Graphics cards

[greymattr]

Hi everyone im a first time user trying to soup up my computer a little. Im also a little new with the technical terms for a computer so if you could spell it out as if your talking to a caveman that would be nice. I have an Emachienes ET1161 with a DCI express port I want to put a low power graphics card in it that functions well and enables 3-D games and screen savers i dont care if it has a fan. Any suggestions?

 

[festerovic]

I think you mean PCI express slot, and here is a nice low power card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161252

 

[coozie7]

@ Greymatter: The processor is a single core unit and will be very weak for games.
I would suggest the less powerful HD4650 as the upgrade.
Do not expect to play heavy titles like Crysis, Crysis Warhead or GTA IV at anything more than low settings, sorry, but that's the way it is, mate

 

[greymattr]

yes i did mean PCI express slot thanks for the correction. Also i figured it didnt have alot of power in the gaming area but thanks for the help. this is alot faster than stumbuling blindly through the internet!

 

[greymattr]

wat do you think about the Radeon HD 4670 that festerovic suggested?

 

[greymattr]

yes ive heard about the power problems is there a way to fix that without replacing the motherboard?

 

[greymattr]

is that a hard thing to do?

 

[greymattr]

remember im new at this

 

[greymattr]

so it wouldnt matter if i put one in or not my computer would still basically suck unless i replaced the motherboard with something better?

 

[greymattr]

sounds kool thanks

also this is just the computer i use for things like word documents and stuff building one would be an interesting summer project

 

[greymattr]

nice and yes i have seen the thousand or thre thousand dollar alienwares and i dont have that kind of money

 

[greymattr]

interesting this might be something worth saving for

 

[coozie7]

@ greymattr: Building your own can save a great deal of cash and although it's not really hard as such, can be daunting for the first time...Mine was, but then the first time is always a little frought
A complete new system may not be needed, though.
For example, is the case able to accept a new motherboard and PSU? If so you've saved 40-80 dollars there. Do you really need a new DVD/CD drive or hard drive/s? Again, by reusing more can be saved there. Need the OS? Get the 'system builders' version, it's the same product but a fraction of the retail price. Will you overclock? No? Then there's no need for a high performance CPU cooler. Memory should be bought, though, most likely yours is a slower type and will hold a faster CPU back, particularly the newer AMD chips.
Such a core upgrade could be done for about $250-$300 (CPU/MB/RAM/PSU and a HD4670 or HD4870 card.

 

[greymattr]

sounds interesting coozie i was going to buy the system ct1615 suggested but by taking your idea i could save about three hundred dollars! do you have any suggestions on what would be the best parts? space realy isnt a problem if you have seen the computer it is pretty bare.

 

[greymattr]

well i have a 18.5 inch moniter with a 1366*768 resolution
maxing things out would be good
i cant really go over 450 dollars

 

[greymattr]

any suggestions?

 

[greymattr]

nice wat will this be able to do in the way of games

 

[coozie7]

@ greymattr: The core upgrade idea is one I have used for some time and it's a handy way to keep the system fresh without having to buy a whole new box every couple of years.

If you decide on the more complete upgrade rather than just a card or card/PSU then do some reading first. Building a system is not that hard, but there are mistakes that can be made, particularly when installing a new motherboard.
It may not be possible to use the preloaded Windows or recovery disc (if present) with a new configuration in which case you'll need a new OS which will add to the cost and time needed. Either way it would be wise to back up your data, fully reformat the hard drive/s and reinstall from scratch if you do the full upgrade.

For now, I would suggest you replace the card and PSU to start with and see how things pan out. If that upgrade is enough, then that's fine, if you need the CPU/MB upgrade, well, you were going to get the PSU/card anyway, were n't you

 

[greymattr]

do you think the psu that ct1615 suggested would be fine then. I mean it looks good to me but then again i havnt learned all this computer stuff yet

 

[coozie7]

^It's fine, nice choice for the other components ct1615 suggested.

 

[greymattr]

well yeah but i cant buy them all at the same time so do you think if i bought that first it wouldnt like fry my mother board?

 

[greymattr]

sounds cool thanks

 

[greymattr]

so to instal it i would just point the big fan down towards the bottom of the case?

 

[greymattr]

thank you after i buy it ill probably have alot more questions so stay tuned

 

[greymattr]

well thats what i was talking about, it has i big fan on top i figured you just point it down so the fan isnt facing the top of the case