought a pc. I know it isn't the best but I would like to upgrade the video card in it, as it only has integrated chipset. I am wanting to spend around $100 and would not like to go over 120. I want a card that can play most games and last for some time. Would even like to play Crysis on medium- high settings. I've read about people having problems with their power supply, so I would like to get a card that uses very little power so I do not have to replace the power supply.

Here are the specs of my pc

Manufacturer # AV021AA#ABA
processor brand AMD
processor model Athlon II X4 Quad-Core
memory 8 GB
hard drive capacity 640 GB
optical drive DVD±RW/DVD-RAM/DVD±R Double Layer
operating system Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
processor speed 2.6 GHz
frontside bus speed 4000 MHz
memory speed PC2-6400


Thank you for your help!

Andrew

 

[Keiki646]

I appreciate your honesty. While looking at cards, I noticed some do not state a recommended psu such as this one

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121354&cm_re=GT_240-_-14-121-354-_-Product

Will a card work if it only recommends a 300W PSU or should I still be weary?

Well this card that I've pick out for you should work fine.
If my data serve me correctly this graphic card will only take about 80watts or less but most of the energy will be
coming from the mobo/PCI X slot. But I also recommended this because the heatsink does cover the GPU and memory.

The Palin didn't even cover it or was even touching the memory on the graphic card

 

[sabot00]

It takes less than 75W.
The PCI-E is rated only to push 75W, there's no external power connector.

 

[Keiki646]

It takes less than 75W.
The PCI-E is rated only to push 75W, there's no external power connector.

He's right about that information. You are in the clear
but note that always pick a card that have a heatsink that is in contact with the GPU and Memory.
The best Video cards you can get.

 

[Manchurian]

Alright, did not take a picture but wrote everything down as follows:

LITEON

MODEL NO PS 5301-08HA
ROH5
DCOUTPUT 300W
INPUT 100-27V
OUTPUT +5V/25A MAX +12v/19AMAX
COMBINED POWER ON +5V AND 3.3 V RAILS
NOT TO EXCEED 175W MAX

COMBINED POWER ON +12V AND +5 RAINS NOT EXCEEDE 268W MAX
CONTINOUS TOTAL OUTPIT SHALL NOT EXCEEDE 300w

LEVEL 3


this is all that was on the psu

 

[Keiki646]

Alright, did not take a picture but wrote everything down as follows:

LITEON

MODEL NO PS 5301-08HA
ROH5
DCOUTPUT 300W
INPUT 100-27V
OUTPUT +5V/25A MAX +12v/19AMAX
COMBINED POWER ON +5V AND 3.3 V RAILS
NOT TO EXCEED 175W MAX

COMBINED POWER ON +12V AND +5 RAINS NOT EXCEEDE 268W MAX
CONTINOUS TOTAL OUTPIT SHALL NOT EXCEEDE 300w

LEVEL 3


this is all that was on the psu

You are ready to order that video card? You can install that video card (If you like it)
ASUS is a good brand and like I said before that it's always good to look for a Graphic card with a heatsink that has
contact with the GPU and Memory

 

[Manchurian]

I am ready to make place an order. Thank you for your help. With your expert knowledge is this the best card I can get given my current psu and specs? Will this card fully funtction with my pc?


Thank you very much

 

[Keiki646]

I am ready to make place an order. Thank you for your help. With your expert knowledge is this the best card I can get given my current psu and specs? Will this card fully funtction with my pc?


Thank you very much

Yes, As long as you don't have a AGP (HAHA)
located the PCI Express x16 slot
should be black or blue one of the colors
(note) somtimes they come in red

 

[Manchurian]

That would be funny! I didnt reopen the case but I checked on HPs website under my pc and it shows this :

Expansion slots
Slot type Quantity
PCI Express x16 One (One available)
PCI Express x1 Three (Two available)


So, it looks as if I have one open. Which will be a nice spot for my new gfx card!

Anything else I should be looking at? Also, I am fairly new with installing hardware on my pc. However, I hear it is very easy to install a gfx card. Could a newbie do it as long as I follow instructions? If not a local pc place will do it for $30.


Thanks

 

[sabot00]

Yes, it is very easy.
Don't fret it.

 

[Keiki646]

That would be funny! I didnt reopen the case but I checked on HPs website under my pc and it shows this :

Expansion slots
Slot type Quantity
PCI Express x16 One (One available)
PCI Express x1 Three (Two available)


So, it looks as if I have one open. Which will be a nice spot for my new gfx card!

Anything else I should be looking at? Also, I am fairly new with installing hardware on my pc. However, I hear it is very easy to install a gfx card. Could a newbie do it as long as I follow instructions? If not a local pc place will do it for $30.


Thanks

It's easy, Just line the graphic card up with the PCI X16 slot but don't insert it too hard. and one you have insert it and you are done
Do make sure you have the lasted driver from Nvidia. Just in case you do want to overclocked it but for now you don't want to..So let's just take one step at a time

 

[sabot00]

Make sure the PCI-E slot's retainer clicks into place.

 

[Manchurian]

I think I may have a problem. I got the card in and installed it and everything works fine, however the box recommends a 450w power supply? Does that mean it is not what I need for my pc?

 

[sabot00]

We've been saying that for the entire thread.

Do you notice any problems?

 

[Manchurian]

no, everything runs fine. And cool

Keiki recommended it and sent me the link to the exact obne i purchased. Nvidia's website give a 300w minimum and all the other cards I looked at that use the 240 all give a min. of 300w. The Asus one keiki linked me too did not have a recomendation on newegg. Since all the other ones ( msi, sparkle.. etc) said 300, I assumed this one was 300W aswell. When i put it in I looked at the box and it says 450W.....

http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_gt_240_us.html


What should I do?

 

[Manchurian]

I already bought and have installed the 240, however asus version says it needs 450W minimum, i have a 300w. All the other 240's says 300w ( such as msi, sparkle etc) Even nvidia says 300. Newegg didnt have a psu requirement on this card. So, i assumed, like all the other 240s that it was only 300. Come to find out asus card recomends 450. I just want to know if it will work without messing up my pc

 

[sabot00]

It might, probably will work.
You won't know until it does.

 

[Manchurian]

Well it works and has been for 1 hour of cod4. So I hope it lasts. Thanks

 

[rolli59]

I already bought and have installed the 240, however asus version says it needs 450W minimum, i have a 300w. All the other 240's says 300w ( such as msi, sparkle etc) Even nvidia says 300. Newegg didnt have a psu requirement on this card. So, i assumed, like all the other 240s that it was only 300. Come to find out asus card recomends 450. I just want to know if it will work without messing up my pc

It is just fine on your 300watt. Asus is just covering themselves against low quality PSU's their card is no different than the others. I have one here that is rated at 680watts but only has 19amps on the single +12volt rail. It would run your card no better than your 300watt.

 

[Manchurian]

I am thinking about possibly upgrading my psu. I have read about them and would like a modular one. I was wondering any of you have any suggestions? I have a full case so would any psu work? Also, I am new to installing pc hardware. The video card is all ive ever installed. Is this something to I could install by just following instructions? I want something that isnt to pricey, but is going to last for a while and allow possibly upgrades down the road.


Ive been looking at this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371016&cm_re=modular_power_supply-_-17-371-016-_-Product

and possibly this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182188&cm_re=modular_power_supply-_-17-182-188-_-Product

thanks for your help

 

[rolli59]

I recommend this one http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022 It is great for the price $45 after MIR