GPU Upgrade for Acer Aspire X3400

[radz1973]

Hi i was wondering whats the best Graphics card i can get to fit my PC. Here is my PC http://www.pcworld.com/product/585105/aspire-x3400.html . Here is a pic of inside http://www.rgbfilter.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/AX3400-11.jpg.

 

[radz1973]

Deleted on request.

 

[clutchc]

I can't tell from looking at the graphic card slot if that is a PCIe x16 slot or not. Can you verify?

 

[radz1973]

Thanx for answering, how would i find the info you require CPU-Z ?.

 

[radz1973]

I can't tell from looking at the graphic card slot if that is a PCIe x16 slot or not. Can you verify?

Oh i found this on a review " There are no free bays for additional 3.5- or 5.25-inch devices, though two open slots remain on the motherboard for a PCI Express x16 and PCI Express x1 add-on card. No part of the system is screwless."

 

[clutchc]

99% of all that info is worthless. You can delete it to keep the post concise.

You are going to be very, very limited as to a gfx card. The OEM PSU is tiny, the PCIe X16 slot only allows for a single slot card due to its positioning up against the side of the case, and the length of the card will have to be extremely short. Measure along the PCIe X16 slot from the expansion slot cover to the first obstruction that a card would run into. Let me know the distance...

And if the nameplate on the PSU is visible, take a pic of it.

 

[radz1973]

99% of all that info is worthless. You can delete it to keep the post concise.

You are going to be very, very limited as to a gfx card. The OEM PSU is tiny, the PCIe X16 slot only allows for a single slot card due to its positioning up against the side of the case, and the length of the card will have to be extremely short. Measure along the PCIe X16 slot from the expansion slot cover to the first obstruction that a card would run into. Let me know the distance...

And if the nameplate on the PSU is visible, take a pic of it.

Ok my PSU is 220W power supply and i found someone on the net that has used this card http://www.amd.com/en-us/products/graphics/desktop/5000/5570 in same PC. Is this the best card i can run.

 

[clutchc]

I was hoping for some +12V specs for the PSU. But that's OK. I pretty much know you will be limited to a very narrow card and one that is LOW powered. We still don't know the length available for a card, since you didn't measure. But yes, that HD 5570 would be a candidate along with these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150677
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500352

The R7-240 and HD 5570 are about equal performers, the 240 being newer. The GT 720 would be a bit slower. But you are not going to be able to make a gaming machine out of that slim line PC. Maybe a 720p gamer at best.
Keep in mind, we don't know for sure if any of these will fit until we know how much length you have available in the case.

 

[radz1973]

I was hoping for some +12V specs for the PSU. But that's OK. I pretty much know you will be limited to a very narrow card and one that is LOW powered. We still don't know the length available for a card, since you didn't measure. But yes, that HD 5570 would be a candidate along with these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150677
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500352

The R7-240 and HD 5570 are about equal performers, the 240 being newer. The GT 720 would be a bit slower. But you are not going to be able to make a gaming machine out of that slim line PC. Maybe a 720p gamer at best.
Keep in mind, we don't know for sure if any of these will fit until we know how much length you have available in the case.

Thanx for you great help, so i asume my best card will be the 5570 . I have been looking on Ebay and this card is for my PC (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Acer-Aspire-AX1200-AX3950-X1300-X1700-X1420G-X1430G-X3400G-2048MB-SFF-Video-Card-/171567507236?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item27f2386724) heres the size info of that card : Card Dimensions: 5 3/4" (14.6cm) in Length x 2 1/4" (5.7cm) in Width x 5/8" (1.6cm) in Thickness.

 

[clutchc]

That's fine. But that doesn't tell us if the slightly longer ones we are looking at will fit. You'll notice that card stops right at the end of the PCIe x16 slot. The ones we are looking at are longer. If you are going to install a new card, you are going to have to open the PC anyway. Grab a tape measure, shut down, unplug, and check the length.

 

[radz1973]

That's fine. But that doesn't tell us if the slightly longer ones we are looking at will fit. You'll notice that card stops right at the end of the PCIe x16 slot. The ones we are looking at are longer. If you are going to install a new card, you are going to have to open the PC anyway. Grab a tape measure, shut down, unplug, and check the length.

I have this much space, 6.3" x 2.8" also i found a thread where a guy had same PC as me and installed this GPU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121397&cm_re=engt_430-_-14-121-397-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=6146962&SID=1roxxwkh4jk3r so is there a better alternative than this card. Heres the thread http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?p=1553712#post1553712.

