Hp Pavilion elite m9290d [Help Needed]

[danskieness]

I have this pre built desktop

the specs are:
-450 psu
-Manufacturer's motherboard name: Foxconn MCP73M01H1
HP/Compaq name: Napa-GL8E
-Processor QuadCore Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700
-GeForce 8500 GT (everest ultimate edition says that i have Asus EN8500GT memory:512 Bus Width:128-bit Bus Type: Ddr2, Yes i use HDMI)
-4gig Ram ddr2
- Running on Windows XP Sp3

my questions are:
1) can i survive an upgrade of nvidia geforce 8800gt 512mb 256bit
2) do i need more power?
optional
3) i think my current video card has a problem can you help me fix it?
*rarely it displays grains and when it does it doesn't go away til i reboot
*I cant play Need For Speed Undercover smoothly.

sorry for asking to many questions have a nice day

 

[3xch4ng3]

I have this pre built desktop

the specs are:
-450 psu
-Manufacturer's motherboard name: Foxconn MCP73M01H1
HP/Compaq name: Napa-GL8E
-Processor QuadCore Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700
-GeForce 8500 GT (everest ultimate edition says that i have Asus EN8500GT memory:512 Bus Width:128-bit Bus Type: Ddr2, Yes i use HDMI)
-4gig Ram ddr2
- Running on Windows XP Sp3

my questions are:
1) can i survive an upgrade of nvidia geforce 8800gt 512mb 256bit
2) do i need more power?
optional
3) i think my current video card has a problem can you help me fix it?
*rarely it displays grains and when it does it doesn't go away til i reboot
*I cant play Need For Speed Undercover smoothly.

sorry for asking to many questions have a nice day

The specs on your system show a 350w PSU, not 450w.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01384716&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&product=3697004#N332

I would be cautious with going with an 8800GT as it requires 6-pin PCI-E plug from the PSU and I’m sure your power supply doesn't have one. You can always use a Dual Molex adapter for this but I'm not sure how many of them are free to use on the current PSU.

I would check into upgrading the PSU to a larger size with a dedicated 6-pin PCI-E before adding in the 8800GT.

For your current card, I would go to Nvidia.com and scan for latest drivers and see if that helps.

 

[danskieness]

hi exchange thanks for your kind response

i've upgraded my stock 350w psu to a 450w

sorry im not good at this stuff, anyways do you have any advice on what psu should i buy so i can also upgrade to 8800gt?

for my current card i've just updated the driver but it still has malfunctions

 

[3xch4ng3]

hi exchange thanks for your kind response

i've upgraded my stock 350w psu to a 450w

sorry im not good at this stuff, anyways do you have any advice on what psu should i buy so i can also upgrade to 8800gt?

for my current card i've just updated the driver but it still has malfunctions

Does your replacement 450W PSU have a 6-Pin PCI-E cable? If so, you should be able to install the 8800GT without a problem. If it doesn't, you can either use a Dual Molex to PCI-E adapter

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=925&sku=35522&st=Molex%20to%206-pin%20adapter#

Or a simple 500W PSU like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371035

Hope this helps.

 

[tsnor]

Hi,

If you already have the 8800GT, a very nice card in its day and much better than the 8500GT you have, then ignore the following.

You can upgrade to a better card than the 8800gt that has lower power requirements. That might save money in the long run and get rid of possible PSU problem if you have an off-brand that overestimates its power output. Or you can get more performance for the same power.

Your current card = 40 watts TDP for chip
8800GT = 105 watts TDP
you go up 65 watts. That shouldn't bother a quality 450 watt PSU. (What brand do you have?)
For same 105 watt TDP you could have an HD5770 (6770) for $100 that will stomp the 8800GT. Or a GTX450 if you prefer.

Here is a table of video card strength: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-performance-radeon-geforce,2997-7.html

Here is a table of video card power. (They use TDP which I thought was just he chip, not the card but it'll show rough relative numbers). http://www.geeks3d.com/20090618/graphics-cards-thermal-design-power-tdp-database/

 

[danskieness]

Does your replacement 450W PSU have a 6-Pin PCI-E cable? If so, you should be able to install the 8800GT without a problem. If it doesn't, you can either use a Dual Molex to PCI-E adapter

http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=925&sku=35522&st=Molex%20to%206-pin%20adapter#

Or a simple 500W PSU like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371035

Hope this helps.

i really really don't know if this helps you identify my psu if it has that 10in One 6-pin PCI

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/308042_1817688135596_1641925758_1382093_3285141_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/313065_1817688255599_1641925758_1382094_4006866_n.jpg

the psu is really really hard to remove.

 

[danskieness]

Hi,

If you already have the 8800GT, a very nice card in its day and much better than the 8500GT you have, then ignore the following.

You can upgrade to a better card than the 8800gt that has lower power requirements. That might save money in the long run and get rid of possible PSU problem if you have an off-brand that overestimates its power output. Or you can get more performance for the same power.

Your current card = 40 watts TDP for chip
8800GT = 105 watts TDP
you go up 65 watts. That shouldn't bother a quality 450 watt PSU. (What brand do you have?)
For same 105 watt TDP you could have an HD5770 (6770) for $100 that will stomp the 8800GT. Or a GTX450 if you prefer.

Here is a table of video card strength: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-performance-radeon-geforce,2997-7.html

Here is a table of video card power. (They use TDP which I thought was just he chip, not the card but it'll show rough relative numbers). http://www.geeks3d.com/20090618/graphics-cards-thermal-design-power-tdp-database/

thanks for the response tsnor
i'm trying to grasp your advice, I'm quite getting it atm but i still need some help on fully understanding what video card power&strength means

 

[danskieness]

@tsnor
@3xch4ng3 : i've successfully identified my psu Its an Asus Z-45FP

you can view it here -> http://topica.mn/index.php/en/home/desktop-tools/power-supply.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-vmbright.tpl&product_id=246&category_id=76&vmcchk=1