Graphics Upgrade

[xplorerwielder]

I bought an acer desktop with an integrated geforce 8200..how much will a dedicated graphics card improve my performance? Also, what is the best card I can run on the 220v power supply in an open pci express x16 slot?

 

[TheViper]

What is the wattage of the PSU and 12v rails (listed on the side of the PSU)?


Also, any modern dedicated graphics card will provide you with a tremendous increase in performance.

 

[hunter315]

A dedicated card will be a significant boost in performance, particularly for games. As for the PSU, whats the wattage on it? Was the V supposed to be a W? Can you link to the model you have, if you have a high power CPU it limits your graphics options but since you probably have a low power dual core, a 4650 would be quite a large boost in performance for games and wouldnt put too much load on your PSU.

 

[IzzyCraft]

Are you sure your PSU is 220v it can be confused with the voltage of the outlet that's needed. As There are area's in the world (more like majority) that use 220v for their electrical outlets. And older PSU's have a toggle switch in the back that can confuse people.

If you open the case an look at the side or top/bottom of the psu you should hopefully see a sticker with the rating of the Wattage that the PSU is able to draw.

 

[xplorerwielder]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I have an acer ax3200 u3600a, if that helps. The power supply is rated as 220w, not v, sorry for that. I haven't opened the case yet to look at the psu - I will have to do it after work today..heres the specs from cnet..
http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/acer-aspire-ax3200-u3600a/4507-3118_7-33345347.html?tag=mncolBtm;rnav

 

[xplorerwielder]

A dedicated card will be a significant boost in performance, particularly for games. As for the PSU, whats the wattage on it? Was the V supposed to be a W? Can you link to the model you have, if you have a high power CPU it limits your graphics options but since you probably have a low power dual core, a 4650 would be quite a large boost in performance for games and wouldnt put too much load on your PSU.

Thanks - I checked the specs, I should have a 220 w power supply. My desktop is an acer ax3200 u3600a.. here is a link to the specifications from cnet...
http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/acer-aspire-ax3200-u3600a/4507-3118_7-33345347.html?tag=mncolBtm;rnav

This confused me a bit, since I read that my graphics card was an integrated geforce 8200 yet it shows the graphics controller there as a geforce 8400...fairly sure this is a mistake..

 

[xplorerwielder]

Definitely a typo on the cnet page - my chipset is the geforce 8200, and my power supply is 220W. I wouldn't mind upgrading the psu also, but I'm not sure if a different psu will fit since this is a slim form desktop.