 

[radz1973]

That's fine. But that doesn't tell us if the slightly longer ones we are looking at will fit. You'll notice that card stops right at the end of the PCIe x16 slot. The ones we are looking at are longer. If you are going to install a new card, you are going to have to open the PC anyway. Grab a tape measure, shut down, unplug, and check the length.

Heres PSU

 

[clutchc]

!! A single +12V rail rated at only 14A ?!
Not a PSU designed to use a discrete card, that's for sure. You can scratch the 30W R7-240. Maybe the tiny PSU can handle the 19W GT 720. Anything more powerful and you will be taking a chance of wiping out the PSU. And maybe whatever it is connected to.

 

[radz1973]

!! A single +12V rail rated at only 14A ?!
Not a PSU designed to use a discrete card, that's for sure. You can scratch the 30W R7-240. Maybe the tiny PSU can handle the 19W GT 720. Anything more powerful and you will be taking a chance of wiping out the PSU. And maybe whatever it is connected to.

Thanx for all the advice, so after your advice and other research it seems these card are going to the best i can get and should fit, here's the first (http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/nvidiageforcegraphicscards/nvidiagt720series/gv-n720d3-1gl.html) and the second one (http://www.novatech.co.uk/products/components/nvidiageforcegraphicscards/nvidiagt720series/n720-1gd3hlp.html) which one would you say is best.

 

[clutchc]

Yes, those are about the best you can do, unfortunately. At least w/o trying to find a more powerful PSU replacement that will fit the case.

Those two cards are about equal in quality. One has a small heat sink/fan for cooling and one has a huge heat sink/no fan. The latter would be completely silent. The former would be nearly silent. In that tiny case, it's probably better to go with the one that has a fan for cooling. If it were me, I'd pick the Gigabyte simply for that reason. What resolution is your monitor?

 

[radz1973]

Yes, those are about the best you can do, unfortunately. At least w/o trying to find a more powerful PSU replacement that will fit the case.

Those two cards are about equal in quality. One has a small heat sink/fan for cooling and one has a huge heat sink/no fan. The latter would be completely silent. The former would be nearly silent. In that tiny case, it's probably better to go with the one that has a fan for cooling. If it were me, I'd pick the Gigabyte simply for that reason. What resolution is your monitor?

I use a FULL HDTV which is connected via VGA, also i went ahead and orderd this http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00MPASQTA?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00 i thought it would be better as it was silent. My case has a vent right above where that card will sit so i think it should be ok.

 

[clutchc]

I don't think you are going to be happy at 1080p. But it will be better than what you had.

 

[radz1973]

I don't think you are going to be happy at 1080p. But it will be better than what you had.

I know but its the best i can use i think without changing PSU, might do that later. Another thing is i wanted to know the best possible ram i could use, at the moment i have 7GB but its standard PC world stuff. Is there a top of the line gaming ram i could use or something to that effect.

 

[clutchc]

I don't think you are going to be happy at 1080p. But it will be better than what you had.

I know but its the best i can use i think without changing PSU, might do that later. Another thing is i wanted to know the best possible ram i could use, at the moment i have 7GB but its standard PC world stuff. Is there a top of the line gaming ram i could use or something to that effect.

What processor do you have? The Athlon II X3? What RAM do you have now?

 

[radz1973]

Deleted

 

[radz1973]

I don't think you are going to be happy at 1080p. But it will be better than what you had.

I know but its the best i can use i think without changing PSU, might do that later. Another thing is i wanted to know the best possible ram i could use, at the moment i have 7GB but its standard PC world stuff. Is there a top of the line gaming ram i could use or something to that effect.

What processor do you have? The Athlon II X3? What RAM do you have now?

Here http://puu.sh/dpmCt/4e73c8fe05.png and http://puu.sh/dpmEr/4461cd06a0.png.

 

[clutchc]

Don't waste your money.

 

[radz1973]

Don't waste your money.

Ok , i might just add another 2gb stick though to replace the 1gb stick to get full memory of 8gb.

 

[clutchc]

By all means upgrade to 8GB. And always buy memory in MATCHED pairs for trouble free operation. Dual channel memory is always sold in matched pairs because the 2 sticks in opposing channels must be identical in timings, speed, voltage, manufacturer, even date of manufacture. If not, you risk the chances of BSODs and other anomalies.

 

[applepienj]

I'm interested in an update on how your X3400 is running. My son uses this computer for moderate gaming. Lately it is so bogged down it's frustrating for him. I updated the graphics card without realizing the difficulties of finding the required 300W PCU. I installed it anyway and it ran great for about 5 minutes. I had to remove it. It gave me hope we may be able to get a little more time out of it. Is your upgrade still supporting your needs? Are you able to game on it?