I need a new graphics card plz help

[ShaneWillis]

Hello, i know almost nothing about computers. I need a new graphics card, i would love to play wow on high settings, also Allods online. Whenever guildwars2 comes out i will love to play that high settings. I dont know how to link my computer specs or anything because i suck at using computers. PLz help

 

[Emerald]

it is really hard to recommend anything if we do not know your current hardware.

minimum needed is Power Supply, motherboard, or if it is a major manufacture build which model.

 

[ShaneWillis]

emachines w6409?

 

[ShaneWillis]

Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_qfe.100216-2016)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: GATEWA
System Model: W6409
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 1918MB RAM
Page File: 574MB used, 3234MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

 

[Emerald]

do you have a budget?

a high resolution GPU will most likely require a new PSU, too.

due to the CPU becoming the slowest link in the change I think either one of these should suffice:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102874

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162067

 

[ShaneWillis]

says maximum of 300w and graphics card is ATI Radeon xpress 200

 

[ShaneWillis]

I can spend 300 or less. If i need a new PSU which would you recommend? I don't want to buy something that won't work in my computer or fit

 

[Emerald]

I think with your current hardware (MOBO and CPU) there is no reason to spend no more then $125 on a video card and PSU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817154026

 

[4745454b]

A Pentium 4? I really suggest a new computer.

Athlon x2 with AM3 board, $90.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.660253

Mushkin DDR3-1600 2x2GB, $43.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226176

Antec EA380Green, $40.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033

This comes to $173, leaving you around $130 for your GPU. The 5770 before rebate is easy, the 6850 after rebate might be doable if you can swing a bit more. Cheapest 6850 on newegg right now. $150 after rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161348

 

[Onus]

NO! to that P.O.S. Allied PSU! If it has a little voltage switch, at best it is an obsolete, inefficient design; at worst it is an overrated, system-killing piece of junk. The 380W Antec Earthwatts PSU for $40 would be an excellent choice.
Is your e-Machines PSU a Bestec? If so, it's garbage, and it's a wonder your mobo hasn't been killed yet (see Jonnyguru review "Best of the Bestec").
If it's a Delta or FSP, it can safely handle a HD5670 or HD6670. Either of those would be ok if your resolution is up to 1440x900 or 1280x1024, but your CPU is sufficiently weak that getting good performance out of your current system may be an exercise in futility.
If you can scrape up another $100 (you won't be able to re-use your OS), then 4745454b's idea to rebuild makes the most sense, although I'd suggest a stronger CPU; nothing less than an Athlon X3. The CPU in his combo doesn't include a cooler, so you'd need another $15-$20 for that too.

 

[Onus]

This the absolutely cheapest I'd build a system today. Remove anything you don't need, like the case and optical drive if you can re-use them. Sometimes a combo will turn up, or a Shellshocker, or other good deal; check on the day you buy.

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Model #:WD5000AAKS
Item #:N82E16822136073
$49.99 -$6.00 Instant $43.99
There are faster, but on a budget this should be a reliable drive, and big enough.

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
Model #:GFC-02050
Item #:N82E16832116986
$99.99 -$10.00 Instant $89.99
Not much choice here.

Xigmatek ASGARD II B/B CPC-T45UC-U01 Black / Black 0.8 mm SECC / Aluminum and Aluminum Mesh Bezel ATX Mid Tower Computer ...
Model #:CPC-T45UC-U01
Item #:N82E16811815004
$39.99 -$10.00 Instant $29.99
Rosewill also has some decent cheap cases. Sometimes there will be a special, so you may lower this another $5-$10.

ASRock 880GM-LE AM3 AMD 880G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Model #:880GM-LE
Item #:N82E16813157199
$59.99 -$5.00 Instant $54.99
I've used this board. For a basic build, it should be just fine. If you can spend as little as $10 more, look for an AM3+ mobo if you'd like to upgrade to Bulldozer some day.

SAPPHIRE 100287VGAL Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 512MB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
Model #:100287VGAL
Item #:N82E16814102871
$69.99 $69.99
Depending on your resolution, this should be able to play any game, just that you may need to lower some settings. As budget allows, this would be the first item to improve for gaming. A HD5770 is as low as $95 if you play the rebate game and win.

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power ...
Model #:EA-380D Green
Item #:N82E16817371033
$59.99 -$20.00 Instant $39.99
This has been my "goto" PSU for basic builds for the last few years. None have failed, been noisy, hot, or had other problems. Will handle a HD5770 without any trouble.

AMD Athlon II X3 450 Rana 3.2GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX450WFGMBOX
Model #:ADX450WFGMBOX
Item #:N82E16819103886
$79.99 $79.99
You want at least three cores. Four would be nice, but on a tight budget, this should do well enough.

G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBNS
Model #:F3-10666CL9D-4GBNS
Item #:N82E16820231396
$39.99 $39.99
I bought a few G.Skill RAM kits recently, and have not had any problems.

LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support
Model #:iHAS424-98
Item #:N82E16827106335
$24.99 $24.99
Meh. One optical drive is much like another. This one has Lightscribe.

Subtotal: $473.91

Deals may chop this down a little, but you don't want to buy junk. I can recommend these parts (in fact I have used them) and keep a clear conscience about it.
Good luck.

 

[4745454b]

Wow. They charge the same $40 for that crap as they do for the 380Green? Amazing.

I agree that a tri core would have been better, but I was trying to stay on budget. No way to get a tri in there unless your getting a 5570 or something like that. I should have mentioned the OS issue, and I flat missed the HSF not being there. It was a guide however, I'm sure if he pokes around newegg he'll be able to find a combo that includes a retail CPU.