DECIDING A GOOD GRAPHICS CARD...PLEASE HELP!!

[cyberboy778]

Hi im sort of a newbie with the whole computer hardware but was wondering if some of u experts out there could help...
Basically im looking to buy a graphics card and was wondering wat would be my best choice...now please keep in mind that the psu is only 300W and i am NOT looking to upgrade that (long story). I would love to also play new gen games preferably at 1280 x 1024 if at all possible.

the best card i've found at the moment is HD 4770 ...wat do u lot think any good??

i was also thinking mabey the gtx 260 but don't know if that would work on 300W

any feedback would be much appriceated guys...thanks in advance

 

[jsc]

Depends on budget. And in your case, it very much depends on the quality of your PSU. A lot of 300 watt PSU's really, really aren't.

And if you are that cramped for power, we need to know your system specs, including the brand and model of your PSU.

 

[mindless728]

^+1 to jsc

also on 1280x1024, it doesn't take much of a video card to run games maxed out on the resolution

 

[cyberboy778]

well i don't really know how to find the model of my psu but if u tell me how to find it i will...
Also comming bak to graphics cards im not too bothered about setting a budget but seeing as though it should run at 300W i would say the best card u guys can offer

im really tempted to buy the gtx 260 core 216 but can it run at 300W??

 

[coozie7]

@ Cyberboy778. No, the GTX260 will not run on 300W.
But we need to know a little more about the system: Who built it, what CPU (processor) is installed and does the motherboard have a PCI-E slot?.
To find out download, install and run this:

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

The download link is in the top left hand corner.

 

[invisik]

Unless its a top notch 300w psu it will fail to work. Find spec so we can recommend you a card. I agree with coozie7 we need specs.

 

[cyberboy778]

ok right using cpuid...the cpu is intel core 2 quad Q8200...with some other numbers and stuff i don't understand and th motherbord has a PCI-e slot as i have a hd 4350 at the moment

 

[cyberboy778]

the computers basically the HP p6045uk if anyone feels to google it...

 

[coozie7]

Ain't CPUZ just grand?

If this were a Dell I would say a HD4670 is fine, but I am not certain of the HP powersupplies, so I'll go for the DDR3 HD4650 as the fastest, safest option.
And here is one Newegg prepared earlier:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102838

Whichever card you choose 4650 or 4670, neither is going to play top notch games at maximum settings with high framerates.
That said either is streets ahead of the 4350

 

[cyberboy778]

ok i understand...now how about the HD 4770...will that work as i've heard that is almost as fast as the 4850

 

[coozie7]

@ Cyberboy778: No, it still draws too much power.
I still think you will be safer with a HD4650.

 

[invisik]

It might work if you can find the psu spec.

 

[cyberboy778]

how can i find the psu spec??

 

[jaguarskx]

how can i find the psu spec??

Open the case and look for the label on the power supply. It should look something like the following:

The most important information is the +12v rail (some higher wattage PSUs have multiple +12v rails). According to the above CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W PSU, it has 30 Amps on the +12v rail and can provide a max of 360w of power. That 360w max power assumes the other rails (+3.3v, 5v, etc) do not draw more than 40w combined.

Also, the closer the PSU is running at 100% capacity (in this example 400w) the shorter the life span.