GPU upgrade advice needed

[Booger420]

Hi all
First post here
I have just ordered this; HP Pavilion Elite e9220f Desktop PC - AMD Phenom II X4 910 2.6GHz, 8GB DDR3, 1TB HDD
it only comes with an ATI HD 4350 GPU. (512)
from the reviews I've been reading this card will be useless for gaming.
what card would be a good upgrade for a $100 budget?
will this machine support a higher end card?
Also minimum PSU req'?
thanks in advance

 

[wa1]

I didn't know about the PSU itself...
Can u open the case and see it? brand? wattage?
Yes, your machine will support a higher end card, but with a better PSU....

 

[saint19]

Hi newcomer and welcome to the Tom's hardware forum.

You can find the GPU that you want for your budget and manufacturer preference here

Now, for the PSU, your rig have a Phenom II X4, 8GB and 1TB, so, your PSU must be at least of 400W. Buy your new GPU install on your system and try, if doesn't work, with a 500W PSU from a good brand like Coolermaster, Thermaltake, Corsair, OCZ, Anter or PC power and cooling should be enough.

 

[jyjjy]

A good low power $100 card is the newer 9800GTs without a power connector.

 

[mfarrukh]

9800GT will be AWESOME for your budget
Make sure you PSU is at least 450W

Good Luck

 

[hell_storm2004]

HD4850 is the best option you can get within the $100 now!

 

[wa1]

yes 4850 is much stronger than 9800GT, but HD 4850 need a power connector, the OP will much safer with the newest 9800GT, as jyjjy said...

 

[leon2006]

Below is the latest GPU benchmark on $$$ & performance scale.

One thing you need to consider is that HP PC you purchase may not have sufficient PSU to the card of your liking.

NoteSUs are coming in cheap this time of the year with 500W Antec or other known brand can be purchased for <$50.

 

[leon2006]

Below is the latest GPU benchmark on $$$ & performance scale.

One thing you need to consider is that HP PC you purchase may not have sufficient PSU to the card of your liking.

NoteSUs are coming in cheap this time of the year with 500W Antec or other known brand can be purchased for <$50.





http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-graphics-card,2521.html

 

[Booger420]

Hmmm...options,options

I can't seem to find out what wattage the psu is,there's a ton of info in the specs on tiger direct but nothing on the psu leading me to believe it is bare minimum.
So if I'm understanding this right,the 9800 will require less power than the 4850?
If I need to upgrade the psu I will go with the 4850.

Thanks alot for your input guys
You were a big help

Cheers Booger

 

[jyjjy]

The specifications should be listed on the side of your PSU is you open up your computer's case. The most important spec is the amperage of the +12v rail(s).

 

[Booger420]

Thanks jyjjy
When I receive it (backordered ) I'll be sure to check

 

[jyjjy]

Perfect, cancel the order and build the computer yourself for fun and profit

 

[Booger420]

PC - AMD Phenom II X4 910 2.6GHz, 8GB DDR3, 1TB HDD
ATI HD 4350 GPU. (512), 300w psu

Hehe, yeah I thought about it,but I'm too busy to try to make all those decisions.
Got the new rig now and it was as suspected, minimal power and graphics.

So the 9800GT will give me decent performance with this rig ?
If I upped my budget to $150 would it be a significant difference?


Thanks
Booger

 

[vipervoid1]

If ur budget is $150 ..
then Sapphire Vapor-X Radeon HD 5750..
Is the best choice for u..
But ur PSU needed 450W or higher..
Look here : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102865

 

[Booger420]

Best answer selected by Booger420.