Advice on a new Video Card!

Manchurian

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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
 

Boxa786

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With your comment "last for some time" there is only one real option, the new tech from AMD, their 5 series, as its the only card released with DX11.

Lowest for now is their 5750 and I highly recommend you take a look:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161309&cm_re=5750-_-14-161-309-_-Product

Check the specification to make sure your power supply is sufficient, if you are unsure, post here with your current PSU make and model.

If you can wait there is an unconfirmed date for the 5 series low end cards, which should include even more power saving and great goodies. These will obviously be cheaper and be perfect for you.

Nvidia are soon (by soon with Nvidia I mean in the next 6months) to release their DX11 cards, so if you have plenty of time, wait for this and see what comes out by them. There initial release will be aimed at high end gamers, where the market is at, so you may still not like it, however, this will have a direct impact on the prices from AMD, so its a win win situation.
 

drkzin

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Judging on so many Computer Systems ive seen, built, specifications, etc. This system should have a 500W PSU but to make sure, open up your computer case and take a look at the back at the top. There should be a box with a label, reply us the brand, model, and watts of it so we can know more. If my hyptothesis is correct, then you should be able to use the HD5750, even though it says it requires a minimum of 500W PSU, it uses the same power as the Nvidia Geforce 9800GT and it doesn't really matter how much watts your power supply is, what matters more is the +12V railings on the PSU, thats what should be minimum requirements for graphics cards because some PSUs may be a bit low watts but they are good quality.
 
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-310-5970,2491.html

Here's the "winners" from THG's latest (December) GFX Roundup
Best Graphics Cards For The Money: December '09


$50 - HD 4650
$65 - HD 4670 / 9600 GSO
$85 - 9600 GT
$95 - 9600 GT / HD 4830
$110 - GTS 250 512 MB
$120 - GTS 250 1 GB
$155 - HD 5770 / GTX 260
$200 - HD 4890
$240 - 2 x GTS 250
$310 - No winner (HD 5850 Honorable Mention)
$330 - 2 x GTX 260 / 2 x HD 5770
$400 - 2 x HD 4890
$410 - No winner (HD 5870 Honorable Mention)
$465 - No winner (GTX 295 Honorable Mention)
$625 - No winner (HD 5970 Honorable Mention)
 

yannifb

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For around 110 i'd go with that GTS 250. But where is the 4870 on that chart?
 

Keiki646

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First I need you to answer a question first and that would be what is the PSU max watts that you have in your case.

I have these few in mind

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161287 This only need 400 Watts PSU or Greater

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133304R This is 400 watts or greater
 

Keiki646

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Well if you were reading the post he said a video card under $100 dollars or just about $100 dollars. The most he is will to spend maybe is $120 dollars.
 

Keiki646

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I'm Sorry, don't mean to make it sound if I'm attacking you guys, Just wanted to add something
 

Manchurian

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I looked up the pc on Hp's website. They state the PSU is 300w

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01916922&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en&product=4084598


Does that hurt my options?

Thanks for your help!
 

Keiki646

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Yes that would hurt your option there. An 300 PSU is not going to cut it specially if you system is already using about 189 Watts.
It's always a good idea to make sure that you have enough PSU Watts when you are looking or installing for a video card.
Don't listen to a reply that says the (4670 ate less than 200W at full load). Listening to what is needed for a video card it's always recommended. So if it does says 400 Watts is need and recommended then it's recommended.

You might want to look into aftermarket PSU at good prices but with good watts support.
A video card can used up to 110 idle and 145 watts Load. Now if your system is already using that 189 watts then what happens when you install the video card. Shut down. System will not boot-up. Also its always good to have enough watts in a PSU.

If you are thinking about getting the video card and is says 400 watts is needed then I will go for a 500 watt PSU. Looking for a PSU is key here as well. Make sure that you are looking for the right one and it must be compatible. Most are in some cases :)
You have to also balance the V-rails as well. You don't want to have everything on one rail. So think about it and I hope you can make the best choice for yourself.
 

sabot00

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The entire system took less than 200W at full load.
I suggest OP buys the 4670, plugs it in, plays 3DMark Vantage or an intensive game benchmark at the highest settings & runs Prime95 for a night.

Then he can decide whether or not to go with a new PSU.
 

Keiki646

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Have you thought about the rails? You have to take this into note that HP does use generic PSU.

Well I'm going to say this our of experience, I had a client/ friend that wanted to do the same with is computer.
He took one look at my systems and wanted a gaming computer. I told him what he needed to know about upgrading to thing like CPU, Graphic Card and ETC but he fail by now listening what was important.
To what happen next wasn't a like I knew it was bound to happen. I said to him about his PSU and video card.

Correct he was running a 300w PSU and order a 4600 series ATI graphic card and not stop working after 40 minutes.
This has happen to a lot of people I've came across on the web or friends that are getting into building RIG. (I've got them into it)
The rails were gone and he has to order a 80Plus PSU, but luck for him I had a 300w sitting around my home.
That one rail can turn that smile on your face into a unhappy one...

Then come to decide that he wanted to build a fresh new system. Gave the computer to his wife and we started on a new system that I build for him with in 8 days. Point of the story was that I don't trust generic PSU from Dell, HP, Toshiba and ETC.

This might work for him for a while but at some time he is going to notice what I have been trying to say.
I understand that we are all trying to help him in the best way but I just don't want to see or hear something going wrong.
I hate for thing to happen that way for someone like himself.


But I have what you are looking for that don't need 6pin power

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162042
This is a great brand than the palin brand

or this one
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121354
 

Boxa786

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I suggest OP, or one of you guys check his power requirement using the calculator:
http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

Testing with installing and using a 300, will most likely not work, even if it did, a generic crappy psu will crap out sometime in the future. In most cases it will take something else with it, its not a chance I or anyone should recommend, and for that reason I suggest OP gets a decent PSU, something like a 500-600 watt, which will be great for current specs and any future upgrades.
 

sabot00

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Well, I know that but from experience (my HP 250W PSU runs a 4670) I would think it would probably run it.

Since he will get a new PSU either way I suggested he get it & stress GPU/CPU for a night to see if it works.

OP should post PSU model/specs.
 

Manchurian

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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?
 

Keiki646

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Correct, this is what I have been trying to you him understand but he know.