I need advice on a video card for my computer

[maestro_1074]

Hi,
I have an HP a6700y computer which has integrated graphics. I want to upgrade it with a new video card. I know that I will have to also upgrade the PSU. I was thinking about getting an Nvidia 9800GTX+, but I keep reading reviews about how hot this card runs.
I was wondering if anybody has any sugestions on a good video card for me to purchase, ( I want to stick with Nvidia).
Also, I know that I will need to upgrade my PSU. I figure I will probably get 500w, but I’m not sure what else I should look for in a PSU as far as specs. Any suggestions will greatly be appreciated.
Thanks.

My PC Specs: HP a6700y

ProcessorAMD Phenom™ X4
Processor Speed 1.8GHz
Cache Memory2MB L2 + 2MB shared L3
System Memory (RAM) 4GB
System Memory (RAM) Expandable To 8GB

GraphicsNVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE
Video Memory128MB (dedicated); up to 1343MB (allocated by Windows Vista)

Total Expansion Slots1 PCI, 2 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16
Available Expansion Slots1 PCI, 1 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16

300 Watt Power Supply
One 24-pin ATX power connector
One 4-pin ATX power connector
One PATA connector
Four SATA connectors
One floppy drive connector
Two 12v fan connectors for CPU fan and PC fan
One 9-pin header for power button, reset button, power LED, and HDD LED
One SPDIF digital audio output header
One front line input connector (interrupts line input on back panel, Vista capable, requires matching front audio jack module)
One 9-pin audio header for headphone-out and microphone-in (yellow, Vista capable, requires matching front audio jack module)
Four USB headers supporting 6 additional USB 2.0 ports or devices
One 1394a header
One Intel high-definition Audio/Modem Link (not used by HP)
One jumper for resetting BIOS settings
One jumper to disable BIOS password checking

 

[shadow187]

Assuming you know a 500W PSU and a 9800GTX+ is $150, I will assume that's your budget.
Budgets are expandable, 🙂
My advice is to get an HD4870, and a Corsair 550W PSU. This will be $175, but will enable you for gaming on a higher-end level.

 

[maestro_1074]

Yes, under $200 would be my budget, (preferably $150 and under). And actually I was kind of leaning towards Nvidia more than ATI

 

[maestro_1074]

Most of the video cards that I've been looking at are large, between 9 inches and 11 inches. My case will have the room for these lengths, but I am wondering about the double slot size of these cards. There are 4 SATA connectors on my mother board with 2 SATA cables pluged in to 2 of the sockets nearest where the video card wiil sit. With these 2 cables in the position they are in right now, it looks like there won't be enough room for a double slot sized card to fit there.
Although, if I were to move the 2 SATA cables to the 2 free/empty slots, there should be enough room. I was just wondering if I can simply move these 2 Sata cables to the 2 free/empty sata connector spots, without doing damage to my computer. Would I have to do any kind of configuring or anything, such as in the BIOS etc...?

 

[shadow187]

Most of the video cards that I've been looking at are large, between 9 inches and 11 inches. My case will have the room for these lengths, but I am wondering about the double slot size of these cards. There are 4 SATA connectors on my mother board with 2 SATA cables pluged in to 2 of the sockets nearest where the video card wiil sit. With these 2 cables in the position they are in right now, it looks like there won't be enough room for a double slot sized card to fit there.
Although, if I were to move the 2 SATA cables to the 2 free/empty slots, there should be enough room. I was just wondering if I can simply move these 2 Sata cables to the 2 free/empty sata connector spots, without doing damage to my computer. Would I have to do any kind of configuring or anything, such as in the BIOS etc...?

You'd be fine just moving the two SATA cables.

nVidia, for now, is worse than ATI is. Their only competition is their 9600GSO at $60, and that they have the highest single-slot solution at $500. At every major pricepoint ($100, $150, $200, $300, $400) ATI has a clear lead.